Kiltont walked into the house, Rosie and I following close behind. It was across the street from his and he said it was the "Captain of the Guard"'s house. The inside was exactly the same as the Chief's but without the second floor I had slept on last night. The Captain's house was a single story, two bed and one and a half bath with working toilets. I wandered through the eight-room house in a daze, feeling completely at home and so very far from it at the same time. There was a living room with a couch and a few chairs around a table, a dining room and kitchen exactly like Kiltont's, and two bedrooms. It even had a working washer and dryer. The Master Bed had the full bath with a tub and shower head, while the other one only had a toilet. Kiltont and I found ourselves standing in the front door as he pressed the key into my hand, smiling broadly.

"Consider this today's payment." he said, shaking the hand holding the key and leaving it in my palm.

"Thank you." I answered numbly.

"I'll send a Vartin over in a little with some food. It surprises me that you know how to cook, Marshall. That's a job for the women or Vartins, not a man." I smiled at the bird man thinly.

"I'm full of surprises." Kiltont nodded and pat me on the shoulder, then headed back across the street. I stood there until he entered his house then turned back and entered mine, closing the door behind me. I was still having trouble processing everything that had happened today. Rosie whipped me with her tail again, pointing towards the backdoor. She patrolled around the backyard as I familiarized myself with my new house. It worked almost exactly like one from home, down to the adjustable light switches and working plumbing. A little while later, while I was marveling at the Queen sized bed with a blue and white flowered duvet on it in the Master Bed, Rosie padded into the room, barking at me.

"Hmm? What's up, Rosie?" She turned and walked back out of the room, looking back at me and waiting for me. I followed, gesturing for her to lead. "Alright, I'm coming." She led me to the front door where a timid series of knocks sounded from the other side. I opened it to find Lia with a basket in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. She wore the same outfit from earlier and the setting sun reflected off her dirty red hair, igniting her head in smoldering embers. Her emerald eyes shone out from beneath her shadowed brow, a beacon of safety in the fire. She cocked her head, her cute face screwing up in confusion and I blinked, realizing she had offered me the basket and wine. I took them from her with a word of thanks, smiling sheepishly and looking away.

"Owner gave you enough food for three days. After that, you're on your own." I looked at her, the harsh words sounding strange from the soft girl. "His words." Ah, that makes more sense.

"I see. I'll have to earn my keep, is what he's saying." I took a moment, choosing my next words carefully. "Listen, if you haven't eaten yet, I'd be happy to cook for you. The company would be nice, honestly." Her emerald eyes snapped onto mine, rooting me in place, the red circle on the outside of her irises flashing. She narrowed them and frowned, casting a glance back at Kiltont's house. I held my hands up. "You don't have to, if you don't want to." Lia nodded slowly.

"I would like to. Thank you, sir." she said, stepping by me and into the house. I smiled, closing the door behind me. Hell yeah.

Later, as Rosie rested in front of the crackling fireplace, Lia and I had a wonderful supper of Steban flank steak, roasted veggies, and bread. She was still hesitant to eat, citing various traditions and cultural taboo's and seemed surprised that I cared about her well-being, but I didn't care. I told her she was still a person regardless of what others said and that she had basic rights. She fought back, saying that Vartin aren't people and are nothing more than property to be bought and sold, to which I responded that that system was fucked and could suck my dick. I slammed my cup on the table, some of the wine splashing out of my cup. I blinked, trying to center my vision on one of the two wooden vessels as I continued my rant. Man, this wine is strong. Or maybe this body isn't used to alcohol.

"Who gives a fuck?! That Stegosaurus could feed this whole village for a week!" I took another bite of the dinosaur, hiding my grin behind a napkin. I'm eating dinosaur! How cool is that? "People are people and deserve to live, regardless of what cast they're in. In a small community like this, there is no reason to deny someone food in times of plenty."

