I smiled, flattered that he cared. Jaden looked grudgingly back ahead.

"What was it you were asking before Jaden came?"

I straightened up, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Oh, ah . . . I was wondering if you . . . and I guess Jaden . . . if you two went through studies like the younger boys do? Like with the exams and weapons-training and such."

Jaden kept looking ahead. Ikovos rocked his head back and forth. "Well . . . when we joined, the order was a bit smaller than it is now. We did go through the same things, but-"

"We got special attention." Jaden finished for him.

Ikovos seemed reluctant, but didn't argue with him. "We were more skilled with magic, so we got separated to a degree from the others."

I considered this, then tried to decide if I should take the conversation further. We were getting into a topic that I had yet to hear anything about. The fact that I hadn't, with something like this, meant they probably didn't want me to. I decided to ignore the small detail, clearing my throat.

"How old were you two when you joined?"

The atmosphere turned awkward as soon as I said it. Both boys looked at each other meaningfully. I bit my lip, waiting pensively and contemplating regret.

Before either could answer, Jaden tripped. Well . . . at least he should have tripped. He caught himself so quickly it ended up looking more like a slight bounce . . . I'm not so sure it would be possible for Jaden to trip. . . .

"What the-" He reached down a lifted a straw broom off the ground below. Both boys eyed it dubiously.

I put a hand to my mouth with a short laugh. The last time I was here Adzamaruha had swatted at me with that thing before throwing it out into the woods . . . He said he was going back to look for it, but I guess he never found it.

They both looked at me curiously.

"Are we missing something?" asked Ikovos.

I glanced at each then straightened my expression. "Oh, ah . . . no. It's just-"

Before I could make an attempt at explaining a loud noise came through the trees. It sounded like some sort of explosion. A giant puff of purple smoke burst up above the treetops.

We all quickly looked at each other then started towards it.

The shop came into view along the road in no time. It was just as I remembered it: eccentric, shack-like, a variety of plants sectioned off in short fences . . . The front looked abandoned though. We walked around to the back to see the cause of the eruption. Or, at least I did. The two boys with me seemed less interested.

Sure enough, a large cloud of purple was floating near the largest fire-lit, metal pot on the row of cauldrons. The strange spices and ingredients still hung from the pillars that held up the awning of the small cabin. The grass was lushly green, just as before. Still . . . there was no old man to be seen.

My eyes narrowed as I moved forward. Suddenly I heard coughing coming from the center of the cloud and a form appeared.

"Adzamaruha?" I asked apprehensively. I saw Ikovos and Jaden come up beside me in my peripheral view, but kept my focus on the mission.

The scrawny, wizard-hatted, man coughed again, waving smoke away from his face. His eyes still hadn't landed on me. "Well, that wasn't the right beet-root."

I stepped forward again. "Are you alright, Adzamaru-"

He looked at me then, all wide-eyed and cocked. "What the- . . . Who are you?!"

"Oh brother," muttered Jaden.

"He does this every time," finished Ikovos.

The pointy-hatted man began walking forward. I blinked my eyes and tried to straighten up. "Ah, we've met before. I'm-"

He didn't stop, moving past instead, eyes on Jaden and Ikovos.

"I said, who are you?"

I was a bit confused, but waited for the boys to answer. Ikovos did first, shaking his head.

"Adza, you know who we are. We've been here a dozen times."

Adzamaruha pursed his lips as if trying to recall then shook his head. "No, nope. I do not know you. I've never seen you two before in my life."

Ikovos looked like he was about to argue, but Jaden interrupted him.

"Wait, what do you mean two?" He gestured to me. "You're saying you know her?"

He looked at Jaden skeptically then glanced over at me. "Of course. This is my apprentice, Evangeline."

Jaden and Ikovos stared at him with utter shock.

I didn't really understand why Adzamaruha thought I was his apprentice, but I decided I should at least get everyone to calm down.

"Let's just-"

Jaden looked livid. "You're saying I came here to get supplies for an entire year straight, and you forgot me every single time, but she comes once and she's suddenly your apprentice?"

Ikovos was just shaking his head dejectedly. "This is exactly why I can't stand this guy."

Adzamaruha swung his arms around extravagantly. "I do not have a clue about what you are talking about. But you had better get off my land this instant if you know what is good for you."

Jaden straightened forward. "What are you gonna do to me, old man, puff me with purple smoke?"

The white-haired wizard looked furious. Jaden wasn't much calmer. Ikovos had just walked off to the left, muttering something.

I stepped between them all. "Look, Adzamaruha, these are my friends. They're safe, I promise." I grabbed the broom from Jaden's grip. He eyed me. "They even brought you back your broom."

Adzamaruha took it from my hands carefully, then rubbed some fingers through his beard. "Well . . . I suppose if you know them Evangeline, then it's alright."

Jaden rolled his eyes heavily. Before I could apologize Adzamaruha suddenly brightened, grabbing my wrist.

"Come, Evangeline, I have some new spells I must show you."

I surrendered nervously. "Ah, okay." Then he pulled me off towards the building.

