Enraged, Sabrina would have slugged the fairy boy if not for the appearance of Henry and Veronica, slightly worse for wear. Sabrina’s father’s lip was bloody in the corner and her mother had a long scratch on her right arm. “We took care of them, Prince.”
“How many were there?” he said.
“Fourteen that we saw,” Henry replied. “They’re hobgoblins. We managed to subdue twelve of them. If you walk along the path you’ll find them.”
“And the other two?”
“They ran,” Veronica said, still clinging to her heavy branch. “Cowards.”
Charming pulled a guard aside and ordered him to gather as many of Robin Hood’s Merry Men as he could collect. “Find those hobgoblins. If they get back to the Hand they’ll reveal where we are and we’ll be overrun by nightfall!”
A moment later a well-armed posse of archers and swordsmen was racing into the forest in hot pursuit.
efore nightfall the camp received more than three dozen additional Everafter refugees. They looked tired and broken. Many spoke of burned homes and businesses, shattered lives, and destitution. Others shared warnings of brutal beatings, threats, and murder.
When they came in, Mr. Canis called them “guests” and informed them that to join the camp they had an obligation to all the others. Each person would be assigned tasks in the morning based on their occupations or talents, but until then they should try to relax and get some rest. Robin Hood and his wife, Marian, led the newcomers on a tour and to the supply tent for fresh clothes. They were all given hot meals and promised clean bunks.
Charming marched through the camp pulling people aside and letting them know about the hobgoblin attack. The story seemed to startle everyone, especially those who had just fled chaos.
“I told you this would happen. They are bringing the fight to us!” the prince said. “It’s time to prepare for war.”
His call for action didn’t produce the reaction Sabrina suspected Charming was seeking. He was largely ignored. Many of the Everafters said they didn’t want to get involved, even if they were shaken by the prince’s dark predictions. At the end of the day, only six of the refugees volunteered to join Snow White’s militia.
Dinner was served in the courtyard as the sun sank below the tree line. A witch conjured a hundred tables and enough folding chairs for everyone. The magic tables came complete with plates, utensils, and drinking glasses. Oil lamps were strung from trees for light. Everyone filed through a long line for their share of beans, brown bread, a potato, and an ear of corn. Sabrina and her family, along with Red, dined together at a table. Mr. Canis was invited to join but claimed he needed to get back to his meditation. Goldilocks and her bears were invited as well, but Henry’s former girlfriend seemed nervous around him. She claimed she and the bears had already made dinner arrangements. Sabrina’s mother didn’t seem at all heartbroken by Goldilocks’s rejection, but she said nothing. Geppetto and Pinocchio, however, happily accepted the invite.
“Good day, all,” Pinocchio said. “My father has spoken highly of your family. He considers you some of his dearest friends. I’m quite honored to make your acquaintance.”
Sabrina couldn’t help staring at the boy. If the story was true, Geppetto had carved him from a solid block of wood. But what threw her off more was the way he spoke. He was so proper and mature.
“Nice to meet you, too,” Granny Relda said. “Your father has missed you terribly.”
“Indeed,” Geppetto said, giving the boy a hug.
“So, where have you been?” Daphne asked the odd little boy.
“Daphne, that’s a little rude,” Veronica said. “That’s Pinocchio’s business.”
Daphne shrugged. “Just making conversation.”
“Well, it’s not much of a tale,” the little boy said.
“Then skip it,” Puck said, filling his mouth with beans. “We’ve spent entirely too much time discussing things other than me.”
Granny rolled her eyes. “Please, Pinocchio. Go on.”
“I’m confident Papa told you about our missed connection aboard Wilhelm’s vessel.”
“What’s a vessel?” Daphne asked.
“The layman calls it a boat,” Pinocchio explained. “I have never cared for the sea. I had a very disturbing encounter with a great white shark once. I also had a bit of trouble on an island off the coast of Italy. Thus, I try to stay landlocked as much as possible.”