The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 46

Rath wove in and out of the back alleys with practiced ease, his black hair and black clothes hiding him in the shadows, his steps completely silent. Char, holding Iris' hand, followed with the same level of skill. She felt like she was far too loud, like she was going to give them away, but neither of them said anything to her about it. Their twisted path led them ever deeper into the city, ever closer to the castle wall. Iris' heart was pounding uncontrollably and her senses were on high alert, waiting for Micah's searching magic. He knew she was here. It was only a matter of time before he found her.

"Iris?"

She nearly jumped out of her skin when a familiar voice called her name. The three stopped in their tracks, and she turned toward the voice that she never thought she'd hear again.

"It really is you," Ginger gasped, her green eyes wide with surprise. She dropped the bucket in her hand and raced toward Iris, throwing her arms around her. Iris was too shocked to move, staring past the curly mess of red hair below her chin at the tall, gangly red-headed boy picking up the abandoned bucket, the cuffs of his pants soaked in the water trickling across the cobblestones.

"How...how are you...?" Iris gasped, wrapping her arms around Ginger's slight frame.

"We thought you were dead," Ginger said, squeezing her tighter.

"I thought you were dead!" Iris replied. Ginger finally released her, and Iris ran to Fred, engulfing him in a hug. "How are you alive? What happened?"

"Father John was a mage, that's what happened," Fred replied, flashing her a grin that crinkled his freckled cheeks as he stepped back from her.

"What?" Iris asked in disbelief.

"It's true," Ginger volunteered. "During the battle, he gave us a note and all the money he had, and then he teleported us here."

"But - so Kayla...?"

"She's inside. Come on!" Ginger took Iris' hand and tugged at her, but Fred's smile vanished as he saw the two men behind her.

"Oh, sorry," Iris said, pulling her hand free from Ginger. "These are my friends, Char...lie and Roger." She stuttered a little after Char's name, remembering at the last second to use their human monikers. "And this is Fred and Ginger."

"You look familiar," Fred said, his green eyes narrowing suspiciously as he searched Char's face.

"I visited Little Rest right before the war started," Char replied.

"Fred? Ginger? Are you okay?" called an unknown voice from the building behind them.

"Yes," Ginger called back. "Come on. You're just in time for dinner."

Iris allowed Ginger to drag her along this time, and though Fred's furrowed brow indicated he wasn't sure about Char or Rath yet, he turned his back on them and followed Iris inside. Char and Rath brought up the rear. Rath's blue eyes were alight with the promise of a proper meal.

"Father Peter, this is Iris," Ginger said to the clergyman just inside the door. He was heavier than Father John, with a head of thinning gray hair and a kind smile.

"Iris. Father John talked about you quite a lot in his letters," Father Peter said, taking her hand in both of his. "I'm so glad to finally meet you."

"I'm glad to meet you, too," she said genuinely. "Have you been taking care of Fred, Ginger, and Kayla?"

He chuckled. "And a whole host of other children, I'm afraid. It has been difficult without Father John helping to take one or two off my hands here or there, but we make do. And who are these young men?"