The guard held my tied hands while he drew my sword from its scabbard. Sheathing his own sword, he held mine against my neck. “Keep walking.” He focused on Canus. “Help me escort these prisoners.”

  “I should be guarding the gate,” Canus said.

  “Did you latch it?”

  “Yes.”

  “It will be fine until you return.” He scoffed. “Nobody uses that entrance anyhow.” He paused. “Help escort these prisoners. That’s an order.”

  I attempted to glance back at Canus, but the guard smacked me in the face with the flat end of my sword. “Eyes forward!”

  My eyes began to water from the strike. “Canus,” I pleaded. “You know me. I wouldn’t participate in the dark arts.”

  “I have my orders,” Canus said. “As a soldier, you understand what that means.”

  Except I didn’t think I was a soldier any longer. They would deliver us to the council for judgement. Lar, one of the three seats, had a vested interest in finding us guilty. My only defense was to accuse their newest member.

  “What is the punishment for being a Naser Wigon?” Kiri whispered.

  “We will fight the charges.” Her need to ask surprised me. Mallma made no secret of the repercussions for practicing spell craft outside their supervision.

  “But what is the punishment?”

  The guard scoffed. “The guidelines are clear. Remove the head of the offender to ensure their evil intent doesn’t spread.”

  Kiri wiggled free and took off running, with her hands still bound behind her back.

  The guard chuckled. “Does she think she will get far? Canus, watch this one.” He sprinted past me, chasing Kiri.

  “Lar is the Naser Wigon, I’m a loyal True Blood Wigon,” I told Canus. “You know this.”

  “Tell the council,” he said. “Trust the system you swore to protect.”

  “With Lar sitting in one of the three seats?” I wiggled my hands, trying to break free of the bindings.

  “Stop it,” Canus snapped.

  Before I could reply, a small bird perched near a street torch caught my attention. For a moment, its eyes appeared to be bright white. Its head tilted as his eyes turned smokey gray, then black. The bird let out a squawk before it leapt from its perch and flew past me, zooming close to my head as it soared.

  Canus screamed.

  I turned to see the bird flapping its wings while it clawed at his face. Spinning back around, I sprinted toward Kiri and the guard. He had caught up with her and struggled to get her under control. During their spat, he must have dropped my sword to grab her with two hands.

  As I closed in, he finally noticed me and reached for his sheathed weapon. I jumped in the air and kicked his hand with both feet, jolting him forward while sending me crashing hard on my back. Looking up at the sky, I saw a spear fly above.

  The guard screamed. I rolled onto my stomach as the guard grasped the spear with both hands, attempting to pull it from his thigh. Kiri scurried away, heading further up the road.

  I attempted to use my chest and legs to push myself up. When two hands grabbed my arms, I twisted my body, trying to evade their grasp.

  “Stand still so I can free you,” Sani said as he cut my bindings.

  With my hands free, I rolled over, snatched my sword and sprung to my feet.

  The guard managed to pull the spear from his leg, but fell to the ground, a puddle of thick yellow blood forming around him. He held his wound as he cursed both me and Sani.

  Sani picked up his spear.

  Canus approached, sword drawn. The scratches on his face were a memento of his battle with a bird.

  I held up my sword. “Do you mean to fight us both?” I pointed my head toward the fallen guard. “I don’t think he will be of much assistance.”

  “You made that bird attack me!” His face twisted into a scowl. “Only someone practicing the dark arts could do such a thing.”

  “I didn’t.” I shook my head. “The bird acted on its own. Perhaps he thought you were an ass.”

  He lunged forward with his sword, taking me by surprise. The attack would have landed, if not for Kiri. She must have doubled back. Screaming like a banshee, she sprinted at him, smashing into his side with her shoulder.

  Canus fell to the ground, his arms extended, still holding the hilt of his weapon.

  I stepped on his hand and put my blade at the back of his neck. “You wanted to kill me. But I have no such malice in my heart. I shall allow you to live this day.” I pulled the sword back. “Lar is the Nasar Wigon. I’m sure that will become evident, eventually. But not in time to stop them from executing me.”

  With that, we ran, weaving between buildings as we made our way through town. We hadn’t made it far before the bells began to toll. The watch captain knew of our escape. Soon, an entire regiment of guards would scour the village for us.

  “Where do we go?” Kiri asked

  “I have a friend who might assist us.”

  “Might?” Sani asked.

  I didn’t answer him. Rolf would likely help us, but he wasn’t a very brave man. If the guards came knocking, he would fold under the slightest of pressure. Telling Kiri and Sani this didn’t seem helpful, as Rolf was our only choice.

  By the time we reached his cottage, my lungs and legs burned. I rapped on the door and waited for an answer.

