The guard looked familiar to Ai, though she had never spoken to him. As he got closer he caught sight of Jack. Skidding to a stop, he drew his sword.

“Who is this?” he looked horrified.

Ai didn’t know where to begin.

“He’s called Jack. He helped me.”

“Drop the body.” The guard commanded Jack.

Jack didn’t understand what was said, but he could guess. He bent down and carefully lay Ermines limp body on the ground, then backed up a couple of steps. The further away from the pointy end of the sword, the better.

The guard made a choked cry when he lay eyes on the corpse, his sword sagging towards the ground.

“How did this happen?” He fell to his knees beside Ermine, pushing back the boys blood slicked hair with one trembling hand.

“We were attacked by ghouls. I managed to drive them off, but not before…” Ai swallowed. The guard clearly knew Ermine.

Now that she looked closer they had the same slope to their nose, and body shape. The guard was his father, had to be. She couldn’t even imagine what he was going through.

“Ghouls.” The Ermines father echoed, cradling his sons head. “My boy. My poor boy. I felt something was wrong but…”

He was crying. His breaths were torn from him in choking sounds and salty tears flowed down his cheeks.

“I’m sorry.” Ai didn’t know what else to say.

He didn’t respond, just rocked over his sons corpse, cradling it like a baby. Ai felt as if she was infringing on something private, an outsider once again.

Another guard pulled up behind the gory scene. This one Ai recognised, it was Kele.

He took in the situation rapidly, his face turning grim.

“What happened?” He asked her, and Ai got the feeling she would answer that question many times before the night was up.

“We ran into ghouls.” Ai said the name like a curse.

“Your companion?”

“He was trapped by them, he had been travelling through the forest.” Ai left out the part about him being a gladiator slave, unsure if it was wise to tell him.

Kele looked Jack up and down. “He can come in, as long as he doesn’t make any trouble.”

Ai nodded and relayed the message to Jack.

When Kele asked Ermines father, whose name was Mahli, if he could take the corpse the man refused vehemently. Wrapping one arm under Ermines legs and the other around his torso, Mahli carried his son himself. Ermines head lolled, as if it wasn’t attached to his body.

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The whole way back, Mahli never spoke a word. He kept his shoulders hunched like he was walking to his death. Kele walked besides him, watching as if he were worried the man might topple over with the weight of his grief while Ai and Jack walked behind them in silence. Ai felt like she was part of a funeral procession.

The village elder waited for them at the gate, alone. The streets were deserted.

Mahli came to a stop in front of her, looking at her feet. Some moment of silent judgement seemed to pass and the elder nodded, stepping aside.

“Take your son home, Mahli.” Tightening his grip, the man went to do just that.

The village elder waited until he was out of sight to talk to the rest of them.

“I see you have found another of your ilk, Ai.”

Ai couldn’t decide if that was just an observation or an insult, so she just nodded.

“Do you take responsibility for his actions as long as he is in the village?”

Ai glanced at him out the corner of her eye. “I do.”

The old woman nodded underneath the thick fabric of her hood.

“Follow me, we shall discuss this further in my cabin. Kele, go home to your wife and child. All will be made clear come morning.”

Kele lingered for a moment, looking like he might argue before bowing his head slightly.

“As you wish.” He spun on one foot and strode away.

Ai wanted to follow him, but forced herself to follow the elder instead who had walked off without checking to see if they were following. Jack walked beside her, head high and taking in all he could see.

He probably hadn’t been to a village before, she bet it was quaint compared to what he was use to.

Along the way Ai occasionally caught a glimpse of eyes behind shuttered windows and cracked doors. She gritted her teeth and kept walking.

It was a relief when she stepped into the elders hut, filled with the smell of spice and warm candlelight. It felt like a whole other world.

Jack had to bend his head to get in the doorway behind her. The curtain fell shut behind him, blocking out the harsh sunlight and watchful eyes.

Low and behold, a small gray figure sat scrunched up in the corner.

Ai had completely forgotten about the goblin. Was this where he came when he wasn’t around her?

When she glared at it, the goblin glared back. After a moment its shoulders slumped and it stood, holding out three, fluffy white skins. Head down and looking at its feet, the goblin almost seemed like an apologetic child. Ai thought long and hard for a moment, making the goblin squirm.

Finally, she took the skins and the goblin let out a long breath.

“Sit, all of you.” The village elder had watched the whole exchange.

Ai glanced over her shoulder. So had Jack. He looked intrigued by the goblin. The goblin looked less than enamoured with him.

When they sat, the elder took out some familiar stones, making a circle around them all.

“What’s this for?” Ai questioned as the old woman was laying down the last stones.

“Truth telling.” She replied shortly.

Ai pursed her lips, but let her continue.

Jack did not have the same sentiments. He was out of the circle the moment the word had left the elders mouth.

“There’s no way I’m letting you cast witchcraft on me.”

Ai could see the corners of the woman’s mouth turn down under her hood.

“Your kind are always so suspicious. And ignorant.”

“My kind?” Jacks voice took on a dangerous edge.

The elder snorted, not intimidated in the least.

“If you’re not going to participate then stay out of the way.”

Jacks eyes met Ais, his eyes questioning. You’re really going to let her do this to you?

Ai almost stood up herself. They were strict but fair, she remembered. Every rule had its own punishment. Not to mention she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Besides, if something went wrong then Jack would help her. She hoped.

Remembering the magic on the first day she amended that statement. She might as well let the village elder do what she wanted, because she wouldn’t be able to stop her anyway.

The village elder began speaking silently, and a shimmery blue dome slid up from the stones like water flowing uphill.

The goblin poked at the wall, only to yelp as it zapped him.

“Are you ready to begin?” The village elder asked.

Ai steeled her shoulders, forcing herself not to look back at Jack again.

“Yes.”