A graceful stone house leaning against the cave wall was the only trace of human presence. After almost an hour of walking, they finally arrived in its vicinity. Fearing that the witch was inside, Bugra suggested lurking nearby to observe her movements. The house stood on the edge of a forest that grew on the undulating crest of the valley. They hid among trees and waited. Birds chirping in the distance sounded out of place after spending days in the above-ground forest, mostly devoid of animals. Nene lay down on the ground next to a fallen tree, a few dozen metres from the house, together with Bugra. The rest of the group hid a little deeper. The two lookouts did not lose sight of the house for a second but, after a couple of hours, their hopes of discovering something simply by observing began to wane.

  ?Should we break in??, Bugra whispered. ?You see anything, Inquisitor??

  ?Nothing worth noting. If there was a powerful old witch in there, I should know, but… I don’t sense her. It’s too dangerous to get close?

  ?What should we do? If I brought the rest of the Tega Urok down here, it could be a disaster, but we alone might not be enough…?

  The house looked well-kept from the outside. Thatched roofs were quite fragile and tended to collapse over the years, so it was obvious that someone lived there and was taking care of maintaining the building. Furthermore, the glass windows were clean, so much so that pink curtains could be seen inside. The steps and landing in front of the entrance were also clean, and wreaths of fresh flowers were hanging on the wooden door. It likely wasn’t the witch’s hideout, but it was inhabited. They waited some more. The light became intense, imitating that of midday. Whatever that star illuminating the cave was, it did an excellent job of mimicking the real sun.

  Then they heard noises from the woods.

  The rustling of leaves and the sound of footsteps put Nene on alert. Bugra pressed a hand on her back to prevent her from moving. A figure emerged from the undergrowth, and when it was fully visible, they breathed a sigh of relief. A young fawn looked around. It trotted a few metres towards the house. It seemed alert as if searching for something. It checked the surrounding area insistently, especially the area of ??woods from which it had come, on the opposite side of the clearing. Bugra withdrew his hand. Nene was just about to get up, as lying on the ground like that was starting to take its toll on her, when she heard a voice.

  ?Ifeo!?

  Both she and Bugra crouched as low as possible. It was undoubtedly a human voice, high-pitched, child-like. In disbelief, they stood observing the fawn, which turned towards the voice. A small figure came out of the woods. It wore a black cloak with a hood, from which long dark hair fell. It was wearing worn leather boots and was holding something in its arms, wrapped in cloth. A crow flew over what looked like a little girl and landed on the ground next to the fawn.

  ?Ifeo, make haste! Open the door!?, she said.

  She ran awkwardly towards the house. The fawn preceded her, leaping agile and graceful. It pushed the door open with its muzzle. The little girl sprinted inside and both the fawn and the crow followed her. She was in such a hurry that she didn't even bother to close the door. Nene and Bugra exchanged looks in disbelief.

  ?The witch??, the man asked.

  ?No, I doubt it. But there is definitely something strange about her...?

  ?She trained those animals. Never seen anything like this?

  Nene shared his concerns, but what really troubled her was something else. The girl had called the fawn “Ifeo”. Coincidence though it may have been, that was the name of one of the martyrs remembered in the Church’s old books, a hero whose name inspired Inquisitors and Knights.

  ?Is she alone??

  ?Hard to say. Inquisitor, are you sure she's not the witch??

  ?If it were, I would have noticed. That said, I've been feeling weird ever since we got down here?

  ?Better keep our eyes open, then?

  ?We have a lead though. What shall we do now??

  ?Let's gather the others and go to her?

  ?What if it’s dangerous??

  Bugra sighed. Nobody would be thrilled about potentially having to fight or even kill a little girl. The big man stood up.

  ?In that case, we will have to defend ourselves?, he answered.

  They entered the woods where the rest of the group waited for them in silence. Adanara and Kora were sitting on the ground at a safe distance. Nila came to meet them when she saw them coming.

  ?What's happening??, she asked.

  ?We saw someone enter the house. A young girl?

  ?The witch??, Adanara asked.

  Nene shook her head. Everyone exchanged puzzled looks, until Kora stood up and grabbed her spear.

