AN: This continues to be my favorite story to have ever written. Chapters 2 and 4 have been updated with new love scenes, so if you are interested, go check it out. This story just wasn't feeling like it could stay at a lower rating and feel whole, so I have gone back and added lemony goodness to chapters 2 and 4. I might also flesh out some moments in chapter 5, but I haven't decided. Leave a comment and let me know if more scenes should be fleshed out too. I do apologize to those looking for a tamer rated T story, but Jareth and Sarah just don't want to keep their hands off each other.
I interrupt your regular reading program with this unusual deviation. This chapter is dedicated to Rayac, who helped be a consultant for some aspects of this story. She desired to see more of the Bandits, so, here they are in an entire chapter focused on them! This chapter was a challenge since it isn't J/S centric and completely from my own head, but I hope you enjoy these new characters. And as always, the amazing Greenchimes kicked this chapter into shape with her amazing editing eye. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Chapter 7: The Duty of a Bandit
"Daddy, when are you coming home?"
Only through extensive intensive training did Tocpe not startle at hearing the unexpected, yet timid, voice behind him. He turned to see his youngest son pulling back the flap of his tent. A moment later, his wife appeared, slightly breathless as she said, "Sorry, Toc, he got away from me."
Tocpe couldn't help the smile of relief from gracing his lips as he rose to kiss his beloved, their son squished between them in their embrace.
"Reinna, what are you and Trolan doing here?"
His wife grinned, "We thought you needed to remember what we looked like. Plus, tomorrow's your birth celebration."
Tocpe groaned, "Don't remind me. My aching muscles tell me all the time I'm getting older." He moved back to place his gloved hands on each side of his son's temples. "Let me get a good look at ya'."
"Don't forget me, Dad." Came a young femenine voice from outside the tent.
He grinned and gestured for his daughter to enter. "Tosha, love, come in. I haven't forgotten ya'."
He hugged his middle child, his only girl. She pouted and huffed, "Why are you still in the desert? It's so hot. It's been two years since the last time we saw you, and you said you were nearly done then."
Reinna tried to wrangle her daughter to her side, "Sorry, Toc, I told her not to ask questions…"
"No, it's fine." Tocpe reassured his wife and motioned his middle child back into his arms. "To not ask questions is to not live life. The only time ya don't ask questions is if you're bein' paid well enough to not care. Na, me girl. I didn' think we'd be here still, but that Wisher who'd won is tricky. Sometimes she's here, but she isn't. An' right after your last visit, we'd got inside the Labyrinth, but that Goblin King is tricky. Got us kicked right out just when we'd finally made some progress. Our blessed benefactor sent us reinforcement, their niece. Or least that's who Snigget says she is. But she's a right powerful elf. She knows magic better than I ever could."
Tosha cringed, "An elf, Daddy? Here?"
"Hey, and why not? What's got her less right to be here than any other person?"
"Well, I mean, they live in beautiful castles in the cliffs of mountains next to waterfalls, not dry deserts. Aren't they... snooty?"
"There's no them or us here in this camp. If you hold your own, and keep to your own business, what's it matter who or what ya' are?" Having completed his serious speech, he winked at her. "Wanna meet 'er?"
The girl's dark eyes brightened, her little brother's did too as they both squealed, "Yes."
Arm in arm with his wife, he led his children across the distance to where his comrades placed their tents. He called out for the elf once they reached the door of her tent. Her muffled voice inside acknowledged they could enter. When Tocpe's family entered the elf's tent, they murmured and gasped aloud at the wonders they observed. He smiled at their reaction. This wasn't the first time he'd entered this tent, but it had been a few months since he was last allowed in. It looked slightly different, with decorative pillows lining her bed and drapery in shades of blue when he remembered vibrant violets before. He found it hard to not be envious of her magical skill, for she'd magicked it to be unnaturally spacious enough to have room for potions, herbs, and other vials of things he could not name. There was even a fine kitchenette with a table for two.
As he expected, the elf, Snigget, was concentrating over a bubbling pot with some concoction brewing. Glass vials of various shapes, sizes, colors, and fragrances were lined neatly against the makeshift fire pit that had been dug into the sand floor. His family hung back at the door, but he ushered them forward, grinning at the expression on their faces at seeing this new person. For an elf, Tocpe figured she was on the petite side as she was about the height and size of his daughter, although in patience and wisdom, she was immensely more mature. She was, after all, five times older than him, even if young by Elven standards.
