Luisa: The Orphan Tale

Part V: The Spell of Pan

A few weeks have passed since Mignonette was attacked. Everything has mostly returned to normal.

Luisa was currently going to Claire's room to tell her about Robert, as she'd caught him being unfaithful a few more times and decided that silence wasn't a good choice.

She knocked but there was no answer so she opened up, Claire wasn't home.

"Of course..." She sighed as she rolled her eyes at the ceiling.

"Luisa!" A voice rang out as the front door slammed.

"Frederic?" She asked down. "Up here!"

Frederic sprinted up the stairs, he had Robert and Georges with him. Georges was a quiet but fun fellow, he was a good card player and even better drinker. He was always fun to have around, and a loyal friend willing to throw himself into the fire for his friends.

"What's wrong? You all look quite winded! Did you sprint here?" She asked.

"Yes!" Frederic said catching his breathe. "You're in danger! Chloe and Elise as well."

"What!? Explain!" Luisa demanded, her voice choking with worry.

"Someone told some religious nuts that you and the girls were heretics and blasphemers, witches even!" Frederic said. "They're looking for all of you, they approached us looking. We played dumb and the ran over as you were closest. Any idea where Chloe and Elise are?"

Luisa was shocked and thought as hard as she could to remember where they'd said they were going that morning.

"Chloe I think was heading to the market." She said, her eyes unfocused and glazed in anxious thought. "And Elise was...she was going to the café with Marie and Dominique."

"Which café? Our usual?" Frederic asked.

"Yes!" She replied. "We have to split up."

"I'll take Georges, you'll need Robert's muscle. I'm not strong as him." He said.

Geroges nodded in agreement and Robert gave a rather British "Aye!"

"Oh God! We have to take Mignonette, I won't leave her alone again." She said.

"Ok take her. Geroges and I are headed toward the café, you and Robert go to the market." Fredric said.

Luisa went into the attic and roused Mignonette and quickly explained all she needed and instructed her to stay behind her and stay safe.

They all ran off out of the house. Splitting almost immediately in completely opposite directions. It was evening time and the sun was soon to set, and they all suspected that that's when the zealous criminals would strike.

Luisa ran along with Robert and Mignonette. She was half annoyed and half relieved. Robert was a big ole protective bear of a man but he was also hurting her friend. But that didn't matter now, Luisa's lovers were in danger, that's all that mattered. All that ever mattered.

Luisa ran faster than she ever had before, she ran so hard she was nervous her lungs were about to pop or her knees would give out any moment.

After what seemed like a sprint of endless anxiety, they finally reached the marketplace.

"Do you see her?" She asked.

"No." Robert panted in his rough accent. "Let's split up. Here!" He said placing a pocket flintlock in Luisa's hand. "They're after you too so if they recognize you you'll need it."

"Thank you!" She replied. "Mignonette, look around but come find us if you think she's in trouble. Ok?"

Mignonette nodded in agreement.