Hansel was pretty sure that was an exaggeration. But only by a hair.

Abel snorted and draped an arm around his shoulders.

“Come on. We can investigate something we don’t think has anything to do with the Coven, but is strange enough that it would be worth looking into.”

Hansel tried to push his brother-in-law’s arm off but the man just leaned harder.

I have a feeling you have something in mind.

Hansel gave the other man a suspicious look.

“Like?”

“Glad you asked! Hey, there’s a great cafe a street over. Let’s get some lunch before going to the Guild.”

“Your Highness-”

“Don’t get impatient. We have plenty of time.”

Hansel blew out an exasperated sigh. Why did he end up with a partner who couldn’t focus? Probably because no one wanted to be responsible for a prince. And the man was now, unfortunately, related.

Sometimes Hansel regretted the day they’d met.

He was practically dragged into the cafe. Then impatiently ordered the same as Abel so he didn’t have to bother with the menu. Finally, with the waitress walking away, he pressed his brother-in-law again for the rest of his thoughts.

“Now tell me what you meant.”

“We got a telegram this morning. You know the Blissburg wall?”

“That’s a section in the east, right?”

“Right. Borders the Pastel Mountain Range.”

Abel picked up a complimentary breadstick and took a bite. Talking with his mouth full.

“Two days ago, there was a monster breach.”

Hansel tried not to stare in disgust at Abel’s bad table manners. Instead, he folded his arms and avoided looking at the other man’s mouth.

“So? The walls have breaches all the time.”

“So.” Abel leaned over dramatically. “There were signs that someone did it on purpose.”

Hansel sat up straighter.

“Someone baited monsters? What were the signs?”

“Some sort of broken bottle and two objects no one can identify.”

“Artifacts?”

“Not that we know of but-” Abel winked. “I know someone who can find out for sure.”

The prince smiled. No. Grinned like a hopeful puppy waiting for a treat. Hansel gave him a look.

“You just want to get away and let Gretal cool off.”

“Hmm, miss Lori! Our bread bowl is empty. Could you-?”

“Of course, Mister Abel.”

“Thank you, love. And by the way, your hair is beautiful today.”

The woman blushed and left with a flustered mumble.

Hansel sighed and shook his head. “And you wonder why Gretal is extra mad at you?”

“What?” asked Abel. Puzzled.

Hansel shrugged and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.

He mulled over Abel’s proposal. As tempting as it was, there just wasn’t enough evidence to justify a visit. Not in his mind, anyway.

But then, when had the damned Coven ever left enough evidence? Even the murder this morning had only caught their attention because they’d just tracked the man down yesterday. He’d foolishly sold a cursed object recently used at a Coven crime scene.

If they hadn’t already known his connection, they would’ve just believed the magic detecting devices and assumed no magic had been used.

It was aggravating.

Perhaps they could’ve made more headway if they knew what the Coven wanted. Covens in the past have wanted everything from murdering the entire child population, to taking over the kingdom, to simply amassing power.

Eventually the hex hunters of the past had figured out what was going on based on the patterns.

Consistent child murders, constant schemes against the royal family and other prestigious families, constant signs of or successful mass murders.

But these witches…

They’d been operating for years, doing crimes that seemed to have no connection with each other. One moment cursing an individual the next mass murdering an entire family or village.

Of course, the mass murders may simply to gain power for the next job…

The team had about concluded that this group wasn’t working on their own goals but were being paid by outside individuals. How many wealthy and noble men have they not tracked down and punished?

Hansel sighed and rubbed his face, turning his attention to the meal as the waitress brought it out.

Twice during the meal, he kicked Abel’s leg. As befitting his brotherly duties. And was glad to finally head to the Guild when they were done.

Once there… well, there were only two things he could do. Talk to the people directly or look over their files.

He sent Abel to do the troublesome job of talking to people (and to get him out of his hair) while he sat in the records room.

After 10 files, he abruptly got up. Startling the clerk who’d been helping him.

“Is something wrong, sir?”

“I just need a break.”

He left the room and hurried to the front of the building. Where he could stare blankly at the street below from a window and tap agitated fingers against the windowpane.

The files had all sorts of information.

Age, gender, race, hometowns, work towns, even photographs had appeared in the newest, updated files.

But it came back to the same problem.

What the fairy dust was he looking for?!

He pulled the cards from his pocket and scrutinized all three of them. Justice, the Witch, and the Jester.

Anabella said they’d help him find the Jester. So there must be a clue somewhere.

Or the woman was being malicious because of his dislike of her.

If there was a clue, though, he couldn’t see it.

Annoyed, he returned to the records room. Where the clerk had helpfully taken away the ‘done’ pile and refilled the other.

“Anything else I can do for you, sir?”

Only if you can fortune tell as well, he thought grumpily as he sat.

Then he stared at the neat piles as an idea came to mind.

This man was a clerk. Not only in charge of the filing but handling the applications and other paperwork. His job included scrutinizing details, which he then updated or reported as needed.

Hansel pulled out the cards again.

“There might be. Would you look these over and tell me what clues there might be to my suspect’s identity?”

Curiously, the man took the cards. Then raised an eyebrow as he looked them over.

“First, I’d say you’re looking for a woman. Two of these cards are obviously women and the third could go either way. But if you know for sure these are clues, the women still outnumber men.”

Hansel wasn’t sure the man should be that confident. But it was better than what he’d come up with.

“Alright?”

“I’m not a fortune teller but… do you know which is the most important card?”

“The Jester had the only real interpretation.”

The man nodded.

“Which is why you’re here. My Gran was a fortune teller. She told me when she pulled my cards that the Jester meant I’d be very lucky. Maybe you’re not meant to run into an entertainer but someone by luck.”

Hansel did not want to hear that suggestion.

‘Luck’ may have been on his side so far, but he felt relying on it was foolish.

“How would I even attempt to create luck?” he muttered irritably.

The man shrugged again and put the cards on the desk. Then he hesitated.

“My Gran, you know, she was right. About being lucky.”

“So?”

“So, most of my luck just happens when I’m out and about not thinking about it. A coin in the mud, getting my wife the right flowers cuz the others are sold out, getting ideas to problems while talking to people. That sort of thing.”

Hansel couldn’t believe he was having this conversation.

Picking up the cards, he shoved them into his pocket.

“So, I should just wander around aimlessly?”

He didn’t mean to sound sarcastic.

“Or do something else for a while.” The man checked his pocket watch. “Will you be alright for a few minutes, sir?”

Hansel waved the clerk away and broodingly stared at the cabinets of files.

He’d nearly finished 3/4ths of them.

Fine.

If he found nothing today, he’ll tell Abel they’ll go to Blissburg and look into that incident there.

He’ll just have to make it sound good so His Majesty doesn’t bite their heads off.

***

Aka

Wow!

This place was amazing!

Well, amazing in a different way from the forest. I mean, in the forest you could catch a nymph bathing or a fairy dance if you’re really quiet. Which is pretty cool, too.

The clothes and architecture and everything was straight from a fantasy novel. Something that had a European vibe without it being medieval times, which I appreciated.

Not that I’d ever been anywhere like that, but I’ve seen pictures.

Ah, and bearable hygiene!

I’d been prepared for the medieval setting. So, chamber pots being thrown out the window and stuff like that. What a pleasant surprise to find plumbing! I’m sure I looked weird looking into gutter drains and humming my pleasure.

Not so pleasant were the stares.