As I came to, a thick haze surrounded me. It was impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. The air was heavy with ash, the remnants of what had once been a thriving town. I staggered to my feet, my legs shaky and unsteady, still struggling to make sense of the devastation around me. The intense power I'd felt before was gone, leaving only a sense of terrible loss—so much loss.

"Lieutenant! There's somebody over there, amongst the ash… I think… I think it’s a child."

The voices sounded distant, muffled by the haze. Tears streamed from my eyes, mixing with the ash on my cheeks, turning into a paste that smeared my vision. I wiped at my face, but it only made things worse. I stood in the center of what had been Moss Side—once a busy, bustling town, now reduced to a desolate, smoldering wasteland. The ground beneath my feet was blanketed in warm ash, and the wind kicked it up in thick clouds that stung my eyes and throat. It clung to my skin, covering my naked body like a second layer, making me look more beast than man.

All my possessions were gone, blown away in the blast, my clothes shredded. If it was not for Light Binding I would have been dead

The air was suffocating, each breath a struggle as the ash-laden smoke clogged my lungs. My mind raced, trying to grasp where I was, what had happened. Why was it so hard to breathe?

"It’s a boy!" another voice called out, closer this time. "No older than my nephew, Reece. Barely ten winters. Boy! Are you alright?"

"I think he’s in shock, Lieutenant. Shall I inform Lord Balos?"

"No, get my horse. This poor lad’s been through enough. Look at the state of him. I’m not letting Balos get his hands on him. I’ll take him to Ged’s for a few days while we carry on here."

The air grew thicker with each breath, choking me. There was something else beneath the acrid smell of ash—something sweet, hot, and sickly that tickled the back of my throat. My fingers tingled, the smell growing stronger, more familiar. What was it?

“Alright, son, I’m going to pick you up now. Nothing to fear. Let’s get you out of here, cleaned up. You’re safe now.”

The sensation in my fingers faded as a blanket was thrown over my shoulders, and I was lifted off the ground. Straps were wrapped around my waist, securing me to the horse. I felt the jolt of movement as we rode through the heavy ash, the rider's pace quick but steady. I could barely comprehend what was happening, but I remember being grateful for the blanket—something warm, something comforting.

I don’t know how long we rode, but I’ll never forget the moment when the air finally cleared. Fresh, clean air filled my lungs, and for the briefest moment, it felt like salvation. I took a deep breath, relishing the taste of life returning to my body—only for it to turn to a violent fit of coughing as the blackened filth in my lungs fought its way out.

“Alright, son, not far now. Hang on. It’s better if we don’t stop.”

The coughing worsened, each breath more painful than the last. My head pounded as if a hammer was slamming against the anvil of my mind. The world spun, and then everything went dark.

----------------------------------------

I woke up sometime later, lying on a soft straw bed. The sweet scent of spices and simmering vegetables filled the air, a soothing contrast to the acrid taste of ash that still lingered in the back of my throat. I lay still, listening to the faint crackling of a fire and the quiet murmur of voices nearby.

"What?"

"Just for a few days, Ged. A span at most. I couldn’t leave him there… The whole town’s gone. Burnt down to the foundations. There’s nothing left but ash and dust, as far as the eye can see. Everyone’s gone—dead. It’s like a colorless nightmare."

"And this boy? He was just standing there… in the middle of it all?"

"As naked as a newborn baby. The poor lad’s been through something, no doubt about that. If my commander got wind of him… well, let’s not go down that path. We’re running a full-scale investigation into what happened up there. A whole battalion is in place. Just let him stay here for now. I’ll send word—a span at most—and get him to Alston by the next moon."

"We’ll keep him safe, Jacob. But I don’t mind telling you, I don’t like what I’m hearing. Why is Lord Balos here?"

The voices faded as a gust of air lifted the corner of the blanket covering me, the door slamming shut with a loud thud.

I could breathe easily now. As I lay on a soft bed made of straw, I rubbed my eyes to clear away the mixture of tears and ash that had formed a gray paste over them. My chest heaved with relief as the clean air entered my lungs, banishing the taste of smoke and blood that had lingered far too long.

