At first, the darkness of night and the changed positions of the stars was disorienting for Cadmus. But, Meli was by his side, helping him by pointing out the minute signs in the wilderness and properly identifying the constellations, such as the Great Gavel, and the Jester’s Scepter. Evidently, Cadmus and Meli successfully find the hidden paths. 

Should Cadmus look back, however, he would see the unmistakable glow of orange light in the distance, with smoke rising from it. There’s no mistaking the source: The orchard has been set ablaze with an all-consuming fire. There is no going back now…

Cadmus, Meli, and his retainers do stop when it finally becomes two in the morning. Meli and the retainers all listen in awe as Cadmus recounts what he found before finding Meli. 

Meli answers him, clearly thinking about it, “Sorry, Cad. I don’t really know much about the stag. That’s a new story. I thought the kiddos were just playing pretend or just invented a new game after Vic came back from getting lost one day. But…if you actually saw the stag…Maybe it was a benevolent spirit of the forest?”

Isolde speaks up, “I’m not so sure. The statue had a crown of thorns? It is often said that the Monarch takes a form always donning a crown. It is also said that all of their forms would be petrified if manifested outside of a city. The wilderness was never their domain,”

Garrick scoffs, “You’re not suggesting the Monarch and the Fool both visited him, are you?”

Isolde shrugs and answers, “I’ve heard of stranger things back in my youth,”