“Now, are you absolutely certain you can stand the stresses of town this time?”

They walked the path into town, fingers intertwined, Jie carrying a cloth packet folded and tied into a neat square containing the pain-catcher charms. Dari carried a small crock of stew. She had insisted anyone feeling poorly enough for a pain-catcher was in need of the Bough’s stew, as well.

Dari gave a confident nod of her head.

“I will not to get upset or have the feelings of fear, because you are with me.”

“I may point out I was with you last time, as well.”

“Yes, but I made to you the promise I would not to leave to you. This is the important thing,” Dari asserted.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said, squeezing her hand. “You needn’t take my arm, either. You were right. It’s far easier to speak this way.”

“You do not have the caring if others think to the incorrect idea that we are being lovers?”

Jie shrugged.

“I’d welcome new additions to the gossip mill. Details of rumors translate into better tips. Imagine the coin if we, ourselves, are the rumor.”

“Yes,” Dari agreed, leaning closer to Jie than altogether necessary. “This is the thought with logic to it.”

“I was not knowing to others from your country lived in Pickaway,” Dari said. “For what reason does he not to come to the Bough? It has very a lot of popularity.”

“Sharahala is my country, Dari, for better or worse. I was only born in Sobia,” Jie sighed, “and Guo doesn’t come to the Bough for a number of reasons. Chiefly, he would not usually be welcome.”

Dari raised an eyebrow.

“Why is the reason to this? I have been given the acceptance at the Bough, and even you call to me strange.”

“Guo is a bit different. We’ve passed him meals from the kitchen door for as long as I’ve been with Sam, and she’d thump anyone who gave him a hard look, but he knows he puts customers on edge.”

“He is a person with very a lot of scariness?”

“Not precisely,” Jie said. “He’s just rather unlucky. We can explain away your peculiarities by telling people you were affected by wayward magic. People accept you, though, because you are quiet or at least attempt Kanglais, and are lovely, besides. Do not look at me like that, it's a simple fact most will accept a great deal more oddness from an attractive person than a plain one, let alone one with disfigurements.”

“I do not look to you in any strange way,” Dari said with a grin. “But your face has very a lot of seriousness. I have the thought I should not to make to the joke. Did your friend Guo get the bad magic?”

“Many people found their way to Pickaway because of the Lich and the sundry horrors he visits upon better connected settlements, Dari. Most of us just don’t bear as clear witness to their past as Guo does. His appearance can be a bit shocking, on first glance. Take care not to show surprise.”

“I do not have very a lot of rudeness,” Dari groused, “I would not to give to the unkindness to the person with the pain and the bad luck.”

“You are the very portrait of goodwill, but as I said, Guo can be a bit of a shock to behold,” Jie pressed his lips together in a contemplative frown, uncertain how to phrase his caution. “His passenger likes to catch people off guard. It enjoys hurting him to get a reaction.”

“Passenger?” she echoed.

“I wish I could speak with more authority about Guo’s affliction. As I’ve demonstrated, I am no magic handler,

and can’t imagine coming across a book on the topic of what ails poor Guo I would feel safe reading. Books of magic can be a bit tricky. Charm books are generally no more threatening than an average cookery book, but books of real magic, much less those concentrating on dark magic?” Jie shuddered. “I’d not have one in the barn, much less hold it in my hands to read.”

Dari frowned.

“This has the sound of very a lot of scariness to it.”

“You insisted,” he reminded her. “And we will not linger for a social visit, we will drop off much needed charms,” Jie said, leading Dari down a narrow space between the trader’s and Orm’s derelict smithy. Someone had erected a little tent from discarded wooden crates, tin and fabric scraps near the back of the two shops, out of sight of the main square.

Jie called out in Sobian as Dari watched in interest.

A rustling sound answered his call, followed by mumbled Sobian. Between the flaps of the tent, a middle-aged man’s head appeared, his hair the same ink-black as Jie’s, though wild stripes of yellow-white crept around his temples.

“Jie!” he exclaimed. His eyes darted toward Dari, continuing to speak Sobian.

“What is he to tell to us?”

“He’s glad I’ve come, his back has been bothering him,” Jie explained.