“Take it easy, love. You’re safe now. Here, take this—drink it slowly, mind you.”

A woman dressed in a faded green dress with long, dark hair knelt beside me and handed me a small tankard of water. Her eyes were kind, with the warmth of someone used to helping others. I snatched the water from her hands without thinking, the sight of it making me suddenly aware of the dry, hoarse ache in my throat. I guzzled it down, desperate to soothe the burning, but no sooner had the water hit my throat than I started coughing, spitting ash and turning the clear liquid gray.

“Whoa there, love,” she said gently, taking the tankard from my hands. “There’s plenty more where that came from. Little sips now, no need to rush. Let me fetch you another.”

I sat up slowly, feeling the stiffness in my body begin to fade. The woman returned with a fresh tankard of water, and this time, I took careful, deliberate sips. A few more fits of coughing racked my chest, but each drink cleared away more of the ash and soot that had lodged itself in my lungs. With every breath, I could feel the burning lessen.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“There you go. That’s better,” she said, her voice as soft as the warmth in the room. “Some nasty stuff you were coughing up there, but it’s out now.” She watched me carefully for a moment before asking, “So, what’s your name, love? I’m Roslin, though around here most folks just call me Ros. You can do the same.”

Her presence was comforting, like a mother watching over her child, and it was hard not to feel a sense of safety in her company. I took another sip from the tankard and glanced around the room. It was a simple stone cottage, cluttered with tools, reins, and barrels. The heart of the room was the large hearth, where a black pot bubbled gently over a crackling fire, filling the air with the smell of simmering vegetables and soft spices. It was a warm, welcoming contrast to the chaos of the ash-covered town I had just escaped.

“I’m Rag—” I coughed again, my throat still raw. My name came out as Ragan.

“Ragan, is it?” Ros smiled kindly. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, love. Now, don’t worry about anything. You take your time. I can hear Reece and Sophia outside. They’ll be wanting to meet you, no doubt—quite the excitement, having a visitor. But no rush, love. There’s time for everything.”

I looked down at myself and flushed red with embarrassment, realizing I was still completely naked beneath the thin blanket. My skin was stained gray with ash and soot, making me feel more like a wraith than a man. As if reading my mind, Ros pointed over her shoulder.

“There are some of Reece’s old clothes on the chair behind you. Help yourself, love. He won’t mind. Better than freezing under that blanket, eh?”

I felt a wave of relief and quickly grabbed the clothes. Without wasting a moment, I dressed, the feeling of the soft, clean fabric against my skin far more comforting than I could have imagined.

“Now that’s better, me love. Reece and Sophia are outside and I know they’ll be eager to meet you, but first, where are you from? How did you end up with all that ash on you? A terrible position to find yourself in.”

Ros’s questions rolled around my head and for the life of me, I couldn’t think what to say. Although this woman had been nothing but kind to me, I didn’t want to start telling people about the Faye, Villas and magic, not in this new world. Not from what I had heard about this world of men.

“It's fine, my love. No need to answer now. There is time for everything. I can hear them two outside. Why don’t you go see Reece and Sophia? They can walk you down to the stream to get cleaned up before supper.”

I nodded, still piecing together the events that had led me here. There were so many things I couldn’t explain, so many details I wasn’t ready to share. The Faye, Villas, the magic… It was a lot for anyone to believe. But for now, I was grateful for the peace of this place.

As I stepped outside, I was greeted by two wide-eyed children. Reece, tall and muscular for his age, stood like a statue, his dark hair tousled and his arms folded across his chest. His face was smeared with dirt, and he looked at me with suspicion. Sophia, on the other hand, was the picture of innocence, her long golden hair tied back with a neat ribbon, her white dress spotless against the backdrop of the muddy yard.

“Hi,” I said awkwardly. “Ros said you could show me to the stream to get cleaned up.”

Reece’s eyes narrowed as he looked me up and down. “Are those my clothes?

