Suddenly, all Miranda was aware of was pain; vast amounts of pain the likes of which she never knew. She screamed as it tore through her body, as if ever vein on her body was being jerked and pulled in every direction. The witch cackled, dropping the songstress on the ground, shuddering and twitching. Finally, Miranda lost consciousness, slipping the cold cobblestones hitting her temples.

The witch approached Khaylan's body and knelt down, whispering into his ear. "Let's see what happens when your life is in the hands of another," she said. "When you reach the apex of your suffering, only then will I show you death's sweet embrace..."

~~~~~~~~~

It was a moment or two before Miranda woke up, Carol giving her a good shake with her stout arms.

"Miri! Miri!" Carol said, eyes wide in panic. "Wake up!"

The begger girl softly grunted, before her hand flew to her shoulder. There were indeed five places where the witch had pierced her, and they were still bleeding. Miranda scrambled to her feet, spying Khaylan on the ground, and the witch mysteriously out of sight,.

Something else felt...wrong. Miranda couldn't place why, but something felt so very out of place. It was almost the sense that someone else was standing behind her, practically breathing down her neck. Whatever this was, it felt so very very invasive, going past her physical boundaries directly into her soul. It made her shudder, and seemed to grow worse as Khaylan finally stirred.

"What...what happened?" she asked.

Hilde shuddered. "The witch vanished, and you both fainted. Miranda, you need to clean that wound..."