Lieutenant Yaeger pinched the bridge of his nose, glaring above his gloved fingers through the cell bars before him. "First, the sinister old man is going on about witches, and now our prisoners are, too? I had to come and hear this for myself. So, Lady Caine, care to reiterate your side of the story? Your men seem convinced enough, but the guards have told me you haven't said a word. That's not very like you, is it?"

The Lady turned her nose up at the scout leader, tossing her dark red hair over her shoulder with a flippant hand. "Spare me the condescending attitude, handsome. While I'm grateful you and your men were so generous as to dress our wounds, my men and I don't appreciate being thrown back in here. If you really want me to talk, I suggest you provide me more reasonable accommodations first."

Yaeger gave a dark chuckle. "I don't think so, sweetheart. You're not going anywhere, for a long time. Your little stunt with destroying the Saison Bridge is just the icing on the cake."

Lady Caine's face went hot with anger, and her hands lashed out, latching like vises onto the cold bars. "That wasn't me!" she exclaimed. "It was those two rat-faced girls, the ones who managed to finagle their way into the pretty princess' good graces! They worked together with that puny alchemist boy and that frothy little tart he has following him –"

Yaeger lit up. "So the boy was there!" That bag of supplies they'd found at the scene wasn't just a fluke, then. "Do you know what he was doing? Where was he headed?"

Lady Caine opened her mouth to answer, then stopped herself, narrowing her eyes. "I want better food this time," she haggled. "And a feather pillow. Can I at least get that much?"

"You won't get anything if you won't tell me the truth."

"Fine." The Lady pressed herself closer. "Yes, I saw the boy. He's more brazen than I gave him credit for. Stronger, too. But he's soft now."

"Soft? How so?"

"The Varian I'd heard of wouldn't have so much as batted an eye. He did threaten to kill the queen, didn't he?"

Yaeger blinked once. "That was the report." He hadn't been there; he'd been stationed at the castle. Rumor had it that the king's personal account painted the boy as being desperate, not cold-blooded. But it was all beside the point. "You didn't answer the question."

Lady Caine wound a lock of hair around her spindly finger. "Truth be told, I asked him to join me. You should know, I can be very persuasive when I want to be, especially with men. But for some reason, my irresistible charm didn't work on him. Then he practically had a hernia when I threatened the little monstrosity he had with him."

The lieutenant frowned. "What monstrosity?" He expected her to describe the racoon; the boy had been reported to be particularly attached to the animal he was often seen with.

But the Lady's response surprised him. "I told you, the waifish freak."

Yaeger snapped his fingers at the scribe next to him, making sure he was keeping up with the notes. "Describe her."

"Black hair, pale, looks like she's never had protein in her life. Didn't say a word, but she didn't have to when she started attacking us with her magic."

The blood in Yaeger's veins froze. "Magic?"

"Yes, magic! Are you deaf? She has a red eye in her head, all glowy and stuff." Lady Caine extracted her finger from her hair and moved her hand to her neck, where the shadow of Shay's magic cord still burned her skin. "I don't remember much after that, but she's the one who nearly killed us, as if having the alchemist spurn my good graces wasn't insulting –"

"Enough," Yaeger interrupted her. "We're done here. Thank you for your cooperation." He snatched the scribe's parchment and started walking down the dungeon hall, his footsteps echoing eerily through the cells.

"Hey!" Lady Caine screeched. "What about my demands?!"

"For heaven's sake," Yaeger sighed sharply. He pointed authoritatively at the nearest prison guard. "You, there. Make sure the Lady gets three squares a day. And fetch her a feather pillow. Tell her it's a present from her favorite lieutenant."

Now, to have a word with the Captain. Surely he would know what to do about this.

"Varian! Varian, wake up!"