  ?Let's go talk to her?, she proposed.

  ?All of us? Is it safe??

  ?I agree?, Bugra interjected. ?The Inquisitor and I will go ahead to scout. You should wait here?

  Nila caressed Nene's arm. She smiled, figuring she was worried, hoping to reassure her.

  ?At the slightest sign of danger, we'll run?, she said. ?Keep your crosses handy?

  The group headed towards the house. They came out of the woods and split up. As Nene walked away with Bugra, the man nervously tried to figure a way to hold comfortably the cross in one hand and the sword in the other. Inquisitors' silver blades were short to allow them to wield both the dagger and the cross at the same time, but his wasn’t.

  ?No weapons?, she suggested. ?We don't want to look hostile?

  ?Yes?, he stammered. ?Yes, you're right. Forgive me?

  They arrived in front of the door, still wide open. Inside the house, they saw the flickering light of candles. Nene's heart skipped a beat as two deep, dark, black eyes stared at her. The fawn had noticed them and was watching them nervously. Its body was rigid, its neck extended to its full length.

  ?Ifeo, help me!?, the little girl called.

  The fawn didn't move a muscle. A second, small figure hopped up to the landing. The crow came to the door, looked at them and began to caw loudly.

  ?Now what??, Bugra asked.

  ?I guess we should introduce ourselves?

  ?What is happening? What is…??

  Finally, the little girl saw them, her hood lowered. She was very young, much younger than Nene, and had the rounded features typical of her age, a minuscule nose and a large mouth with thin lips. Her complexion was extremely pale, cadaverous, and she had large, clear, brown eyes that reflected the outside light. As she gaped at them, Nene noticed that she was missing some teeth. She was also quite dirty, and terrified.

  ?Hi, I'm Nene, and this is Bugra. We are travellers?

  The little girl didn’t budge. Her eyes quickly darted from one to the other. Bugra raised a hand in greeting but, perhaps thanks to his frightening size, he achieved the opposite effect.

  ?Guaz, come in, apace!?

  The crow obeyed and the little girl slammed the door. They stood stunned by her reaction, unable to explain her reasoning.

  ?Great!?

  ?I think… I think I can handle her?, Nene said. ?Go back to the others, please?

  ?You think she's afraid of me??

  ?Well, you are... very big?

  The man chuckled. He patted her on the shoulder and walked towards the woods.

  ?If you spot any danger, run, scream for help?

  She nodded. Once she was alone, she approached the house once again. Instinct led her to look for the silver cross among her clothes, but she couldn’t find it. She was vulnerable, exposed to a potential threat. Memories of popular fairy tales flowed through her mind, of witches who lived like hermits in the woods, hiding their monstrosity with spells that made them look harmless or even attractive. They were said to gather cats, ravens, and owls as familiars, servants, and agents of their blasphemous magic. Everything about that little girl fit the description of a witch, except for one factor: the Archangel's protection was completely ignoring her. Whether it was a simple child, or whether Nene's senses were clouded by the suffocating atmosphere of the cave, she had no idea.

  She looked through the window. Inside the house, she saw some rustic furniture, a table with two chairs, and a second table on which laid the cloth that the little girl had carried in her arms shortly before. There was something inside that cloth, but she couldn't make out what it was. The girl, on the other hand, was frantically rummaging through a trunk. The fawn stood behind her and rubbed its head against her as if to hurry her.

  A deafening caw made Nene jump. The crow crashed into the window and spread its wings. Its little head tilted first to one side, then to the other, as it insisted on croaking at her in a menacing tone. Nene stepped back. She was terribly nervous. She looked towards the woods, where her companions were waiting for her. They were hiding in the vegetation again. She couldn’t see them, which made her feel completely alone. She took courage and climbed the few steps in front of the entrance, then knocked on the door. A scream from inside made her wince, followed by a thud and the sounds of something metallic falling to the ground.

  ?I'm Nene?, she announced herself. ?I'm lost, can you help me? I'm… friendly?

  ?Spare thy honeyed words, demon!?

  The little girl's voice, suffocated by the walls, reached her trembling and full of fear. Not only did she have a very unusual gab, but she called her a “demon”. It was a term that had fallen into disuse in favour of "damned", from a time when the Church didn’t know much about the Evil One.

