"Then it's settled. That's all I needed to discuss. If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
"Are you really that afraid of me?"
The beautiful head in the water spoke mournfully as the Great Fog around them grew ever thicker:
"Is my charm truly inferior to those Witches at the manor? Stay with me a little longer. Talk to me, won't you?
"I'm truly so lonely. Even just one minute—one minute would be enough. I would remember today as the most wonderful Valentine's Day."
Shade's face flushed red as he suddenly clutched his chest, turned, and ran. Nothing stopped him, and when he darted into the little house containing the lift platform, he heard wild, delighted laughter drifting from the distance behind him.
Half an hour later, at Belinder Manor. The fragrance of black tea filled the air, mingling with the Witches' perfume in a way that was quite invigorating.
"So the Silver Dragon's scale is less than half a day's voyage from here?"
Miss Aurora asked in surprise in the study. Her large brown curls had been gathered and draped down her back; Shade rarely saw her wear that hairstyle.
After Shade nodded, the Great Witch of "Light" excitedly said to Illustrious Miss:
"We don't need Shade to go personally. Let's retrieve it ourselves. This way, we'll have four scales."
Miss Belinder, holding a teacup, nodded lightly.
"Sivie, Illustrious Miss, then I'll leave it to you two. Luvia, once they return, we'll conduct the ritual. Four scales should be enough to expand the scope of the divination and search for the other scales."
"Of course. I never expected Shade to bring us such a wonderful surprise so early in the morning. It seemed he spent all of yesterday rushing about for this. I hope he was satisfied with last