“You are the person who cannot tell to the lies. He is having very a lot of embarrassment because you brought to him me. He called to me pretty, too,” Dari said.

“You are putting me on. You absolutely do not speak Sobian,” Jie accused.

“My speaking to it is not in the way with clearness. But my understanding has the strength,” she said.

Dari turned to the man in the tent.

Please, do not have the feelings to embarrassment. I am the good friend of Jie. I made to the charms for you, with Jie teaching. I had the thought you would to want to eat the good stew, also, if you are having the bad feelings,” she said in faltering Sobian.

“Entirely putting me on,” Jie grumbled in Kanglais, “Why didn’t you mention this before?”

“You speak to Sobian, why should I not speak to it?” Dari replied.

Jie stared at her for a long moment before returning his attention to Guo.

Did you warn her? The man asked.

Less a warning, friend. Dari is a bit unusual too. She is no more fond of strange looks than you.

Unusual, but lovely, Guo responded.

Thanking to you, Dari smiled, giving a little bob like a curtsy. Jie rolled his eyes. Deliatus was entirely out of control with her lessons.

Guo parted the opening of his tent and took a staggering step toward Jie. Dari breathed in, maintaining the placid smile on her lips.

The man’s back curved like a question mark, one leg twisted, dragging as he stepped. One hand, bearing a silver marriage ring, appeared normal, but jerked of a volition separate from Guo’s. The hand, brittle, black and drawn seemed more inclined to obey its owner as it grasped the charm packet. Guo took them with a little bow, disappearing back into his tent. He reappeared, puzzling over the crock.

“I don’t think he can hold something so heavy, Dari,” Jie said in Kanglais.

So many sorries, my friend, Guo, Dari said, This crock has very a lot of heaviness. It gave to me pain to my wrist, as well.

Guo shook his head.

Just leave it, I’ll eat outside. I appreciate the thought, girl. I am gladdened to hear the food of the Bough is no longer a hazard to anyone’s health, he laughed.

Guo’s head jerked, his black hand clawing at his face, he emitted a string of Sobian swears and insults in a voice not his own. Seizing, he regained control of himself and looked down, shame-faced.

Many apologies, young lady. Jie is rather used to my outbursts, but I know they can be alarming for the uninitiated. He said, struggling to sit in front of the crock.

You are not having a need to have to the sorries. I heard to Jie to say to swears in Sobian when he exploded to the new charm. And I do not have remembering for my mother, so the insults to her do not give trouble to me.

Guo stared at Dari, turning to Jie.

She more than looks strange. Where did you find this girl?

Sam’s cousin from Amissopolis. She got on the wrong side of a bit too much bad willed magic. Jie replied.

If you insist on lying to your old friend Guo, the man replied. We all of us have our secrets, but you, young lady, don’t have so much as a flyspeck of bad magic on you. He would’ve noticed, Guo said, gesturing to his blackened hand.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Jie gave Dari’s hand a gentle tug.

“We should be getting back,” he said.

“Guo is having very a lot of trouble to sit. I am having the thought I should to help him,” Dari countered.

Jie hesitated. Guo’s passenger did not tolerate Cousins or Daughters--he’d seen the bloody aftermath of Lujain attempting to dress a wound for him, many years ago. Dari was not Faithful, nor had she been a magic handler in her past life, as far as he knew, but there was too much of the inexplicable about her for Jie to trust the thing living in Guo not to lash out at her.

“Dari, he’s a fine fellow, but dangerous in ways he does not intend, nor can he prevent,” Jie hissed, just out of Guo’s earshot in Kanglais. “It was a mistake to bring you. It’s pure luck he doesn’t speak Kanglais, and the only Sobian speakers for fifty miles are he, myself, and, apparently you--which I have several questions about, when we get back to the Bough.”

“You have very a lot of worries, Jie,” Dari waved a dismissive hand. “I already told to you the explanation.You did not to ask to me ‘Dari, do you speak to Sobian?’”

“Why would I have?” Jie cried.

“To have to the knowledge if I did the speaking to the Sobian,” Dari replied, returning her attention to Guo.

Here, my friend, please to lean on to me to sit, you will to have the easier way, Dari said, extending an arm.

