Chapter Nineteen: Back in Session

"...and that is, in only a few words, the story of how I defeated the entire Emperor's Coven single-handedly and saved the day. Hoot!" The Bat Queen's children were enthralled with Hooty's story, as were Eda and the Bat Queen herself, albeit for an entirely different reason

"Wow," Eda said, her voice halfway between sarcasm and humoring him. "So you really just beat them all by yourself?"

He nodded. "Yup."

"And the part about flying in like a bird of prey with your great wings, that happened too? Even though you don't have any wings?"

"Uh-huh, yup."

"So, if you beat the Emperor's Coven…why are we still on the run from them?"

"I'm telling the story in medias res," Hooty answered. "It hasn't happened yet from our perspective, but that's how it'll go down in the future. Hoot!"

The Bat Queen smiled. "I, for one, enjoyed Hooty's tale. We will need bravery and tenacity like his if we are to stand up against Belos' forces."

Eda took a sip from a glass of bootlegged apple blood, and suppressed the urge to spit it out. "Who says we're doin' that?" she asked. "That old fart's gonna give up before too long. It happens every time: he sends someone new after me, I give 'em the slip for a bit, he gives up and tries something new. Never fails."

"That may be, but your accounts of Mattias tell a different story," the Bat Queen said. "He is another beast entirely: cunning, ruthless, relentless. If you of all people are afraid of him, I hesitate to imagine what he is capable of."

This time, Eda did spit out her apple blood, though only partially due to the taste. "What!? Alright, first of all, I'm the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles; I ain't scared of nobody! And second, okay, fine, maybe I am a bit concerned about Mattias, but only because he's a shifty son of a slug. He kidnapped Luz once, I don't wanna think about what kinda lows he'll sink to next."

"Hey-O!" Their conversation was interrupted by a shout from outside, thankfully from a welcome voice. Kade crawled down from his staff and made his way into the cave. "Guess who's back!"

"Ha, you sure took your sweet time!" said Eda. "So, you find anything in that 'mythical repository of ancient knowledge' of yours?"

Kade set Mr. Crawly down against the cave wall. "I was lookin', but I got sidetracked. Some kid was looking for some stuff, and I got roped into a whole thing…but hey, guess who I ran into!"

"Wait, did you see Luz?" Eda said, suddenly perking up.

"...Wow, didn't expect you to get that in one go," said Kade.

Eda stood up and hurried over to him. "What's going on? She's okay, right? You'd have brought her back here if she was in trouble, right?"

"Don't worry, don't worry, she's fine," said Kade. However, there was a slightly anxious undertone to his voice. "She's staying at a friend's house. I picked her up and dropped them off, they made it back okay. Although…"

She knew there was a catch. "Although what?"

"She's…" He looked away hesitantly. "The Inquisition's going after her, too. She apparently had a run-in with two of them on two separate occasions. She fought 'em off just fine, but I doubt they'll just leave well enough alone."

If Eda still had Owlbert, she'd have flown into town then and there and carried Luz right to the cave. She'd have fought off any Inquisitor who tried to take her. She was tempted to do so now–but knew she wasn't strong enough without her staff. Instead, once the news sank in, she angrily punched the wall, causing her arm to pop off.

"Woah, hey now, easy!" said Kade, holding up his arms. He picked up Eda's severed arm and handed it back to her. "I get you're mad, but let's not take it out on yourself, okay?"

She angrily snatched the limb back and fit it back into place. "What's even the point of all this!?" she growled. "The whole reason I sent her away was to keep her safe from those psychopaths! I thought they were just after me, but now that they're after her–what are we supposed to do!? We can't fight off all nine of them!"

"Maybe we do not need to," suggested the Bat Queen. "They are strong together, but they only wield the power of a single coven type alone. We need only separate them."

A dark plan was forming in Eda's mind. "Yeah. Yeah, one-on-one, they'll be practically helpless. We just need to find a way to get one of them alone, get the drop on 'em, and move onto the next. It'll be easy."

