Lilia stands over five groaning thugs, facing down the last one standing. He has managed to draw a dagger, and is pointing it at her with shaky hands, terror on his face. Slowly, Lilia reaches to her side and draws her sword, the metal ringing as it leaves the sheath. The thug takes one look at the blade and tosses his dagger on the floor, raising his hands in surrender.

Reud steps forward, putting his hand on Lilia’s shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze. Lilia flashes him a smile, before going back to glaring at the remaining thug she has to sword-point.

Reud looks over the fallen thugs, rolling around in agony on the wooden floor. It would be efficient to kill them, most likely. They were bullies, thieves, taking what they wanted and providing nothing in return. Worthless flesh and bone driven by a mind smaller than one of those driving Reud’s skeletons. Killing them would be easy, like stepping on a bug.

With a surge of revulsion, Reud stops. Was he really considering executing these men like some sort of arrogant king? Had life really become so worthless to him in his seclusion? No, he was going to need to be better, for Lilia if not for himself. He couldn’t let her down. He wouldn’t.

“Take your friends and get out of this village. Do not return. Ever.” Reud says, his voice cold, emotionless.

The thug raises his hands in protest. “But it’s nearly night, we ain’t got enough time to get to the next village before it’s dark! The magic beasts will be hunting. It ain’t safe!”

“You preyed on the people. Your crimes are obvious, do not even try to deny it. By all rights you should be executed, but I am not your ruler. So, we will let Vistol decide your fate. If the goddess of the night believes you to be worthy, the beasts will not touch you. If not? Then she has spoken.” Reud points at the open door, anger breaking through the emotionless facade. “Now get out of my sight.”

The man looks undecided for a moment, then runs around the table, grabbing his fallen companion under the arms and lifting him. Lilia slowly lowers her sword and steps away, letting him help those who could walk to their feet. Soon, all six of the group are limping out of the tavern, two of the group supporting the man with the broken knee.

Lilia sheaths her sword and walks behind the table to where the young woman is huddled, having pressed herself into the corner of the room. Squatting down she smiles at the woman.

“Are you alright?” She says in a soothing tone. “They’re all gone. They can’t hurt you any more.” Standing up, she offers a hand to the woman, helping the trembling woman to her feet.

The woman stares with horror at the skeleton still sitting on top of the fallen body of Telac, a pool of blood spreading beneath his head.

“Is he… Is he dead?” She whispers.

Lilia steps over and delivers a solid kick to the body, pushing it back a span leaving a smear of blood along the floor. “Seems to be. Good riddance.”

Rachel points at the skeleton. “And that?”

“That’s Bo, he’s under the control of my husband, over there.” She gestures at Reud. Reud gives Rachel a little wave. “I’m Lilia, and that’s Reud.”

“Oh, okay. I’m Rachel...” Rachel trails off, before pointing at the body. “Would you mind if I…”

Lilia steps back. “Be my guest.”

Rachel takes a step forward and delivers a kick to the body. She steps back and then kicks it again, muttering expletives under her breath. A few more kicks later she steps away, her face red with exertion. She brushes a hair that escaped her bun from her eyes and looks at Lilia.

“Thank you, for all this. That man...” She shudders as her eyes go distant. “I’m just glad he’s gone.”

Lilia holds up her hand. “Say nothing more about it. Seriously, don’t waste another thought on scum like him.” She puts her hand on Rachel’s shoulder and guides her away. “Come, why don’t you sit with us.”

The innkeeper emerges from a door behind the bar, carrying a sloshing bucket of water. He runs up and tosses it over a burning table, extinguishing the flames. His face is red as he turns to Reud.

“What have you done!” He shouts. “You killed Telac. Do you have any idea what you’ve… What you’ve…” Words seem to fail him as he splutters incoherently.

At that moment, the door to the tavern bangs open. An old man dressed in expensive looking robes hobbles in, nervously stroking his black beard. He peers around the room frantically before spotting Rachel. Letting out a breath of relief he hobbles over, arms wide, Rachel pulls herself away from Lilia and runs over to him, returning his embrace. After holding her for a few moments he pushes her away, looking her over.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?” He asks.

“No father, I’m just fine, thanks to them.” Rachel turns and gestures to Lilia and Reud.

The man looks up at the pair and bows his head. “Thank you for protecting my daughter. I heard about what Telac was saying, and if you weren’t here… Well I’m just glad you stepped in.”

The innkeeper strides over. “Why are you thanking them!? They killed Telac. He’s dead.”

“Telac deserved to die!” The old man shouts, cowing the innkeeper. Taking a deep breath he continues in a more normal voice. “However, I do see why you are concerned. For the appointed tax collector to be killed… Duke Hosta is not going to be pleased.”

“We should banish them, to show we didn’t join in with their crimes.” The innkeeper continues, gesturing angrily at Reud and Lilia.

“You think that will matter at this point? You know the Duke’s reputation as well as I. Besides, Telac was killed by mages, so this is merely an incident between nobles.” The old man says firmly.

The innkeeper goes to argue but is quickly cut off.

