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smirked Lady Mystic. “Still, I mean you no harm. I am just curious. What are you up to?”
    “Do not expect me to fall for such false statements,” scowled Aakuta. “You are trying to delay me until someone comes to your aid.”
    “Hardly,” laughed Lady Mystic. “I doubt that I would need assistance from anyone on this island to deal with you. The same cannot be said for yourself, however. You obviously have not been invited to Motanga, or you would not be trying to sneak ashore. Perhaps I can aid you?”
    “Why would you?” questioned the dark mage. “You know nothing about me, or why I am here.”
    “True,” Lady Mystic smiled as she shrugged, “but you have proven to be interesting already. Things are rather boring on this island. Helping you may provide some entertainment. Come, I will fix you some food. You must be hungry after your ocean voyage.”
    Lady Mystic turned and started walking away. Aakuta hesitated. He was torn between testing the woman’s defenses, and quietly disappearing. Suddenly, his stomach rumbled with hunger, and he found himself laughing.
    “What is so funny?” Lady Mystic asked as she turned to watch Aakuta.
    “The small things that can influence large decisions,” chuckled Aakuta. “Lead on, Lady Mystic. I hope you are a good cook.”
    “The best,” grinned Lady Mystic as she turned and led the way out of the forest.
    Aakuta followed the woman warily, his eyes continually scanning the field they were crossing. Thankfully, no one was around the area, and Aakuta breathed a small sigh of relief. He did not need any more unexpected surprises to deal with. The woman led him across the field and past a small farmhouse. The city began just beyond the small farm, and Lady Mystic ducked into a narrow alley.
    “No one will notice you this way,” Lady Mystic promised. “If we pass anyone, just act like we are old friends. Most importantly, behave as if you belong here. Most of the inhabitants are intelligent enough not to question anyone who might be in authority.”
    “Do I fit that description?” asked Aakuta.
    “You could,” shrugged Lady Mystic as she hurried out of the alley and across a street. As she led the way along another alley, she turned and said, “With a little work, you could be made to look official. We will work on it.”
    Aakuta shook his head with bewilderment as he followed the strange woman through the strange city. Lady Mystic halted in the middle of an alley. Her hand moved swiftly over the door before she opened it and stepped inside. Aakuta followed the woman through the door and found himself in a small office. A laboratory was visible through another doorway, and Lady Mystic led him into it.
    “I don’t have a room for eating,” she announced. “Clear a spot on the table. I will bring you something to eat.”
    Lady Mystic disappeared through a doorway at the far end of the laboratory. Aakuta stared for a few moments at the long table occupying the center of the room. It was covered with jars, flasks, small tin containers, and cloth pouches. He picked up a small mortar and pestle and sniffed it. He quickly turned his head as he frowned and held the offending objects at arm’s length.
    “That will teach you not to go sticking your nose into my business,” laughed Lady Mystic as she entered the room with a plate of food.
    She shoved a bunch of jars out of the way and placed the plate on the table.
    “This area is fairly clean,” she shrugged as she dragged a chair towards the table. “Sit and eat.”
    Aakuta cautiously sat and stared at the plate. There was a large slab of roasted meat occupying half the plate. The other half was a pile of something green and slimy. He pushed his hood back and felt Lady Mystic’s eyes staring at his face.
    “What is it?” he asked.
    “Meat and seaweed,” chuckled Lady Mystic as she reached into the pile of seaweed and grabbed a sample for herself. “Are you afraid that I might poison you? Don’t be