When Ai arrived at the place she had slept for the past season, she was greeted with polite indifference. She raided the supply of healing gel and finally treated her bitten leg, while the goblin slunk off to her room.

Jack stayed and ate with her at dinner, when people finally seemed to get to the things they really wanted to say.

“Did you…did Ermine die in pain?” Tals bottom lip trembled, her hand laying limply beside her bowl of broth.

“It was-” Ai had a flash of him clawing at the ghouls face as it sank its teeth into his neck, “quick. He, ah, bled out of a major artery.”

“Dad said he was killed by ghouls.” Ai nodded. “Did he get killed protecting you?”

Tals lips were white where she had tightened them together, her gaze direct and challenging. Ai repressed the urge to sigh. She knew someone was going to blame her. Tal was one of the most likely candidates. It’s not my fault.

“He was killed when we were both attacked by ghouls.” Ai corrected, she had no more patience for bullshit.

Tal inhaled sharply. Her chair squealed against the floor as she stood.

“I’m not sleeping here tonight.” Her expression said the silent with you.

“Don’t be ridiculous Tal, where will you go?” Brandi caught her wrist as she stormed past.

Tal yanked free. “At grans, she’ll give me real answers.”

“You are not suppose to bother the village elder for your petty whims.”

“My petty whims? My best friend is DEAD over some stupid crush. She won’t even admit he died protecting her!”

“I know that you liked that boy but-”

“His name is Ermine. Was Ermine.” Tal looked torn between screaming and crying, red faced and damp eyed.

“Let her go.” Kele spoke up for the first time. “She’s been through a lot. You know Oadira will look after her.”

Brandi opened her mouth to retort before snapping it shut at Keles expression.

“But you will be sleeping here tomorrow night, young lady.”

Tal stared at her mother before spitting out a, “whatever,” and stalking out the house. She slammed the door behind her.

“Her manners are atrocious.” Brandi remarked.

“Leave her be for one night. Her friend just died, she deserves it.”

At that point, Jack who had been ignoring all the family drama to eat finished his food.

“Can you ask them if I can have the girls bowl?” He asked Ai.

This, Ai thought, is a unique character.

“Jack wants to know if it’s alright if he eats Tals food, given she isn’t.” Ai tried not to make it sound rude, and she wasn’t entirely sure that she succeeded.

Brandi plucked up Tals bowl and set it in front of Jack. “Help yourself.”

Kele gave her a sharp look but didn’t comment, changing subject instead.

“I’m sure that Oadira will make an announcement in the morning, but do you mind telling me what happened? I’d like to hear it for myself.”

Ai gave half a smile before letting it fall and telling him what happened. By the end, all she wanted to do was sleep. She was physically and emotionally exhausted. Her belly was full, she was toasty warm and a bed sounded wonderful.

“I’ll be leaving come morning.”

“No! Why?” Brandi gasped, a petit hand over her mouth in shock.

Of the many things she had come across as, Ai had never really pegged her as an airhead. Now her dislike for the woman grew, as if it weren’t enough that she had a perfect body, face and silky raven hair.

“Oadira made it clear the villagers wouldn’t like it if I stayed.” Old bitch is what she wanted to call her.

“Do you want to leave?” Kele cut across whatever Brandi had been about to say.

Ai got the feeling there would be words between them later. Many words.

“I do.”

“I’ll make sure you have provisions. It’s the least I can do.”

Ai nodded gratefully. It was nice to know that not everyone here was a self-centred asshat.

“I need weapons. I lost mine fighting and Jack doesn’t have any at all.” Jack perked up at the sound of his name, already two thirds through his bowl of broth.

“Of course. Jack can pick one from the weapons shed. I’m afraid you had our last daggers though.” Kele grimaced.

“I’ll take a short sword and a kitchen knife, if that’s ok?”

“One of my kitchen knives?” Brandi frowned. “I use all of them.”

“There must be one spare.” It’s not like you use all of them at once.

“How about one of the hunting knives? The ones they use for skinning dead animals.”

“There are hardly any of those left.” Kele said.

“But there are some. It’s not like we’re using them. We’re not short of food anymore. Everyone sends their share to the spirits.”

Kele nodded slowly. “I think I might have one somewhere.”

“That’s that then! I’ll just tidy up Tals room for you. You know what she’s like, mess everywhere!” Brandi spoke quickly, sweeping out of the room like a self-contained storm.

Kele looked after her before looking at Ai and shrugging. Ai smiled.

“What was that about?” Jack asked her.

“You’ll get to choose a weapon tomorrow, before we leave. Brandi is tidying up the room for us.”

Jack hummed, looking at the shut door to Tals room with narrowed eyes.

***

They left when the sky was only just beginning to brighten. Like thieves Kele and Brandi smuggled them out of the village. Ai had a pack with all of her meagre possessions in it and two sleeping rolls.

Only one thing had been missing, the essence of light. A tiny bottle that she daren’t ask Brandi about. She might be thick, but she could also be ruthless. She didn’t care at all that Ermine was dead, and Ai didn’t want to underestimate her.

Maybe Tal had taken it, there was no way of knowing.

Jack was equipped with a pair of hand axes while she had her knife and short sword. The air was chilly and slightly damp.

“Rainy season begins soon. The storm beasts will come with it. Stay out of their way, make not challenging moves and they should leave you alone.” Kele said, drawing her into a hug.

Surprised, she allowed the gesture. Her tail swung from side to side behind her, like a nervous twitch. She had never been hugged before.

“Storm beasts?”

“Migrating animals, they follow the rain. All of them have a bit of Fulgur in them.” At her blank expression he added, “electricity.”

“We will. Thank you for this.” Ai said, and she meant it.

“It’s the least I could do. Good luck.” They parted. Brandi waved as they walked away.