"Hey, Snigget. This here's my family." When she looked up, he named each family member as he pointed. Once introductions were given, Tocpe said, "My wee ones 'ave never spoken to an elf before. Thought I would show 'em ya' don't bite."
Although her gray eyes showed an acknowledgement of his words by a raising of her brow, the expression looked odd, for it never reached the rest of her face. "A warm welcome to Tocpe's kin." Snigget then motioned for his wife to take a seat in one of the chairs. "Please, rest your feet. I sense you've had a long journey."
Reinna did not decline the offer to rest and nodded her head in thanks.
"What's making that smell?" Trolan stepped toward the small cauldron simmering a purple liquid over the fire.
Snigget quickly but gently grasped the boys arm, "Not too close, young one. This is very important and nearly finished. I would hate to start over again." Her last words were said with a pointed glance go Tocpe.
"Hey, Snigs, mind if I left my youngin's with you for a bit? I must…" He feigned clearing his throat, "speak with my wife in private."
A widening of her silvery eyes was the only indication the elf gave in comprehension that talking probably wouldn't be the main purpose of being alone with his wife. But, she nodded, "I will assist you in this request. Perhaps the children would like to help prepare the evening meal."
"Cooking? Do we have to?" Tosha looked to her mother with disgust.
"I thought you wanted to talk to an elf." Reinna reminded her. "Get to know her culture better."
"Sand crabs might be a nice entree. They are plentiful, but first, we have to catch them. Care to help?" Snigget asked while rising and brushing the wrinkles out of her embroidered skirt.
That did the trick. Sand crabs were a tasty treat and fun to hunt, so the children were eager to assist.
Tocpe did not hurry his wife along to his tent, knowing her journey to reach him had taken at least two days. As much as he was pleased to see her, part of him wished she hadn't come, not in her condition.
Once within his tent, he pulled her to him, placing his lips over hers a good few minutes before she laughed against him and took his hand, placing it over her lower abdomen.
He smiled with pride. "Now, that's a strong kicker. Whatta ya wanna bet on it bein' a girl?"
"Uh-uh. He'll be a boy. He's sitting high, like his brothers."
"Ah, but that kick. She'll come out fighting like her sis." He then got on his knees and placed a soft kiss to her belly, "You treat your mama well." When she laughed, he rose and placed more kisses on Reinna's lips and he wrapped his arms around her back. "I didn't expect to see ya' until after the babe's arrival. Celebrating my birth isn't worth the risk. Are ya' well? Do ya' need more funds?"
Reinna placed a hand on his chest and softly laughed, "We're better off than most in the village, thanks to your benefactors generosity. We don't need money. We need you. Our children need their father."
"I know. I'm sorry this is taking so long." He nuzzled his nose against her cheek while bringing his free hand to press against the swell of her pregnant belly. "I see the children aren't jealous you've been sneaking away to visit me?"
"Actually, a few months ago, once I started showing, I had to confess our secret liaisons when Togan threatened to turn me in to proctor Nagi for not being true to you."
"Rash boy," Tocpe growled. Togan was their eldest child, grown with a little family of his own.
"Good son." Reinna attempted to defend the actions of their son. "He only wanted to protect our family's honor."
Tocpe shook his head. "He should've come to me directly, not try'n shame ya'."
Reinna wanted to change the subject. She let her eyes roam over the things in his tent. There was not much but a stack of clothes, a pile of furs for a bed, and a water basin. It was just as it had been the last time she'd visited him three months prior. "I still don't know what it is you are doing here."
"Well, we finally have some clue. The elf is our benefactor's niece. You know how I told ya' it was taking so long with the Dwarf enchantress to make the potion needed?"
"You mean the damn hag that hadn't even touched what you'd given her to work with even after it'd been five years." Reinna frowned and virtually spat the words.
"Right. Snigget was sent to move things along. You know even she's taken her time, but she finally gave us the reason why she can't be rushed. Apparently, we're on a mission to save a life. Don't know who or how, but it's more than we knew before."
"Saving a life? So a noble mission for once." She teased.
"Maybe I should've tried this sooner. I never knew being noble could be so profitable."
"Or that your benefactor had the patience of the gods." Reinna chortled, "Anyone would be willing to keep paying the lot of you when nothing has happened yet must truly be desperate for what's in that vault."
