It was a nightmare.

  One of the men sported a purpling jaw and a crimson gash on one cheek. It looked like Teela had head-butted him with her short, sharp horns.

  It also looked like she had paid for it; one of the other men was holding her arms behind her back. There were small streams of bright red blood dripping from her mouth and nose. She was thrashing from side to side, wailing curses.

  The third man had produced a knife.

  "Thrice-damned mongrels, scum of the salted realm is what you are.” Thick fingers dug into her short red hair.

  "Stop!" I cried- squeaked, really- rushing forwards. "Let her go!” I raised my bandaged hands in what I hoped was an appeasing gesture. “I… I have gold, okay? I'll pay you to let her go!" I fumbled for my little coinpurse. My fingers clutched at empty air.

  Teela winced at me, ashen-faced and vaguely apologetic.

  "Salt, really?" I moaned, realizing what had happened.

  "Sorry," she gasped, then twisted snake-like in her captor’s grip. She got one arm free and clawed at his cheek.

  The man flinched back, cursing, then balled his other hand into a fist and rammed it into her stomach. She collapsed, mouth open and gasping for air.

  I cried out, horrified, as all three of them burst into laughter. One stepped forwards and aimed a kick at her head. She flinched away, narrowly avoiding the blow, and whimpered.

  “Stop this now!” I ran to try and help her up. A rough hand shoved me back. One of them tried to stomp on Teela’s thrashing tail, to a chorus of more laughter. “Don’t! Stop! I’m a runekeeper!” I practically screamed. “A powerful one! So… you’d better listen!”

  They each looked at me with expressions of wary confusion, followed by uncertain glances towards each other.

  Teela stared up with wide, tear-filled eyes.

  “She’s lying,” the one who had kicked her spat. “None of the blessed would defend this filth.”

  That seemed to reassure the other two men; one stooped and grabbed Teela’s hair again and the other, the one nearest to me, lifted his knife. Teela sobbed.

  An image filled my mind. Glowing, beckoning, beautiful and dangerous and strong; the fourth rune from my book. Before I could even fathom what I was doing, I had raised one trembling hand and traced the little symbol in front of my face. “Veth.” It hung in the air, smoldering like a hot coal. A male voice cried out from behind and my chest roared with heat and I smelled smoke and then-

  All three men screamed and fell backwards as fire, actual fire, a blazing burst of hot flames, surged from my outstretched palm and bathed the growing shadows around us in torrid light.

  I screamed, too, shocked and terrified that I would look down to find my hands burnt beyond recognition.

  Teela’s blood-smeared face glowed in the light. She gazed at me with something like awe.

  It felt like an eternity before the blaze died out, leaving only charred earth and smoldering patches of grass. I looked at my hand. It appeared to be alright; the cloth bandage had been destroyed and the skin beneath was still cut a dozen times over, but I was unburnt. I nearly fainted with relief.

  “Pacted,” one of the men hissed.

  I panted at him. My vision swam. My chest felt like it had been packed with hot coals.

  “She’s pacted.” His face was white. He lifted the knife.

  I stared at them uncomprehendingly, fighting to stay upright.

  Teela surged to her feet. “You saw the rune!” she shrieked. “You saw it; she’s blessed, by law you have to-!”

  “Blighted fools!” The innkeeper’s roar came from mere inches behind me. I flinched away. But, upon turning, his wrath seemed to be directed entirely towards Teela’s assailants. “Stand down, or by my bones you’ll spend the night outside!”

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  I gaped at him; just a few moments ago he’d been seemingly fine with their violent imitation of justice. But now… The immediate, obvious explanation was that he was afraid of my magic- salt, I’d just made fire, maybe I was afraid of my magic!- and he turned towards me.

  “Come inside, my lady,” he murmured. His dark eyes were downcast. All traces of anger faded from his tone. “The… her, too, if that’s your wish.” He gestured towards Teela. His hand was shaking.

  I stared, struck mute by the deference in his voice.

  “I didn’t know, my lady, I swear it.”

  “Didn’t… know…?” My brows drew together.

  He held the door open. “I swear I didn’t. Please, forgive me.”

  Teela surged forwards and reached out as if to touch me, then flinched back with a look of chagrin. The innkeeper eyed her warily. He looked… uncertain. Expectant; like he was waiting for me to tell him what to do.

  I swayed, wracking my mind for an explanation. Clem had taught me all about runekeepers throughout history, and of course they were always respected. But this was far more than respect; these people were looking at me with reverence.

  I faced Teela’s assailants. They were pale. At my sudden attention the one who had first grabbed Teela bit out, “Forgive us, lady.”

  The world swam. I eyed the trio warily, blinking back spots. “No one… no one lays a hand on her again.”

  They made noises of affirmation. The innkeeper barked at them to get back inside, and without any argument they filed past. One even turned and ducked his head low in a bow. The door closed. From behind it, the innkeeper began shouting. His voice was hoarse with fury.

  I turned to Teela. Her eyes were shining in the dim light of dusk.

  “Are you alright?”