  ?I'm not a demon?, she replied. ?I’m an Inquisitor. I… protect people from demons?

  She heard footsteps behind the door. The lock clicked, the rusty handle lowered. A small chubby hand came out, holding nothing less than a silver cross.

  ?Art thou? Who is the giant, then?? the child asked.

  ?I told him to go away. Don't be afraid?

  The girl opened the door a little more but did not lower the cross for an instant. She was visibly terrified and distraught, and Nene shared her feelings. Whoever that child was, she had an Inquisition cross, feared the damned, and had named her domestic fawn after a martyr of the Church. Once again, that remote place in the middle of the moor seemed to be inhabited by followers of the Church more than the surroundings of the Principality itself.

  ?Thou aren’t a demon...?

  ?Exactly, see??, she said, showing her silver cape. ?I’m from the Church?

  ?The Holy Church…?

  ?Do you know what the Church is??

  ?What led ye hither, mydame? May I be of assistance??

  Nene frowned at being called “mydame.” Not only was she not used to someone addressing her as an adult, but above all that little girl spoke weirdly, like an old story in a dusty book found in the Citadel’s library.

  ?Like I told you, I need directions?

  ?Mayhaps… thou cometh... from the outside??

  ?Yes. I suppose so?

  At her words, the little girl's face lit up. She smiled and opened the entrance wide. The fawn behind her watched Nene warily, while the crow jumped agitatedly on the floor, spreading its wings as if threatening her.

  ?Come in, then, our most esteemed guest. Prithee, tell me tales about the world from above!?

  Nene looked towards the woods. Surely the others were watching her. She could only hope that they were ready to help her in case of need. She entered. Her nostrils were filled with the scents of herbs and mould. The interior of the house was entirely covered in wooden beams, the floor creaked under her boots and dust was everywhere. In the centre, she recognized the table with the two chairs and, behind it, the trunk in which the little girl had kept her cross. On the left she saw a rickety bed, without a mattress, replaced by a couple of old blankets, and a copper tub that had seen better days. To the right was a fireplace over which hung a copper cauldron, and in front of it a table on which laid the mysterious cloth that the little girl had brought with her. Some tools were arranged close to it: pliers, a knife, and some twigs and roots… What was going on? Some profane ritual, perhaps? The little girl closed the door and trotted happily to the table. She offered her a chair and didn't move until she sat down.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  ?Forgive mine meagre hospitality. I rarely receive visitors. Be I expressing myself adequately??

  ?Er… adequately, of course. Very so?

  The child smiled. She took off her cloak and threw it on the other chair, revealing some very old and battered clothes, patched by an inexperienced hand. She was wearing a dress that seemed suitable for nobility, dark red with a long flounced skirt, a black corset decorated with rose motifs and a lace shirt. Those once sumptuous dresses were held together with coarse twine and crude stitching.

  ?Mine name is Maria. At thy office?, she said performing a curtsy.

  Nene shivered. Hearing that little girl's name, she suddenly felt in danger. Bugra had advised her to run away had she feared for her safety, but it was too late to run. She had slipped into the monster's lair. Nothing good could come from the person mentioned by the demonic guardian of the lake. She had made a mistake, and in all likelihood, she was facing the witch herself. She had killed her creature and disturbed her hideout. But how was she managing to hide her soul from the protection of the Archangel?

  ?Is something the matter, mydame??, Maria asked. ?Wouldst ye some… water??

  ?Um, no, no thanks, I... well...?

  A sharp, painful groan scared her to death. She turned and saw that the cloth on the table bristling with tools and mysterious plants was moving. The little girl rushed to check it, then smiled.

  ?Mysire Alfonso, haveth ye rested long enough??

  An answering squeak caused her to giggle. A small rodent with brown fur emerged from the cloth, a squirrel, its fur damp and its look confused.

  ?Mydame, may I introduce thee Alfonso. This morrow he fell into the river. Thank God I was able to help him?

  Nene couldn’t believe what absurdity she was caught in. As the squirrel rubbed its fur in an attempt to dry itself, the deer continued to stare at her. The crow flew onto Maria's shoulder. The flapping of its wings caused the flames of the candles on the stone fireplace to sway. Suddenly, she felt surrounded.

