Uhaiz reached the square of the village in the late afternoon. His mother was waiting outside the inn. It was the first time he went to Isil for supplies, and she was still not convinced to let him go alone. Uhaiz couldn’t blame her for being reluctant. After all, he spent years night walking around the village. But that was before. His curse ended after a house spirit appeared in his life three months ago.

“Finally!” said Mother. “I was worried.”

“I came earlier than usual. They are building a road to the Giant Pass, you know?”

“She has been nervous all day.” said old Titu, who was standing next to her leaning on his walking stick. “Can I have my ale now?”

“It’s a mother’s curse to worry about their child all the time.” Mother ignored the old man’s request, as she used to do often. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

“I didn’t wander around Betren last night if that’s what worried you.” Uhaiz used to have terrible nightmares since his little brother disappeared in the woods. During his sleep, a haunting voice spoke of terrible things that would happen to Mother or to him and when he woke up, it was always in places outside the village, dressed in his pajamas and sweating in the middle of the night.

For years, Uhaiz was sure that his dreams were the doing of his little brother’s spirit. After all, he didn’t treat him well in life. Same as Father, who always drank and mistreated mother and brother alike. The man paid his price for it dearly. Soon after Nim’s disappearance, he became mad and died soon after. The elders used to say he killed himself out of desperation, but Uhaiz knew the truth: He was hunted by the changeling’s spirit, and after father, it hunted him for years. But Uhaiz never gave up on madness.

The young man put the sack of supplies on the inn’s bar and dropped his height over the closest chair he could find. Mother brought him soup and kissed his head. “Mother! I’m not a kid anymore!” complained him, moving his head to the side.

“I know, I know. And by the way, I was worried about the wolves.”

“Better me than you,” he said. His mother gazed at him with her hands on her waist. “Sorry? Is that because you are ‘a man now’?”

Uhaiz smiled. “It’s because I’m younger and I run faster.” Mother busted in a loud laugh. Titu, who was sitting at his table next to the door, laughed with them, although they were sure the old man could not hear from that far.

The valley was always a dangerous place, but since the last season, the wolves of the highlands behaved more aggressively, and each time they were more daring and closer to the farms. attacking cattle and whipping farmers. It all started after Ipar, an old friend of Uhaiz, brought two strangers to the mountains in search of the Father of the wolves. No one knew the details of what happened, but for sure, it infuriated the mountain spirit and its pack.

“I need to bring some things to Ipar. I didn’t do it for a week,” said mother.

“Cannot wait? It will get dark.”

“It’s fine. I need my dose of fear from time to time. And I run faster than you think,” answered mother. Uhaiz chuckled.

Ipar didn’t come out of his hut since the wolves' incident. The former shepherd felt guilty about all that happened and secluded himself. Maybe it was not guilt but fear. No one knew for sure as the boy barely talked to anyone and spent all his time inside the house. Mother, who was a generous soul, used to bring him food and anything he could need twice a week.

When Mother left for her jacket, Uhaiz took the sewing cop from his pocket. The only person in the inn was Titu, and he was snoozing on his chair. He put the cop on his ear, close enough to hear the voice of the small house folk. “Is Mother going to be fine?” asked the young man to Mr. Strings.

“Yes, do not worry.”His little voice was a whisper that resounded inside his head rather than heard it with his ears.

One spring night, when Uhaiz got into bed, he felt something under him. It was one of his mother’s sewing thread packages. A small sewing cop made of wood trembled as soon as he took it. Uhaiz, shocked, threw it on the floor. Convinced that something that small could not harm him, he waited and looked at it for a while.

From inside the cop, a tiny piece of thread, wound up so that it looked like a person, came out. It was small, like a grain of rice, dawdling around and waving at him. Uhaiz shook his head and scratched his eyes. Uhaiz knew about stories of little magical creatures that lived in houses. He was from Arun after all. But he was no expert. He never had any interest in knowing about them and didn’t ever see one either. He covered it with the chamber pot and put two of his heavier books over it before leaving the room. Titu was an expert of all sorts of creatures of the valley, magical or not.

