Three hundred and twenty years have passed
since the coven sank in the dark.
Encroaching shadows.

The heart's inner sanctum becomes a battlefield
where secrets cannot be hidden.
I found you there.

Shadow Play

Chapter 1
Wabi Sabi

What Robin remembered most clearly about the escape from the factory was Amon carrying her in his arms. She was not injured, but her act of mercy had so drained her of energy that she'd lost the ability to move, and drifted in and out of consciousness.

She awoke from dreams of haunting cries, but didn't open her eyes. Someone placed a wet cloth on her forehead, and she knew without looking that it was Amon. They were in a place that smelled of wet wood and rain.

"Where are we?" She asked.

"An old cottage in Yamanashi Prefecture," Amon said.

"How long have I been sleeping?"

"Fourteen hours."

She finally opened her eyes. She was on a futon in a small room. Through the open windows she could see dark clouds, dark trees carrying clumps of white snow. No; it wasn't cold enough for snow. Squinting, she realized they were pear trees, white blossoms stuck together by rain. The yard was enclosed in a sturdy but weathered wooden fence. Fence and trees were linked together by overgrown bare vines.

"The accommodations aren't modern. No one has lived here in years. I've swept it out, but you must expect spiders and mice."

"That's fine," Robin replied in her small voice. She forced herself to sit up. "How did we get away from the Factory?"

"I carried you."

"Here?"

"I called someone. A man we both trust."

"The Master," Robin realized: Yuji Kobari, the owner of Harry's. "What about Miss Karasuma? The others?"

"They made it out." He paused, like there was something he didn't want to tell her.

"What is it?"

"When we parted ways with Karasuma...we agreed that she would say we were lost in the collapse of the Factory."

As the meaning sank in, Robin sank back on the futon. "They think we're dead."

"Everyone but Karasuma and the Master. Even Nagira. If Headquarters believe you are dead, you won't be hunted."

She stared up at the cottage's bare rafters. Would she ever see her friends again? The question caused a physical pang in her heart. But she still had Amon, and that thought brought a thrill of happiness.

Turning toward him, she asked, "Are you hurt? The Orbo..."

"I'm fine. Sore, but nothing serious."

"What will we do now?"

"Heal." He stood. "Rest. I'm going to walk to town to get food and supplies."

She nodded, and pulled the covers tighter around her shoulders.

Amon turned and walked to the door, opening an umbrella as he stepped out into the rain.

He returned with rice, tofu, some fruits and vegetables, and books.

"What are these for?" Robin inquired, picking up one of the books.

"We'll need to lay low for a while, and there isn't much to do here. There's no electricity."

"I see."

The books were classic novels and poetry. They were old and worn.

There was also a Japanese-to-Italian dictionary. She had to smile at that. Even after years of studying Japanese and a year of living in Japan, she would have trouble reading a novel in Japanese without help, and Amon knew it.

Their cottage was surrounded by forest. It was reachable only by a very old road, in such poor repair only the boldest drivers would dare hazard it. There were a few other cottages within sight, but they were all run down, mere ruins, really. A hundred years old, at least. The cottage they occupied was the same style, but in much better shape. It had a cistern for water, a woodstove for heat, tatami mats on the floor, a small table, and an alcove with an antique teapot and teacups. Robin suspect that Yuji had used his witch power to repair the place.

They could be comfortable here. And most importantly, they weren't likely to be discovered.