Esther Blanchett finished selling her final pie and closed up shop. She was off to visit her sister Kate at her flower shop.

Esther was a small girl with her long ebony hair in twin pigtails. She had bright blue eyes and pale skin.

"Hello sister it's good to see you." Esther said.

"I just closed up shop. Are you coming to the festival?" Kate asked.

"No I just have so much work to do." Esther replied.

"Have you seen the smoke on the bluffs?" Kate pointed out to the mountains. "Abel's castle is there!"

"Wow...so close!" Esther gasped. "Isn't he a wizard. I wonder if he could help us with Mother."

"You can't ask a wizard for help! He'll eat your heart!" Kate made a growling face. "Besides Mother is doing better today. She even ate her whole lunch."

"That's because I made her favorite." Esther pouted.

"No one can resist your cooking, Star!" Kate grinned, using her favorite nickname for her sister.

"Oh, the castle is gone! It just hidden in the mist. Didn't you see those battle ships just passed in front of the window?" Esther said. "Oh no I'm late! I'm supposed to go back and get the pie out of the oven!"

She kissed Kate on the cheek and ran through the marketplace.

Xxx

"Hey, you, little mouse. Are you looking for something?" A soldier grabbed her by her apron.

"No, sir. Nothing." Esther said. "Hands off."

"Oooo hands off she says. Maybe she's more of a viper!" Soldier pulled her closer. "How old are you. Do you live in town?"

"Leave me alone!" Esther kicked him.

"Why you—"

"There you are. I was looking for you!" Abel said.

"Who the hell are you?" Soldier said.

"I'm her buddy." Abel said. "By the way, why don't you go for a walk for a while."

Abel inclined his hand, and the soldier began to walk away.

"What? What's going on? My body is automatically..." Soldier said.

"They didn't mean to hurt you. Please forgive them." Abel said. "Where are you going, Miss? Let me escort you for a while."

"Nope. My pie is burning, see. I don't need anymore delays." Esther said. "Besides that I didn't need help I was just about to punch him in his mustache."

Abel laughed. "Maybe you can help me then. I assure you your pie won't burn. You see..." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "I'm being chased by someone. Let's walk. Sorry, I didn't mean to get you involved."

"Here!" The soldier shouted.

"Relax. Keep walking. Don't be afraid." Abel said.

"I'm not but..." Esther whirled, and fired a glowing arrow at their pursuers, purifying them. "Now you owe me a favor, Abel. And it will be two if my pie is burnt."

Leaving him stunned, Esther strode into her shop, finding the pie absolutely perfect.

At that moment she knew, Abel could save her mother.