How nice, Guo laughed, dinner and the attention of a lovely girl at my time of life! Jie can make up whatever he likes about you, miss. You’re too kind. He reached for Dari with his unmarked hand, but Dari was faster, latching onto his charred right arm.

“Dari, no!,” Jie cried, darting to pull her away. Guo watched in horror as Dari guided him to the ground.

And nothing happened.

Closing her eyes, Dari slipped her fingers away from Jie, taking Guo’s arm in both hands.

You do not belong to this place. You are not welcome in this man, she said, as Guo and Jie both stared. Jie tugged his earlobe--Dari’s voice had taken on an echoing quality, as if she spoke Kanglais, Sobian and the strange language he’d heard in the forest all at once.

Guo’s head jerked again, spitting and swearing.

I do not fear you. You are only a memory. Memories only do as much harm as we allow, Dari said, pressing into Guo’s brittle arm. Beneath the pads of her fingers, unblemished skin bloomed. And you are no longer allowed to harm this man.

What are you? a voice that was not Guo’s demanded

Only myself. I am a friend of Guo. I am the friend of Jie, I am the carer of the hens. I am the ward of Sam, the friend of Orm, Deliatus, Bryjer and Harold. I am the patient of Lujain. I am the pot-girl of the Bronze Bough. For as long as you harm this man, I am your enemy. Dari responded in her echoing layers of language. Depart. She ordered. Guo, give to yourself forgetfulness of the thing which you call to your Passenger. It does not to belong to you. Dari cooed, returning to her staggering Sobian.

The patches of unblemished skin spread, the claw-like arm struggling against Dari’s grip. A thick, black, foulsludge dripped from Guo’s flesh.

“Jie, please to move to the stew,” Dari said, her voice calm. “This substance is having has very a lot of unhealthiness to it.”

Wide-eyed, Jie complied.

You cure his arm, only, stupid thing which merely looks like a girl, the voice that was not Guo’s said.

You have very a lot of rudeness. Guo must have very a lot of embarrassment because of you. If he has the friendship of Jie, I have the thought he is the good person. This is the unkind thing you do to him. Dari closed her eyes, opening them slowly. You were given ample warning. Depart.

Your kind was dead, the passenger taunted. And now all that’s left of you is a girl?

I have very a lot of sorries for this, my new friend Guo, but I am not having to the knowledge of the different and more pleasant way to accomplish to this task. Are you having to the bucket? She said, her voice chirping and grammar stumbling.

Guo nodded toward his tent.

Jie, please to get to the bucket

Obeying in mute shock, Jie stepped past the pair, parting the fetid curtain of Guo’s tent. A rusting tin bucket sat near the entrance. He grabbed it, holding his breath, and passed it to Dari.

Dari set it in front of Guo.

I have very a lot of sorries. I am having the thought you have had very a lot of the suffering for very a lot of time. Dari drew a deep breath. Be purified, Dari commanded in the language of layers, her voice deep, clear, confident and cold. She kissed Guo’s forehead, lingering, holding his head with both of her hands. His head gave a weak jerk, but Dari held it in place.

His once-blackened arm turned a delicate pink, Guo blinked at Dari, confusion and gratitude fighting for control of the wrinkles around his almond eyes.

This is only being to the memory, she soothed.

Convulsing, Guo’s arms slammed into the walls of the little alley. Gasping for air, he clutched at the bucket and vomited a stream of the same foul substance sloughed from his drawn arm.

Jie stared at Guo, who appeared to be vomiting a great deal more than a human stomach ought to hold.

As a rule, Jie was terrified of magic any stronger than the sort healers and charm smiths with better inventories than his own dealt in. Little magicks, healing and hedgewitchery, followed simple rules, and, most saliently, tended not to pull loose threads in the fabric of reality. Real magic--the kind required to curse and to cure an ailment like Guo’s-- theoretically followed a set of rules. There were many scholarly disagreements on the nature of these rules, though given his general phobia, theory of magic was perhaps the only discipline he actively avoided.

“Dari, dear,” he asked, swallowing, “do forgive me, but what, precisely, did you just do?”

“I gave to Guo the healing,” she answered. “Though the healing will to take the small amount of time which will to have the unpleasant way.”