"Why do I feel like 'easy' is pushing it?" Kade said worriedly. "And where exactly are we gonna put 'em? This place doesn't exactly come equipped with jail cells, so we–"

Eda interrupted. "The only place we're putting them is in the ground," she snarled.

Kade took a few steps back. "E-Eda…you don't mean…" But Eda was dead serious. "No, we're not resorting to murder! Like I said, I completely understand why you're angry, but I can't let you go down that path!"

"And just why not!?" Eda asked. "She's a kid, Kade! A kid! And they're hunting her down like she's some kind of dangerous fugitive!"

"Luz is stronger than her appearance suggests," said the Bat Queen. "She has handled much in her time on the island, has she not? She has grown tremendously during her stay, has she not?"

"She fought a few monsters, but this is different! These are grown-ass adults going after a child! What do you think I should do? What do you think I should do!?"

"I-I don't know," he said, "but I know this'll get you in more trouble than you already are. Belos already wants you for just about everything under the sun, add murder to that, murder of his own people, no doubt, and he'll come after you with everything he has. I know you think you can handle him, but what about Luz? What happens to her if you're in jail, or dead?"

Eda threw up her hands. "When did you become an expert on what Belos will do?"

"When did you?"

She paused. She paced. She sighed, and sat down. Hooty, Kade, and the Bat Queen and her children sat down beside her. "Okay. Fine. I won't go on a killing spree. But we have to do something. We can't just sit here while Luz is in danger!"

"And we shall not," said the Bat Queen. "I said I would help you reunite with your palisman if you helped me–and although I still have questions on my origins, you did help me. We will look for Owlbert, and we will find him."

Kade put an arm around her shoulders. "Yeah. I'll head back to the library if you need me to, but either way, I'm with you all the way."

"Aww, you guys!" Eda said, nudging the both of them. "So sappy!" Her smile vanished. "I just wish I could see Luz in person. It's been…actually, hasn't it only been a few days? Yeesh, it feels like longer. Hope she's doing alright…"

"You don't have to worry about her," Kade assured her. "She's tough! Wherever she is, I'm sure she's doing just fine."

"...and that is, in only a few words, why I'll need to crash here for the next few days. Think that'll be possible?"

For once glad to be in the principal's office, Luz finished up her pitch to Principal Bump. He stared at her strangely, as though he still wasn't entirely sure what she was doing there. Willow and Gus sat nearby, worried for her chances.

"That was…certainly something." Bump got up from his chair to think. "Under normal circumstances, I would tell you to go to the authorities, but it seems like the authorities are the ones out to get you in this case. Far be it from me to turn away a student in danger, but this is a school, not a hotel."

It was time for the big guns: Luz pulled out the puppy-dog eyes. "Pleeeease? C'mon, Bumpy, when have I ever asked you for anything? Aside from letting me attend in the first place. And aside from letting me enroll in all the tracks at once. And aside from letting that incident with the rogue pantsing hex slide. And aside from letting us keep that unithorn as a class pet. And aside from–"

"Yes, aside from all of that, of course," said Bump. "First, I would ask that you not call me 'Bumpy.' Ever." Luz nodded. "And second…I suppose, if you really have nowhere else to go…you can stay here."

"Woo-hoo! Yes!" Ecstatic, Luz leapt into the air. She had never been so excited and relieved to go to school before, let alone stay there full time. "And I promise I won't be any trouble! Well, no more than usual. You'll barely even know I'm here!"

"That's partially what I'm worried about," Bump mumbled. "Like I said, this isn't a daycare. Are you sure you'll be able to take care of yourself?"

Luz scoffed confidently. "Please, I'm not five. Don't even worry about me–I'll take care of all the food and the sleeping arrangements and all that stuff. It's like I won't even be here!"

Bump wasn't sure what scared him more: that one of his students was being targeted by a branch of the Emperor's Coven itself, or that same student was being given free reign of school grounds. "Just…please, try not to cause too much damage. Our budget is growing thin enough as it is."

"I'll do my best!" Luz reveled in the good news for a moment with the other two, before setting off to wherever it was she planned to crash for all this time. It suddenly occurred to Bump, with a start, that he had no idea how long this was going to last. The Empire's Coven didn't tend to just give up its pursuit of a suspect after a few weeks. There was no way this stay could be permanent, could it?

