One entire year passed since Aine appeared in the village out of nowhere. As the water woman said in the rock, she gave him her heart. A month after she joined the inn, they were openly dating and not much time thereafter they were engaged.

The village folks, reluctant of newcomers at first, didn’t take long to start loving Aine themselves. She was charismatic, daring and kind to everyone.

The wedding was the best day of Uhaiz's life. And mother’s as well. Everyone attended except one person: Ipar. Uhaiz’s old friend was more reclusive than ever, and barely talked to anyone. The innkeeper didn’t mind. He understood him. He knew some demons cannot be shared.

“Don’t be afraid,” said Uhaiz to little Anna, who didn’t want to raise her sight from the ground. “They are all dead.” The furs and carcases of wild animals were all around the square of the village. Not just wolves, but deer, wild boar and bears, and once in a while some magical creature as well.

After the sad death of Zine, the news of Arun’s wolves ran like wildfire around the country. Many hunters came after the two Muwallad brothers. For a year, the inn was almost full every single day, even during winter, when the pass was uncrossable. Many were the brave ones who stayed the entire snowy season, paying for their room in advance.

Uhaiz turned on the winch, and the windlass squeezed. He filled the little girl’s bucket and let her go first. “She still hasn’t gotten used to them, isn’t it?” said Aine from behin. She was walking towards him with confidence and a broad glooming smile, like she used to.

“No one likes it, I guess. I thought that would outrage you, after all-” His wife’s face silenced him. He looked around. “It’s all right, There’s no one.”

“Doesn’t matter. If you get used to saying that sort of thing, one day they may slip from your mouth in front of someone.” She complained.

“All right, all right.” The young man raised his hands trying to calm his wife’s sudden burst of anger.

Aine was now a human. But inside her there was still the soul of a spirit of the water. When she agreed to spend her life with him, she only did so if he accepted two conditions, both unbreakable. One was that he would never betray her. That would break her heart and destroy her as a spirit. The other was to tell no one she was a water woman. If anyone found out, she would have to disappear, and with her, all luck and joy she brought would be gone, leaving him with the opposite.

He took the bucket and his wife’s hand. “Couldn’t wait for me to go back?” asked him with a playful smile.

“Nay,” she answered, looking back at him as only a lover can do.” I wanted to ask you something as well. I want to go to Betren with your mum. Do you think you can handle the inn by yourself?”

“Sure, no problem. Any reason to visit Isil?”

“Not really. I want to have time with mum, ladies trip.”

He put his arm over her shoulder and kissed her forehead. “All right, No worries. Titu will keep the hunters in line.”

When Aine told Amane about her idea, Mother was reluctant at first. She didn’t want to leave her son alone but Aine’s words were convincing, even without magic.

“Well, maybe we can come back in one day. I heard the road to Isil reached the top of the Giant seat already.”

“One day? Mother, let’s stay a couple at least. I want to go shopping with you!” said Aine, hugging her arm. Amane’s face was the spitting image of indecision.

“We will be fine, Mother. Titu will help me, right old man?” said Uhaiz shouting the last sentence to allow the old man to hear.

“For a beer or two, I will,” answered Titu. the old man no longer needed to exchange beers for favors. Now, with the inn full, he was never short of an ale. Hunters used to love his stories of magical beasts, and they would sit around his table and share a few drinks for a good tale.

“Very well, we can go,” said Amane. “Then I need to go to Goian earlier before preparing for the trip and-”

“I will bring food to Ipar,” her son interrupted. Mother insisted on doing it herself, but it was in vain. Uhaiz took the bag of supplies and departed to the water mill before noon. The way to the Goian huts was a simple track made by passing through the same place thousands of times. Narrowed by vegetation and full of roots and rocks was a tough walk at some points, although when it followed the river side it was as easy as the road to Isil. The hamlet of Goian was a handful of houses that were built around the water mill.

Midway through the trip, his pocket shook. He took the cop and held it to his ear. Since he married, he didn’t bring Mr. Strings out as much as before, but the little folk didn’t mind. He was always fine with everything.

“I like this place,” whispered the fey creature inside Uhai’s head.

"Beautiful isn’t it?”

“Yes. I like it. So many trees. I’ve seen more than a hundred already. Yes.”

“I wonder if mother and Aine will be fine. They are going to Isil.”

“I know that. They will be fine. Aine can take care of herself and your Mummy.”

“That’s good to know,”

The conversation with the little folk made the journey more bearable, and the time seemed to shorten. Soon he was in front of the old mill. Now only four buildings were still standing in Goian.One was the neglected hut of aunt Loredi and cousin Argia, who had left the valley years ago. Uhaiz took a quick look at surrounding weeds,wondering how many mice were living inside.. Mother used to go cleaning once in a while, but last year was very busy.

