The narrow alley twisted and turned like a maze. The mysterious stranger led the way, his steps silent, while the rest of us struggled to keep up without crashing into each other. The sun was quickly setting, and the long shadows only made it harder to see where we were going.

“Who is this guy?” Sabrina whispered, glancing nervously over her shoulder. “And why are we following him?”

Jeanna, of course, was still beaming. “He saved us from the guards. Clearly, he’s on our side. Besides, look at him. That jawline could cut glass.”

Alice shook her head, her tone practical. “Jeanna, we don’t know if we can trust him yet. Could be leading us into a trap.”

As the stranger turned another corner, we skidded to a stop in front of an old stone building, barely noticeable between the more ornate shops and houses. He pushed open the creaky door and gestured for us to enter.

“Hurry,” he said in a low voice, scanning the street before ducking inside.

With little choice and no better plan, we followed him into what looked like an abandoned workshop. Dust-covered shelves lined the walls, filled with old tools and strange, unrecognizable gadgets. A single lantern flickered in the corner, casting eerie shadows.

Once we were inside, the stranger closed the door behind us and leaned against it, folding his arms. “You’ve caused quite a stir.”

Alice, always cautious, crossed her arms. “Who are you? And why did you help us?”

The man sighed, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “The name’s Rael. I helped you because you’re clearly not from around here, and the king’s soldiers are looking for anyone who doesn’t belong. That’s not the kind of attention you want.”

Sabrina leaned against a dusty table, arms crossed with a hint of curiosity. “And what kind of attention do we want, Rael?”

Rael’s expression darkened. “The kind that doesn’t get you thrown into a dungeon, or worse. The king doesn’t take kindly to strangers meddling in his affairs. Especially ones who show up out of nowhere.”

Jeanna, ever the romantic, smiled sweetly. “So, you’re a rebel, then? Fighting against the oppressive rule of an unjust king?”

Rael shot her an unimpressed look. “Think whatever you want.”

Sabrina raised an eyebrow, a mix of caution and intrigue in her voice. “Why are the soldiers looking for us?”

Rael hesitated, his eyes flickering toward the floor. “Because outsiders like you don’t show up unless something big is about to happen. The king’s been paranoid ever since he lost his—” He cut himself off, straightening up. “Let’s just say, you’re a threat, whether you realize it or not.”

Alice, her eyes sharp with interest, pressed on. “Lost his what?”

Rael didn’t answer, but the tightness in his jaw told us all we needed to know—this wasn’t just about us being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Something bigger was brewing, and we’d stumbled into the middle of it.

Sabrina, always the one to act decisively, stepped forward. “Alright, what do we need to do to stay off the king’s radar?”

Rael studied her for a moment before pushing off the door and walking over to the far wall, where a map of the kingdom hung, dusty and faded. “You need to leave this village as soon as possible. The farther you get from the capital, the better.”

Jeanna frowned. “But we don’t even know where we are. Or how we got here.”

Rael gave her a long look. “I figured as much.”

Alice, more concerned about their survival, asked with a more serious tone. “Do you know of a way to get us home?”

Rael hesitated again before shaking his head. “I don’t. But I know someone who might.”

Jeanna perked up instantly, a playful glint in her eye. “Oh? Is this someone a dark, brooding sorcerer with a tragic backstory?”

Rael rolled his eyes. “No, she’s an old witch who lives deep in the forest. Eloida.”

Sabrina’s eyes widened in recognition. “Wait, Eloida? The master of magic?”

Rael nodded. “She’s… eccentric, but she knows more about magic than anyone else in the kingdom. If anyone can help you, it’s her.”

Jeanna’s excitement was palpable. “She's a witch in the woods? This just keeps getting better.”

Sabrina, however, wasn’t as thrilled. “Aren’t witches usually the villains in these kinds of stories?”

Rael chuckled darkly. “Depends on who’s telling the story. Eloida isn’t evil, but she’s not exactly friendly either. You’ll have to convince her to help you, and that’s no easy task.”

Alice crossed her arms, her face set with determination. “We don’t have much of a choice. We’ll go to Eloida.”

Jay-Jay, who had been quiet up until now, tugged on Alice’s sleeve. “Is she scary?”

Alice knelt down, her voice soft and reassuring. “Nah, just misunderstood. Like all the best characters.”

Rael glanced out the window, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “I’ll get you supplies for the journey. You’ll need to leave at dawn if you want to avoid the soldiers.”

Jeanna leaned in closer to Rael, fluttering her eyelashes. “You’re not coming with us?”

Rael raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by her attempt at flirting. “I have my own business to attend to. You’re on your own after this.”

Jeanna sighed dramatically. “Tragic. I’ll miss you.”

Sabrina rolled her eyes, focused on the task ahead. “We’ll manage without him, Jeanna. Let’s focus on getting to this witch and figuring out what’s going on.”