For the next while Adzamaruha showed us around his store, describing the more exceptional items. All of it was outside, of course. We had lost Ikovos a while back in the book section. Adzamaruha was now using Jaden's fire abilities to teach me a potion spell.

"You are going to like this one, Evangeline. It's very useful in warding off Meoden spies."

"A . . . alright."

He tapped Jaden's head. "Make the fire larger, servant boy. We need more heat." Adzamaruha turned around to grab another ingredient and Jaden scowled darkly.

I glanced at him, biting my lip to hold back a smile. When he caught my eyes the grim face unexpectedly softened.

Adzamaruha came back between us then, dropping a bright-red, pearish-looking, fruit into the pot. "Okay, that should do it. Evangeline, take your finger and dip it into the liquid."

I looked at him and then at the pot. Then I nodded. "Okay."

Jaden eyed me. "Are you crazy? That's way too hot."

The purple-robed man scoffed. "I put kin root in it, it couldn't possibly be over fifty degrees."

Jaden glared at him. He was going to start getting angry again. I took a brave breath, deciding it was worth a try, and dipped my finger in. I laughed shortly. It was quite cool.

Adzamaruha smirked smugly. "Alright, now take it out and rub the liquid on your lips."

I raised my eyebrows uncertainly, Jaden was just ignoring us at this point, then did as he said.

"Good, good," he sang. Then he reached into a small pouch, grabbed a handful of pink dust and tossed it into the cauldron.

A cloud of fuchsia went up around us. We all started coughing considerably. When the air cleared, Jaden spoke first.

"What the heck are you doing?"

Adzamaruha focused his eyes at my face then cheered happily. "Ah-ha! A success!"

I looked down at myself. "What? What happened?"

Jaden was staring at me too, disbelievingly. "That's it?"

I looked at him, then at Adzamaruha. "What?"

The old man passed me a small hand mirror. I looked into it. Everything was normal except for the fact that my lips had gone quite a few shades pinker. I put a hand up to my mouth and laughed.

Jaden looked at Adzamaruha indignantly. "How is that possibly supposed to help her ward off Meoden?"

Adzamaruha furrowed at him angrily, losing his before pleasant grin. "I hardly expect you to understand, servant boy."

"It's not even that pink," said Jaden, pointing at my face.

Adzamaruha scoffed. "It wouldn't be very pretty if it were too pink, now would it? . . . More natural this way."

"Natural?" mocked Jaden. "Ikovos, will you come tell this guy he's crazy for me."

The blond-haired boy didn't even look up. "You're crazy," he shouted.

Jaden eyed him. "Thanks a lot."

I had an idea then. "Hey, is this how you made the sheep different colors?"

Adzamaruha nodded. "Of course. They could hardly be born like that . . . though I've often wondered what would happen in a blue and purple one had a child. . . . Do you think it would be bluish-purple, or blue with purple spots? . . ."

I shook my head slowly. "Ah . . . I don't know, may I go pet one though?"

He nodded. "Oh, sure, sure. They're just over the ridge."

I smiled and started off.

"It could maybe be purple with blue spots, though . . ." His voice trailed as I stepped through the grass.

My smile grew when I saw the colorful sheep grazing on the other side. Contented "bahs" could be heard moving about the flock. I crept over carefully to one, amazed when it actually let me touch it. It nuzzled its head into my hand. When another came, I sat down on the grass so I could pet them both comfortably. They were small, soft, and a rather saturated blue.

I sighed. The weather was beautiful, even though it wasn't raining, a great day. As the wind blew my hair I couldn't keep my mind from pondering that there was something wrong with Ikovos and Jaden. They were my friends now, that I felt certain of. And so if there was something going on, I think I had a responsibility to figure out what.

Another coo from one of the lambs brought me back to the present. I smiled down at it.

"Oh, you're just such a cute little guy, aren't you?"

My head lifted when a throat cleared above me.

"You a big sheep fan?" It was Jaden. He looked rather bored.

I straightened, taking my hand from the lamb. It hopped off happily. "I guess."

His head shook slightly with a sigh . . . at least I thought it did. In the next second he tossed a thumb backwards. "Adzamaruha is getting the things together for Sophie now, we should be able to leave soon."

I nodded quickly, "Oh, okay," then bit my lip. "Sorry about the whole spell thing . . . that was a little pointless."

He shrugged. "Can't really blame you. I think you'd do pretty much anything if someone asked you to." His face was placid, I'm pretty sure he was serious . . . he was also probably right.

I gulped, blood threatening to rush to my cheeks.

He saved me the embarrassment with a smirk. "Besides . . . it does actually look kinda nice."

Never mind.

I blushed thoroughly now, smiling and turning my head down to the grass.

"Evangeline," sang Adzamaruha from over the ridge. "I have your things packed."

Jaden looked to his voice then back at me, offering a casual hand to help me up. "Is there a reason he calls you that?"

I shook my head as he pulled me up. "Not that I know of."

"And that doesn't make you crazy?"