"If Snigget is right, we'll be done within the week! Or at most, a month. Then you can bet your fine ass I'll be stayin' home to make even more babies with ya'." He kissed her again, pulling her down to lay with him on the pile of furs.
"Uh-uh! Four is plenty enough." Reinna laughed.
Later as the sun was setting, the troupe of bandits gathered for the evening meal. The twins, Myght and Rheit, greeted Tocpe's family gladly, for they were all from the same village and knew each other's kin. Goblin-born Skubbin stood back a distance not wanting to intrude; that is until Tocpe's daughter noticed the gleam of his brass armor from the shadows and invited him to sit next to her. His son assisted Snigget in filling bowls with the chowder they had created and passed it around to everyone.
After the first cautious bite of the meal, Rheit hummed in his throat. "This is as good as our granddad made. It even has the same spices."
Snigget indicated to the girl with the spoon in her hand, "That is because of Tosha. I would have never thought to add the spices had she not recommended it."
The girl bowed her head and blushed, taking her hand and brushing her hair behind her ear. "It's only because mama taught me."
The elf's eyes landed on the girl a moment before narrowing. She then cleared her throat. "Myght, if someone were to snatch an enchanted amulet, what is one thing you should never do?" Snigget asked.
"Touch it with your bare hands. You don' want the nasty spell on it to attach to you." Myght replied while still chewing his spoonful of food.
"And don't ever try to wear the thing in public. It's the quickest way to get caught." Rheit included.
"Would you ever place an item, such as a bracelet woven of grasses, in place of the pilfered item?" The elf asked.
Tocpe laughed, "Of course not. That's askin' ta get caught. Better ta leave nothing behind. Anythin' out a place would be noticed by the owner."
That moment, Snigget placed her bowl on the ground and rose. Her fingers went to her pocket, where she pulled out a crudely designed bracelet. She then started slowly walking behind those gathered around the fire. "And what should be done, according to the creed, if a comrade has stolen from you?"
"By the rules of the Bandit Creed, ya can steal it back, an' if ya really wanna make sure it won' 'appen again, you can dismember the hand which stole it." Tocpe replied.
When he had finished, Snigget was standing behind Tosha. She said quietly, "I do not wish to enact an act of retaliation. I wish to cause no harm, but I will have the bracelet back. I would have never noticed had they not been switched."
The teenager lowered her head in defeat and moved to take off the shining trinket from her wrist. Without even looking at the woman behind her, she raised the bracelet into the air holding it above her head. She said nothing, being too humiliated.
"Thank you. You almost got away with it. With training, you would do well as a bandit. But know, a heist should only be done if you know what it is you are stealing." Snigget paused when her comrades abruptly stopped and looked at her. "Ah. Well, I suppose I should rephrase that. As long as someone in your company knows what is to be obtained."
Four sets of eyes remained on Snigget as she placed the enchanted bracelet in her pocket and returned to her seat. Silence befell the camp as they waited for her to answer their unspoken question. After a moment of continued silence, they returned to eating, resigned that she would say no more.
"Sasha, why is our daddy gotta stay here so long?" Trolan asked before taking a large bite of sand crab meat from the chowder.
Snigget looked to Tocpe for a moment when hearing him chuckle at his son using her given name. "I suppose even though I am using a spell to speed up time for the potion needed for our task, it takes time to give more time. This potion typically takes three hundred years to cure. The spell cuts it to a hundredth of the time. But by the looks of it, I'll have it done tomorrow. The three years are up."
Tocpe's children gave grateful cheers to this news, and their mother shed a tear.
Once the meal was over and his family was settled comfortably in his tent, Tocpe returned to the campfire to check in with his comrades. He found the four of them drinking ale and discussing not so kind words on Tocpe's family's arrival.
"What if they don't leave? We don't have much food to go around as it is?" Myght voiced.
Rheit said even louder, "What if Reinna pops while she's here? We won't get any sleep with a baby around."
Tocpe cleared his throat, "My kin know their place. They're only staying three days. It's my birth celebration tomorrow and they wanted to surprise me. They didn't know our mission would start tomorrow."
The twins coughed and avoided his eyes. Skubbin's armor clinked as he nodded in apology.
Snigget raised a cup for him to take, "A celebratory day will be good for our quest. It will bring us luck."
Tocpe huffed and chugged the ale down. He didn't feel like celebrating; here his family had just arrived and this mission was happening tomorrow regardless of their arrival. As much as he desired to stay with his family, completing this mission could not be avoided. Such were the duties of a bandit.
