The man who would murder Little Ant’s mentor arrived at her camp late in the evening when the sun had begun to set behind the wyrd trees.

Goblins were the smallest of the denizens in The Wyrding, and the sight of the tall people was always unnerving to them. Especially humans who were rarely seen this side of the Wyrd Stones. Goblins lived their lives on their feet and in all her fifteen years Little Ant had never seen a human.

They were tall. Far taller than goblins and most of the members in the camp only reached him to the waist. Parents pulled their children behind them like he was a monster, but the tall man just waved at them with a friendly smile on his face. Smiles suited him.

Little Ant had been training with a spear while her mentor, Sparrow, watched over her. Sweat was running down her back and stinging her eyes but now they both turned to look at the tall human.

Sparrow was tall for a goblin with a heavy brow and a nose that had been broken a long time ago. His hair and the fur in his paws were black and thick. His feet were calloused and his arms long and muscular. As was custom for his former tribe, he kept small bones tied into his hair.

While rest of the tribe tried to hide from the tall person, Sparrow just studied him. He put a paw on Little Ant’s shoulder and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Be on your guard.” Sparrow said.

“Always.” Little Ant said.

“Good girl. Now tell me, what do you see?”

Little Ant had been taught to notice animal tracks and to read the countless tells that would reveal her if a predator was lying in waiting. Now she tried using her skill to figure out the tall man’s history. The rigid way he stood. The rolling gait of his steps. The fearlessness in his eyes.

“I think he’s a soldier.” Little Ant said.

“I think so too.” Sparrow agreed.

The commotion had roused the Hillside Tribe’s wise woman from her nap, and she stepped out of her tent. Old Badger had earned her title and her hair and the fur in her paws was a mix of snow and silver. Her face was deeply lined by claws of time and every wrinkle she had collected spoke of her experience.

Despite the tall man being twice her size, Old Badger walked up to him without fear. In return the tall man smiled and kneeled before her so they could speak eye to eye. Smiles came easily to the tall man and there was something boyish about him despite being past forty.

“Good evening, stranger. I am Old Badger. Blessing of the Quiet upon your journey.” Old Badger said.

“And blessing of Garuccia upon yours.” The man said and smiled with embarrassment: “Sorry, I don’t follow any of the Eight Paths. I’m also a nobody but people call me corporal.”

“I understand. What brings a corporal into our camp?” Old Badger asked.

“I was hoping for some directions. You see… my boss… he wants something moved through The Wyrding and… we’re at bit of a loss. I heard that no one knows the lay of the land better than goblins so… I was hoping you could help us out.”

“What is this something your master wants moved?” Old Badger asked.

“I’d rather not say. Confidential and all that. The boss is very strict about these things.” The corporal said.

Old Badger scratched her brow and regarded the tall man for a long time. She paid particular attention to his eyes and smile. You could almost feel the main being laid bare before grandmother while she studied every moving part of his soul. When she had seen enough, she shook her head.

“I’m afraid that we cannot help you.”

The corporal took out a gold coin and offered it to Old Badger.

“You sure? My boss can be very generous.”

Old Badger did not take the coin, but Sparrow’s eyes flashed when he saw the piece of gold.

“My answer remains the same.” Old Badger said.

“Wait!” Sparrow shouted and began walking towards Old Badger and the tall person.

He snatched the god coin from the tall man’s hand and held it over his head.

“I’ll be your guide.” Sparrow said.

“Sparrow…” Old Badger sighed.

“I’m coming too!” Little Ant yelled and ran up to them: “I’m his apprentice and where he goes, I go.”

Old Badger’s face hardened and the lines in her face could have been cut with a knife.

“I made my decision. We will not help you. I must ask you to leave.” Old Badger said.

The corporal grinned.

“Come on. We’re still negotiating and…”

“Leave.” Old Badger commanded.

Suddenly the corporal yelped like he had been slashed with a blade. He fell on his backside and stared at his chest like a spear had been ran through him. Then he looked at Old Badger who was watching him with her brown eyes.

“How did you…?” The corporal said but he was quickly silenced by the look Old Badger gave him.

Grandmother was no taller than a child next to the corporal, but at that moment she had the shadow of a giant. The tall man got to his feet quickly and rushed out of the camp. Sparrow watched him go, still gripping on the gold coin.

“You had no right.” Sparrow said.

“I am the tribe’s wise woman, and I did not trust him.” Old Badger said and regarded Sparrow for a moment: “Trust me on this, Sparrow.”