  ?Are these... your friends??

  ?Forsooth?, she pointed to the fawn. ?This fellow’s name is Ifeo. And this is Guaz?

  The crow cawed, while the fawn stretched its muzzle towards Nene and sniffed her curiously. Finally, it sat in front of the extinguished fireplace.

  ?I see. Ifeo is a pretty name?

  ?It very is!?

  ?Yes. I remember reading about a person with the same name. Martyr Ifeo. Have you heard of it??

  ?Oh, of course, yes! His is the name of the Holy Martyr. Is that true, Ifeo??

  Maria caressed the back of the fawn's neck, which in response sniffed her face and frizzy dark hair.

  ?So, you live here?

  ?Marry I do?, the little girl sighed.

  Her expression became deeply melancholy. Her eyes clouded with tears and her lips trembled. When she realised that Nene was watching her, however, she regained her composure in an instant and returned to her seat at the table.

  ?But now ye haveth come. Thou hast been guided hither by the Angel, I be sure of it!?

  ?Yes. I’m an Inquisitor. I serve the Archangel?

  Nene monitored Maria's every gesture very carefully. She had hoped that her words would have provoked her in some way, but she had achieved no results. If that was indeed a witch, she was incredibly good at playing the part of the devotee. Something about her manners, however, made her suspicious, almost as if she had learned what she knew about faith from some text too old to still be relevant.

  ?The fact is, I promised mine father ne'er to forswear here. He quoth that one day he would return, and that we would travel the world together! But… he ne'er came back?

  ?Oh, I'm sorry?

  ?Do not misunderstand! I be sure he's on his way back. And yet, thou arriveth! Just now! Hast thou broken the seal??

  ?You mean… that wall at the top of the valley??

  ?How didst thou? Hast thou slayed the demons occulted within it??

  ?In a manner of speaking…?

  ?Oh no, what to do? If thou took me out, mine father might join back, and then he wouldn't find me hither?

  Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Ifeo jumped to attention and Maria picked up the cross again. Heavy knocks on her door startled her, so much so that the cross slipped out of her hands.

  ?Nene!?, Nila shouted from outside. ?Are you there? Are you okay??

  ?W-w-w-whom goes there??, Maria shouted. ?Back off, demons!?

  ?I'm fine?, Nene replied. ?They are my travelling companions. They are worried about me?

  ?Are thou positive those art not demons??

  ?Positive. Can they come in??

  The little girl hesitated. She looked at the crow as if for comfort. The bird stared at her blankly. She finally made up her mind, picked up the cross from the ground, squeezed it with both hands and headed to the door. Before she could get closer, the door swung open. Kora entered, spear pointed forward.

  ?Aaah!?, Maria shouted.

  The fawn got up and ran to hide behind the bed. The squirrel disappeared in an instant and Guaz began croaking hysterically. Nene stood in front of Maria, fearing the worst.

  ?It's okay?, she said to the little girl. ?Everything is fine?, she repeated to the shaman.

  She heard Maria whimpering behind her. Kora lowered her weapon and looked around.

  ?Is this the place??, she asked.

  ?No, I don't think so. There’s only her. And the animals?

  ?Is that a cross??, Adanara commented disgustedly.

  ?Don’t be afraid, Maria. They are friends?

  ?They are thy friends, are they??, she whispered.

  ?”Maria”??

  That name disturbed Nene's companions as much as it had her. Nila took her hand and pulled her away, as if to distance her from the little girl.

  ?How can you be s-sure it's not her??

  ?Well... she holds the cross with no issues?

  Maria looked at the cross in her hand, confused. Nila took out the one she was carrying and pointed it at her.

  ?That's how it's done, right??

  ?Doth thou hast one too?? Maria marvelled. ?You are forsooth messengers of the Holy Church!?

  ?For goodness sake, no we aren’t!?, Adanara grumbled.

  ?Thou art welcome. Forgive mine disgraceful hospitality?

  Bugra struggled through the door. His weight made the floor creak even more, and Guaz squirmed as it fluttered to Maria's shoulder.

