The Ogress and the Orphans

The next time the Ogress delivers to the Orphan House, the crows hear crying. They ask the Ogress if they have more to leave, but all she has left is the pie for the Mayor, which she feels it’s important to give him because he’s probably lonely. She vows to bring more the next night, and she leaves with the certainty that things will get better soon and that another delivery “will solve whatever is crushing their spirits” (155).

Over the next few days, Cass gives away her possessions and studies maps, and Anthea’s sure something is wrong. She brings her concerns to Bartleby, who waves them aside. He is worried about a lot of things, but not Cass because she is solid and enduring. Meanwhile, Cass has made her final preparations and said her last goodbyes. The next morning, everyone searches but can’t find her, and they come to the silent, terrifying conclusion that “Cass was gone” (161).

While most dragons used the understanding they gained from wearing animal skins to help all creatures, one particular dragon used the skins to swindle animals or sow discord between groups, sometimes simply to see if he could.