“Well I'm on my way to heaven

We shall not be moved

On my way to heaven

We shall not be moved

Just like a tree that's standing by the water side

We shall not be moved.”

The voice had a rich warble that perfectly complemented the strange accompaniment. As he turned a corner, he noted where several other prisoners were looking. Watching in rapture as the singer continued.

He could sort of see her through the bars of the nearest cells. Head bent over, her brown, wild hair covering her face. Whatever she was wearing was mostly white and lacey.

Cautiously, he approached. The other prisoners realized he was there before she did and watched him cautiously as he stood in front of the bars, arms crossed. There was one old man who raised his nose in the air and sniffed, causing some grins but no one snickered for fear of interrupting the musician.

The song ended and there was a nervous pattering of applause. Despite the old man's action, no one actually wanted to draw attention to themselves now that Hansel was there.

“Watcha think? Not to your liking?” she asked the onlookers. Not looking up just yet as she fiddled with some strange pegs on the instrument’s neck.

“I’ve never heard anything like it.”

She looked up, flashing him a smile as she continued fiddling.

“I would’ve been surprised if you had. It isn’t exactly big around here.”

He froze as she pulled her legs up to sit cross-legged on the bench.

“What about the rest of you? No? How about another? I’d charge the gentleman here, but apparently it’s a crime.”

There were a few laughs at the not-so-funny joke. But Hansel didn’t react.

 Frankly, his brain had momentarily shut down in complete shock.

This was-

“How about The Ash Grove? Yeah, I think that would work well here.”

He leaned on the bars. Numbly listening. It took him a moment but he realized it was a sad love song. One he’d never heard before.

When it was over, he asked, “How’d you convince them to let you keep that?”

Her face lit up with mischief.

“I threatened to whistle really loud all day if they didn’t.”

“Whistle?”

She put two fingers in her mouth and blew.

The sound was ear splitting by itself but it also immediately set an alchemist alarm off.

As he (and every other occupant of the hallway) slapped his hands over his ears, she laughed. The alarm turned off and he heard cursing somewhere.

“The first time was an accident. After that, it was just fun!”

The local captain came storming around the corner, eyes blazing.

“We had a deal!” he shouted. Then he noticed someone else was there and stopped cold. “Ah, sir, I didn’t know you were down here.”

“Captain, have you contacted the Alchemist Tower about the glitch?”

“We, uh, sent a message earlier.”

“Alchemy, cool!” the woman said excitedly. “Can they turn lead into gold?”

They ignored her.

“Very good. What is this woman’s crime?”

“Performing and accepting money without a permit, sir.”

“Apparently I have to pay a fine, but I can’t use my ill-gotten gains.” She sighed dramatically and shrugged. “I told them I’m a regular ol’ Houdini and to expect me to vanish.”

“A what?”

“Houdini. Escape artist? Never mind. The point is, either I escape or I get free room and board until trial. Right, Captain?”

“Uh?”

Under Hansel’s unblinking stare, the Captain sweated.

“How much is the fine?”

“A silver.”

Hansel raised an eyebrow then opened his coin purse. He flipped a silver coin at the flustered man.

“Discharge her immediately.”

He went upstairs without looking back.

“Do you want me to hail a carriage?” Abel pouted as soon as Hansel returned.

“Yes. Where’s a good cafe or restaurant around here?”

Abel’s eyebrows shot up.

“I thought we didn’t have time for that?”

“We don’t have time not to. Go.”

Bewildered, Abel left and hailed a coach. While he waited, Hansel pulled out the cards and shook his head. When Abel got back, Hansel handed him the cards.

“Take a good look at them.”

“I have. They mean nothing to me.”

Hansel grunted. He’d spotted that wild brown head at an inner desk where she was retrieving her things.

And he didn’t have to point her out when she was led into the front area.

Abel cursed in surprise and dropped the cards.

***

Aka

The man I talked to downstairs was near the front doors and my escape.

His beauty struck me again. I mean, just wow! Black hair, bright green eyes… Maybe he wasn’t that good looking. But after years of just goblins, this man was drool worthy for my human beauty starved eyes.

For about 5 seconds.

“You.” He pointed at me like he was aiming a knife. “You’re coming with us.”

It sounded like a cheesy movie line.

My mouth fell open in bewilderment. Meanwhile, Mr Bossy turned and walked toward the main doors.

“Excuse me? Thank you, for paying my fine but not thank you. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

I folded my arms as he looked back at me. His face near expressionless. Maybe that was his appeal. He looked like a statue and statue beauty tends to be exaggerated.

“Yes, you are.”

“Are you arresting me again?”

“If I have to.”

I gaped at him. What the heck?!

I take that back. He’s the ugliest, most unappealing man I’d ever met. Even Croix takes the cake in male appeal.

That was when one of the other people in the room intervened. Mr Blue Hair stepped between us, hands raised and smiling disarmingly.

“Forgive my partner, miss. He has the manners of a cow.” He bowed. “I’m Agent Abel Vancout, you may call me Mr Abel. And the ill-mannered mosquito is Agent Miller. Would you honor us with a chat over dinner?”

Dinner?

I gave Mr Abel a thoughtful look.

“Does dinner include dessert?”

He beamed and offered me an arm. “Of course! We can’t skip the best part.”

I think he’s trying to escort me? How sweet.

Sorry, Croix, you’ve been demoted again.

“Agent Miller,” I said, taking Mr Abel’s arm, “you should take lessons from your friend on how to pick up a girl.”

“He’s married,” said Agent Miller dryly. He held the door open for us.

“Oh? How sad for me.”

Not really. Mr Abel was handsome and all, but I wasn’t looking for a man. I was looking for an adorable baby boy with a pig nose.

Once outside, they took me to a coach.

A real coach!

I’d been watching the contraptions driving around for half the day and drooling over the idea of riding one. Now I gaped at it as the coachman opened the door for us.

“Iris Garden,” said Mr Abel to the coachman. Then he handed me in.

If this was how a princess felt, sign me up!

I eagerly explored the inside of the coach. There really wasn’t a lot to it.

A seat with cushions (that had been squished by too many butts), a window without glass (I think the curtain can be tied down against the weather… yes, there were the hooks), and a sort of pouch thing on the inside wall.

The pouch had a couple of newspapers inside. Sweet.

I put my guitar case at my feet. Then pretended to look at a newspaper as I watched the men. (Maybe not pretending as much as I meant to. The headline was interesting. “Garden Party at Haber Manor in Amourville Flooded With Gnomes”).

I didn’t completely neglect watching the men, no matter how interesting the article. I may have been a young teen when I ended up here, but I wasn’t completely stupid. Gran loved crime shows, thrillers, and horrors.

If these two people ended up as serial killers, I’d make them regret targeting a witch.

In the end, we all sort of just studied each other. I felt no hostility from Abel but that Mr Miller looked like he could take a bite out of a cookie plate and not regret it. Halfway to our destination. I shrugged and concentrated on enjoying the jerky ride.

I might end up with whiplash but it's fine. I’m riding a coach!

The Lilac Garden turned out to be a pretty little cafe in the middle of town. Since it was getting dark, there were lanterns being lit outside on a wraparound porch. They looked kinda like Chinese lanterns, except made of some different material.

Pots of plants, a miniature fountain at one end of the porch…

It was disappointing.

This was a fairytale world! Where was the iconic pub and inn combo?

I pouted.

“Is something wrong?” asked Mr Abel.

“As long as this place has cake, nope.”

Nope?, I saw Mr Abel mouth just before he got out of the coach.

After Agent Miller got out and Mr Abel helped me down, we went inside.

“Why it’s Master Abel!”