"These are not times of plenty." Lia said, taking a small bite of her own Steban steak. A small smile played at her lips and she ate a little faster, scarfing down the rest of the meal. A smile of my own crept across my face as I watched her, glad that the thin girl was eating. My smile fell as Lia's red hair and emerald eyes were replaced by Jen's brown and blue. We had done this exact thing, eat steak and drink wine together, less than a week ago. I felt my lips pull down painfully as the feelings of betrayal overcame me again. The image of her shocked face from the house flashed in my mind, deepening my scowl and sending a spike of rage through my heart. I clenched my fist, not even realizing what I was doing, and the wooden cup in my hand exploded, splashing wine all over me. I stared dumbfoundedly at the wine dripping from between my fingers and the shattered remains of the cup covering the table. "Alright, what the fuck?" I said, exasperated. "That's twice today! How strong am I?"

"Error." Robot Lady said, causing me to jump. I growled, scowling at the sky.

"I told you not to do that."

"I'm sorry." Lia said, her sweet voice shot through with terror. I shook myself, coming back to my senses. Lia was hiding behind her chair, peeking out from around the back of it with wide, terrified eyes. Her caramel face was pale and she shook slightly. I stood and she flinched back, moving away from me.

"I'm not mad at you." I said, steadying myself on the table. With some difficulty, I headed to the kitchen and grabbed a towel. "I told Robot Lady not to talk out of nowhere like that, but apparently she didn't listen."

"Robot... Lady?" Lia asked, her eyes never leaving me. She watched my every move, analyzing me.

"The voice in my head. All she ever says is 'Error', though. It's really annoying." Lia's already pale face became even paler, her emeralds looking me up and down. I mopped up the spilled wine and cleared the splinters from the table, grumbling all the while. Damn, that wine is strong. I grabbed the bottle and took a swig, holding it out to Lia. She took it gently like the bottle would burn her and I walked to back to the laundry room, tossing the soiled towel in the washer. Walking back to the dining room, I called: "Do all Sparks hear her, or is it just me?" Lia's still pale, shocked face and unmoved position told me all I needed to know.

"Just me, then. Don't tell anyone, yeah?" The maid shook her head slowly, still looking out into the middle distance. I took the bottle back from her and another swig, returning to the table and my food. I sat heavily, my head spinning. Fuck, this wine is good. I ate the rest of the steak and orange colored veggies that tasted like cabbage, enjoying the new flavors. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced, yet so similar to cow that it was startlingly familiar. The same texture and flavor as regular steak, though by far the tenderest meat I'd ever eaten, abnd the juices were so much richer. Rosie wandered over and I tossed her a strip of meat which she caught out of mid air, swallowing it in one gulp. I grinned and pet the top of the wolf's head, talking to her in dog talk. She seemed to love it, wagging her dark, bushy tail and panting happily, a huge grin on her canine face. Lia still hadn't moved when I got up to clear the table. I frowned, putting my hand on her shoulder as I passed by.

"Hey, you okay?" The girl blinked, coming out of her stupor.

"Oh, um, yes, sir, I'm fine." she said, looking around nervously. She leaned closer towards me and whispered: "Do you really hear the gods in your ear?"

"The gal who won't stop saying 'Error'? Yes, I've already told you this."

Stolen story; please report.

"And you care for Vartin, nor do you know about magic and monsters..." she trailed off, retreating into her thoughts. I let her be, clearing the dishes and looking around for a dishwasher.

"Hey, Lia?" I called from the kitchen. "Do we have a dishwasher? Something like the washing machine, but for dishes?"

"No, sir." she said, apparently having recovered from whatever had stunned her earlier. "Only nobles can afford dishwashers. They require multiple magical and mechanical interactions which can be very dangerous to create. Very few craftsmen are willing to take on such a challenge."

"But washing machines are fine?"

"They only require a little bit of magic and a Spornim Sponge. The dryer is the same, but uses a Kytipo's Flame Orb instead."

"How do you know all this stuff? About monsters and magic and shit, I mean? It's impressive." I asked, turning on the faucet and letting the water warm. Lia didn't answer, her choker glowing a slight purple. She went rigid, clenching her hands at her side, then relaxed a moment later as the glow faded. "Right. Can't talk about it." She shook her head. I sighed, using the steel wool to scrub the dishes clean. "You're tellin' me y'all got steel wool, washing machines, and fuckin' magic lights, but you ain't got a dishwasher?" Lia shook her head no again and I scoffed. "What a world."

