The next morning, Anya rose early. She tended to Katelyn, Sabrina, and Jasper before handing them over to Mary for supervision while she was gone. She then gathered a bag in which she placed supplies for Jess, a small coin purse, and a ring bearing her family's crest. With the bag gathered, Anya placed Jess in a sling strapped to her chest so the girl had access to her breasts. She then made her goodbyes and left.
Jess, who had not had time for her regular breakfast of mashed fruits, suckled from Anya during the trip, filling her belly with the former concubine's milk. By the time they arrived at their destination, she was satiated, but continued to suckle for comfort.
Anya knocked on the door of the witch's cottage. After a moment, the door opened, revealing a familiar face. Anya let out a cry of delight.
"Lucille Darkstone?" she said eagerly. Lucille's eyes widened.
"Anya Copperstone?" she said in return. Anya nodded, thrilled. Lucille was the mother of Sylvia Darkstone, one of Anya's closest friends. Lucille looked Anya up and down. "I suspect you have quite the story for me."
"I do."
"Then come inside and tell it." Lucille led Anya into a living room in the cottage. There was a small pen on the floor with toys for young children inside. "You are not the first person to visit me with a child. You may place her there while we talk." Anya put Jess in the pen. Jess, compelled to act her current age now that she was around someone else, toddled to one of the toys and began to play with it. "Now, tell me everything."
So Anya told her everything. When she finished, Lucille sat back in stunned silence. The silence was soon broken by soft grunts from the pen. Anya and Lucille looked over. Jess was squatting in the pen, her face red, grunting with effort as she visibly messed herself.
"The girl child soiling herself is the Prince?" Lucille asked. Anya nodded. Lucille let out a soft sigh. "Girl, you have made yourself quite the predicament."
"I know."
"While we wait for the Prince to finish filling her diaper, I will use a scanning spell to determine what happened to your magic. Stand up." Anya did as she was told. After a few moments, Lucille nodded. "You may sit again."
"Mama, I poo-poo," Jess called from the pen. Anya sat down and looked at the former Prince. Jess had finished soiling herself and was sitting on the floor. Anya sighed. She hated when Jess sat in her mess. It was much more difficult to clean.
"I will change you soon," Anya said. Jess nodded and resumed playing with the toy. Lucille cleared her throat, getting Anya's attention.
"I know why you have lost access to your magic."