Jas stared at the rebel, now a diapered toddler boy just like him. The rebel stared back, clearly confused. Jas used the opportunity to hurriedly toddle away. He couldn’t move quickly or gracefully, but he could still use the secret passageways to find a way out of the castle. In the meantime, if the first rebel came back, he would probably think his transformed compatriot was actually Jas.
After stumbling, falling, and tripping more times than he could count, Jas managed to get out of the castle and onto the streets of the city surrounding the Royal Palace. He took a moment to catch his breath. As he looked around, trying to decide his next move, his eyes landed on a woman with blonde hair, quickly loading a wagon. She wasn’t Anya, but surely any witch would be able to help him.
While the woman’s back was turned, Jas climbed into the wagon, burying himself in a bale of hay to avoid being seen immediately. The wagon started moving.
“Do you think we can get past the checkpoints, Simon?” asked the woman’s voice.
“Why would we not?” asked a man’s voice. “Patricia, we have no reason the rebels would feel the need to stop us.”
“I know, I just worry. Pyotr is so young…” As if on cue, a baby started crying, presumably Pyotr.
“Be calm, my love. Your anxiety is upsetting Pyotr.” Jas stifled a curse. Of course there would be checkpoints! He was a toddler now, yes, but he still had the royal red hair that marked him as a potential heir. He would be captured for sure!
Jas touched the amulet.
“Pwotect me,” he whispered.
“I think there is something in the hay bale,” Patricia said. She got up and inspected the hay bale, revealing Jas, who had become…