He and his comrades had all, save for Snigget, met in the Great Howling Wastes, where the Bandit Horde gathered and trained for their devious tasks, be the missions dubious or mundane. Bodies for hire, male and female alike; if one had a will and a skill, they were welcomed. All were taught the art of burgling. All were taught the use of herbs and fungi to create meals, or poisons. All were trained in hand to hand combat and the use of weapons. One never knew what means would be needed for an escape, and hopefully never empty handed. They each had their own specialty, based on either their individual skill, physicality, or personality. Once their trainers thought a person's skill was as perfected as it could be, they were then matched as a troupe to a mission put forth by the Bandit Horde panel of elders. Once assembled, no one questioned who their comrades were; there was an unspoken trust that each one would give their all for the mission lest a curse be placed upon them. Oh yes, there were dire consequences for desertion and abandoning their mission. But as long as they paid their dues through a small percentage of any profits gained, they were allowed to remain in the good graces of the horde.
Had he the mind to care, Tocpe may have been worried about the makeup of his assigned troupe. It was a slight comfort to be paired with people from his home village. The twins, Myght and Rheit, were lower Fae, not born of noble blood. Double the trouble, double the fun, depending on the heist. They were skilled at snatching difficult targets. Then, there was Skubbin; he was not good at anything in particular other than having sheer enthusiasm. He had caught wind of their mission and offered his services. He claimed he was born within the Labyrinth and swore he would know his way once within. He did, after all, have the brand on his shoulder to show he had once been a soldier that served the Goblin Kingdom. Having him would be better than navigating the maze blind.
Then, there was Lady Sasha, the newest addition to their troupe. She was of Elven nobility, but that's all Tocpe really learned about her, lest the personage of their mysterious benefactor be discovered. As per the creed of all who pledged loyalty to the Bandit Horde, she fell under the same expectations as the others, both in loyalty and duty of the mission. Despite having taken the oath of the Bandit creed, she explained that to an elf, honesty amongst comrades was of utmost importance. Yet she still would not divulge the nature of the mission her secretive relative had placed upon them. All they were to know, and all they cared to know of Sasha, was that she was a savant of magical potions and with figuring out how to make magic bend to her will.
Snigget was her bandit name, the name given to her by her comrades for the way she laughed, which came out as a snigger. Tocpe had only learned her true name, Sasha, because she had been willing to give it. She asked for them to use her bandit name in public to protect her identity. That's how it was for them regardless. They each had a code name, either given to them by a comrade or one of their own choosing. Skubbin was called Brass, for the armor he never took off. Myght was Chuckles because everything seemed to be funny to him. Rheit was anointed Raider because of how skillfully he could invade hard to reach places. And Tocpe was called Raveneye, for much like the under-admired bird, he had no formal education in life yet he was blessed with a strategic mind like no other. Such code names were used interchangeably with their given names amongst pleasant company, but when on a mission, to keep your given name secret could be the difference between losing or keeping your life. Names had power.
When they were alone, and everyone but the elf had retired to their tents, Tocpe spoke his mind. "Lady Sasha, did ya' speak true ta' my son. Is it finally done?"
"Quite certain. By sunrise, it shall be completed." Snigget answered.
Tocpe stared into the glowing embers of the fire, his mind going numb. Why did his family have to come when he couldn't spend any time with them?
"We can try after breakfast. It will give you some time with your family." Snigget said softly. "But we can't delay much. Like with any spell, especially one opening the veil between worlds, you have to resign yourself to the possibility that it will not work in the way that we think. There is a chance you won't be able to return."
"I won't change my mind." Tocpe said sternly. "We already discussed this. I'm half-human, so I'll blend in better in that world. Have ya' changed your mind?"
Snigget shook her head, "I'm also best suited for the task. My magic will give us the best chance of returning should something go wrong. So, it's settled then. Once we reach the Wisher we'll…"
Tocpe held up his hand, "Let's just take it one step at a time. We can talk about it tomorrow."
The elf nodded, then sighed, "You should go be with your wife. You don't know if...when you'll see her again." She rose and went into her tent, then after a moment came back out with a bundle in her arms. When she held it out for him to take, he found it to be leather skins, "Here. This will give you privacy. Let your children sleep soundly."