I walked Lia home an hour later. Again, she protested, saying that I didn't need to bother myself with her. I countered, telling her it was a gentleman's pride to walk a Lady home. That seemed to really touch her, drawing forth an adorable blush that turned her face into a lacquered, wooden box lined with rose fabric, holding two emeralds wreathed in fire. They kept darting to mine and away again, her blush growing deeper each time. Her pencil thin lips curled into a shy, soft smile that just drew me in. I couldn't take my eyes off of her and I took a step forward, arm rising. I caught myself, forcing my arm back down. There was a part of me that was disgusted, a part that played Jen's smile over hers. I fought that part down, crushing it under my boot and forcing it into the depths of my soul, and lingered for a moment on the Chief's steps like a school boy, warring with myself. Lia solved my dilemma, throwing her arms around my neck and pressing herself into me. I stiffened and inhaled, the sweet scent of flowers brushing the lizard part of my brain and sending shivers down my spine. I wrapped my arms around her for a second and her choker glowed a bright purple, heat flaring from it.

"Ah!" I hissed, backing away. Lia's face contorted into one of agony and she opened her mouth in a soundless scream, clawing at her throat. The light faded just as quickly as it came, leaving her panting. She crouched and wrapped her arms around her knees and sobbed into them, shoulders wracking. I raised my foot to take a step forward and the collar shone again. Lia grunted and I backed away farther. She stood and raced inside before I could say another word. Jesus, what the fuck was that? I sighed and turned back to my house, climbing the three steps and locking the door behind me. She's a problem for tomorrow, not tonight. Rosie stood and shook herself, walking back towards the bedroom, and I followed, covering my yawn.

I met with Kiltont at the gates early the next morning. He smiled as he approached, handing me an axe when he got close enough. We exchanged greetings and headed out towards the fallen tree, remaining quiet until we reached the tree and I broke the silence.

"Alright, dude, I gotta ask." I said. "What's going on here? I know you noticed that there's no hole from the tree roots, nor are there any other trees nearby that could fall like that one did. It makes no sense. Someone blocked this road." Kiltont sighed, shifting his axe to the other shoulder.

"Yes, I know. I have my suspicions as to who it was, as well."

"The local fuckhead?" Kiltont gave me a confused look. "The Lord."

"Martil, yes. I believe he blocked the road to hurry our demise."

"You're awfully calm for being besieged by your own country." He chuckled.

"Just because I have accepted my situation does not mean I have given up."

"Yeah, well, fuck that guy anyway." The bird man scoffed, growing his feathers and chopping at the tree.

"I like you, Marshall." We were quiet for a good while, both of us getting lost in the work. The wood disappeared at a startling rate as we worked, turning the trunk into workable planks that we stacked on the side of the road. By early afternoon, we had the processed the entire tree, leaving the road completely clear.

"Damn." I said, still somehow astonished by shit. It's been three days of nothing but surprises, and yet I am still surprised when something supernatural happens. "How the hell'd we finish that so quickly?"

"The Hunter's Trance is something only a few of us get to experience. It took me thirty years to achieve it and another twenty to master it. And yet, you..." he trailed off, shaking his head. "You seem to slip into the Trance without even realizing it."

"And that's what we were doing?" He scoffed, turning back towards the village.

"You are a conundrum, but gods are you helpful. Come, let's see if we can use this wood to fix the fence." Three hours, a pair of raw hands, and a whole lotta trips to the tree later, there was a large pile of wood in the center of the village. The villagers all gathered around, grabbing pieces and leaving without so much as a word. Kiltont grabbed the board we had set aside for the hole in the fence and told me to follow him, heading in a direction I hadn't been before. I kept my head on a swivel, taking in all the sights, not that there was much to see anyway. Just more wooden buildings for unknown purposes and people glaring at me from under hooded brows. At least, they looked like normal people. The buildings got worse and worse as we walked, becoming more rundown and shabby.