  After a few moments, Rolf swung the door open, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Tye, what brings you here at such a late hour?” He paused, listening to the ringing in the background. “We’re off shift, and under no obligation to answer the bells.”

  “Can we come in?”

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  “We?” Rolf leaned his head out of the doorway, finally noticing Kiri and Sani. His brow wrinkled.

  “If we don’t warm up soon, I fear my blood will slow.”

  He nodded. “Come in.” After we filed in, he glanced out the door one last time before shutting it.

  I moved to the fire, putting out my hands to warm them. “Kiri, you must warm yourself as well.”

  “I’ll be fine.” She stayed near the front door, staring through a crack in the window shutters.

  Rolf glanced at her with narrowed eyes, then focused back on me. “Why do the bells toll?”

  I locked eyes with him. Despite being a little slow, he should have realized we were involved with the night’s excitement. “They’re looking for us.”

  Kiri took her eye from the window and glared at me.

  “My friend,” I said to Rolf. “We’ve known each other since we were lads.” I paused. “Hell, you practically followed me to this village.”

  He looked confused. “But why are they after you?”

  “They think I’m a Nasar Wigon.”

  He chuckled. “You?” Then he shook his head. “Of all the people I know, you’d be the last one to practice such things.”

  “I caught Lar with a grimoire and other magic paraphernalia. But he claimed they were mine.”

  “I never trusted that man.” He stood next to me at the fire, warming himself. He turned to let the heat touch his back. “I don’t think I caught your name.”

  “Sani.”

  “Well, my new friend, there is no need to clutch that bag so tightly. You are a guest in my home. You can set it down and get comfortable.”

  I glared at Sani, “Is that Lar’s bag?”

  He nodded. “I gathered it once they escorted him away.” He dug inside the bag. “I also grabbed the book you were so interested in.” He pulled out the grimoire.

  “Canus, do you still mix potions for the royals?” I asked.

  “Yes.” He squinted toward the book. “What is the significance of that tomb?”

  “I’m not sure. It’s locked.” I raised my eyebrows. “Perhaps you know a spell to unbind it.”

  He spoke through his teeth. “Tell me that is not a grimoire.”

  “I can’t be certain until we open it.”

  “I’m no fool.” He stomped his foot. “Nobody binds a book that isn’t a grimoire.” Pointing toward the door, he added, “Get that thing out of here.”

  “It can’t do anything to you. It’s locked.” Kiri rolled her eyes. “And it’s a book.”

  “That thing has the power to remove my head from my shoulders,” Canus said. “If a guard finds it in here, you will see how it manages such a feat.”

  “Canus,” I pleaded. “I wouldn’t ask unless it was vital.”

  His face flushed, turning almost bright yellow. “At least put it back in the bag.” He whispered. “And if anyone asks, I didn’t know your strangely dressed friend brought it in here.” He waited for Sani to put the book in the bag. “As for unbinding it, they don’t teach us any spells. We each perform one step. I stir whatever they have already added to the mortar.”

  “You trained for a winter.” I threw my hands up. “Why so much training to mix?”

  “Each potion has its own speed and direction.” He shook his head. “They don’t even tell me what the spells do. I just know them by a number.” He stared into my eyes. “Why do you want to open it?”

  “To prove Lar wrote it.”

  “The council will unbind it after you explain everything to them,” Canus said. “Stay here for the night. Tomorrow we will go to them and clear your name.”

  Holding back the urge to object, I realized I lacked the energy to argue with him about the council. They would not help us without ample proof. “Thank you, Rolf. Get some sleep. We’ll discuss how to approach the council in the morning.”

  He hesitated, glancing at each of our faces before finally nodding. “I doubt they will go door to door, but if they knock, I didn’t know you three were in here.”

  “Agreed,” I said.

  He ambled back to his room, shutting the door behind him.

  I turned to Kiri. “Come from that window and warm yourself.” Changing my focus to Sani, I suggested he do the same.

  Sani declined. “Humans don’t have the same blood as Yaksha. Ours isn’t as thick.” He shrugged. “To me, your realm feels brutally hot during the day, and warm at night.”

  His words surprised me. I knew wizards could move outside at night, but thought they used magic to protect themselves from the cold. “Come closer so we can make plans. Kiri, you must be getting cold.”

  Sani walked closer to me, standing a few feet back from the fire.

  “I told you earlier, I’m not what you think,” Kiri said.

  Now it was my turn to be confused. “What does being a harlot have to do with getting warm by the fire?”

  She glared at me. “I’m not a harlot.” Shaking her head, she continued, “That’s not what I meant, anyhow.”

  “Then what did you mean?”

