"I-I..." Torvald says. "I think you should leave-"

"As the king, I demand to know the truth. Now."

Torvald then slowly turns his head. His neck must be so stiff and worn, as I can hear his bones popping.

"If you insist..." he says. "This land is currently owned by Drago Cascavich, prime minister of Lord Bishop. I have been appointed as Pirema's thane, a representative of the Shadowheart Empire."

"You're... a Shadowheart?" Ameline says.

"No, we're all still human," the old woman said. "Every single one of us."

"But we serve the Empire, lest we suffer the fate of becoming Fiends, or worse, joining them as soldiers," Torvald says with shameful eyes. "As we speak, Drago's men are making their way to Pirema for their monthly collection, what little we have to offer them. We have served for years without complaint, on account of most of us being too old and frail. Surely our only purpose would be to die and become part of their power if we displease the Lord. But with you here, I fear the worst for my people. So please take what you must and go before they return."

"And take your fire with you," the woman says while pointing to the door. "We can live without it."

The evening came quickly, making the sky molt into a beautiful orange and purple. The Winsmores had put out the fire in their furnace, as was protocol. All light must be extinguished before the arrival of the Shadowhearts, or otherwise face an accusation of blasphemy, as they explained. Alistar has had a scowl on his face since the moment the fire was extinguished. Everyone has gathered in the Winsmore's master bedroom, crowded around the bed where Charlotte lies still. Color has returned to her face, but the scars are still present.

Duncan continues to hold her hand.

Mr. Winsmore lights a small stick that gives off no light, but it releases a stench in the air almost like the smell of pine trees. Every hour or so, Mr. Winsmore places a small seed from a leather sack into Charlotte's mouth and drowns it with clean water, so she swallows it carefully.

"Vicorizon Seeds are a natural antitoxin," he explains. "They absorb harmful chemicals, but only when swallowed whole. The incense is for her fever. The smoke of the Jansenroot chills the air, but it only lasts for so long."

"How long will you keep her here?" Duncan askes.

"At this rate, no less than a week," he says. "But I know a more powerful remedy that will ensure she makes a faster recovery. The most effective treatment against Stoneseeker poison is by drinking the blood of their King. I've no idea how it's possible, but I've seen it happen. One gulp of the King's blood clears the toxins out of the stomach almost in an instant."

"Then we'll find it," I say. "Then we'll treat her and leave."

"You must wait until morning," Mr. Winsmore says while removing his gloves. "Going out in the middle of the night would be suicide, especially on this night. Shadowhearts will be surrounding Pirema any moment now. We must stay indoors."

"What if I guided them?" Alistar inquires. "I can show them where the nest is."

"Don't encourage them, boy. You know better than they do."

"But Pa, I-"

"Nobody is leaving tonight, and that's final," Mr. Winsmore says. "She'll be fine for a night. Now come, let's find them some blankets for the stable."

An hour goes by with the rest of us just sitting here silently, listening to Charlotte's pained breathing. Duncan keeps staring at his beloved, looking so disturbed and yet she barely moves an inch. He scrunches his brow so tightly his skin might break. Little Ameline has not made a sound as she stares at the sky and the moon, holding her doll under her arm.

Duncan breaks the silence as he stands up abruptly, gives his wife a peck on the cheek, then goes for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm not just gonna sit here," Duncan says. "I'm getting that blood, and I'm getting it tonight. Feel free to stay behind."

He instinctively clutches the hilt of his sword as he storms out of the door. And watching him leave instantly reminds me of old Torvald's warnings. Perhaps it would be a better idea to stay away from Pirema when they arrived. Harboring their mortal enemy would make these innocent people felons in the Empire's eyes.

"We're gonna go get that blood, right?" Ameline says.

"You're not. You're staying here."

"But... but what about the Shadowhearts?"

"I know, I know. We'll try and get back before sunset. But the Winsmores will make sure nothing happens to you. Don't draw attention to yourself, and stay hidden when you see them come."

I hold her shoulder gently. "And remember, there's nothing wrong with running away."

She bows her head, that little straw doll of hers swinging gently from her fist. And as I walk out the door, I have to sneak past the sleeping Mr. Winsmore. His pipe hangs loosely from his mouth. When I make it out the door, Duncan smiles at me with gratitude. Then, suddenly, a shadow looms over us from the roof of the house. I can see a pair of blue eyes looking down at me.

"We have to act fast," Alistar whispers. "Mother will be back from the seamstress at dusk."

After a short journey to the near west, barely even half an hour of travel, Alistar leads us to a massive pile of stones. Climbing one rock at a time, we reach the top in no time. When I look down into the quarry, I see upwards of maybe a few hundred Stoneseekers. Skewered animals are displayed on stakes, with parts of their flesh ripped off and most likely devoured by the tribe. A pond is just on the southern portion of the nest, with a massive boulder resting in its center.

We keep our heads down behind the rocks.

"Alright," Alistar whispers. "We need to be as discreet as possible. If even one of them sees us, the whole colony will be alerted, and they'll surround us."

"There's so many of them..." I say. "They sure do like rocks."

"Of course," Alistar says. "They're not called Stoneseekers for nothing. Every one of these boulders is important to them. They use rocks for beds, weapons, tools, sometimes they eat them. I've even heard that the females are offered stones during mating season."

"Who needs a wedding band, right?" Duncan says with a smirk.

"Here's the plan. I will get into position nearby," Alistar says as he hands a vial to Duncan. "Take this."

"Wait, what's this for? I thought we were here to get the blood of the King?" Duncan says.

"We are. But I've been planning on taking out this whole nest for months now, and with you two helping, the forest can finally be rid of them. That's some of my father's Dirkweed toxin. A little of this in your belly and you're good as dead."

"How can we be sure this will kill them all at once?" I ask. "If one of them notices the liquid is poisoned, won't they let the others know?"

"Trust me," Alistar says. "They're no smarter than pigs."

Then, from inside his knapsack, Alistar pulls out a round vial and pops the cork off. He pours a thin-colored liquid into his palm and suddenly smears it on our faces. It smells horrible.

"Majesca's urine."

"What?! What are you dousing piss on us for?!" Duncan seethes.

"To mask your scent, of course," Alistar said, dabbing the same liquid on himself. "If they won't be able to see or hear you, you gotta make sure they can't smell you either. Now, you two go and pour the whole bottle of toxin into that pond over there. Then, when the pond is poisoned, I'll take action."