Life on the road soon developed into a pleasant routine. They spent roughly three or four days traveling before finding a town where Father Lena was often treated like family. Nadia would always find her way into Viktor’s arms at night, and Father Lena would tease them over breakfast.

It was exhilarating and tiring. Viktor’s hands itched to pick up his shovel and check for a barrier that never needed defending. But most of his time was spent trying to keep Nadia from climbing onto the carriage's roof or getting into silly fights with her.

He gave up trying to figure out where Father Lena was taking them and spent more time meditating and teaching Nadia. They were on the road for at least six months before the carriage stopped in front of a large wooden wall with slits to allow arrows to pass through near the top.

Viktor felt his jaw drop as he turned to Father Lena. “You… were planning to bring us to your home this whole time?”

Father Lena chuckled, an open book in hand as he smiled. “Not the whole time, Viktor. I thought about taking you two to the coast at first, give you some fresh air and hopefully provide a different outlook. But one of my helpers informed me of a disturbance, so I decided to bring you here for now. Do you have any objections?”

He’s asking if I have any objections now?! Viktor opened his mouth, but Nadia was already staring at the wall eagerly. “This is where you live, Father Lena? Does this place belong to you?”

“Yes, and yes, Nadia. And it’s your home as well.” Father Lena thumped his fist against the roof of the carriage, causing it to continue forward as a hidden section of the wall split open to receive them. Viktor held his breath when the gates closed behind them, knowing that he still wouldn’t see any sign of it on the inside.

He exhaled when he saw Father Lena staring at him. “Are you alright, my Son? Can it be that you’ve forgotten this place?”

Viktor shook his head. “I didn’t forget. I… never expected to be back here.”

“Because of what happened with Brother Mikial or the king’s policies toward Death Clerics?”

Viktor winced and placed his hand on Nadia’s back in case she tried to jump out again. “Both,” he admitted. I never thought I’d leave Vern after Brother Dimitri’s death. There never seemed to be a reason for me to do so… outside of a large outbreak of undead or another war.

Father Lena smiled and nodded as he leaned back. “That part of your life, the part where your movements and responsibilities are restricted, is gone. I wasn’t joking about the two of you traveling with me from now on, Viktor. The world is changing, and we must change with it.”

“What do you mean?”

Father Lena shook his head, tucking the book away as Nadia continued staring at the ranch. “Later,” Father Lena promised. “We will discuss this and more when the time is right… Are you a strong swimmer, my Son?”

“I’m not going near the Kelpies.”

Viktor scowled as he entered the stable, mud squishing under his boots as he waited for his eyes to adjust. Why do I keep getting stuck with the dirtiest jobs? Viktor didn’t think anything could make him miss fighting ghouls. But cleaning a Kelpie stable only made him long for the child-sized creatures even more.

A stablehand wearing a black tunic over faded-brown pants hurriedly approached with a blazing grin. “Good morning, Brother Viktor. I’ve already finished letting the Kelpies out, so you have the stable to yourself. Do you need me to help you with anything?”

“No, thank you. I remember where everything was. How long do I have before you need to bring them back in?”

The stablehand shook his head. “Father Lena said to let them run all day. It’s almost time for the mating season, so they need the exorcise. I’ll come back in a bit, Brother Viktor. Do your best, and thanks for your hard work.”

“Thank you for the opportunity.” Viktor bowed as the stablehand left and looked around. The stable wasn’t that large compared to the royal stables in Vern, but it was bigger than Viktor remembered. The floor was divided into ten stalls, five on each side. One for the males and one for the females.

Viktor wasn’t sure how that was going to work once the Kelpies paired up, but he wasn’t in a rush to witness it. He ignored the mud and went to the back of the stable to get a rake before turning to the first stall. I’m sure using my shovel would be more effective, but Father Lena said I shouldn’t overclean the stalls. It’ll upset the Kelpies and might interfere with their reproduction.

Viktor didn’t know if Father Lena was messing with him while he put Nadia to work somewhere else. But a job was a job, and Viktor couldn’t deny he was happy to be doing something simple again. He went into the first stall and began raking away most of the mud, blood, and straw that he could see into the middle of the stable.

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The smooth motions of the rake weren’t quite the same as using his shovel. But the steady burn his limbs developed as time passed was wonderful. Viktor didn’t notice anyone else enter the stable beyond realizing someone had scrapped away most of the piles Viktor left outside the stalls. It made him laugh… until he remembered he still had the other side to deal with.