"Er…Luz?"

She turned around. "Hmm? Yeah?"

Bump breathed in, but took a moment to find the words. "If…if anything comes up with this Inquisition business, please, let me know."

"Uh, sure, will do!" Luz and the others left, and Bump sighed. They could work out the details later–right now, it was just important that she stayed safe.

"Y'know, that went a lot better than I thought it would," said Gus. "He's really opened up since you showed up, hasn't he?"

"I know, right?" agreed Luz. "He's definitely come a long way from trying to open me up. So, where should I crash 'til this blows over? Greenhouse?"

"That's probably not the best idea," said Willow. "Some of the plants there aren't exactly fond of guests…"

"Library?"

"Are you kidding?" said Gus. "Do you know what the librarian does to kids who sneak in past closing? Nothing good, that's for sure."

"Dorms?"

"This place doesn't have dorms," said Willow.

"Bathrooms?"

"Absolutely not," the two witches said in unison.

"Hang on," said Gus, "I think I've got an idea! This way!" He hurried off, Luz and Willow tailing behind him. He led them into the school's long-disused theater, hopping up to the curtained stage. He pulled back said curtains to reveal a small hidey-hole obscured from the public eye. "Eh? Eh? Not too bad, huh? Plus, you'd have the place all to yourself, since the drama club doesn't meet anymore. Not since…the accident…"

"What accident?" asked Luz.

Willow shook her head knowingly. "It's better for you if you remain in ignorance."

Not exactly reassured by this, Luz was still taken in by the nook's cozy decor. "Okaaaay… Not sure what that means, but I can see myself staying here for a little while!" She arranged some assorted props to make it more homey, even tying up a discarded cape to act as a hammock. "It's even got a bed!"

Despite how quickly Luz was taking to her new residence, there was still an unanswered question that hung in the air: unanswered until Gus brought it up. "So…what are we gonna do about the Inquisitors? Laying low is all fine and good, but they're still gonna be looking for you and Eda. Are you just planning on staying here for…months? Years?"

Luz wasn't exactly worried. "Eh, we'll think of something before too long. I don't see myself staying here longer than a week." To prove how nonchalant she was, she lay down in the makeshift hammock, which was about half her size. "Once it's safe to go outside again, I'll meet up with Eda, and we can–woah!" She fell on the floor as the hammock collapsed beneath her. "Eh, cook up a plan for dealing with them."

The two weren't reassured, but figured it was too soon to make a game plan yet, anyway. "Okay, we'll keep our ears to the ground for now," said Willow. "We'll let you know if we hear any chatter about you from the Emperor's Coven."

"Great!" said Luz. "Also…You guys've already done so much for me, but could I ask you for one more tiny little favor?"

Willow nodded. "Of course. What do you need?"

"Could you…" She was quiet for a moment, wringing her hands as though she was nervous about the request. "...tell Amity where I am? And maybe ask her if she can come see me? If she's not busy, of course."

A knowing smile appeared on Gus. "We'll let her know!"

"Luz? Luz, are you in here?" Amity called out. The theater lights were turned off, so it was hard to see if anyone was in the seats or on the stage. However, a light soon shined from behind the curtain as someone pulled it back to peer out.

This someone was Luz. "Amity, you made it! Please, come in, everyone's all ready for you!" Much to her surprise, the young witch practically sprinted up to the stage, grabbing her by the shoulders as she inspected her for any obvious wounds.

"Are you okay!? I heard about everything with the underground–you aren't hurt, are you!?" She was practically shaking Luz as she inquired about her state, with her unable to get a word in edgewise. "If there's anything I can do, let me know! I can–I can maybe figure out a way to get you to Eda, I can…I…"

Luz gently took her hands. "Amity, I'm fine, really! Yeah, there was a bit of danger, but nothing the three of us couldn't handle. I'm just hiding here to stay off of their radar for a bit, that's all!" She lifted the curtain, inviting the unconvinced Amity inside. "After you, Madame Blight!"