He took the spare tent and nodded in thanks. That was a right pleasant idea. The last time he'd lain with his beloved was five months ago, when his wife had come to tell him their fourth child had been conceived. Far too long to be without her. He set up the tent not too far from his own, then went to wake his wife.
Reinna lay on her side, her eyes closed but her upper hand rubbing her belly, showing that their growing child was keeping her awake. When he whispered her name, she opened her eyes and leaned up to face him. He held out his arms to pull her up, which she took, and with curious eyes, she followed him outside. In the firelight, her skin glowed a deep mahogany and he watched her delicate bare feet tiptoe through the sand. He held back the flap of the tent for her to enter and had barely shut the entrance behind him before he found her hands inching under his tunic to remove it from him. She was eager to reunite with him, as well.
Removing himself from her embrace the next morning was hard. He was tempted to not leave her, to take her again, but the pull to continue the task he'd been paid to complete compelled him to rise.
Funny thing about contracts made with magic, they came with a compulsion spell that kept them on task. It was an acknowledged part of the contract; he and the others knew this when taking on the job. Though their task was long in the making, the magic of their pact hadn't faded over time, but neither had it increased...that is until just before dawn when the brightest glowing of the potion occurred. Snigget had been right that the potion would be ready this day.
Tocpe kicked sand while he paced in a circle around the dying embers of the campfire as he waited for his comrades to awaken. He couldn't help an annoyed growl from rumbling in his throat, evidence of his impatience.
When Snigget emerged from her tent, Tocpe approached her. "It's ready?"
The elf smiled knowingly at him. "Good morrow. Have a pleasurable evening?"
He cocked a sideways smile, "That's none o' your concern. But thanks for the borrowed tent."
"As I said last night, we can wait until after breakfast." The elf confirmed.
Knowing his children, they wouldn't wake until they were purposefully awoken, and he was in no rush to do so. He couldn't help but to reflect on what had led him to this day.
Ten years they had been on this task, and it had been seven years since the closest opportunity of obtaining their goal had been in their reach. Ten years of living on the edge of the Wastes-a harsh, desert land where scant vegetation grew and there was little protection from the whipping winds and blazing sun-most which could have been prevented had a grave mistake in trust not been made. Not their mistake, mind you, but they still paid the price for it by having to start their mission all over again. But they were willing to fulfill their contract, as long as they were being paid and their basic needs provided; food, shelter, and the occasional visit from their wives. Despite the frequent grumblings of the heat and the boredom of having no requirements other than to continue to discover how to penetrate the walls of the Labyrinth, they were content to remain in the employ of their mysterious benefactor. Until their job was done, the Wastes was where they would stay, even if it should take decades.
Incapacitating the monarch of the Labyrinth and forcing him to let them into the vault had been the initial way they had hoped to achieve their task. However, the Goblin King rarely ventured outside the walls of the Labyrinth, and when he did, it was either a brief moment where he gave instruction to those who wished away a child, or he was visiting the courts of another kingdom. Some places they could not venture as trespassing in another land would compromise their mission. Their benefactor was quite clear: She would not bail them out should they be caught, so ambushing the Goblin King in another kingdom was something not feasible. Their employer also stipulated that they could cause no lasting harm to the Goblin King, so neither maim nor kill him. This limited their options of getting to the Vault; for the king most certainly would not just let them enter without a fight.
Tocpe remembered the moment of hope three years into their mission, when they finally got a break and their strategy changed.
They knew the hairs they collected on that dry, autumn day seven years ago came from a wisher who had defeated the challenges of the Labyrinth. The wake of this wisher was unlike any they had seen before,and any who had successfully run after. The Labyrinth changed and reset time and time again, for it created personalized challenges for each wisher, but never before had the Labyrinth been destroyed to such an extent after a child had been won back. Never before had they watched the castle at the center of the Labyrinth crumble to rubble. They had thought this would be their chance to infiltrate the castle, when the maze and its monarch were at their most vulnerable. Yet try as they might, they still couldn't penetrate the outer walls nor enter from either below or above. They watched as the maze healed itself and before the next cycle of the crystal moon, the castle was rebuilt and the actions of the Goblin King were business as usual.
Tocpe had been wise in having the foresight to keep the hairs. Three strands of hair from such a powerful Wisher resulted in the Bandit's benefactor telling them to concentrate their efforts on the Wisher. Getting her back Underground and using her to infiltrate the Labyrinth was their best means for getting in. Once the maze had been bested, it could be bent to the will of the one who conquered it. Or so their benefactor told them; very little was actually known of the Wishers after they returned to their world. But once upon a time in a legend most had forgotten, one Wisher had stayed to rule the Labyrinth. It was merely hearsay now, but since their benefactor trusted the wisher's had these abilities, they would appease her and follow her request.