Viktor went straight to his room when he was done. He needed a bath, and nothing short of an attack would stop him. I’m starting to think Father Lena brought me here for free labor. He’s sent me to clean every stable! Thankfully, someone had anticipated his needs because a tub full of steamy water awaited him.

“Maybe I’ll drown myself. That sounds like a fun way to end the day,” Viktor muttered as he pulled off his robes.

“Don’t you dare. I won’t help with your baths if you do.”

“Nadia?!” How did I miss her? Nadia was leaning against the far wall, her frown clear despite the teasing tone she used.

“Were you expecting someone else? I don’t like the sound of that, Viktor.”

“I wasn’t expecting anyone.” He finished undressing and gazed longingly at the tub before looking back at Nadia. “Are you alright?”

She raised an eyebrow and pointed to the tub. “I will be when you smell better. We need to talk, Viktor. And it can’t wait until after dinner.”

“Alright.” Viktor quickly stepped into the tub, groaning as the water began instantly relaxing his muscles. I can get used to this. I missed bathing after a hard day’s work. He looked at Nadia over his shoulder and grinned. You said you brought this for me? Thank you. It’s just what I needed.”

He was hoping to see Nadia smile, but her expression didn’t change. “You’re welcome. I’d do anything for you, Viktor. You know that.”

“I do. But what’s going on? It feels like I haven’t seen you since we arrived, what does Father Lena have you doing?”

“Organizing his library and helping with the food mostly.”

Why does she get to have the easier jobs? Viktor began washing his hair and hummed. “That sounds like fun. Are you reading the books as you organize them?”

“When I can get away with it.” Nadia pulled a chair closer so she could lower her voice. “It’s time, Viktor.”

No. He continued washing without looking at her. “Time for what? I just got in. Don’t tell me Father Lena needs me for something.”

“No, Father Lena doesn’t need anything. You know what I’m talking about, Viktor. Why are you being difficult?!”

Because I don’t want to think about what you’re saying. Viktor turned so he could face her, but his words dried up the moment he saw Nadia’s face. Her lips were pressed so tightly that they formed a white line as she glared. “Nadia”-

“We don’t have time for games anymore!” Viktor flinched, but Nadia started pacing, lost in her own world as she continued ranting. “He’s going to kill me. I’ve warned you about this. He’s going to kill me, and you don’t even care!”

“I do care! Nadia, come here. Let’s just”-

“No!” She balled her fists and all but threw herself at him, becoming a blur of sharp nails that left several scratches on his arms and shoulders as she clung to him. “I don’t want to die!”

“You’re not going to die,” Viktor soothed as he tried to hold her, but she refused to stay still as she pleaded.

“Why are you being like this? I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I thought you wanted the same thing. Why are abandoning me, Viktor?”

“I’m not abandoning you. I’m just…”

She jerked away, fury and pain mixing into her words as she stared him down. “What? What is it now? What’s your excuse this time? Is it the loop? Is it more important to you than me?”

“Nadia”-

“ARE STRANGERS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ME?!”

“No! Nothing is more important than you. I’m trying to save you, Nadia”-

“We don’t have time for you to keep trying. He contacted me. He wants more souls now! I can’t hold off any longer, Viktor. It has to be tonight, or I’m dead!” Viktor’s ears rang. His mind didn’t want to believe her, but Nadia had never lied to him before. And she did warn me time was running out. I should have thought about this. Why didn’t I think about it?!

Viktor took a deep breath and forced himself to focus on Nadia’s shaking frame. “You said he contacted you?”

“Right after you started working in the stables,” she muttered, making Viktor sigh as he tried to think.

“We can’t use your powers on the ranch.”

“I wasn’t planning to.”

“We also can’t leave the ranch without Father Lena’s permission. And I doubt he’ll give it to us even if we explain everything to him.”

Nadia nodded as she said one of the things Viktor dreaded to hear. “Then we won’t tell him. I don’t want to die, Viktor. There are small villages nearby. We can use those!”

Do I want to know what happens if Father Lena or someone catches us? Viktor didn’t think he did, but his mind was already thinking of ways to avoid the worst-case scenario as Nadia handed him a towel. “I love you, Viktor. More than anything!”

“I love you, too. Please, believe that.” Nadia grinned, finally relaxing as Viktor dried himself off. He hated the idea of leaving the warm water so soon, but he’d put up with any discomfort to keep Nadia safe.