The gold coin disappeared inside Sparrow’s clenched fist, and he walked into his tent without another word. Rest of the tribe looked at each other nervously and Little Ant was left standing alone with a spear in hand. Not knowing what else to do she finished her training alone out of habit but the argument between Old Badger and Sparrow kept bothering her even when she fell asleep.

That night she dreamt of monsters who rose from the grave to devour their loved ones until nothing was left of the village, they had lived in. She was standing under decrepit houses and could see pale hands reaching out to her through broken windows. Voices like the creaking of coffins were ordering her to come out. To join them... but she wasn't alone. Grandmother was there with her. Facing down the great enemy. One that would snuff out all life just to sate its greed.

It was still dark outside when Little Ant was roused from her sleep. When she opened her eyes, she saw Sparrow kneeling next to her, pressing his finger to his lips, so she’d know to stay quiet. Her mentor had moved so silently he hadn’t even awakened her parents who were sleeping blissfully unaware next to her.

“If you still want to go, grab your things and follow me.” Sparrow whispered.

Little Ant’s eyes widened with joy, and she gathered her clothes and spear before following Sparrow outside. They made their way through the sleeping camp that would be gone in the morning when the goblin tribe continued their never-ending pilgrimage through The Wyrding. Once they had left the tribe behind, Little Ant felt it was safe to speak again.

“Master?” Little Ant whispered.

“Yes?”

“Won’t we get in trouble?”

Sparrow grinned at her.

“Sometimes its easier to get forgiveness than permission.” Sparrow said and took out the gold coin: “And I already received payment.”

They found the corporal waiting for them under a bush where he had been sleeping. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes when he saw them coming and flashed a boyish grin.

“You came.” The corporal said.

“I promised I would.” Sparrow said.

“It’s a good thing to meet a man who keeps his word.” The corporal said and held out three more gold coins: “Didn’t I promise something too? That these will be yours when the job is done.”

“You did and I trust you’re a man of your word as well.” Sparrow said.

“You can bet on it.”

They began walking together and watched the sun rise.

“That old hag…” The corporal began.

“Old Badger. You will not disrespect her while we walk together.” Sparrow said.

“Fine. Old Badger. How did she do that thing… with her eyes. She just glared at me, and it felt like I had been shot.” The corporal said.

“She used to be an adventurer.” Little Ant said: “She learned a lot when she was still called Wise Badger.”

The corporal looked at them confused.

“Okay… how do these names work with you? There is Old Badger and Little Ant and now Wise Badger. And you were called just Sparrow.” The corporal said.

“The young goblins are called Little.” Sparrow explained: “Once they reach adulthood, they shake Little off their names. If they live long enough, they earn the right to be called Old.”

“But a few special people get an honorary name if they prove they have earned it.” Little Ant said.

The corporal thought it over and then nodded.

“She must have been one tough cookie when she was young.” The corporal said.

“She used to travel with a fox god.” Sparrow said.

“Good for her.” The corporal said and took one of the coins out of his pocket: “She didn’t seem to care for gold… but you do.”

Sparrow played with the bones in his hair. A tic he had never been able to shake off.

“I am not originally from the Hillside Tribe. I was born in the Bone Flock Tribe.”

“And then you left?”

“And then I left. The woman I love stayed behind. With the gold I can pay a dowry and marry her.” Sparrow said.

“To be in love. How I envy you.” The corporal said and looked at Little Ant: “What about you? What is Little Ant hoping to get out of this?”

Little Ant blushed.

“… I want an honorary name.”

“Its good to dream big.” The corporal agreed.

They walked until midday when they finally arrived at a camp that Little Ant could smell a mile away. The men in the camp were like the corporal. Hardened by war and travel, owning only the clothes on their backs and the weapons in their hands.

All except one.

A naked man sat away from the other men and seemed perfectly content in his nakedness. The other men seemed to be keeping their distance from him on purpose. Sparrow and Little Ant stared at him before averting their eyes. It was the best not to stare too long at someone touched in the head.

In the camp stood the heaviest carriage Little Ant had ever seen. The wheels had sunk deep into the ground, and she couldn’t understand how they had gotten it so far. A heavy blanket was thrown over whatever the carriage was used to transport.

“Gentlemen! I come bearing good news! I got us a guide!” The corporal said and patted Sparrow’s shoulder.

Sparrow nodded at the other men in the camp and then looked at the carriage with its cargo hidden under a blanket.

“Looks heavy.” Sparrow said.

“That’s because it is.” The corporal said.

