"Nothing, dear." Babushka patted her and then hugged her to calm her down. "You must just be hungry and agitated because of the noble mission you're about to do."
"Really?" Fable began shivering. She knew Babushka was lying. Something else, other than having Dreamhunter powers, wasn't right. Somehow, Fable was afraid to know.
"Really," Babushka said. "Now go prepare yourself while Shew and I prepare the Dream Temple in the cellar."
Fable nodded and ran to her room, still clinging to her breadcrumbs. Although she'd agreed to do this, it scared the life out of her. Who was she to enter the Dreamworld?
17
Out on the porch, while Fable was getting ready, Babushka and Shew were talking.
"Why didn't you tell her?" Shew asked.
"You know?" Babushka said.
"Of course I know," Shew said. "I figured it out in the last Dreamory. I'm surprised that you know."
"Loki told me," Babushka said. "I am surprised Axel and Fable don't know. I mean, everything about them screams who they really are."
"I think they're so caught up in Loki and my adventure that they can't think about anything else," Shew said.
"If you ask me, I think everyone else in Sorrow knows who Axel and Fable are." Babushka chuckled feebly.
"So they are both from the Lost Seven?"
"I think so." Babushka shook her shoulders. "Frankly, I have no idea who the Lost Seven are exactly. I wasn't around much when all of this happened. Nor was Loki's father." She seemed briefly lost in a memory. "Well, I don't want to talk about this now. I'm surprised you don't know if they are from the Lost Seven."
"Believe me, I don't remember much," Shew said. "I don't even remember Cerené. I trusted what happened in the dream to be my true memory of her." She looked out at the rest of the town on the horizon. Babushka did the same. "It would be really strange if Axel and Fable are from the Lost Seven," Shew said. "I mean, when I think that they hold a piece of my heart, it's just… I can't put words to the feeling."
"It's a heavy bond. I understand," Babushka said. "I don't know about Axel, but you should've seen Fable when you were trapped in the Schloss. I think she would die for you, and the poor girl doesn't even know about her bond with you. This is the true reason she is motivated to enter a dangerous place like the Dreamworld."
"Poor Fable," Shew said, sighing.
"Did you say she was mentioned as a witch in J.G.'s diary?" Babushka faced her.
Shew nodded again. "I think she is the Witch." It was still debatable. Any other girl could be a witch, but Fable was also Gretel, which made it more likely to be true. None of the Lost Seven mentioned in the diary resembled Axel, though.
"So again, why didn't you tell her?" Shew said.
"Because it's going to be a heavy experience," Babushka said. "When I look at this quirky, lovable, and decent girl, I pity her for having acquired Loki's powers as a Dreamhunter. It's such a responsibility. Her having to enter the Dreamworld is a burden by itself. I wouldn't top it with telling her who she is."
"I'm just worried she'll discover who she is in the Dreamworld," Shew said. "Who knows what could happen?"
"In order to get Loki's Fleece, we have to risk it," Babushka said.
"How about her sudden breadcrumb addiction?"
"That's because of her entering your last Dreamory through that spell she used," Babushka said. "I think that's why she suddenly realizes she is Gretel. The bond she has with Loki."
"So she is bonded to both of us, me and Loki?" Shew closed her eyes. "Who would have thought this cute little girl would have this kind of weight upon her shoulders?"
"I think she will be fine." Babushka smiled, a rather acceptable smile for a disfigured ghost.
"Listen," Shew said, facing her. "I'm really sorry about Loki, but there were too many things going on." Shew fiddled with Loki's necklace on her chest. "I'm really sorry."
"I don't want you to apologize," Babushka said. "You'd be amazed to know that I have faith Loki is coming back. After all, he's been dying on and off the last couple of years," Babushka said proudly. "Like mother like son, I guess." Then her laugh vanished abruptly. "There is something else that worries me, Shew, if you don't mind me saying."
"Really? What is it?"
"I'm worried how you and Loki are in True Love," Babushka said. "I mean, if you are really in love, how weren't you able to read the necklace in the dream?"
"What do you mean?"
Babushka hesitated, then heard Fable call for them from inside. "Nothing," she said as she entered the house. "It's just that Loki never told me how he fell in love with you in Sorrow two centuries ago. Don't take this the wrong way, but I can't imagine how it happened. He was an…well…evil huntsman, and you were his enemy. How did you ever get together?"