“What do you know about little folks that live inside a sewing thread cop?” asked the boy to the old man.

“Minairos, they like to do housework and eat,” was his answer. “Some are naughty. Others are just fine. It all depends on how well you treat them.”

That day, Uhaiz went back to his room and apologized to the spirit. Took it inside his pocket and promised to treat him well. Now, over three months later, he was sitting in the same spot, cleaning the same glass as the day he came down with the cop inside his pocket for the first time.

More than an hour passed with no changes in the inn as usual. Titu sleeping over the chair and Uhaiz cleaning here and there. Sometimes the boy would chat with the spirit to kill the boredom and make the hours run faster.

“What can I do tonight?” asked Mr. Strings.

“I have some rice grains I need to put somewhere else if that’s fine with you.”

“Yes, it’s fine. I’d like to see the rock of the lake tomorrow. Can we go? Can we go?”

Uhaiz hesitated. The Rock was a place with a lot of stories behind it, some of them terrifying. “I’m not sure,” answered him. The spirit insisted, and he finally agreed. Since Uhaiz was born, nothing had ever happened there and people used to pass by often. Not that far from the village, and the boy thought it would be safe to go in the daylight.

“Someone is coming,” said Mr. Strings a few seconds before the little bell of the entrance door rang. While putting the cop back inside the pocket, Uhaiz welcomed the two strangers with a slight movement of the head. They were both tall and dark-skinned, with broad shoulders and curly hair. They had a dangerous and mean look that was far from reality. As soon as Uhaiz greeted them, the younger smiled back, showing the whitest teeth the boy ever saw.

“Good evening to you, sir! We would like to have a room for a week,” said the foreigner.

“What is your business here, young men?” shouted Titu from his seat.

“Excuse the rudeness of the geezer, gentlemen,” said Uhaiz.

The man with white teeth talked to his companion in a language that sounded like bubbling. The older of them chuckled. “It’s fine, it’s fine,” said the younger man to Uhaiz.

“I and my brother here come from a little village south of Muwallad. We don’t trust foreigners easily there either.”

The southerner turned to Titu and leaned on the bar. “I’m Zine and this is my brother Dane. We came to hunt some wolves. We have heard it is good business around here.”

Titu raised his bushy eyebrows. “That’s good, that’s good. We have plenty of those nasty dogs in here recently. I’ll pay you an ale for each one you kill!”

Uhaiz stopped cleaning the glass suddenly. “With what money, old man?” Zine translated the conversation to his elder brother, and both laughed hard. “The inn will be out of beer and coins if you do that, old sir. Thank you for the offer, but we don’t drink alcohol. The wolf’s fur is really well paid in the south, and that will be enough reward for us.”

“You came from the far south to hunt wolves?”

“No. We were serving in the war up in Gothia. Now that is over we were heading back home and one merchant told us in Sunnor. My brother used to hunt bears and wild boars long ago, so we thought, why not? Better than return empty-handed.”

The two foreigners paid for the room and walked to the door. “Where can we buy wolf traps?”

“You won’t find any for sale here. You can find those things in Isil, the next valley.”

The Isil valley has always been better connected to the outside world than Arun. It was thanks to the river that created a natural path to the Plains of Gothia. Mountains surrounded Arun, and the Arantza river ended at the lake. It was a place that remained the same as centuries back, barely untouched by modernity. It was fine for its people, who were happy with a living that barely changed.

Uhaiz knew that would not last forever. He could see the changes slowly happening. The lake’s trout, bigger and tastier than anywhere else, was a substantial business that brought fresh faces to the valley. But now, only the eldest still spoke the old language and the youngsters were forgetting old traditions and the ancient gods.

“Really? We just came from there,” said Zine disappointed. “Doesn’t matter then, we will make our own.” The two men walked back and agreed to try a bit of Mother’s stew before they went to their rooms to rest.

