Mosaic Windows

Chapter 22: Finally, Some Good News

Roman only stayed for a few more days, but with Remus's help, they were able to comb out the entire library for any books that mentioned dragon witches. At first his brother was shocked to hear that Virgil was originally human, then he made a face as everything seemed to click for him. Whatever puzzle pieces they were that fit in place in Remus's mind, Roman may never know, but he said that a lot made sense for him now.

After the library, they moved to the bookstore in town. Roman was feeling pretty pessimistic, and was panicking over the idea of asking the bookstore owner to order a book of dragon witch spells when he finally found it.

There was a thick and detailed book all about dragon witches, and a chapter about cursed dragon witches that was longer than a few pages. It was written by someone who wasn't part of H.A.M.M. and even better, it had a potion that is supposed to change cursed dragon witches back into humans!

Roman almost shouted in delight in the middle of the store when he found it. He showed it to Remus immediately, bouncing on his feet. If this works... if Virgil can finally be human again... Roman was nothing but joyful.

He bought the book without looking at anything else and they rushed home together. That was yesterday, and he was already packed to go back to the castle. He didn't want to delay on this, he had to get this book back to Virgil as soon as possible.

At first Nico was surprised when Roman said he was going back to the castle so soon, but he saw how excited Roman was to show Virgil the book he had gotten, so he wasn't too upset. He helped him pack and hugged him goodbye.

Of course Roman couldn't go on his own, so Remus volunteered to go with him. They took Guinevere, and the plan was Roman was going to ride her while Remus walked next to them. However Remus will Remus, and after they entered the forest, he climbed on top of Guinevere and managed to get her running.

They got to the castle pretty fast, and Remus jumped off of the horse and ran to the door without helping Roman off. As his brother knocked on the door, Roman untied the crutches from Guinevere's saddle and tried to figure out how to get himself down.

Remus bounced slowly on his feet, not turning around to notice his brother struggling. A few minutes later, and after Roman fell onto the dirt, somehow avoiding his injured leg, the door opened to reveal Patton.

"Hello!" he greeted. "It's good to see you back, and with Guinevere!" He gasped when he saw the horse.

Roman dusted off his clothes. "Hey Patton! I know it hasn't been long, but how have you been?"

"Good, I mean nothing eventful ever happens anymore."

"I imagine," Remus commented. "Must get boring sometimes."

"Yeah," the older man nodded. "But we find interesting things to do."

"Patton?" a voice shouted from inside the house. "Have you seen my heavy coat? We're running low on food and I need to go hunting." A man taller than Patton walked out, and Remus barely remembered his name being Logan. "Oh, that's why the door is open. You're both back."

"Ooh, hunting? Now that seems fun," Remus said.

"Your coat should be hanging up in the lining closet by the back door," Patton told him.

"Ah, that's right. I forgot I put it there. Thank you."

"No problem dear."

"Hey, can I help hunt?" Remus asked, jumping up and down. "I have a lot of experience setting traps!"

Logan looked unsure, glancing at the other two. "Remus, correct?"

"Oh he knows my name." Roman elbowed his brother.

"That is because you've been here a few times before. I suppose you could be of help, as long as you do what I ask."

"Alright! You got some rope?" Remus started to make his way into the castle and the others followed.

"Oh boy, I feel bad for Logan," Roman whispered to Patton as he walked the horse to the stables.

"I wonder which one will break first? I'll go take care of Guinevere, she's such a sweetie. Oh, and Virgil is in the garden as usual."

"I could not be less surprised, thank you, Pat. I did bring something for him! I'm so excited to show him." He smiled wide as he started to make his way to the back of the castle.

If it weren't for the crutches, he felt like he would have started skipping halfway through. He finally found a book that has an alternative method to curing Virgil than going to the dragon witch! He found something that can help! Virgil will be human again!

A bright smile was plastered on his face as he pushed open the door. He squinted against the sun as he made his way down the steps and onto the patio. Virgil turned to him from where he was working, the roses in front of him bright and full.

"Roman, you're back!" he said, a bright smile on his face as he started to make his way over.

"Yup! And I got a surprise for you." He held the bag at his side.

"Is it croissants?"

Roman opened his mouth before he cursed, "Dammit! I forgot the croissants."

"So... it's not croissants?" Virgil tilted his head with a curious look on his face, but Roman could see his mounting excitement. "What is it?"

The human couldn't help but giggle as he pulled out the book. He turned it to the page he had bookmarked and handed it to the prince.

Virgil looked over the book for a moment, his eyes going back and forth as he read it. His head started to spin as his brain slowly realized what it was. "It's really..." he breathlessly said. "Oh my gods, Roman." He looked up, tears in his eyes. "Will this really work?"

The shock and hope in his eyes was enough to make Roman feel a bit misty himself. "There's only one way to find out, right?" It has to work. With that look on Virgil's face... the tears in his eyes... He might not have known him for long, but Roman knows that Virgil does not cry easily. This has to work.

The prince closed the book and grabbed Roman in a hug, squeezing him tight but not tight enough to hurt him. "Thank you," he mumbled.

He felt frozen for a moment, but Roman hugged him back. "You're welcome. I told you, I swore I would help you become human again."

Virgil pulled back and wiped at his eyes. "I'm going to start looking for the ingredients right away."

"Do you think we can start in the kitchen? I've been out in the cold for a bit too long."

The dragon witch laughed, "Yeah, and a warm drink sounds nice." He looped his arm into Roman's and the two made their way back inside.