Varian snapped awake, blinking blearily as he instinctively sucked in a chestful of air. "Nh-huh?" He yawned, sitting up from where he'd fallen asleep by the campfire. It was evening, and the cold rain had finally given way to a rosy sunset. Drops of dripping rainwater echoed from the mouth of the quarry, and the smell of cooked potatoes wafted to his nose. His freckled face blanched when he realized he had fallen asleep during his shift with Rudiger. He shot a glance down to see; the racoon was still here, curled up and taking shallow breaths. He felt the creature's nose with the back of his hand and winced at how warm it was.

He finally directed his attention to Martin, who was crouching next to him with an alarmed expression on his face. "What is it?" Varian asked. "Why do you look like you just threw up?"

Martin shuddered, his brown eyes cringing into narrow slits. "Because the girl turned me into a beetle, that's why."

"Come again?"

"The girl. Turned me. Into a cockroach!" Martin spat as he sat fully down, his blonde hair slick with sweat from his brow. "I woke up, and the world was literally a hundred times bigger, and she just glared down at me and said something like, 'roasted potatoes can't stop me', and then she left, and a spooky clown appeared with a basket of moldy cheese!"

"Well, clearly you were dreami – 'left?' What do you mean, 'left'?!" Varian sprang to his feet, holding Rudiger close as he searched frantically about with his eyes. Sure enough, Shay was nowhere to be seen. He stood there, spluttering for a few seconds, before turning back to Martin. "Why did she leave?!"

"You tell me!" Martin folded his shaking arms. "I should have known you'd spend your time with crazy people."

Varian's gaze darted to his bag. "Did she take anything?" He pointed to it. "Check and see if my silver's still in there. It's a velvet pouch."

Martin searched, then shook his head. "Looks like she robbed you."

"She didn't rob me," Varian insisted. "She must have gone to the nearest town to buy us a horse." He made a frustrated growl. "Stupid, why would she go on her own?" Of course, he knew the answer; she didn't want to risk him being found. Having Martin here must have set her off, especially after their time at the capitol.

"I don't know," Martin answered stiffly. "All I know is that I don't miss her. Seriously, she turned me into a –"

"I heard you the first time!" Varian snapped. He ground his teeth, struggling to find an answer to this new problem. After a few moments, he still couldn't think of one. "Okay, look," he sighed. "I can't leave because Rudiger needs me, and you can't leave because that means you'd be letting me go."

Martin shrugged. "So, what, we just wait here?"

Varian hated to say it. "Yes," he grimaced.

Martin sighed as he stood. "Well, you said it yourself. You can't go anywhere as long as the racoon is ill. So, I'm at least going to get us some more water. I might wash up while I'm at it, so…just sit tight, I guess." He started trudging towards the mouth of the quarry and stopped. "Don't worry," he said over his shoulder. "I'm not going to report anything just yet, not that there's really anyone in authority out here. To be honest, I don't think anyone would believe me, anyway. But when I come back, I'm going to need some answers."

Varian chewed his lip as Martin disappeared. How much could he tell the guard without making his case sound worse? Oh, yes, I just broke out of prison so that I could look for a way to save my father and figured following this cryptic map would be a smart answer, so I entered a crypt full of undead and inadvertently caught the attention of a supernatural manifestation that's chosen me to be its champion. Oh, and I might know something about the destruction of the Saison Bridge. No big deal.

It was a huge deal.

Deep down inside, Varian knew Martin meant no harm – at least, not intentionally. For good or bad, they were in this together, now, which meant some trust needed to be demonstrated. Martin had already extended some trust of his own by leaving Varian in solitude for a handful of minutes. Before they'd entered that underground chamber, the Martin Varian knew wouldn't have let him out of his sight for one second. Surely that meant something, didn't it?

But what about Shay? Obviously, there hadn't been any magic or moldy-cheese clowns involved, which meant Martin must have seen her leave in the middle of a fever dream. Varian didn't have to be psychic to know that Shay didn't find Martin trustworthy; she'd made that clear enough before. Of course, none of that would matter if she had managed to get herself in trouble, out there all alone. Her brash actions had effectively left Varian immobile, left to borrow precious time for Rudiger on his own until she returned. If she came back.

