Georgy took Joanie's dismissal in stride, and he chuckled at Nicky's. He was, he told them, a Dresden Prince, nothing to be feared, and in a low and conspiratorial whisper he informed them that he knew where they'd come from and why they were in the woods outside the Palace. Then with a regal motion to the townsfolk, who were in the process of brandishing pitchforks in the corner of the village, he told them that there was to be a witch hunt and a chase for a Beast. He lowered his voice again and told them he knew all about fairy tales, and he suggested they follow him. His people have turned violent, he explained, and he was trying to curb the violence. He can get them warm baths, and he needed their help.
Ella looked from Nicolas to Joanie. Nicolas looked worse for wear, like he needed medication (Ella remembered what he'd told her about his medical history), and she knew Joanie was scared under all that bravado. He mentioned the Beast, Beauty added, and Ella bit her lower lip a moment.
She wrapped a safe arm around Nicolas' shoulder and she nodded to Joanie. They should go; the alternative, villagers and pitchforks, was no alternative.