THE LOST MAIDEN'S CALL

Elsie and Skyler had just finished gathering the last of the mandrakes from the farm. The early morning sun cast a soft glow across the land, and long shadows stretched out as they carefully packed the bundles. Skyler worked with quiet precision, tying the mandrakes together, while Elsie organized the sacks, her thoughts elsewhere. She didn't say much, her mind wandering far from the task at hand.

"We should get a good price today," Skyler said, flashing a small, hopeful smile as she lifted the last bundle onto the cart.

Elsie nodded, but her heart wasn't in it. The quiet of the morning felt different, heavier somehow. She sighed, shaking off the unease. With a final glance at the farm, she helped Skyler hitch the cart to the horse. They set off toward the town, weaving through the narrow, crowded streets of Abergdon, heading for the market.

The market was alive with its usual chaos-vendors calling out, children darting between stalls, and the delicious smells of fresh bread and fruits filling the air. Skyler set up her usual spot near the melon stalls, carefully laying out the mandrakes to catch the eyes of buyers. The market buzzed with excitement, but soon, the noise faded to an eerie hush.

From the high office of the Bracadis Council, Galley's voice sliced through the crowd, cold and commanding. "Any who refuse to pay the tax will receive a share of reserved punishments," she announced, and instantly, the vendors froze, the weight of her words hanging in the air like a storm cloud.

Her gaze swept across the crowd, sharp and calculating, until it landed on Skyler. She stepped forward, eyes narrowing.

"You," she said, pointing directly at Skyler, her voice chilling. "What's your name?"

Skyler's heart raced, and for a moment, she couldn't find her voice. Elsie, sensing the danger, quickly stepped forward, her heart pounding.

"I'm... I'm Elsie," she said, her voice shaky. The words tasted bitter, but there was no other choice.

Galley's eyes didn't soften. "Bring her along," she snapped, turning to the soldiers with a cold, ruthless command. Without a moment's hesitation, the soldiers seized Elsie. Skyler, desperate, followed them, pleading, her voice trembling.

"Please, Galley, she's done nothing wrong! Don't take her!"

But Galley's face remained unmoved, and her soldiers dragged Elsie through the crowd, paying no heed to Skyler's cries.

"I was informed by Z-12 that you snuck out of the treatment room," Galley sneered, mocking Elsie as she spoke. "After that, no one saw you again." A cruel smirk curled on Galley's lips. Z-12 had told her everything, but he'd conveniently left out the part where Elsie had struck him when escaping.

---

Meanwhile, Tony wandered through the market, his heart heavy with worry. He was searching for a face that haunted his thoughts-Elsie. His eyes scanned every corner, every face, his pulse quickening with every moment that passed.

"Excuse me, miss, have you seen a young maiden around?" Tony asked, his voice barely rising above the bustle of the market. "Her name is Elsie."

Most people brushed past, too absorbed in their own affairs, but then, his eyes landed on a girl kneeling beside a cart stacked high with mandrake sacks. Her dark hair swayed as she worked, tying up the last bundle with practiced hands. Something in her presence made him pause.

"Have you seen a young maiden? Someone like you?" he asked, unsure how else to put it.

She looked up slowly, her eyes locking with his. For a moment, her gaze flickered with surprise, recognition, then something else-pain.

"What's her name?" she asked quietly.

"Elsie," Tony said, hope creeping into his voice.

The girl's face softened with understanding. "You must be Tony," she said. "She talks about you."

"You know her?" Tony's voice cracked with relief.

"I was with her," Skyler said, standing up. "We were selling mandrakes together this morning, but she's not here now."

Tony's heart dropped. "Where is she?"

Skyler's jaw tightened, her voice laced with frustration. "She was taken. Galley came through with her soldiers. She wasn't supposed to be here after what happened."

"What happened?" Tony asked, dread creeping into his chest.

"She ran from the infirmary," Skyler explained, her voice barely a whisper. "She slipped away during treatment. They searched for her for days. But Galley-she found her. I think she was tipped off."

"And she just... took her?" Tony clenched his fists, fury rising.

Skyler nodded. "Dragged her away. I begged them to stop, but Galley said any escapee must face judgment. She didn't care about who Elsie really is."

Tony's fists tightened at his sides. His chest burned with anger, but Skyler's next words were like a spark of hope.

"I'm Skyler," she said. "And I'm not just going to stand by. If Elsie means something to you, we'll find her. Together."

Without another word, they set off, determined to track down Elsie.

---

They barely made it past the melon stalls when a man stepped into their path. He folded his arms, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"What do you want with her?" he growled.

Tony raised his hands in defense. "I'm just looking for-"

Before he could finish, the man swung a fist at him, knocking Tony back. Another punch landed, and then a third. Tony staggered, his vision blurring.

"Hey! Back off!" a voice called from the crowd. But it was too late-Tony hit the ground, blood trickling from his mouth.

"Stop!" A commanding voice cut through the chaos.

The crowd fell silent. Skyler had stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Tony. "He's done nothing! He's just looking for his sister!"

From the shadows, a figure emerged. A man in a long coat, his eyes sharp and cold. "Enough," he ordered.

The attackers stepped back, murmuring. It was Castleberry. Later, Tony would learn the truth about Castleberry's past. He'd claimed to be a former soldier, but the truth was far different. Castleberry had been a merchant who'd gotten caught up in the wrong crowd. Tony found the lie so ridiculous, he gave him the nickname "500," a reminder of all the false feats Castleberry had claimed.

Skyler helped Tony to his feet. "You okay?" she asked.

Tony wiped the blood from his mouth and nodded. "Yeah."

"Let's go," she said, her voice steady. "This is just the beginning."

And so, they set off, determined to find Elsie-no matter what it took.

...And so, a new chapter began for them, one that would lead them down a path full of unexpected twists and turns.