13. Hanako And The Bard.

Leaving the sewers, Hanako cut through the mist and came to an abandoned fort.

Everything had fallen apart, including one of the walls, which left moss-covered logs to spread all over the path.

It reminded her of nature walks with her friends, how they would bike up from the cabin shop, past an old petrol station at the bottom of a steep hill. It was her job to make banana buns, while the others brought drinks and snacks, to eat near a rusted Sawmill.

Here was a place she could relax; a place where the air smelled fresh from the forest and conversation flowed with laughter.

Days of old; days long gone.

Overcome with deepening sadness, Hanako stopped to rest on a nearby bench. She remembered the words of an Old Knight: "All we do is fight monsters; such is our lot in life."

Was there nothing in her future but endless battles? If by some miracle, she did return home, would her body know this level of fitness? Before the fire, she was another sleepy school kid who let the day wash over her.

No. I have to keep moving. 

Hanako brushed herself off and made her way around the palisade wall. Upon entering, she realised it was not so much a fort, but some village complete with a clock tower and a small park.

Every building was boarded up and creaked with neglect. Collapsed branches littered the streets, while a passing breeze kicked up a small twister of leaves.

This place was too quiet, even for her.

After a few minutes of wandering around, Hanako chanced upon what looked like a town hall. In that moment, she froze and stepped out of sight. For there in the distance was a solitary figure, balanced perfectly on the end of a flagpole.

Looking around, Hanako used a nearby ladder and climbed up onto a nearby roof. From her hiding place, she could see something flutter at the base of the pole. At first, she thought it was a passing draught kicking up more leaves. It wasn’t until a second glance that she realised the leaves took the shape of flying serpents.

The stranger on the flagpole took out two paper cranes and let them drop. Upon hitting the ground, they exploded in a ring of purple sparks.

Jumping down, the Magician grabbed a staff before smoothing two fingers against the centre part.  The stranger twirled like a Majorette and fired off a gust of wind from the staff, dispersing both 'Leaf Dragons' to the toll of a large bell.

Satisfied, the stranger leapt up to a nearby roof, danced across the tops of the log wall before landing with a flourish onto the same roof as Hanako.

The girl kept back with her shield raised up.

She was able to get a better look at the individual, who was dressed in an old-fashioned Highwayman coat and was more or less a giant white Mouse.

The stranger bowed and sprinkled bright green glitter all around, which allowed her to project a voice into Hanako's head.

"Enchanté. I am Jenny Lewis, a simple bard of these parts, but that is not important right now. As of this moment, I could really use your 'elp with something." Hanako sat stock still, eyes sparkling with fear. "It's Isaac, he is gravely ill. He is – 'ow you say? – up a creek." No reaction. The Mouse sighed. "I know it's hard to trust someone you just met, but I assure you my intentions are pure." Nothing. Jenny looked around for an answer. "He mentioned something about...Minokamo? Does that ring any bells?" The girl sat up, intrigued and knocked twice on the floor. "Is he alive? Ehh, let’s say mostly." Still unsure, Hanako got to her feet. "I guess that's the magic word, come on."

After descending the ladder, she followed the Mouse across the plaza and between two buildings. At the far end of an overgrown Chapel, she found the Old Knight slumped in a corner.

Hanako immediately got down on one knee.

"You took your bloody time," Isaac said.

Jenny tapped Hanako on the shoulder.

" 'elp me move 'him." She said. They each took an arm and slowly walked Isaac over to the storeroom. "I know you are injured, but next time do me the courtesy of falling in the right place."

"I will remember that for future reference."

The Mouse smiled. "It's only polite."

“Easy, now.”

They set him down in the corner of the storeroom, and the Bard made her way back to the door.

"If I can ask you two to remain still?"

Hanako shot Isaac a concerned look.

"Don't worry," He said. "She's good people."

"Famous last words," Jenny said and tapped her staff three times. The floorboards exploded into fine powder, sending Isaac and Hanako onto a cart loaded with sacks of flour. The Bard floated onto the front seat. "Another 'appy landing." She quickly sat down, shook the reins and steered Ruggiero out into the open.

"Nice of you to drop in." Isaac said, still waving at the flour.

Hanako pushed herself up.

~I am so sick of falling off things.~  She signed, irritated.

Jenny stopped by a fence, jumped down and tied Moany-Pony to the rear of the cart.

"Before I go on," She said. "If you want to survive these woods, you need to put on the ring." Hanako played dumb, but the Mouse wasn't having it. "No one cares that you took it, but it is important to equip, sooner rather than later." The girl felt a tapping on her leg and saw Isaac give her a reassuring nod. Hanako shrugged and placed the ring on her finger. "Excellent, now stand up and face the cave. Open your hand and trust thine flesh to magic." Following instructions, Hanako could feel a watery sensation in her arm, but now it was beginning to vibrate softly. "Patience..." The Javelin suddenly flew out of the mist and slapped into Hanako's grasp "Excellent! You two have bonded. People always mistake the 'Ring of Retrieval' for costume jewellery. From now on, every time you throw this weapon, it will fly into your hand from anywhere." Jenny pulled herself up onto the front. "All set? And away we go!"

The rest of the journey was mostly silent. Isaac was drifting in and out of unconsciousness, while Hanako was deep in thought. As the cart threaded through the winding forest road, she offered up a question.

~How did you know I was here? ~

"That cave is the only other exit," Isaac said. "When you didn't appear after a couple of hours, I figured you got lost and went walkabout. When I got here, the place was already occupied by less than savoury types. Luckily, Miss Lewis was passing and lent her expertise."

"As ever, the valiant 'ero rescues the pretty damsel".

"You did well to find your way out. That place must have been a nightmare without a guide."

~You should have told me about the giant rat.~

"I can't hold your hand through everything. Some things you just can't prepare for."

~It breathed fire. I would have prepared for that! ~

"Wait, you're talking about 'The Monument'. What were you doing there?"

~What is 'The Monument'? ~

"It's a Demon Rat. Even I wouldn't fight that thing. Not even the best spell users would fight that thing."

"Tis true." Jenny said. "You are better off punching thunder."

"I thought I told you to use the yellow door and then leave."

~It was locked! ~

"So why didn't you come back?"

~The gate closed behind me. I was trapped! ~

"Oh, right," Isaac said sheepishly. "I've been meaning to fix that. Sorry".

~Good to know. So now what? ~

"Thanks to your little flood, any access to the Beacons is going to be harder to reach. I can't do anything until I recover." Hanako directed a question at the Magician. "She wants to know if you have any health potions?"

"Alas, I am not a healer," Jenny said. "My methods are somewhat less genteel. I mostly exchange magic wares for Cheese. You don't happen to have any Cheese on you? Asking for a friend." She took out a cube of Cheddar from her pocket. "I am supposed to cut down, but somehow I can't seem to.

~Cheese? Seriously? ~

"I would offer you some, but you're already a wraith, so that it would be a waste of time. Oh yes, I know all about you, my girl and how you will get back. Well, until you flooded the lands. Shame, you were on a roll; hence a change in destination."

~Where are we going? ~

"A place I was hoping to avoid," Isaac said. "The home of the Deathwitch."