Varian stared down at Rudiger's feverish form. Surely, there was something more he could do. What good was this "gift" the Moon's spirit had given him if he couldn't use it to save his most loyal companion? He had managed to heal Shay before; maybe now, he could do the same.

Carefully, Varian placed Rudiger on the ground. The racoon whimpered once as he was left on the cold quarry floor. Varian stood and extended his hands, summoning the will within himself. He sucked in a deep breath and began the incantation, his voice hoarse with fatigue as the signature notes lilted through the still air.

The instant a spattering of sparks appeared on his fingertips, Varian felt pain slice up his spine in a spearing arc. He cut off the incantation with an agonized cry, and his hands instinctively clapped over his head as dizziness almost overwhelmed him. Ears ringing, he crumpled to his knees, panting as he struggled to recover.

You foolish boy!

Varian saw movement in the corner of his streaming eyes, and he managed to turn his head to see that a series of black rocks had erupted around him, shattering the rock near his feet. Reflected in the rocks' glossy surface was the otherworldly face of Luna, her white gaze burning with apoplectic fury. She looked different…older. Age lines were there, and streaks of grey had started to appear in her night-black hair.

"You–" Varian coughed and he felt something warm run from his nose. He took a trembling swipe and saw blood on his gloved fingertips, causing his stomach to lurch. "I don't understand, why…why?"

Because you have already used up almost every drop of power I can give you! Luna's voice echoed in his pounding head, adding to the pain that was already there. My light is waning, and soon I must take my sleep. The incantation you just invoked requires an entire cycle's worth of power. If I hadn't stopped you, the spell would have claimed your life, and you would be dead!

Varian managed to stand, his legs wobbling beneath him. "Why didn't you tell me this before? What else are you keeping from me?!"

You need to –

"NO!" Varian immediately regretted shouting, as it made every cell in his body hurt. "I'm done with this!" He started listing off with his fingers, "I've been threatened, imprisoned, shot, slapped, extorted, and goodness knows what else to get to where I am right now, and that's not even getting into what my friends have suffered! You chose me, which means you need to understand that this is my game! I'm not some pawn you get to order around! If we're going to be working together, you WILL be honest with me, or you can find someone else to conquer your demons for you!"

Luna's face was stony, her symmetrical lips pursed into a thin line. Are you quite finished?

Varian simmered, his expression lowery and grim.

Good. I understand that your small, mortal mind cannot fully comprehend the severity of the situation we all face. But despite what you believe, I have listened…and you are correct.

"I'm sorry, what?"

The Celestial's visage winked and became blurry in the stone, almost as if she was trying to hide. When she spoke, her voice was quiet, almost a whisper. I grow tired. The shadows come to claim me soon. Solaris beckons, but his voice is faint.

Varian tried to remember what day of the month it was – it had been almost a week since the harvest moon. "The new moon is eight days from now."

Yes.

"What happens, then?"

The strength allotted to me will be spent, and so will yours.

"So, the amount of magic I have changes based on which phase you're in?"

Yes.

Varian lifted his hands. "Okay, so I'm at half-power. What kind of spell does that equate to?"

Luna's visage sharpened back into view. Evidently, a spell that does not demand your own life as compensation.

"Evidently," Varian grumbled, kneading his forehead. "You know, all of this would have been nice to know before I had to escape into an ancient chamber full of undead."

I have done my best to help you, Varian.

"Oh, we're on a first-name basis, now? Aren't we moving a little fast?"

This is not the time for levity, boy. I have placed all my hopes upon you. Do not take it lightly. Until I next awaken, your capacity only lessens from here. You must be patient. In the meantime, please try to not get yourself killed.

"Wait!" Varian exclaimed as Luna began to disappear. "I need to know more about the Moonstone. How much time do I have to find it?"

I don't know. He could barely hear her, now. We have come too far now for me to see.

