Dairine was drawing in the dirt.

From far away it might have looked as though she was idly sketching in the dust, but upon closer inspection it was obvious that she was deep in concentration. Her red hair was falling into her large, silvery eyes, usually so full of mischief, were now clouded with worry. Her lips moved, but not a sound escaped her. She was so immersed in her calculations, in fact, that Kit had to say her name three times before she showed any sign of having heard him.

"Dairine. Dairine. Dairine! RUNT!"

"Only my sister calls me that, El Nino," Dairine shot back without looking up.

"Point taken. Are you done yet?"

"Do you want to end up in Mariana's Trench?"

"Sorry."

"No problem. Did you get the mustard?'

"Yes, though I still don't get why we need mustard for a spell."

Dairine lifted her head at last, her eyes sparkling. "We don't. I needed a sandwich."

Kit punched her playfully on the shoulder and handed her the bottle of mustard. Dairine sat down, careful not to scuff the symbols she had sketched in the dirt and began to slather mustard on a slice of bread with almost indecent enthusiasm. Kit watched her with a faintly amused expression on his face. Then his eye traveled to her work. Sighing, he got out his manual and started to check for mistakes. Naturally, there were none.

Five minutes later, Dairine stood up, brushed her hands free of crumbs, and said softly, "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," Kit quipped. Ponch was away on "business", so Kit and Dairine had to locate Nita on their own. In some ways, Kit preferred it that way – he hadn't to deal with a real wizardry problem in so long, he felt like he was losing his touch. Still, he missed having Ponch at his side for reassurance.

There was no time to reflect on this, however. Dairine was gesturing impatiently for him to join her. Kit sighed again and made to follow her, but he had scarcely stowed his manual in his otherspace pocket when there came a loud crack! from behind him.

Kit whirled around. Standing in front of him, looking haughty as ever, was Roshaun. At his side was a beautiful blond girl Kit had never seen before. Speechless, Kit just stood there, his mouth hanging open, until Roshaun spoke.

"Got room for two more in that spell?"

-

Nita felt like she'd been hit by a truck.

Her head was pounding and she was sore from sleeping on the cold stone floor all night. Her teeth felt like they were covered in fuzzy sweaters. The pain in her side had flared up again, and when she dared to inspect the wound, she found a thick red scar. She knew wizardry could make the scar disappear, but looking at it made her stomach upset. Her captors had nearly killed her once before. Who was to say they wouldn't try it again?

Nita was distracted from these unhappy thoughts by her body's urgent need to use the bathroom. She stood, and her side exploded with pain. She grimaced, but managed to remain upright. Her eyes found Ronan, who was still sleeping peacefully in the opposite corner, and she nearly let out a groan of embarrassment as she remembered the night before. In the morning light, she appreciated Ronan's chivalry, but it made her ashamed that she'd been so easily persuaded by alcohol.

An uncomfortable twinge in her bladder reminded Nita that she had a mission. She headed for the nearest shadowy corner, throwing a cautious glance Ronan's way. He was flat on his back, snoring, and it didn't look like he'd be waking up anytime soon. Nita started for the corner again, but then something caught her eye. Something very, very strange.

The section of the wall in front of her looked normal, like solid, moss covered stone. But the section of the wall just to the right of that was - there was not other word for it - shimmering. Without thinking, Nita stretched out her fingertips to touch the wall - and found only empty air. Nita screamed and tripped backwards over her own feet, and the wall flickered and disappeared, revealing a dark passageway just large enough for two teenagers to slip into.

"Wha happen?" came Ronan's groggy voice from behind her. Nita pointed a shaking hand at the hole in the wall.

"I think I just found a way out."