Amity stepped through, but not before giving her an odd, and somewhat concerned, look. Behind the curtain, props had been arranged into the facsimile of a house, most likely the Owl House, considering the other props that were present around a table. There was a mop with a face drawn on a paper plate, a dead ringer for Eda. A bit of tubing had a similar face, this one clearly Hooty. And then there was a sandbag dyed black with ink, with ruler limbs, complete with a skull and a cardboard crown to represent King. "Um…"

"Not bad, huh?" Luz said, taking a seat at the table. She pulled up another chair. "Saved ya a seat! How d'you like your water? One ice cube or two?" She poured some water, which she had likely gotten from the drinking fountain, from a pitcher into a paper cup.

Taking in the sight, Amity sat down. "Luz…how long exactly have you been living here?" she asked. She worried that cabin fever had set in already, which didn't bode well for the near future.

She shrugged. "Only about a day. A little less than twenty-four hours, probably. Why?"

"Y-you've…a day?" Amity looked at the mannequins of Luz's housemates. "A-are you sure you're okay?"

Luz tried to reassure Amity with a chuckle. "Oh, don't worry, I'm not crazy. I just made these to make it feel more comfortable. You have to admit, they look almost like the real thing, right?"

Amity nudged the Hooty prop, which slumped over, its eyes dead and soulless. "Maybe. This one, definitely. Y'know, if you really need somewhere to stay, I could probably smuggle you up to my room."

Blushing, Luz denied, perhaps a bit too quickly. "N-no, it's okay, really! It's fine here, and I wouldn't want to be a burden. Besides, I doubt your folks would be too pleased with some girl they've never met staying in your room!"

Much less noticeable, Amity blushed as well, looking away. "That much is true… But what exactly are you going to do about the Inquisitors? You can't stay here forever, and they won't just give up hunting for you. My parents have both worked with him, and I know from experience that he's relentless. He wouldn't send them after you if they were any less so."

"Gus and Willow said the same thing," Luz noted. "Like I told them, we've got plenty of time to come up with a plan! Some way to meet back up with Eda, or to avoid them for now, something like that. I figure we can probably wait until school starts up again before we need to worry about something like that."

Amity sipped from her water glass. "Those are only temporary solutions," she said. "Luz...Willow told me what happened in the mines. You've always been so spirited, since the moment we first met…but you can't just recklessly throw yourself into these situations. Sooner or later, you're gonna throw yourself at an enemy you can't beat, and…and you won't have any of us to back you up."

A pause. "Amity…" Luz was touched that Amity was so concerned for her, but all her worry made her…worried. "It's okay. I'm not as helpless as I was before. I've got magic now!" To demonstrate, she created a small pillar of ice on the table, placing a ball of light on top of it. The same trick she had shown to Bump for her registration exam. "See? I can handle anything!"

Despite this only proving her point, Amity smiled a bit. "You were never helpless, Luz," she said. "And even with magic, you'd still be no match for Belos alone. None of us would be. Not alone."

"Then it's a good thing I'll never be alone." She looked up at Amity with those big eyes, making her almost drop her cup. "You, Willow, Gus, Eda–you'll always be there for me, right?" Amity silently nodded. "I'll be careful. I promise."

"...I-I have to go," Amity said awkwardly." She stumbled up out of her chair before staggering over to the curtain. "It was nice seeing you, but I've really got somewhere I need to be. I'll hold you to that promise!"

"Amity–" Luz was about to stop her, but decided against it. The two of them shared one last look before Amity disappeared from sight. "Well, that was weird. Actually, for Amity, it wasn't that weird. Oh well." She went back inside to work on her mannequins.

A breeze was picking up as Amity got outside. Leaves and flower petals danced across the grass as she hurried down the walkway. Including one in her pocket. Completely unbeknownst to her, a scarlet leaf flew out from her pocket and onto the wind, coming to rest on a windowsill looking into the school. She left, entirely unaware of her presence. And why should she have paid it any attention? It was only a leaf, after all.

Elsewhere, Shrike perked up, something having caught his attention. "Hmm…ah, now that is interesting…"