Nothing more happened until mother came back. She was sad. Although she knew Ipar was home, the shepherd didn’t answer her calls, and she had to leave the supplies at the door.

“We have customers,” said Uhaiz trying to cheer her up. His words worked, and she received the news with enthusiasm.

When father passed away, Mother didn’t want a tavern. It was always full of drunk fishermen all night. When she turned it into an inn, the locals still visited from time to time for drinks, but she had an excuse to kick them out after a beer or two. All except Titu, who lived there most of his time. The inn brought little money, as they had few visitors from the outside. Occasionally, they would welcome mages from the plains looking for magic creatures they could use to increase their power or make potions. For the past months, though, with the increase of wolf attacks. No mages dared to travel to Endara.

“Mages?” she asked.

“No, huntsmen,” Hunters were another type of customer that would visit Arun to search the same creatures as the mage apprentices, only to sell any magical prize to other mages that we're too scared or busy to search for such things by themselves. “These are wolf hunters,”

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“Those two words together sound delightful,” said mother. She never liked those beasts. “You didn’t bring the soap,” added her from inside the pantry.

“They didn’t have the one you said. It’s fine, we can buy some from iaia Petra.”

“Quality, Uhaiz. Quality. Our customers are from big, fancy cities. They cannot bathe with soap that smells like a cow.”

The only two customers they had were not from fancy cities, and they may not have had any visitors for months. Mother was a perfectionist. Arun’s people were almost self-sufficient by themselves, but she always wanted the best.

Uhaiz yawned. “Who’s there?” shouted Titu after a loud snort. “Where are the venerers?”

“They went to rest,” answered the boy.

“Resting they won’t kill any dog. Can I have an Ale?”

Uhaiz ignored him, knowing he might fall asleep on the chair again, and decided to leave the inn duties to her mum. He was tired from the journey and the next day he would have to wake up slightly earlier to be able to go to the Rock and back without raising Mother’s suspicions.

The next morning was still dark when he left the inn. The first lights of the dawn caught him midway of the trek. It was then that a strange mist formed over the waters of the lake. Soon it surrounded him, and he stopped. The package in his pocket trembled, and he raised it to his ear.

“It’s fine. The mist is not dangerous,” said the house spirit. Uhaiz believed it. But a few steps later, the mist grew thicker, and he turned back. The thread cop shook again, but he didn’t pick it up.

From behind, directly from the mist, a warm and beautiful voice crooned. Uhaiz rushed out, scared it was one of those creatures who deceive men with beautiful songs. It was a delightful voice, and without realizing his steps were guided by that intoxicating melody.

Uhaiz had run in the opposite direction, but either the deceiving of the mist or the betraying of his legs brought him in front of the rock.

The mist magically cleared up, forming a perfect circle with him in the middle. The song gave way to whispers and giggles. They were voices of girls speaking in a strange language Uhaiz didn’t understand, although he knew they spoke of him since at some point he heard his name.

“How about we talk in the common, so our guest can understand?” said one voice, the sweetest of all.

“He is handsome like his father,” said another of the voices. The comment unleashed the giggles of the others.

At the lake’s edge, floating around the mist, Uhaiz saw the shapes of women dancing and floating over the lake. Their bodies were of an ethereal glow, not flesh, as the boy could see one through the shape of another.

“Is his heart like him as well? If so, we better drown him,” said another. Uhaiz wanted to run, but his feet were stuck on the sand. If it was magic or fear, he didn’t know.

“The hob says his heart is pure,”

One of them took some steps towards him, walking over the water as if it was earth. When the spirit touched the ground, her body became more visible, more human. She was the most beautiful woman Uhaiz ever saw. With a bright red mane of curly flocks, a white soft skin covered with simple transparent silk.

“I can see through your heart, Uhaiz, son of Oren,” said her. “You are pleased with what you see but you are scared as well.”

“I am,” answered him.

“You don’t need to fear me. I’m a water spirit. My kind won’t hurt you unless you hurt us first,” said her. “Your friend is talking wonders about you.”

