Scratching My Head

Separated

Chamberg

Paul has just arrived at the castle where Derek is standing by the entrance with the other carriage next to him.

"Hello, Paul. Thanks for agreeing to meet me here." Said Derek. "And thank you for offering me to ride with you. I feel like we hardly get a chance to talk. Well... I mean have a normal conversation without anything bad happening." Said Paul. "I know what you meant. Anyway, we should get moving if we wanna catch up with the girls." Derek said. "Good idea." Paul said.

The Beatle bassist climbs into the driver's seat, then Derek grabs the reins and signals for the horse to go. They chat along the way.

"So, Alise told Odette and I she went with you and Amanda to Dreamvale last week." Said Derek. "Yes, and you should've seen the way her face lit up! She was like a kid in a candy store!" Said Paul. "I believe it." Derek said. "We were actually called back because Lyra was captured." Paul said. "Lyra? Oh, you mean the princess Amanda saved from the mirror during our second trip?" Asked Derek. "That's the one." Said Paul.

Thinking back on Dreamvale made the bassist go silent for a moment. "What's wrong?" Derek asked. "It was mine and Amanda's final time there. We won't be going back anymore." Paul said. "That place really changed you, didn't it?" Asked Derek. "Yeah. I almost stayed there forever." Said Paul. "Why?" Derek asked. "Some parts of Dreamvale were dangerous for mortals, so I had to sacrifice my mortality for magic at one point." Paul said.

Derek gasps. "I can understand your noble actions, but did you think about the consequences?" He asked. "I did. It was hard, but I managed just fine." Said Paul. "Well, that's good." Said Derek.

Paul tells his co-brother in-law more about his and Amanda's final adventure in Dreamvale for a few more minutes until the carriage comes to a sudden stop.

"Uh, Derek? Why'd we stop?" Paul asked. "I don't know, maybe there's a road block." Derek said. Paul steps off the carriage and takes in his surroundings. "Strange, I don't remember this part of Hamburg." He said. "Wait, we're actually here?" Asked Derek. "Now I'm not so sure." Said Paul.

Meanwhile

The girls arrive at their destination, only to notice something off. "Odd, I thought for sure the boys would be here already." Said Amanda. "You don't think they took a wrong turn, do you?" Asked Odette. "I hope not. But in the meantime, why don't we wait out here until they show up?" Amanda asked. "Good plan." Odette said.

Five minutes have passed. Then ten, twenty, thirty, and so on. "Okay, something's definitely wrong." Said Amanda. "I know what you mean, sis. We better look around and see if anyone has seen them." Said Odette. The girls climb back onto the carriage to search for their husbands.