"Is everyone always so on edge around here?" I asked after the fifth person closed the windows as we passed.

"This is the Vartin part of town. Those who can't live with their owner's live here. The others don't come here if they can help it."

"Is that why they're so suspicious?"

"That, and the last few months have not been the best for us. We are running low on food stores and lack any hunters capable of bringing in enough meat, and the farmers are being slaughtered by the bandits. We are surviving, but barely, and the Vartin are bearing the worst of it. They don't get much food in the best of times, but now..." he trailed off, his avian eyes darkening with sadness. "My population is dwindling. I'll send the last quarter their way." I scowled at the mention of the farmers.

"I came across two families on my way in." I said, the bodies flashing in my mind followed by my hand, and I shuddered. "Burned at the stake. Were the bandits responsible?" Kiltont's face changed from sadness to rage, and he nodded.

"Yes." That was all he said, refusing to elaborate further, and I didn't want to push him. We came to the wall soon after that and found that the wood had, indeed, rotted. There was a hole the size of my torso in the bottom left of one of the planks. Kiltont knelt next to it, placing the board over the hole. I handed him a nail and he hammered it in, repeating the process eleven more times, securing the breach. The bird man nodded and rose.

"Good. We accomplished a lot today, Marshall. Thank you for all your help. I hope I can continue to count on your assistance." he said, smiling broadly. I extended my hand, smiling back. Kiltont frowned and looked at it. I took his hand in mine and pumped it firmly twice.

"Happy to help, my friend."

That night, Kiltont knocked on my door at sundown again. When I opened it, he had a massive grin on his face, another bottle of wine in one hand and the other behind his back, and Lia stood behind him on the street, also holding something behind her back.

"Kiltont." I said, smiling at him and trying not to look at Lia. "What's up?"

"I've come with your payment for today's work." he replied, smiling the widest smile I'd seen from him. He held out the bottle and I took it, trying to keep the confused look from my face. He took his other hand from behind his back and presented me with a piece of yellow-ish paper tied with a red ribbon. I took it from him, the confusion well and truly showing this time.

"What's this?" I asked.

"The Vartin's contract." My eyes went wide and snapped onto Lia, who was watching me with intensity.

"What? Really?" Kiltont nodded, his grin never lessening, actually growing brighter if you can believe it.

"Yes. Every good Hunter needs a Vartin, and I've a feeling you're going to go far. This one comes from good stock and will prove its worth in combat."

"Thank you, Kiltont. This..." I trailed off, lacking the words.

"No, Marshall, thank you. I care for this city and its property, and this one needed to be moved. It was not in the best place before you arrived and I was powerless to help. You are doing me a favor." Lia climbed the steps and walked around Kiltont, taking her hands from behind her back and revealing a patchwork bag. She bowed to me, saying:

"Thank you for purchasing me. I promise to serve you well, Owner." Still shocked, I nodded dumbly.

"Uh huh." My brain was playing catch-up, and having a hell of a time doing it, too. I own Lia now? I don't know how to feel about that. On the one hand, that's fuckin' awesome 'cause now I can grill her for all the information she possesses without worrying about her choker going off, and on the other, I own her. Being a white man from Mississippi, that comes with a whole lotta social baggage thaaat doesn't matter anymore 'cause this ain't Earth. This is Carminal. A slow grin spread its way across my face. "Thank you, Kiltont. You have my word I will take good care of her." The bird man nodded and turned to depart, casting one last look at us over his shoulder.

"Ameilia." he said. Lia went stock still and turned to face the Chief slowly, her face shrouded in fear. He smiled at her kindly. "Good luck out there. I pray that you live a good life." With that, the Chief nodded and returned to his house, leaving Lia and I standing on my porch. I drew the magic pouch from my pocket and placed Lia's contract inside, confirmed that it took one of the six pockets, then returned the pouch to whatever magical hidey-hole it went to when I put it in my pocket.

"Alright." I said, clapping my hands and turning to Lia. "First things first. Let's eat, shall we?"