Getting to this Wisher was no easy task, which is why it was taking so long. Each strand of hair had to be enchanted for a different purpose. One hair enchanted to repel the wisher from the Goblin King; if they were guided into the Labyrinth by the Wisher, it would be a line of defense to keep the king from stopping them. If the wisher was with them, then the king couldn't come near. One hair to compel the wisher to do their will, and one hair to find the wisher in her world so they could bring her Underground?.
The spell to find her was the one that took the longest to create, the one just now finished. It would have been completed five years sooner, but the hair strand had been sent to the enchantress of the Dwarf kingdom. She was fickle and kept asking for more compensation; luckily it was up to their benefactor to enact payment to keep her working. Finally, after a delay of five years, their benefactor demanded they get the hair back and reclaim everything she'd given to the dwarf enchantress. They discovered she hadn't even started her task. If it was up to them, they would have cut off her nose and hung it in the nearest tavern.
But when the third hair and the supplies to bespell it were back in their possession, they tried the spell themselves with the written instructions the enchantress had given them. It went horribly wrong. The stupid dwarf may have intentionally sabotaged their efforts by omitting the full instructions, causing the hair to be destroyed. Fortunately, the dwarf had cut the hair into two pieces and they had only used one half. That had saved their hides. Their benefactor was livid, proclaiming that if there hadn't been part of the hair to work with, she might have taken her fury out on them. As it was, she withheld her wrath and instead sent her niece to do the task properly.
"Happy Birthday!"
Tocpe was knocked from his thoughts by the shouts of his children. He instantly beamed a smile at them and noticed the cloth covered items his son and daughter were holding. His wife stood proudly behind them. He rose and took the offered gift first from his son. He unwrapped it to find it was a seax blade.
"Well, this is a fine thing. It balances well," he said while testing how it leveled on two fingers.
"Togan made it." Trolan then added, "I helped."
"My sons, smithing! When did this come about?" Tocpe asked in surprise, raising his eyes to his wife.
Reinna stepped closer to him. "Togan was apprenticed just over a year ago."
Tocpe shut his eyes for fear of tears escaping. Not only was this a most wonderful gift, but he was saddened at missing out on a milestone in his eldest son's life.
"We also brought you your favorite scones. I made them." Tosha announced with pride as she held out the sack she was holding.
"I'm blessed by your wonderful gifts." Tocpe said, then motioned for his family to sit. "Come, let's eat. I have something I must tell ya'."
The reactions of his family when he admitted this day was the day he would leave on his mission was exactly as he expected, although he had hoped for a better outcome. His son ran away. His daughter whined they had come all that way for nothing. And his wife could not hold back her sorrow as she cried into his shoulder. Snigget moved to retrieve the boy; a few moments later, she was carrying the sobbing boy who hugged her chest. She lowered him to his fathers arms, and the boy clung to him.
"Daddy, don't go."
"I have ta, son. If I do this, now, this could all be over by the end of this week and I'll never have ta leave ya again."
"But you said you might not come back." Tosha reminded him.
Tocpe glanced at his wife, who hadn't looked at him since his admission. "Every quest has its dangers. I gave an oath to follow this to the end. I must."
"Since you are here, perhaps you can bless our quest with an incantation of protection." Snigget suggested.
Reinna nodded, but still did not raise her eyes to her husband. "What supplies can we help you gather? What do you need?"
"Our hope is to not need but a day's worth of rations. The hair of the wisher is bewitched to send us straight to her, so all we need to do is convince her to assist us in our quest." Snigget answered.
Within the hour, they had gathered their packs and Tocpe and Snigget were standing in the middle of a circle formed by their comrades and family. In Snigget's hand was a handheld gilded mirror. In Tocpe's fist was a vial hanging by a string, the violet glow of the bespelled strand of hair inside. Tocpe kissed his wife one last time, then nodded to his children. A moment later, he and Snigget clasped hands, touched the mirror, and disappeared.
AN 2: to all my followers getting multiple updates when I make edits and repost existing chapters with the changes, I do apologize. Every time I save a change, the system sends out a notification. Please don't be too annoyed with me!