“What friend?” asked Uhaiz.

“the one inside your pocket. We are talking now.”

“You can hear him?”

“I did before. I’m doing it now. He says you are kind to your mother and honest with others. Those are virtues I value. “Said her with a warm smile. Uhaiz's heart jumped at the sight of it and the water spirits noticed. The giggles were all around the mist once again. “Someone is coming,” said one voice. The giggles stopped suddenly, and the ginger girl stepped back. Her body faded at each step until it mixed with the mist. “You can come to visit me again if you please,” she said with a graceful voice.

Uhaiz blinked as he woke from a dream and the mist was gone. It didn’t dissipate as it’s supposed to: It just vanished.

Few steps further there was Mikel, the older son of the Casas farm. He was heading to the village with a basket of vegetables on his back. The man stopped next to Uhaiz with concern on his face. “Walking around again, Uhaiz?”

“No, no. I got lost due to the fog, heading to the inn now.”

“What fog? There was no fog this morning.” said the man. Uhaiz, confused, didn’t reply. Mikel tapped the butt of his blunderbuss. “If you wander around alone, better take one of these.”

“Maybe I should,” replied Uhaiz to him, who did not stay to hear the answer. The man left, moving his head from side to side while Uhaiz looked at him before moving away. He kept thinking of what the farmers would say about him. Would the news of the crazy son of Oren sleep-walking again reach Mother? The thought spooked him and he strode back to the inn with determination.

“You are late,” said Mother as soon as he opened the door.

“I was looking for strawberry cherries near the lake,” lied Uhaiz. A few days back he found some and that was enough for Mother to believe it. “I saw Mikel, the farmer. He looked at me like I’m madly walking around again, made me feel bad.”

“Let them think whatever they want,” said mother. That answer made him feel relieved, as it seemed she’d not be worried about the village’s gossip.

Uhaiz spent the entire day thinking about the water woman and considering whether accepting her invitation to return was a good idea at all. When mother left for water, the boy approached Titu with a beer in hand. Just as it had worked when asking about house-elves, I would only need one glass for the old man to talk.

Titu jumped from his chair when Uhaiz called his name. “Who’s there?” shouted him, confused. His sight was as bad as his hearing. “It’s just me.” The boy walked closer to be sure the old man could hear him well.

“What do you know about water spirits?”

“Another story to tell the kids?”

“Yes, your knowledge about these creatures is fascinating.” Titu’s face glowed in contentment. “Oh, heh. Well, I have plenty of it for you, boy. How about we talk about it with an Ale, eh?”

Uhaiz put the glass of beer in front of him, and the man could not be happier. “Water women, heh? Well. They are fades of the water. In Arun we call them Lamnias, in Isil they call them Alojas.”

“Fairies are good, right?” asked Uhaiz, excitedly.

“Well, they are not, as the books for kids say, boy. Forget about winged little girls with wands. That cow’s poo! fades are the same as follets and other spirits. Different forms, different names. But all similar.” Titu gulped his glass entirely and blew in content. “Some are treacherous, some are kind. Like us, humans. But all I heard of Lamnias is good, unless you lie to them. Then, brace yourself, boy, as they will make your life miserable.”

Titu’s words gave him enough courage to go back to the rock the next morning. His desire to see the girl again outweighed his fear. He wasn’t a liar, after all. She was laying over the edge of the rock. This time, her body was more visible, as if she was made of flesh and bone like any other human. She was combing her mane and mumbling the same song he heard before. The transparency of her wet and thin dress made him blush. The girl laughed.

“I may consider a new dress if that makes you more comfortable. What color should I choose?” She said.

Uhaiz didn’t know what to reply. He didn’t have a preference. “I like blue,” she said.

“Blue is nice,” answered him. When he raised his eyes from the floor, the fairy was dressed in a similar but more decorous dress and, as she desired, made of blue silks.

They talked for a while about mundane things. She seemed to enjoy each word of him. It didn’t matter if he talked about things that would interest no other woman, such as how to make ale, or how to sharpen a knife. She enjoyed it all.