“If you have a problem with that decision, bring it up at the meet.” The old man looks back at Reud. “I am Graham, the Mayor of this village. Who might you be?”

“My name is Reud, and this is my wife Lilia. We are just a couple of mages looking for work as adventurers.” Reud turns and gestures to Bo, who lifts the body of Telac up onto his boney shoulders. “Before we continue introductions, where is your burial ground? I’d rather not have this corpse stinking out the place we are staying.”

Graham’s eyes go wide with horror as he takes in the skeleton holding the body aloft. Rachel looks between her father and the skeleton, seeing neither making a move. Eventually she speaks up.

“I can show you the way if you like.” She says.

Graham begins to protest, but Rachel interrupts him.

“I’ll be safe, these people protected me once. Besides, you have some things to take care of.” She looks pointedly at the body hanging limp in the skeleton’s arms. “You need to think of what to do about that.”

Graham looks at the corpse and deflates, the enormity of the headache this incident was going to cause weighing down on him. Lilia walks over and pats him on the shoulder.

“Don’t you worry, we will keep your daughter safe.”

Rachel begins to walk out the door, stopping to check Reud and Lilia are following. Reud sends a command to Bo, telling him to follow Rachel, and proceeds along behind.

***

Outside the tavern a crowd of villagers has formed, all craning to see inside. The low sound of muttered gossip immediately dies as Rachel emerges, followed by Lilia. A collective gasp runs through the crowd as Bo steps out, his white bones covered in streaks of blood from the corpse he carries slung over his shoulder.

Out of the crowd runs a young man, a poultice strapped to his cheek. He drops to one knee dramatically in front of Rachel, throwing his arms out to her.

“My dearest Rachel, you are unharmed! No doubt due to my valiant attempt to save you.” He waves his hands with a flourish. “No doubt you wish to accept the betrothal now after witnessing my bravery.”

Rachel glowers and steps back, putting some space between the man and herself.

“Oh Farlin, do shut up.” The man looks up in shock. “You fled the moment anything difficult showed up.”

Farlin looks around at the villagers looking on, and drops his voice low so only Rachel, Reud, and Lilia can hear. “Be careful how you speak to me, woman. You need this alliance. Your father approached mine, remember?”

“I’ll speak to you however I damned well please.” Rachel spits back. “The only reason I even considered it was to get away from him.” She points at the body on Bo’s back. “As you can see, that’s no longer an issue.”

Farlin looks at her speechless.

Rachel continues. “Maybe it’s best you travel back to Aldsville tomorrow. You and I are not going to happen.”

Farlin stands up, blocking her way. “What do you mean done? You can’t just do this!”

Lilia steps up, glaring at him. “The lady has said you’re done. Get. Out. Of. Our. Way.”

Farlin backs up, looking at the sword strapped to her hip nervously, before turning and hurrying off, trying to save any semblance of dignity he has left.

Lilia turns to Rachel. “Shall we get going? I feel like an exhibit standing here.”

Together they walk onwards, leaving the crowd behind.

After a few minutes of silence, filled only with the sound of Bo’s bones clacking together, Rachel suddenly speaks up.

“Lilia, you’re strong.”

Lilia raises her eyebrows at that. “Uh, thanks, I guess?”

A small flush spreads across Rachel’s cheeks. “I mean you’re really good at fighting. Do you think… Do you think you could teach me?” The words start spilling from her lips. “I want to be strong like you, so that I can protect myself next time and not have to rely on someone else to save me.”

Lilia thinks for a moment. “I can, but many of my techniques rely on magic. Without it, the effectiveness will be limited.”

Rachel looks over in excitement. “That's okay, I want to learn."

Lilia looks her over a little more, and then finally nods. "Alright, I accept. Meet me tomorrow morning outside the inn, and we can begin."

Rachel claps her hands in glee. "Thank you so much, I won't let you down."

The group reach the village gate, and pass out into the woods beyond. A wide path leads away to either side.

Rachel stops and gestures at a path leading off into the forest. “That path leads to the grounds. I’d best get back to my father.” She turns to Lilia. “See you tomorrow”

Reud and Lilia head on along the path, followed by Bo.

Between the trees everything is silent, only the crunch of their passing disturbing the silence. Eventually they reach a clearing filled with pyramidal wooden structures. A platform is suspended just above the height of a man by four beams that come together above the platform. Where the beams meet the wood is carved into a stylized symbol of a crescent moon, the points of the crescent fading into a chaotic swirling mass. The symbol of the goddess of death, Vistol.

Reud commands Bo to toss the body onto the closest platform. There it will act as an offering to Vistol, to be devoured by her servants, the magical beasts of the night. A practice that was old even in Reud’s time, thought to appease the goddess of the night into keeping her creatures away from those still living.

Turning to head back to the village, Reud comes face to face with Lilia. Before he can react, she throws her arms around his neck and places a little kiss on his cheek.

“What was that for?” Reud asks, leaning into her.

“I just wanted you to know that I love you.” Lilia says, resting her head against his. “Thank you for bringing me back.”

Reud turns his head and pulls her into a deep kiss, and time melts away in the feeling of her lips.