A/N: Shout out to my anonymous reviewer! "Wolf in sheep's clothing" would have been Morrible or even the Wizard. Both presented as something they were not. Nanny is coming up right now. Thanks so much!

Chapter 25

"Miss Nanny, thank you so much for letting us into your home," Mopsi smiled at the now elderly woman. They had made good time to Bright Lettins in the morning and now it was lunchtime. Their Hawk friend remained just outside of town to keep an eye for bandits or other trouble. He made a promise to join them at nightfall near the inn.

"To hear that I had a former ward who was worried about my safety intrigues me," Nanny smiled at them from across the table. She and the nurse she lived with had everyone sit at the dining table. The nurse was making lunch while they chatted.

"I could not check on one of my favorite people," Norris was trying his best.

"Well with everything that has happened here, things were a bit dicey," Nanny nodded. She left her chair and got up really close to the young Corporal. He could feel her eyes almost boring into his soul.

"If I were to say to you, that I am the keeper of secrets whispered in the dark," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Norris had no idea what to do and Mopsi leaned over closer to them and said,

"I would answer that I reflect back the desires of your heart." Nanny nodded as if she knew what that meant. Mopsi certainly hoped she did.

"Come back tonight after my nurse, Neela, goes home," Nanny whispered before saying loudly,

"My boy! I appreciate you coming all this way. Where are you staying?"

"Down at the inn on Main Street," Norris said.

"For how long?" Nanny wanted to know.

"We must be on our way back to the Gillikin. I fear that we can only stay for one night," Norris explained.

"That is a shame," Neela frowned as she brought a platter of sandwiches.

"Yes. I wish we could stay longer but I am due to go back to my job. The trip here took a little longer than I had anticipated," Norris explained.

"How'd you know where Nanny was?" Neela asked.

"Honestly, we didn't. We were told that Bright Lettins had become a bit of a haven for the elder crowd," Norris smiled at her.

"He is not wrong. I think the combined age of just the people on this block must be near one thousand," Nanny teased.

"Oh Nanny," Neela left them and soon came back with some soup from the kitchen.

"We really do appreciate you making lunch for us," Popsi spoke up.

"We could not have guests and not feed them. I told Neela that would be rude," Nanny said.

"Well, I would offer to take Miss Neela out shopping after this to replenish your stock. It would be my treat," Popsi smiled.

"I think that would be a splendid idea," Nanny agreed.

"Nanny…" Neela gave her a look.

"My former ward and his friends are giving us a gift. Who are we to not accept it? Especially all I did for him," Nanny gave her own look back.

"All right," Neela agreed. The group finished their lunch and Norris and Mopsi offered to wash the dishes so that Neela and Popsi could get moving. Once they were gone, Norris ended up doing the dishes and Mopsi and Nanny quickly went off to another room.

"How is she?" Nanny asked.

"She's doing well but she needs any information you have on her medical records or the Clock…" he didn't get to finish as he found her hand clamped over his mouth.

"Dangerous words my boy. What I am about to show you should not exist, but they do. Had her father known that I kept journals, he would have made me disappear like you and your friend," Nanny went to the bookshelf and pulled out a book. The bookshelf swung open and inside there was a stack of at least ten journals.

"Take them all. The longer they stay here, the more trouble they could cause," Nanny said. Mopsi took them and quickly rushed to his bag. He knew they would not all fit.

"Put some in mine. I can move some stuff to the saddle bags," Norris said. Mopsi worked as quickly and cautiously as he could and managed to get all the books secure.

"Well, I won't feel better until we leave Munchkinland," Mopsi heaved a sigh.

"I do not use her name in the books. I use a pet name, so it won't be overly obvious if someone reads it," Nanny promised. Mopsi nodded.

"Make sure you get those dishes done before Neela and Popsi come back," the elderly woman pushed him into the kitchen.

To Be Continued…