"Only three days' journey? This is wonderful!" Emma celebrated, but Maleficent wasn't exactly happy.

"Don't celebrate yet. Reach the ruins is the easiest part. We still have to overcome the traps and it won't be easy."

"So we can"t waste time. But first we have to stop in the village to buy supplies. We still have some money, but need to save. Unless I sing in a tavern for..."

Maleficent immediately disagreed.

"Sing for a bunch of drunks? Only over my dead body!"

"Oh, no! Not again! We've talked about it. There is no problem in singing!"

"Until some bastard miserable try to kiss you and put a hand inside your cleavage. Only I can do that!"

"No one will do this, stop this paranoia!"

"We don't need money, what we have is enough for three days. When I get back to normal, I'll take us to the castle in an instant. "

Oscar and Emma heard little discussion trying to keep from laughing. They were incorrigible! Although they was getting along well, those little quarrels were inevitable. Maleficent was still very jealous while Aurora didn't accept any kind of control or supervision. Alright. They always made peace and ended it all with a warm kiss. At least Maleficent was striving to be a better person. One step at a time. Very small steps, in fact.

"Ah, a village! Finally!" Emma said interrupting the discussion of them.

"I hope they have decent food this time." Maleficent complained, tired of eating bad food every day.

"We have to save. If the money runs out, I will sing."

"I'd rather eat insects along with Oscar than allow such a thing!"

"Not again!"

The little quarrel lasted until they entered the village, which seemed a bit better than the previous. At least there wasn't an outbreak of the Black Pest. Oscar hid in a small leather pouch that Aurora was carrying, because normally people do not react well to the dragons, even one small.

"It's still early, it's not even noon. We will purchase supplies, have lunch and then travel to save time." Aurora said counting the coins, which should be in larger quantity if not for Maleficent's difficulty to deal with money.

In the first days of travel, she bought some items paying more than it was worth, causing loss to them. The former fairy always had a great treasure at her disposal and never needed to save money.

After buying some supplies, which consisted of oatmeal, fruit and dried meat, cheese and black bread, they had lunch in a tavern.

"This cup is dirty!" Maleficent complained, as usual.

"You should have gotten used to it!" Aurora rebuked. "We can't afford a better place. I'll try to get another cup."

She resisted the temptation and continued eating. Gradually, she was managing to overcome the feeling of disgust that prevented her from eating.

"Are all children sick?" One man asked another and the conversation reached to Aurora, Maleficent and Emma.

"Yes, isn't it terrible? All children are with diarrhea."

"It seems everything got weird... the winter is ending very soon, the plants don't grow and now people are getting sick. This can only be the devil's work!"

"That's why the inquisition is hunting witches."

"Strange... I've never heard of them acting in that kingdom."

"The king never allowed, but you know how powerful they are. Especially after Maleficent disappeared!"

The former fairy's lips tightened with anger, because she didn't like one bit of that religion which sent many people to the fire. One of the reasons they are not as strong in the Stefan's kingdom was her presence. Now the kingdom was unprotected, as well as people who followed their own religious traditions. The clergy was extremely intolerant with differences.

"Is it true that they burn people alive?" Aurora asked.

"Yes, it's true. I've seen it happen many times. Lot of people who currently live in the forbidden lands fled the Inquisition."

"What will happen if you don't come back?"

"Georgei always been in favor of this religion, but I never cared because he wasn't a threat. Now in power, he'll allow them to enter the forbidden lands. Lot of people human and not human are in danger."

They finished eating and walked away quickly, but Aurora felt bad for the children. Realizing her concern, the older woman said.

"You're worried about these kids, aren't you?"

"Yes, but we have to move on." She replied with great sadness.

"Well... I guess there's no problem lose a few hours."

Her eyes shone.

"Will we help the children? How? Our money is little."

"I may have turned into human, but I still have all my knowledge and know how to treat diarrhea. We can do this and then move on."

"Will they accept our help?" Emma asked.

"We can try."

The orphanage was a big and somewhat unkempt house, where there were children abandoned by parents too poor to care for them. Some were adopted and taken to work in the fields or workshops. The place was run by a couple and some women took care of the children the way they could. The work wasn't easy.

By having more social skills, Aurora talked with the couple.

"We knew children are suffering from diarrhea."

"Yes, it's very sad." Said Johanna and her husband, Thomas, agreed.

"It appeared suddenly, nothing ever happened like that before!"

"My friend is... uh... healer and knows many teas and herbs that can help. If you allow..."

"We can't pay." the man said looking at the floor.

"No need, we'll do for free."

They were suspicious at first. Why those women were offering help so generously? After much insistence from Aurora, they agreed because were getting desperate. While the princess was at the orphanage explaining the importance of keeping everything clean to avoid rats and diseases, Maleficent went with Emma to look for herbs to be used in tea against diarrhea.

"I always thought bathing every day was bad health!" The woman said.

"No, of course not! This prevents many diseases. It's also important to wash hands before eating, wash utensils and..."

Gradually Aurora won the initial resistance and managed to put some order in the orphanage. Children bathed, dressed clean clothes and women have made a good work cleaning house. Maleficent returned with the ingredients for tea and went into the kitchen.

"Don't worry, I still know make teas." The woman said to see Emma worried for her cooking.

When the tea was ready, it was time to give to children.

"This will work?" Johanna said while doing some children drinking the tea, which wasn't easy because the drink had a bitter taste.

"Yes, Mally is excellent with teas to heal." Aurora said. When the woman moved away, Maleficent spoke reproachfully.

"'Mally'? You only invent ridiculous names!"

"Don't complain! I can't go around saying your real name, can I?"

"At least you should have thought of something better! That name is ridiculous and doesn't suit me!"

Aurora went away, leaving Maleficent talking to herself.

"Don't turn your back on me while I'm talking! Come back here! Some children haven't taken tea yet!"

"Give to them!"

"I?"

"Yes. And tell a story too. With happy ending!"

"But... but..." she stuttered trying not to panic with those kids around her. Before could argue with Aurora, the wooden door was closed leaving her alone with those terrible mini-humans who only knew cry and make mess.

"Will you tell a story for us, auntie?" One little girl about 8 years old asked, leaving Maleficent almost regretted.

"Story! We want story!" Said a little boy putting one finger in the nose and the woman had to make a big effort not to spew her lunch.

"Sit down and I don't want to hear any noise! You'll finish the tea." She said in an authoritative tone, but the kids didn't hear.

"No! It's too bitter."

"I don't want!"

"Ew!"

"Come back here right now! Be quiet!"

The children were noisy, leaving her panicked. Some ran wildly and she chased them stumbling into various furniture and wooden toys. Others were crying, some were fighting with each other and one of them took a big bite on her leg, making her scream.

From the outside, Aurora laughed until some tears run from her eyes.

"Is it a good idea? You know she doesn't like children!" Emma said very worried.

"Then she'll learn to like it. And it's so fun! Let's help in cleaning the yard and vegetable garden. They need help!"

They walked away ignoring another Maleficent's scream. She could take care of herself.