  ?W-w-welcome, mysire?, she stammered.

  The man took off his helmet and knelt in front of her. Even so, he was still taller than her. Maria backed away in fear.

  ?She can't be the witch. Am I right, Inquisitor??

  ?Yeah, it's not her?

  ?Oh, good God, a witch? Hither??

  ?Do you know what a witch is, Maria??

  ?Mine father told me about evil people whom hurt children?

  Kora, without even asking, began to search the house. Maria watched her fearfully, until her face turned red and she covered her eyes.

  ?Kora, you really shouldn't?, Nene interjected.

  ?Do what??

  ?Don't worry, Maria, she's just curious?

  ?I do not understand?, she said in a small voice. ?Why is she undressed??

  ?Oh, so that’s the issue…?

  Bugra sighed, disappointed that they hadn't found the witch, and went outside. Adanara, on the other hand, approached the table in front of the fireplace. She scrutinised the objects on it and called Nila to her side. While the sisters conferred among themselves, Maria, highly uncomfortable, tried to be hospitable according to some rigid etiquette she had been taught.

  ?I hast nought to offer ye that is appropriate for the nonce?, she apologised. ?And… Prithee, refrain from touching it! I spent days mending it!?

  Kora picked up of the blankets left on the bed. The fawn watched her, no longer scared, but rather curious. The shaman looked into his eyes and smiled.

  ?Please, mydame Nene, keep her at bay!?

  ?What the... Kora, do you mind?!?

  Ignoring the fact that Maria was referring to Kora almost as if she were a pet, the shaman's insistence on snooping through her belongings was not only out of place but also out of character. She had chosen a bad moment to take an interest in human objects.

  ?Where did you get this??, she asked.

  ?It belongs to a friend of mine?, Maria replied. ?I hast to grant it back to him. Ye may’t touch it! Bad!?

  ?Are there other people here besides you??

  The little girl sat down again and Nene did the same. Kora ignored her request and, blanket in hand, walked up to them. Maria stared at her in shock and embarrassment, then finally looked away.

  ?No, I be alone. Some time since a traveller came?

  ?Where is he now??, Kora asked.

  ?Doth thou know him? Is that why thou came hither??

  ?Answer me?, the shaman ordered.

  ?I know not! He… stayed with me for a short while, then left. I have not seen him since?

  ?Kora, what's wrong with you?!?, Nene asked.

  She held up the blanket, made of dried and woven blades of grass. It was torn in several spots, and had been mended with the same crude string that held Maria's clothes together.

  ?This belongs to Tera. I braided it myself?

  ?Doth thou know Tera??

  ?Tell me where he is?

  ?I swear, I know not!?

  Maria cringed in her chair, intimidated by Kora's behaviour and appearance. Her pet crow cackled. The shaman realised she had exaggerated, so she put the blanket back where she had found it. Afterwards, she crouched down next to Maria and sighed deeply.

  ?Help me find him. If you know anything, please tell me?

  ?Thou cherish him, then?

  ?Yes. He is… important to me. Tell me about when he came here?

  The little girl looked at Nene for comfort, who nodded. She still had no clue why Kora was so reluctant to admit that she was worried about her son, so she decided to play along.

  ?He arrived many days since. I be sorry but I didn't keep track... He quoth he passed through the seal with a spell?

  ?A spell??

  ?Tera is very talented?, Kora explained. ?If he has received Salisander's gift, he can certainly do incredible things. Not even Moka or I can match his abilities as a Warden?

  ?A “Warden”, indeed! He quoth he was a Warden, a protector of his kin?

  ?And the others??

  ?What others??

  Kora sighed. Tera was travelling under escort. If he had arrived in that cave alone, it was likely that his companions had fallen along the way.

  ?It doesn't matter. Go on?

  ?So, he expressed strong interest in mine mother. Hence, he stayed for a night hither, and the next day he left to look for her?

  ?Which way? I have to find him!?

  ?No! None is admitted to mine mother's presence, except with the permission of the Angel. Mysire Tera had been put to the office?

  ?Wait a minute?, Nene said. ?What do you mean??

  ?Do ye shun such dogmas, mydame?? she asked, surprised.

