Cal and Racc were out, questioning the civilians, as Moura sucked them back into her Dimension suddenly and without warning. Racc fell onto the ground, Cal managed to balance himself. Pyromant sprinted over to them.
"Karifa has been kidnapped", he said. "It's my fault. If I-" He stopped mid-sentence and ripped out strands of his hair, setting them on fire. Racc got up.
"Where."
"Right on the market", Moura answered. "Before everybody's eyes. In fact, they didn't seem to care, some even supported them."
"So it was a normal kidnapping? Stuffed into a sack and carried off?", Cal asked in disbelief.
"More or less." Pyromant strode across the room like a caged tiger, mumbling to himself.
"I managed to track them." Everyone started yelling at Moura for not saying that sooner. Racc was the loudest, Pyromant a close second place.
"Where are they now?"
"In town. Most likely underground."
"Bring us to them."
Moura opened her Dimension on a busy street, releasing them. She stayed inside for her safety and to look over everything. They entered a plain looking house, busting the door open, weapons drawn. Everything was still, except for the silent mumbles of chatter on the street. The floor creaked as they made their way across the room. A loud clattering made them jump, but only a rather fat, grey cat came out of another room. Another white one followed, eyeing the invaders suspiciously. They finally found the stairs at the far end of a hallway and slowly, one after another, weapons drawn, went downstairs.
Darkness embraced them, and Pyromant expanded his flames to light up whatever was to come. They found themselves in a cavelike hallway, with no end in sight. Somewhere they heard water drippling.
"Who's there?", a male voice called. "Show yourself!" They gripped their weapons tightly. Five soldiers came running towards them, swords drawn. Racc was the first one to attack. With a fierce battlecry he swung his mace at the soldiers.
"Racc! No killing!", Cal reminded him of the Codex, and then joined the fight himself. Pyromant's flames were sizzling through the air. Only a few seconds later, all five soldiers laid unconscious with non-lethal wounds in the dirt. Cal made sure they were breathing, then they proceeded further down the cave.
"Moura, anything new?", Racc asked after a while. She popped up next to them and shook her head.
"Nothing. They are down there." She quietly disappeared again.
After a while they reached a wooden door. It was engraved with some cryptic symbols. Pyromant was having trouble breathing.
"Mana", he said between his teeth, biting into his hand to relieve pressure. Cal looked at Racc, nodded, and opened the door. The three stormed into the room behind it. An old lady was sitting on a cushion, warming her hands on a little fire. Large circles, symbols and enchantments covered the walls. The lady was mumbling to herself. Next to her laid Karifa's sword.
"Are you the curse's master?", Cal asked, slowly approaching the granny. She didn't look up.
"Are you the curse's master?", he yelled at her. This time, she lifted her head and smiled at him
"Yes, I am", she said in a crooked voice.
"Did you turn the Seven into stone and order the kidnapping of Karifa?"
"Indeed I did."
"Do you plan to release the curse?"
"No."
"Then we must kill you."
Cal raised his sword. The old lady did nothing, no objections or defense. She awaited her fate. Just as Cal was about to swing his blade, another door, unnoticed by the warriors, swung open. Karifa stormed out and stopped dead in her tracks.
"Cal, drop the sword!" She ran to the old lady. "Are you alright, Baba?" The lady chuckled.
"Indeed I am, sweetheart. Thank you." Cal lowered his blade.
"Karifa, you are alright?", he asked. Racc let out half a sigh, half a cry. He stomped over to her and hugged her.
"Yea, I am. Listen, this is all a huge misunderstanding. Baba is not evil." She sat them down. "Moura? Can you join us?" Her spirit appeared and looked just as confused as the others.
"Will you care to explain?", Pyromant said. Karifa laughed.
"I was just as confused as you are", she began. "For starters, they didn't kidnap me. Baba wanted to talk to someone of the Eleven, but you all looked too scary. So they picked me and brought me to her."
"Still kidnapping", Pyromant muttered.
"Baba is the master of the curse, that is correct", Karifa proceeded, "but she is not evil. Neither is the curse."
"What the heck."
"Yea. You see, this town had always been attacked by bandits, so Baba offered to curse the town - to protect it. The curse made this town safe from bandits, and the people liked its side effects. A lot of them can lead a happier life here, under the curse. They made Baba her leader, and the rumors about a cursed town spread."
"And that's when the Seven came along", Baba continued. "They had evil intentions against our town - to lift the curse - so it took effect. I am truly sorry about that, dear." She bowed to Moura. Confused, she answered the bow.
"So you want to keep the curse", Pyromant said.
"Yes. It is our protection."
"And you want us to leave as soon as possible."
"If you can. We don't really know how to treat visitors." Racc leaned forwards.
"But you can heal the Seven. You can heal them, right?" Baba wiggled her head from one side to the other.
"I have never done it before, but, yes, I think it can be done." The Four and Moura sighed and laughed in relief. "But. Once they are back, you must leave immediately and never tell anyone the truth about the curse." Cal nodded.
"Nobody will ever know about you." Baba smiled and laughed her crooky laugh.
"Good. Bring me to your companions - I will do my best."
The reunion was a heartwarming picture. Racc actually shed some tears. Baba apologized again, and after some explanation, the Seven understood and were able to laugh about it. Only Pyromant of the Four was still grumpy as ever. Moura brought all of them to the gates, together with their horses, where Baba and a few other people said their farewells. Then they rode off, the odd group of Seven plus Four.