After about two hours of debate, the three only had one choice to do. Go through the cursed city.

Lyra clutched her violin with white knuckles the whole time as they snuck to the city. Fox was experienced with sneaking around more than she should be. Lyra made a mental note to ask how she knew later.

Barley gestures for the two to come forward. Lyra went behind him, and stifled a gasp.

The king's soldier were building a wall across from the city to God knows where. Lyra had heard the king was building a wall, but didn't know where. The rotten luck that it was built here made Lyra sigh.

Building Players worked with their instruments, and they looked tired. No way were she, along with Barley and Fox, would make it through.

The soldiers hadn't even bothered to try to fix up the city. It clearly was run down for over hundreds of years. The name was probably lost to history, and it made Lyra depressed just looking at it. The buildings were literally crumbling down, but for some reason, Lyra felt that it was not going down anytime soon.

Fox muttered to herself. Barley suddenly turned towards Lyra. He spoke quietly. "Lyra, this city is very dangerous. I went in there one time, and I nearly died. Fox has never been in it. So don't do anything rash, and if possible, stop Fox from doing anything rash. Okay?" Lyra knit her eyebrows. "Why? Fox could do anything, and I'm not sure what I can do for you Barley."

Barley looked taken aback. He stayed silent, his eyes drifting to the ground. Lyra felt bad. "I didn't mean it like that Barley, I-" Barley held up a hand. "No, I get it. I just don't want Fox to do something that could be...fatal. I just ask this favor for me as a friend. Are you my friend?" Lyra nodded. "Of course." "Then please?"

Lyra pursed her lips, and finally smiled. "Yeah." "Barley?" Fox turned, her green eyes narrowed. "I heard everything you said." Barley's face flushed. "Uh..." Fox did the last thing Lyra expected her to do. She laughed. A hearty, good natured laugh.

And then she grew serious. "Someone's coming. We need to move now." They all stood. Lyra took a deep breath. And then they ran.

It was a short distance, but it felt a lifetime to Lyra. The wind blew her hair back, and the other two ran with surprising speed. Lyra caught up to them in the city, breathing a little hard. They were away from the guards, thankfully.

The city was dark and mysterious. It was quiet as the three walked through it. Lyra could feel the magical energy come off of the city. It was true about the raid Barley had talked about. Houses were charred, and many things were smashed and destroyed. Lyra saw a shattered family portrait hanging on the side of a house.

Lyra shuddered. And then she heard Fox clear her throat. "This is extremely depressing. We need a distraction. Wonderful cousin Barley, would you mind?" Barley grinned, and slowly pulled his small wooden flute out of his pocket. Lyra looked at the two, confused.

Fox began a beat. She would stomp twice, clap, stomp stomp, clap. She continued the rhythm, and Barley put the flute to his mouth. He began playing a simple rhythm, and then Fox sang:

"The sun and moon and shining stars
Never compare to where you are
A thousand miles from comfort
And nobody to see
I'm completely fine
If you can be by my side
La da, la da, la da la da la da
If you can be by my side
I will be perfectly fine
La da, la da, la da la da la da
Nothing compares
Not a single care
Loving you
Is all I can do."

Lyra clapped, laughing. Fox bowed, along with Barley. "Lovely."

The city did not seem as scary anymore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not much to say about the chapter.

-Clo