He passed the hut and stopped. Ipar´s home was next. ¨Should I knock?¨he whispered to his tiny friend.

¨Yes, he will be happy to see you. Even if he doesn't show.¨

He knocked on the door relentlessly until he heard some noise inside. The wood squeaked and Ipar showed up covering his eyes from the day laight.

“What?” He was half asleep, or by the smell of beer all over him, drunk. He was unshaven and it had been days or weeks since he had cleaned the clothes he was wearing

“I brought your things. Are you doing ok?”

“I am. Thanks for asking.¨ answered Ipar, moving nervously, not knowing where to look.. ¨I need to… go, do… some things.”

Uhaiz didn’t push the conversation further. It was clear his old friend didn’t want company, and he didn’t have time either. “Take care Ipar,” he said, leaving downhill.

“I heard you married, I’m happy for you.” Uhaiz smiled at his old friend and nodded his head. The Shepherd waved his hand slightly, like it was a hard thing to do, and closed the door with the same disdain.

The way back while wondering if his old friend was going to be fine, he saw a golden-haired dog, far down past the Adon’s farm. As he got closer, his suspicions that it was Ipar´s dog cleared. Pigeon was following the stream of water up to where it was born, the Freba’s forest. Uhaiz changed his course and walked through the meadow.

“Pigeon! Come. Here, boy!”

The dog painted his tail and barked at him. For a long time it remained in the same spot, waiting. When Uhaiz was almost at his side, the dog ran away.

The innkeeper called the shepherd dog again, but Pigeon disappeared in the woods.

Uhaiz waited for a while to see the whereabouts of that naughty dog, but Pigeon didn’t come out. The Freba’s forest was a place of mystery and many bad legends.

“Uhaiz!” Called Aine from the village road.

“Missing me already?” said the innkeeper , smiling at his wife, but she didn’t smile back.

“I saw you change course to the forest. That’s not a good place, love.”

“I didn’t have the intention to go there. I just saw Ipar’s dog enter the woods. It has been long missing. Everyone thought it was dead.”

Aine took him by the arm and pulled him away from the woods. “It may be dead soon if it roams that place for long.” said her with a witty tone.

The couple returned to the village, sharing laughter and glances. It wasn’t until they almost arrived that Aine spoke about the forest again. “Listen, I want you to promise me you will never enter.”

Uhaiz frowned. His wife’s concern for that place worried him. “For sure, love. I promise.”

Aine would not talk any longer, but she looked into his eyes and found the need to explain herself better. “There is an ancient power there. It’s not evil, but any doing with it will disturb the entire Val. These days Arun is already unbalanced enough. Understand?”

“You don’t need to worry.” answered him confidently. “Are the wolves part of this unbalance?” asked him two steps later.

“A consequence,” answered her sharply. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Uhaiz looking at the ground with a worried stare. “What is it? Does this disturb you?”

“No. I’m just worried all this magic balancing may affect you. Us.”

Aine let out a sigh and beamed. “I will be fine, love. Unless you break my heart, Uhaiz son of-‘’ Aine stopped before he had the time to interrupt her. She knew how much he hated to be reminded of his father. “Uhaiz, son of Amane.”

He put his arm around her shoulder, and the two of them entered the inn.

The night of that same day, he went to sleep first. Aine and Amane were preparing their things for the journey to Isil. He fell asleep soon, but his rest didn’t last. He didn’t have a bad dream, but his sleep was full of fear and anxious feelings.

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When he opened his eyes, he was at the chicken downstairs with a glass of water in his hand. He scuffed to his room and entered the bed carefully, trying not to awake Aine. “Where did you go?” mumbled her.

“I went to drink water,” answered him.

“We have water there,” said Aine, pointing to the jar on the side table. Uhaiz cleaned the sweat off his face. He lay on the bed with his arm over his eyes.

Even with the eyes closed, he could feel her eyes staring at him. “I’ve had an uncomfortable sleep, but no nightmares. That’s all, promise.”

“Do you want me to stay tomorrow?”

“No, no. I’m fine, do not worry at all.” His wife kissed his forehead and her lips were like an enchantment of peace. He closed his eyes, and this time his sleep was placid and calm.

The next morning the two women departed early, and Uhaiz had a normal busy day. He spent all day in the inn. When all the supper was served and all guests were asleep, he took the sewing cop from his pocket.

"I thought my nightwalking was gone when you came.”

“I had nothing to do with that,” replied the house folk. “Just a coincidence that it ended when I came, yes, a coincidence.”

Uhaiz dropped his body on the bed and stared at the ceiling. The cop shaked inside his hand. He put it next to his ear reluctantly. He didn’t want to hear anything else. He was tired and confused.