  She walked next to me and lowered her voice. “I’m not a Yaksha.” Her face turned a tint of red.

  “But our fathers, they fought together.”

  She nodded. “Many beings from different realms took up arms against the threat. My people hail from Alfheim.” She smiled. “I believe we’re commonly referred to as elves.” She pushed back her long, thick brown hair, showing me her pointy ear.

  I nearly stumbled back. My only reference to elves was vague songs sung by bards at the local tavern. While they often referred to elves as people of the forest, others would talk of them being creatures of the night. “You stayed here after the war?”

  She stared at her shoes. “My father and his men didn’t return. I thought his allies in the capital would help escort me home through the portal. But, they threw me to the streets.” She sniffled. “They claimed my father betrayed the cause before he died, so they owed me no allegiance.”

  “My father always spoke well of yours, referring to him as an honorable man.”

  “And if your father had returned, perhaps he would have spoken up for me.” She glanced up quickly, locking eyes with me. “Sorry to bring up a sore subject.” Her eyes glossed over with the glow of forming tears, making the green shine even more brilliantly.

  “From the songs, I thought the Elves had waxy skin.”

  “We try not to stand out, often wearing makeup to dull our skin. But I couldn’t find any in your realm, so I conserved what I had, only using it on my face.” She lifted the sleeve of her dress, showing me her bare skin. “I conceal what I can’t cover up.”

  “I thought it strange for a harlot to wear a dress that went to her feet.”

  Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms. “Why do you keep insisting I’m a harlot?”

  “You had to survive.” I put my hand on her shoulder. “I understand.”

  Under her breath, she muttered, “I’m a seductress.”

  My heart sped up as I slowly drew my hand from her shoulder. “You seduce men so you can rob them?”

  “That was the plan.” She stared at her feet again. “If you had agreed earlier, you would have been my first. I’m still learning the ways.” Her head shot up. “I wouldn’t have gone through with it when I realized it was you.”

  I tried to swallow the lump that formed in my throat, but it proved difficult.

  “We haven’t time for this,” Sani said. “Do you really plan on going to the council in the morning?”

  I shook my head.

  Kiri raised her eyebrows at me. “Back in the street, how did you escape the guard to help me?”

  “A bird attacked Canus.” I threw my hands up. “Sometimes luck is better than skill.”

  Sani grinned. “It wasn’t luck.”

  Kiri faced him. “You can make animals attack?”

  “In a way.” He paused. “By moving from this plane of existence, I can enter their minds.”

  “See, he’s a wizard,” I said.

  “I’m no wizard.” He huffed. “My grandfather taught me the ways of our people, so I could one day replace him as our hataalii.”

  “You were going to be your village’s wizard.” I nodded. “I understand.”

  He sneered at me. “We don’t use our works to attack. We are healers.”

  “Someone should have told the bird that.” I smiled.

  Sani’s chest puffed up and his arms flexed.

  “Don’t listen to Tye,” Kiri said. “His words are meant in a jocund manner.” She rolled her eyes. “He always thought he was funnier than he is.”

  He glanced at me for confirmation.

  I nodded.

  Sani’s posture relaxed.

  Kiri peered at Sani with pleading eyes. “Can you show us how you use your powers?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t perform tricks for amusement.”

  “Even if I ask really nicely?” She batted her eyes playfully.

  He crossed his arms. “And if I ask you to show me yours.”

  Her face scrunched. “My what?”

  “Your magic.”

  “As a seductress?” She batted her eyes again, this time in an overacting manner.

  “No.” he shook his head. “I’ve heard what elves can do. Would you show me?”

  She looked away. “I don’t do that.”

  “What?” I asked.

  Kiri huffed. “We have little time before Patra rises. Do we have an actual plan?”

  Her attempt to change the subject was obvious. But I could see how uncomfortable the topic made her. I decided it was best to broach the subject later. “We’ll slip out and use the cover of night to hide us.”

  “From what I understand of Yaksha, your thick blood will freeze in your veins before we make it very far,” Kiri said.

  “I’ll have to bundle up then.” I glanced around.

  “You aren’t thinking of stealing from your friend, are you?” Sani asked.

  “No, I was going to borrow.”

  “Where would we go, anyway?” Kiri asked.

  “As far as our feet can take us,” I said. “Hopefully to a village where our faces aren’t known.”

  “So, you will give up and run?” Kiri shook her head. “Believe me, that is a hard life.”

  “We have no choice.” I threw my hands up. “Without proof, they will find us guilty.”

  “Find proof,” Sani said.

  “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

  Kiri ran her hand through her hair as she thought. “I’d start at Lar’s cottage. Perhaps he has more magic items there.”