Andrew led the girls down the far side of the street, where thin sycamores offered protection against the rain and eyes. He made sure to keep a slack hold on Silver, so it’d look like the mare was wandering by herself when really he was the one mastering their direction.

They headed towards the docks.

“This master of yours,” Victoria said. “How rich is he really?”

”His owns the castle in which he lives and the island it is on,” Andrew replied. “He has fifteen maids and two butlers, ready to heed to his every beck and call.”

”Oooh,” said Constantia.

“Are you one of the butlers?” Victoria asked.

Andrew found that funny until he thought about it. “I am… more of an assistant,” he said.

”To what?”

“Scientific… work.”

“What kind of scientific work?”

With the way they were walking, Victoria on one side of Silver and Andrew on the other, it was impossible for Andrew to see the girl’s face. But from her voice he could tell that she was smiling, probably taking the piss.

“Master Davis is a reality-bending scientist,” he said, deciding to exaggerate just a little for effect. “He is also of dizzying age and cannot walk due to a problem with his knees.”

Victoria made a sound that was half a laugh and a snort. “And a man like that wants company to do what exactly, talk?”

“Why, yes,” Andrew said. “He’d prefer saving his strength to continue his miraculous studies.”

Victoria didn’t respond. They walked further down the streets, the only sound coming from Silver’s hooves clopping against the cobblestone. Then, Constantia said quietly, “I want to puke.”

Rain continued to fall. As Andrew helped Constantia back up onto Silver, he tried to sell the fairytale some more, just in case any second thoughts were being had.

“The Bolsteins hold a great tradition. At the end of a lord’s passing, he must give away as much as his wealth as he can, to any persons that had brought joy into his life, no matter how great or brief the happiness was.”

“I’ve never heard of that house name,” said Victoria. She wasn’t walking on the other side of Silver now, but is instead strolling right beside Andrew. “Where did you originate from?”

”From the east,” Andrew answered. “We came from across the Great Ocean.”

Constantia gasped. “I can see the Great Ocean from here!”

”That’s the docks, Con,” Victoria said. “Your ancestors were sailors?”

“Yes,” Andrew said. “That is why Doct- Master Davis wishes to live in a castle surrounded by ocean.” Slowly, he eased Silver to a stop. They were now at the edge of the town, where the stone path seeped into rows of wooden planks built above a rising tide. “If you look there,” he said, pointing to the distance. “You can even see my sailboat.”

Victoria gave a little nod. She reached upward and gave Constantia’s leg a little tug. “Seen enough yet, Con? I’m getting cold. And hungry.”

”Me too,” said Constantia, rubbing her belly. “But I am also poor, Vic. And I know that you are too.”

“The island is only a few hours out of this coast,” Andrew said quickly but not forcefully. He was so close now. He could drag them both there if he needed to. “I could take you both for a visit if you’d like. We’d be back before sunrise.”

Neither girl answered. Andrew waited, fighting the urge to reach into his coat for the black box he kept in a hidden pocket. No, he wouldn’t need to use force with these girls. He was sure of it.

He was right. Victoria let go of her sister’s leg. “I’m in the mind to leave you right here, Con,” she said after a long sigh. “You know this is how we die, right?” She turned to Andrew. “If you’re going to eat us, eat her first, okay?”

Andrew had to remind himself to laugh. “I promise,” he said. “But judging by the looks of both of you, you could do with a few warm meals first.”

”I agree!” said Constantia. “Come now, sister. Follow me and we shall dine!” She swayed on top of Silver, almost toppling over. Andrew gave the mare the slightest tug, and the horse began to move towards the direction of the sailboat. He gave Victoria a passing glance as if to say, “What do you have to lose?” And then his shoes were hitting the wooden platform of the docks.

He listened, his breath held.

A second pair of footsteps soon echoed behind him.

Andrew let out the breath. He slowed, just enough for Victoria to catch up.

The girl’s eyes were sharp and blue as they looked ahead. She seemed to be sizing up the sailboat from the distance, calculating its speed and in effect, the truth of Andrew’s words.

“We have to get back before dawn,” she said, her voice carrying on the breeze coming off the sea. “Do you promise you’ll get us back before then? We have people waiting for us.”

Constantia barked out an uncharacteristic laugh. “I doubt they lack bodies to fill the cots in an orphanage, Vic.”

Victoria kept walking, staring silently ahead.

Even drunk, her sister seemed to know she’d crossed a line. “Remember what you told me over the wine tonight, Vic?”

“I’m surprised you can.”

“You wanted to see the world.”

“I also wanted my very own horse.”

“You can,” Andrew said. “I will personally make sure you are rewarded with all that you deserve.”

Finally, the smile was back on Victoria’s face, the one that Andrew saw when she was being chased out of the tavern. “I want an armored stallion,” she said. “One I can ride into battle with.”

Andrew found himself smiling, infected by her genuine excitement. “I’ll throw in a battle axe.”

“And you promise to take us back?”

Andrew stopped Silver. They’d reached the ramp now. The sailboat was right besides them. Board it, and lives would change forever. His and the two sister’s next to him. He turned to face Constantia, then at Victoria.

“Before sunrise,” he said, and offered his hand.