“The Primordial can help you. It can stop the night walking.” said Mr. Strings.

Uhaiz didn’t answer. He put the cop on the side table and crawled to the side. He didn’t want to sleep. Didn’t want to dream., but he had a tiring day and his eyelids were heavy.

He tied his feet with the sack rope he brought from downstairs and closed his eyes, wishing to not night-walk.

He fell asleep soon after, but his rest didn’t last. His dream was as real and intense as the ones he used to have years back. It was dark and freezing cold, as it always was. The deep and echoing voice that used to hunt him came back. It laughed and laughed. Uhaiz looked around him and walked in complete darkness. His feed felt stuck. The ground, hard as rock two steps back, was now a quicksand and as he tried to move forward, the more he sank.

Amane and Aine appeared in front of him. Like him, they were also sinking in the dark mud. Soon their faces touched the surface of the muddy trap. They screamed for help, but as much as he tried, reaching to them felt impossible.

A shore of black grass appeared from nowhere at his side. In there, shouting at him, there were two more women. Although their faces were blurred, he knew who they were. Years passed since the last time he met his aunt Loredi and cousin Argia but in his dream, he was sure it was them. Nim always made sure all the family members were in his nightmares, and all suffering equally.

“Nim! Forgive me, Nim!” He received no answer, but more laughs. “Nim!”

Aunt and cousin didn’t need to wait long to be punished. Shadow beasts attacked them. Their blood chilling screams sounded even after they were both torn to pieces.

“It’s all your fault,” said the voice.

Mother and Aine sank completely, and the bubbles of their last breaths surfaced right after. Uhaiz screamed, desperate. The voice, amused by his suffering, laughed even harder.

He fought the mud, screamed and cursed. When his face reached the black surface, and his mouth filled with mud, he choked and awoke.

Outside was freezing and dark as the dream. His feet were naked over cold grass, free from the ropes. He looked around him. The village was far behind him, and he was standing in front of the forest south lake. Freva’s. The same Pigeon entered a day prior.

The pocket in his pajamas shook. It was Mr. Strings’ cop. He didn’t remember taking the little folk with him, but he didn’t remember how he got there, either.

“Do not follow the light, Uhaiz, just stay here still.” said Mr. Strings.

“What light?” asked the young man.

From the edge of the woods, a little floating flame appeared. It was small and shining unsteadily. Its light was at some moments white, and at others green.

“Come, come,” said a voice in his head. This one was warm and as friendly as Mr. Strings’. It was also charming and so convincing that he had a terrible desire to walk to the light.

“Do not follow Uhaiz. Remain still,” repeated Mr. Strings with a tone of concern.

The floating flame floated into the woods, calling his name again and again until it disappeared through the bushes. He remained in his place, petrified by terror and committed to do as his friend said.

“It’ll come back but don’t follow it.” Said the little folk. “When he asks you what you want, you say: The Tear of Sugahar.”

“Why? What’s that?” asked him.

“The Primordial. He will release it. With that your nightmares will be gone.”

Uhaiz saw the glow returning from the forest. Scared, he turned and ran away. The cop in his hand trembled, but he didn’t want to listen about the light, either the Primordial or anything else. The sewing cop, now inside his pocket, didn’t stop shaking until he reached the inn.

He cleaned the dirt of his feet but the water gladdened take away the feeling of needles pricking his toes. He tried to clean his sweat and changed his clothes, but nothing eased the cold that penetrated his bones.

The first person he saw the next morning was Titu, who, like usual, arrived early. Uhaiz put a glass of beer in front of him and sat down.

“What do you know about green flames in the woods?”

“Uhm, it’s early for a beer,” answered the old man. Uhaiz reached for the glass, but the old man stopped him with a quick movement of his arm. “I didn’t say I don’t want it.”

Titu took his prize and drank a long gulp of the ale. “Will-o’-wisp uh… Well, that can scare little girls, yes.” He stared at nothing, lost in his memories for a moment, and when he came back, he finished the beer as fast as he started it. “Foc-fol are called here. I’ve seen some myself, long ago. As far as you don’t follow them, you are safe.”

“What if I do?”

“Then you may get into a trap. Fall from a cliff, get lost in the forest. Possibly die.”

“What happens if I stay still, does it grant wishes?”

“Wishes? What wishes? I don’t know about that. It’s a Jack-o’-lantern boy, not a genie. Damn, not even genies really grant wishes. Listen-” Titu’s speech stopped with the cracking of the wooden stairs. The earliest guests were already coming down for breakfast. Without waiting for the old man to finish, he stood and rushed to prepare everything.

