“Oh,” Briar murmured, pausing to read the entry. “Oh, my. That’s quite rude, isn’t it?” And also a little infuriating. “Really, does he think this is easy for us? New places – new worlds – are difficult at best, particularly when you’ve arrived alone and there is not a single Fable in sight! He could say something helpful, rather than blatantly calling us all idiots!” Delicate and quixotic, Briar was accustomed to being rescued by a handsome prince – not called an idiot. And, frankly, she had had just about all she could take of this world. She’d be happy to see her ex-husband, if he showed up!

“I spoke with the mayor-elect. Quite frankly, he was of more help, and he’s…” She trailed off, then waved her hand impatiently. “Some kind of rat, I think. It doesn’t matter.” With a toss of her head designed with the sole intention of angrily tossing her auburn curls over her shoulder (and rather unmindful of the fact the gesture meant little with her hair already in a tight ponytail behind her head) Briar added, “The absolute nerve of some people!”

Peering from beneath her long eyelashes, Briar smiled at her mysterious companion. “At least we’ve come across each other. Are you royalty, perchance? Oh, nevermind. You wouldn’t remember if you were, would you? It doesn’t matter, anyway. I’ve never been much of a classis—oh, we were going to find you a doctor, weren’t we?”