Sophia quickly stepped between us, placing a gentle hand on her brother’s arm. “Reece, leave it be. Mum gave him the clothes. It’s fine. Come on, Ragan, I’ll show you the way to the stream.”

Reece huffed but didn’t argue. “Fine,” he muttered, “but I’ll be keeping my eye on you. Anything happens to Sophia, and you’ll wish you were back wherever you came from.”

Sophia, unfazed by her brother’s gruffness, smiled at me and gestured for me to follow her. “Come on,” she said brightly. “It’s just down past the barn. The water’s a bit chilly, but it’ll do.”

As we walked through the fields, I couldn’t help but be struck by the simple beauty of the place. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden light across the tall grass. Sophia hummed a soft melody as we walked, her arms outstretched to brush against the grass. The tune was hauntingly familiar, reminding me of the melodies Myia used to sing, and for a moment, I was transported back to a time when life was simpler, before everything had been torn apart.

We reached the stream, and without hesitation, I stepped into the cold water. It bit at my skin, but I welcomed it, eager to wash away the grime and ash that clung to me. A cloud of black spread out in the water as I scrubbed myself clean. I decided to bathe with my clothes on—they’d dry soon enough in the warm evening air, and I had no intention of embarrassing myself further.

Sophia giggled as I emerged from the stream, soaked to the bone and looking, no doubt, like a drowned rat. “You look ridiculous,” she laughed, but her tone was light and friendly.

“I didn’t mean to upset Reece,” I said as we walked back toward the farmhouse. “Ros gave me the clothes—I thought it would be alright.”

“Don’t worry about Reece,” Sophia said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “He’s just protective. Once he gets to know you, he’ll come around. Besides, Mum wouldn’t have given you the clothes if it wasn’t okay.”

Her words reassured me, and as we neared the house, I could smell the food waiting for us. Sophia grinned. “Potato and leek tonight—it’s my favorite.”

Back inside, the meal was as delicious as it smelled. I had two helpings and would have gone for a third, but I caught Reece glaring at me across the table and thought better of it. I didn’t want to push my luck any further. After supper, I helped Sophia clean up, though she did most of the talking, her cheery voice filling the room with warmth.

As we finished, Ged called me outside. I excused myself, casting a smile toward Ros as I left the warmth of the kitchen.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Ged said, his voice deep but kind. “You were in some state when you turned up. But don’t worry, lad—you’re safe here.”

There was something reassuring about Ged, the way he spoke with such calm authority. His presence reminded me of Sophia—warm and protective, but with the strength to back it up.

“I am a little concerned, though,” he continued, scratching his chin. “You don’t remember much from before, is that right?”

I nodded slowly. “That’s right. My memory’s still a bit... clouded. I can’t remember much beyond today. It’s like there’s a lock on my past, and I don’t have the key.” I needed to keep myself guarded, until I knew more about this place. It was a reasonable explanation, considering the way hey found me

Ged frowned thoughtfully but didn’t press further. “Well, let me know if anything comes back to you. In the meantime, you’ll stay here. Jacob said he’ll be back in a span, and by then, maybe we’ll have some answers.”

I wasn’t so sure about that, but I smiled anyway. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

“Now,” Ged added with a grin, “this is a working farm, so you’ll be expected to pull your weight while you’re here. Reece will show you what needs doing in the morning. He’s a good lad—he’ll have you up to speed in no time. Collections are coming up, and we’re a bit behind, so we can use all the help we can get.”

I nodded again, taking in his words. Ged’s kindness didn’t go unnoticed, and despite everything that had happened, I felt a strange sense of belonging here.

“Ros has set you up in the barn,” Ged continued, pointing to a large wooden structure nearby. “Get some rest. You’ll need it. Breakfast is at first light.”

I smiled as Ged turned to head back to the house, his massive frame silhouetted against the dimming sky. Exhaustion hit me like a wave, and by the time I lay down on the straw bed in the barn, sleep claimed me before I could think of anything else.