  ?Well... I come from very far away. Would you mind explaining??

  ?Of course. Say, thou wot how to read, right? Ye admitted it just before?

  Excited, Maria trotted to the trunk behind her. She took a dusty old book, bound in leather and with bronze brackets. It was a huge, sinister-looking tome. She handed it to Nene. She browsed through a few pages and immediately recognised the bizarre writing style from Master Ezio's texts.

  ?Nila? Can you take a look at this??

  Nila left her sister and came to her. She glanced at the book and covered her mouth with both hands.

  ?Ada, come and see…?

  The sisters reacted the same way to that old text. Nila looked in disbelief at Maria, who was sitting on her rickety chair, dangling her legs like a carefree child.

  ?Can I read it??, Nila asked.

  ?Prithee, share its contents with me!?

  ?Of course?, Adanara agreed. ?I'll do it?

  The witch held out her hands and Nene delivered the book. She then sat down on the creaking bed, completely ignoring the fawn staring at her fearfully, and began reading.

  ?Mydame, hither is blessed!?, Maria explained. ?The Angel Itself erected this refuge to protect us from Evil. Mine father is a fervent devotee whom dedicated his life to studying the Angel?

  The little girl stood up and ran to the window. The sunset light was coming through the glass, highlighting the abundant dust floating in the house.

  ?’twas the Angel whom granted us the gift of Vesper, so that it would illuminate our refuge?

  ?How can I talk to the angel??, Kora asked. ?It can give me permission to see your mother, right??

  ?Actually, ‘tis most simple. Should thou long for Its words, It shall manifest thee. Thou just hast to would for't?

  ?Hold up…?

  Nene held out a hand in front of Kora. She knew very well that the Archangel did not manifest so easily. The only person she knew who could easily hear His voice was Elora. Was she supposed to believe that that little girl was also a Saint?

  ?Yes, mydame??

  ?The Angel?, she said. ?What’s His name??

  The little girl covered her face, embarrassed. She came very close and whispered in her ear.

  ?Mother told me it is ill custom to pronounce Its name?, she giggled.

  ?It's okay?, she reassured her. ?I won’t tell anybody?

  Maria looked around as if to make sure no one was eavesdropping. The taboo of saying the Angel's name was strongly rooted in her. Nene felt sympathy, having been raised the same way. Finally, the little girl got even closer, to the point that she could feel her breath in her ear. She covered her mouth with a hand, and whispered again.

  ?Luciel?

  ?Luciel?!?

  ?Shh! Prithee, be respectful!?, Maria said.

  ?Forgive me, I... have never heard such a name?

  Maria stared at her, perplexed. She checked her cloak, then her face, then took a step back.

  ?Thou quoth to belong to the Church. Didst thou... lie to me??

  ?What? No, not at all. I am an Inquisitor, invested by the Archangel Himself for...?

  ?So the angel talks to anyone who wants to??, Kora interjected.

  ?Precisely. If it is thy wish, I could summon It on thy behalf?

  Nene felt a strong pang in her stomach, so strong that she fell to the ground.

  ?What's happening??, Nila ran to her. ?Nene? What’s going on? T-talk to me!?

  The Archangel's protection stirred like never before. Her vision blurred, the world became dark as night. Nila's hands caressed her back, but gradually she felt it no longer. Her senses were failing, just like on the lakeshore. She breathed frantically and tried to hold on to Nila, but her hands came to nothing. The voices around her began waning. A flicker of light, a reflection, caught her attention. She managed to make out a silhouette, presumably Nila, and the cross, her silver cross, standing out in the darkness. She raised an arm with difficulty and managed to grab it.

  In an instant, the darkness disappeared. The sunlight dazzled her, the voices of Nila and Bugra dazed her. She was on her knees, on the creaking floor of Maria's house, drenched in sweat and in pain. She knew that feeling, and she was finally beginning to understand. She raised her head and met Nila's anguished gaze. Behind her, Maria stared at her fearfully, innocently, presumably unaware of what she had done.

  ?Nene, can you hear me? W-what's happening??

  ?The Evil One...?, she whispered.

  ?What??

  ?She is summoning the Evil One!?