  She bobbed her head up and down rapidly. I stared, transfixed by the two small horns protruding from her temples.

  “Thank you,” she breathed. Her cheeks turned pink. “I never thought… I mean, that one of you would help me…” she shook her head and gave a little laugh, then pressed one bony hand to her side and wheezed.

  I managed to tear my gaze away from her ember-hued horns. It was rude to stare, even if she was… well, unusual was not nearly descriptive enough. She was almost otherworldly. “Are you very hurt? I'm sorry I couldn't... do more."

  "Heh... oh, you don't need to worry about me. This is nothing." She straightened, still wincing a bit, and lifted one torn sleeve to wipe at the tear-streaked blood and mud on her face. She succeeded mostly just in smearing it around.

  "Well," I offered, "I can't help with the bruises, but I can help you get cleaned up. Here… Alar." I traced. Rainwater sprinkled down just in front of her face. More spots danced behind my eyes. I sat down hard.

  Teela’s jaw went slack. Then she gave a delighted giggle and splashed handfuls of water onto her chin and cheeks.

  As she got cleaned up I asked quietly, “Why were you stealing from those men?”

  She winced a bit, looking distinctly uncomfortable. Her ropy, flesh-colored tail flicked to one side. I tried- and failed- not to stare. “Um… because I didn’t have any coins?” She wrinkled her nose. “And they deserved it, besides! You saw what they were like!”

  “They were horrible, but… that doesn’t make it right.”

  She flushed darky and fumbled with a pocket of her loose-fitting trousers. A moment later she produced my coinpurse. It was clutched tightly in one wet, long-fingered hand. “Er... here. It wasn't personal, okay?” She held it out, not meeting my gaze.

  I spent a moment regarding Teela; gaunt cheekbones, flecks of drying blood spattered at her collarbone, baggy clothing full of rips and tears. I shook my head. "It's okay. You can keep it."

  Her rust-colored eyes grew wide. She spent a long while staring at me. Rainwater dripped down her angular cheeks.

  “So… you’re part Fae,” I said slowly. My eyes trailed up to her horns.

  “It’s not my fault!” She flinched away, looking almost fearful. “I didn’t ask to have-!”

  “I’m sorry!” I held up my hands.

  Teela squinted at me, chin quivering. Her tail was lashing from side to side like a horsewhip.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t… I didn’t mean to offend you. Of course it’s not your fault. I just… I’m sorry, I’ve never met one of you before.”

  She seemed to relax a bit.

  “There’s certainly no one like you back home,” I continued, “And this is my first time being outside of Fellbrook.”

  “Huh. Right. I guess it makes sense there wouldn’t be any of us there.” She wrinkled her nose and massaged her doubtlessly bruised side. Her bright eyes turned to the dwindling gleams of sunset. “Well… look, it’s getting dark. And you haven’t eaten.”

  As if on cue, my stomach growled. I offered a faint smile. “No, I haven’t. Would you like to come sit with me?”

  We headed back inside. Her assailants were nowhere in sight. The innkeeper looked up from behind the bar as we entered. His face was beet-red and he seemed to be arranging various bits of food onto a dusty copper plate.

  “It’s more fresh, my lady,” he blurted out, hurrying over and placing the meal down as I collapsed into my chair. A glint of gold caught my eye; there, beside the plate, was the coin I’d given him earlier. He bustled away, broad shoulders hunched.

  I watched him with a thoughtful frown. The back of my neck prickled. I turned.

  The man sitting alone raised his mug in my direction and smirked. There was something odd in his expression. Satisfaction. Like he’d found the answer to a nagging question.

  I scowled at him.

  Teela joined me at the small wooden table. My new plate held a large heaping of salted pork, apple wedges, and cubes of hard yellow cheese. I scarfed it all down.

  Teela watched me eat, spindly fingers tapping tunelessly. When I had almost finished she blurted out, “Can I travel with you?”

  I nearly choked. “Huh?”

  She leaned forwards, hands splayed flat on the table. “Tomorrow. You said you’re going north, right? Well, it’s safer to travel in groups, and you’re… really nice.”

  I swallowed my last bite.

  Her voice lowered. “People might get really suspicious if they see a woman traveling alone. Especially dressed like a noble. And if they find out you can do magic... it could be bad, y’know?”

  I did not know, not at all, and gave another weary sigh.

  She pressed on. “If I’m there, I bet it’ll help.”

  I definitely liked the idea of having company for the road. Teela certainly seemed friendly, if somewhat odd. Although she probably thinks the same thing about me. I managed a tired, but genuine, smile. “Teela, I would love to have your company.”

  She beamed at me, horns and eyes shining in the firelight.

  I yawned. “Maybe we can have breakfast and then head out together in the morning?”

  She nodded happily. I rose, gathered my things, and dragged myself towards one of the empty rooms.

  At the door I paused. “Hm. Ulen.” I gestured behind me and thought hard about... spoiled milk. Spoiled milk and old, briny pickles. Gross. I bit down hard on my lower lip, stifling a smile.

  Behind me, there was the distinct sound of a man spitting out his drink.