The next day they chatted closer to each other. She talked about water, the sea, and the rivers. About nature and its wonders. Uhaiz knew little about the world and he continued talking about life in the village and the whereabouts of the inn.

Two weeks passed and Uhaiz became more fond of her, to the point he wondered if she was casting a love spell on him. She also showed him her interest openly and told him a few times she liked his sincerity and kindness.

During that days, the routines in the inn were always the same, with Titu drinking his ales in the corner and the two hunters coming and going. Uhaiz thought of her at all hours and was always in a good mood, which filled her mother with joy.

The last day he saw her on the rock, she seemed distant. Sad. “What human name would fit me the most?” she said to him. She didn’t have a name. None of the water women had one, as they didn’t need it.

“Any name would fit you,” answered him. She smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes.

“What would you do if I gave you my heart, Uhaiz, son of Oren?” Her love is what he wanted the most, but he didn’t expect that question.

“I would keep it as a treasure.” He answered. She looked at the lake, lost in her thoughts. Uhaiz regretted his words as he thought they were cheesy and infantile.

“I may give it to you one day. Promise me you will never break it.”

“I promise,” He answered with determination. She smiled and walked to the water.

“See you tomorrow, heart bearer.”

The rest of that day felt like a dream. The hunters didn’t come back from the wilds that night and they had little work to do. He went to sleep thinking about the next morning.

The next day, she was not anywhere around the rock. It rained hard and Uhaiz returned to the inn soaked.

“Are you mad? It’s raining!“ Said Mother,

Uhaiz sighed, “I’m fine, mother. Let me help you with breakfast.” He was frustrated, but he would not make Mother pay for his whereabouts.

“No need. The two hunters didn’t come back last night.”

He felt unease thinking about what could have happened to her. Was she in trouble? Or was it just that she didn’t want to see him anymore? The thought made him shiver. He realized he was in love. If it was a spell, it worked.

It was late evening when mother rushed inside, panicked. White as snow. Uhaiz and he followed her quickly to where Dane, the greatest of the hunters, was. He was standing next to the water well with his younger brother in his arms. Zine's body was torn apart by wolf bites all over. Parts of his leg and the entire left arm were missing.

“Bouda, Bouda,” repeated the hunter. Two of the townsmen helped him put his brother on the floor and cover him with a blanket. Dan repeated the same words again, falling to his knees. People came to see what was happening. Some tried to help, others did their best to console the stranger. In everyone’s faces, you could see the realization that either of those two brothers were not as expert hunters as they claimed, or the wolves of Arun were another kind. One that was a serious problem.

“Bouda,” repeated Dan. Tears ran down his cheeks. Mother put a coat over him and cleaned her nose. She couldn’t contain her tears, either. The southerner mumbled words in his language and, with a burst of anger, took the body of his brother and walked away. No-one stopped him. Uhaiz stared at him until he was just an insignificant dot, walking towards the passage of the Giant seat.

“Well, our hopes to get rid of that wolves are gone,” said Titu, who left his comfortable seat because of the commotion that the foreigner caused in the village.

“More will come,” said the voice of a woman behind them. Everyone turned at the same time. It was not the voice of anyone from the village, but Uhaiz recognized her immediately. Behind them, there was the water woman with a stoic pose and charming smile. She wore her hair in a bun and a traveling brown dress.

“I’m Aine from the Plains. I’m looking for the innkeeper,” she said with vigorous energy. Without waiting for Mother’s response, Aine gave Uhaiz a quick glance and continued speaking.“The news of Arun’s wolves have reached the cities, more hunters will come. I came to work for you.”

“You… what?” asked Mother, shocked.

“To work in your inn. You will have plenty of visitors. And your inn is the only in the valley, as I heard,”

Aine’s confidence left Mother speechless for a moment, “I don’t think I can pay you,” said Amane, finally.

“Doesn’t matter. You will pay me when the business improves.”