Jie nodded, his mouth dry. His mind argued over whether he should squeeze Dari’s hand for comfort or turn and run. Pulling her a few inches closer, comfort won; despite what he was witnessing, she was still Dari, cheerful and calm and curious Dari.

“That was quite kind of you. Speaking those three languages at once, oh, and your sudden onset of fluency--that was also quite impressive.”

“Thanking to you,” she smiled.

“Absolutely,” Jie shivered. “Might I ask how you accomplished this feat? Or perhaps explain its role in the ostensible healing of our friend here?”

Dari tugged a violet strand of hair, her lips twisted into a contemplative scowl.

“I am not having very a lot of easiness to explain to it.”

“Which part, Dari, dear?”

“All of the parts,” she shrugged. “This is the thing I have the memory to do to it, but not the memory of the way I had learning to do to it, or how does it to work.”

“Ah,” Jie said, a distant, rational part of his mind screaming, though it was difficult to discern frustration from abject terror. “Memory loss is quite difficult to explain. Yes.”

“But I am having the thought that Guo will to have to the better feeling now! Not now,” Dari gestured at the retching man, “because he has very a lot of discomfort to do to the vomiting. Later, and tomorrow, after that, after, after , after. Then he will to have to the good feeling.”

Guo gasped, wiping the black, tar-like substance from the corner of his mouth. He looked at his pinkish arm, raised his head in experiment, stretching his back, which stooped like an ordinary laboring man of his age.

He closed his eyes, concentrating, and laughed.

It’s gone!

It was being to the memory only, Dari said. You were not knowing to the way to forget to it.

Guo laughed, tears in his eyes.

I do not wish to echo the thing. But what are you, girl?

Did you hear to me tell to it? I am only myself. I am the friend to Sam, Deliatus, Orm, Bryjer, Harold and Jie. I am the carer to the hens. I am the patient to Lujain. I am having to the hope to be to your friend. I am being to the pot-girl at the Bronze Bough. For this reason, I bring to you the stew.

Guo stood straight, dusting himself off. He extended his hands to Jie, who took them, more baffled than ever. Guo slapped the backs of Jie’s hands, laughing wildly.

You are a great friend, Dari, put lightly, Guo said, opening his arms to her, before remembering the state of his clothes and crossing his chest, offering a bow instead. Ignoring the gesture, Dari stepped forward to embrace him. Guo calmed, his laughter dwindling to an occasional surprised chuckle, his tears stopping altogether.

Jie, look after this girl. We are countrymen, but you will hear from me should harm come to her. Guo said, his head against Dari’s shoulder.

Shocked into silence, Jie offered Guo a short bow.

Guo looked at his hands, his leg, and shook his head.

I can be clean. Really, clean again. Yes. This is the place to start. I will be properly clean for the first time in longer than I want to think about. Yes. Guo said, speaking to himself, himself alone, for the first time in nearly two decades. “I have very a lot of liking to Guo. Thanking to you for introducing to me to him.”

“Oh, naturally, naturally,” Jie said,.

With a gentle pressure, Dari tilted Jie’s head down.

“Jie?” she asked, her voice soft. “Your face is having the look to the troubles.”

He met her violet eyes. Beneath a sheen of concern, she looked up at him with unerring trust. Jie was afraid of magic. But he’d be mad to be afraid of Dari.

“No troubles,” he said, drawing her into his arms, his anxiety draining away as if Dari drew it through her palms pressed against his back. “Dari, dear, do you think perhaps you might keep your involvement in Guo’s recovery to yourself?” “You tell to me to keep very a lot of secrets to myself,” Dari complained. “Yes. I’m only concerned certain people may react poorly to some of your talents.”

Dari nodded.

“I do not have to the desire to give to anyone the jealousy for the things I can to do to. That would to be the action with very a lot of rudeness.”

“Very, very thoughtful of you, Dari,” Jie said, exhaling slowly. Jie was not, as a rule, much of a drinker, but given the numerous rules guiding his worldview he’d watched pulverized in an afternoon, he felt a generous measure of Sam’s paint-stripping plum brandy might be in order. “Dari, dear,” Jie said, looping his arm around hers, “would you mind if I leaned on you, just a bit, on the way home? I’m feeling rather faint.”