The day passed as busy as others, and knowing the night would be as the one before, he got ready for it. This time, he prepared well. He tied his legs with rope from the kitchen and did not change his clothes. When he fell asleep, he did it with his shoes on.

The mad dream came again. With the same intensity as before. All the horrors happened the same way as the night before. This time, Uhaiz didn’t shout, didn’t scream. He just repeated the same words again and again. “Nim, forgive me for being a terrible brother. I’m sorry.”

That didn’t change the reaction of the spirit’s voice. It laughed and laughed until, once more, he awoke at the edge of the forest. There was no trace of the rope. The pocket shook, and he took Mr. Strings to his ear.

¨Remember, just wait and as for the Tear of-¨ With a loud blow through his nose, the innkeeper squeezed the thread as hard as he could and returned it to his pocket.

For a long time, he remains standing, impassive, regardless of the cold or the dangers of the night. When the will-o’-wisp appeared, it invited him to follow. With sweet whispers in his head, promised him riches, glory, fame. He didn’t care for all that. He remained immovable and silent every time the fire spirit returned. And it did it many times.

At last, the expected question arrived. “What do you want, Uhaiz, son of Oren? I can give you anything you want.”

Uhaiz didn’t answer straight away. He wanted to end his curse, but the Primordial was something he didn’t dare to touch. It was something Aine told him to leave alone. The balance of Arun depended on it.

The question repeated. “What do you wish, Uhaiz son-”

“I want my brother back!” screamed him with all his heart. “Bring back my brother!”

There was a brief silence, and then a burst of laughter. It didn’t come from the flame. It was a bray that came from the forest, laughter that Uhaiz could clearly hear.

“You said you can give me anything I want!”

The flame banished like candlelights do.

“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” shouted Mr. Strings. His words were no longer whispers in his head, but loud screams that echoed out from somewhere around, although Uhaiz couldn’t see anyone. “Stupid humans!” repeated the small folk.

Uhaiz reached into his pocket. But the cop and the house spirit banished. He looked around his feet, hoping the sewing thread just felt. Nothing.

“Thanks to me you met the woman of water. To me! She gave you love, she brought you fortune. You have that thanks to me! Yes!”

“Mr. Strings, where are you?” shouted him, looking around.

“You don’t deserve any of it, no, no, no. any.”

He called for the little folk again and again, but there was no answer. Only the sounds of the night´s critters. Exhausted and with the frustrating feeling he was the victim of a wicked joke, he went back to the village. Back to his room.

He had an energizing sleep that night, free from nightmares. He was exhausted, and the placid rest felt like a blessing. When he awoke the sun was at its highest point. He rushed downstairs. Mother was there, next to Titu. At the tables, a few hunters were eating breakfast. Food that he didn’t prepare.

“Mother, I’m so sorry! I fell asleep, I have no excuse,” he apologized. Mother’s eyes were red from a recent cry. She didn’t reply. Her eyes were staring at the tables.

“Who was it?” said her to the Hunters. She sobbed deeply. “Who… was...it?” repeated Amane with fury. Some of the hunters were checking each other for an answer, others didn’t dare to raise their faces from the plates.

“Mother? What’s going on?” asked Uhaiz.

Tears ran down her face. “Whatever stupid story you told this old idiot, he told everyone else. Because he cannot keep his mouth shut!” The old man avoided her stare, looking at Uhaiz for help.

“What story? Titu, what story?”

Titu gasped. “You said it was not a secret.”

“What secret?” Uhaiz grabbed him from the shirt and his jaw trembled.

“About Aine. You told me… you said it was not a secret,” mumbled the old man with teary eyes

“No, no, no. I never talked to you about that! When, when?”

“This morning, Uhaiz, before opening.” answered Titu, confused.

"I was asleep this morning! Don’t lie!” He released the old man who fell on the chair. “Where is Aine, mother?”

“She just left. I don’t know. She was there, and suddenly she was gone.” She sat next to him and covered her face to hide her cries, unsuccessfully. “Is it true?” she said from behind her hands. Uhaiz didn’t answer.

“Is it true?” repeated Mother, this time glazing him in the eye. Uhaiz, looked down, speechless. His silence gave Amane the answer she didn’t want to know. Her loud cry surprised some of the diners . “I was going to be a iaia,” she said disconsolate.

The words struck Uhaiz so deeply that he crumbled and dropped his weight on the floor. “What?” he babbled.

“That’s why we went to Isil. She wanted to tell me first, she wanted to-” Amane’s sobs didn’t let her continue.

Uhaiz remained on the floor, staring at her mother. The immense joy of being a future father soon dissipated with the punch of reality. Her child’s mother was a water spirit. And her secret was no more. Aine was gone. And with her, all what made his life wonderful and all that was going to make it even better.