Varian felt anxiety crawl up his neck. "But if you –"

"She's coming!" Martin's voice snapped Varian's attention away, and he looked to see the guard reappear at the mouth of the quarry, jogging hurriedly towards him. "She's comi – who are you talking to?"

"I…" Varian looked back to the rocks, but they were gone. His eyes widened, staring at the empty holes in the ground. "Nu-nothing," he answered hesitantly. "No one, just myself." He quickly wiped his face clean with his apron before Martin could see.

Martin frowned as he approached, shaking a full canteen. "Here, water for you. I'm going to go hide now, before she realizes her spell wore off."

Varian turned again as Martin disappeared behind a pile of rubble. Shay trudged her way into view, her petite face crestfallen and smudged with dirt. She noticed Varian was awake, and guilt immediately contorted her expression. Killy leapt out from her side and bounded over to Varian, sniffing affectionately at his ankles before cautiously approaching Rudiger's bundle.

Shay slowly approached and produced Varian's coin bag. She said nothing; she didn't have to. Varian could tell she hadn't spent a thing.

"That was reckless," Varian told her.

She nodded.

"Don't do it again."

Another nod.

Varian placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay," he said.

"No, it's not," Shay mumbled bitterly. "I've only wasted our time, being foolish and thinking I could help. When I found a village, I couldn't even bring myself to speak to anyone."

Varian placed his hands on his hips. "Well, feeling sorry isn't going to help, either. If we're going to save Rudiger, we still need a way to make it to your house in time. You're sure there's no other place to find what we need?"

Shay shook her head. "It's an ingredient from the tree in my mother's garden. It's not native to Corona, we won't find another like it."

Varian cursed under his breath. "So, how do we get to it when we only have maybe two days left? If we can't get a ride, I don't know what else we can do."

Shay crossed over to the campfire and reached down for the book Xavier had given her. She smoothed her palm across the cover, chewing her lip. "There's only one other thing I can think of that we can try," she told him. "This book has a great deal of spells, very complicated. One of them is a spell of teleportation. It requires the power of at least three mages to perform, and even the slightest slip-up –"

"– Can have disastrous consequences." Varian said grimly.

"Speaking of consequences," Martin's voice floated to them from around his rubble pile, "are you telling me you don't care that your girlfriend turned me into a cockroach?"

Shay gasped, and her face turned beet-red.

Varian whirled on the pile, his own face burning. "She's not my girlfriend!" he growled.

"What is he talking about?" Shay managed to stammer.

"He had some kind of fever dream," Varian said, loudly enough for Martin to hear. "You should be flattered, he dreamed about you."

Martin darted out into full view, his face flushed with agitation. "It was not a fever dream! She turned me into a roach!"

"I – I did no such thing!" Shay exclaimed, her hands fisting into furious balls at her sides. "Besides, how can I turn you into something you already are?"

"Excuse me?!"

"Yes, you were awake when I left," Shay explained, "I said the potatoes I brought from Xavier's house were done roasting, which you must have heard because you took them off the fire."

"I – I just didn't want them to burn, that's all," Martin retorted.

"How courteous of you," Shay muttered tersely.

"Alright, that's enough," Varian cut in. "If we're going to be working together, we need to at least act like adults about it."

Martin straightened his shirt, stuffing the hem into his trousers. "I'll remind you, kid, according to Coronan law, I'm the only adult here!"

"Oh yeah? Well, maybe you should act like it instead of picking on girls!"

Martin opened his mouth, then shut it.

Varian felt himself deflate. "Look," he grumbled, "let's all just eat, okay?"

Shay and Martin said nothing. The girl produced two serving plates, the only ones she had, and plated the potatoes for them. Varian offered to eat his share out of the pan, and he watched Shay reluctantly hand Martin a plate. She then crossed over to the opposite side and sat down, and they all ate in uncomfortable silence.

After a few minutes, Martin spoke around a mouthful of starch. "So, how did an alchemist end up dragging a witch into his criminal affairs?"