“How have you been able to move it?” Sparrow asked.

“Oh, we have a guy for that.” The corporal said and looked at the naked man: “Why don’t you come and say hi? And come here looking at your best.”

The naked man stood up and started walking towards them and as he walked… he changed. Before Little Ant’s eyes, the man began shifting and turning. He grew bigger… wider… heavier. The teeth became fangs. The fingers became claws. Rough fur sprouted out to cover the naked skin. Eventually there was no sign left of the man who had been swallowed whole by a bear.

Little Ant and Sparrow took a quick step back at the sight of the skin-changer bear and reached out for their spears. Even though she did not know what use would they be against a skin-changer.

“Fascinating things, aren’t they? The skin-changers.” The corporal said while admiring the bear: “They gobble you up and they can look like you. And know everything you know.”

The corporal grinned and tapped Sparrow’s head.

“Sorry, old sport, but we only need what’s in there.”

Sparrow’s eyes widened.

“You gave your word…”

“We made a bet and you lost.” The corporal said.

Sparrow slapped the corporal’s hand away and grabbed Little Ant’s arm.

“Run!”

Goblins lived their lives on the road and Little Ant’s legs were made entirely of sinewy muscles. Running away was the ultimate self-defense. Sparrow was even faster than her, but he made sure not to leave her behind. Even though… he didn’t need to outrun the bear. Just her.

But it didn’t matter how fast they ran; a running bear would always be faster. It was already gaining in on them even though they tried slip past trees to slow it down.

“We have to split up! Its me he wants!” Sparrow shouted while they ran.

“But…!”

“No buts! Do as I say!” Sparrow yelled.

Before she could protest further, Sparrow ran away from her, and the bear followed. Tears ran down Little Ant’s face when her training took over and she used the opportunity to hide her footprints and even her scent. Anything that could be used to follow her. Once she was sure no one would be able to track her, she hid under the brushes.

And could only watch as Sparrow turned to face the skin-changer bear with a spear in hand.

Sparrow had been born into the Bone Flock Tribe. The most martial of all the goblins. He had been wielding a spear since he could walk and fighting came as naturally to him as breathing. He faced the skin-changer without fear and was able to fend off his opponent for a moment… but no one could withstand a skin-changer forever. Sparrow might as well have tried fending off a rockslide.

Sparrow died cursing his killer while Little Ant muffled her crying.

It was over fast. The bear only had to slam its jaws shut once and Sparrow was no more. He was devoured in a few bites. When the deed was done, the corporal walked over to the skin-changer bear. He looked at the few drops of gore with disquiet before facing the skin-changer.

“Is it done?” The corporal asked.

The skin-changer bear looked at him and Little Ant had to fight a back a scream when she saw the bear transform into her mentor.

“Yes.” The skin-changer said with Sparrow’s voice: “His knowledge is mine.”

The corporal nodded and looked around.

“What about the girl? Can you find her?”

The impostor shook his head.

“We have lost her. She is trained too well.” The skin-changer said.

The corporal sighed but then just shrugged.

“Not like it matters. What could she do anyway?” The corporal said.

Little Ant lied in hiding for a long time while waiting to see if they would come back. Once she was sure they were gone, she stood on her trembling legs and started running. She ran until her legs had lost all feeling and the skin at the soles of her feet blistered and bled. Even then she kept running but she could never outrun the memory of her mentor being devoured. His shape and memories being stolen.

She ran until her body gave out.

Her next memories came in flashes. She could feel being carried into a tent and her shoes being pulled off. Old, firm hands began cleaning the blisters in her feet and then bandaging the wounds.

“… grandmother…” Little Ant gasped.

“Hush. Drink this.” Old Badger said.

Grandmother helped her drink something warm and sweet and sleep claimed her. It was a relief to sleep without dreams. When she woke up, Old Badger was sitting next to her. She expected her to scream and shout at her. Telling her what a fool she was for ignoring her orders. She would have preferred it to what she did instead.

He put her paw on Little Ant’s cheek.

“Are you alright?”

When she felt grandmother’s smooth fur on her cheek and heard the worry in her voice, tears welled in Little Ant’s eyes.

“… grandma…”

Grandmother held her close to her chest.

“Its okay. Its okay, Little Ant. It will be okay.” Old Badger said and looked her in the eyes: “Tell me everything.”

When Old Badger looked at her, it felt like grandmother reached inside her mind pulled out the root of her pain. She could see it in all its ugliness and the words started pouring out. She told her everything. How Sparrow and she had snuck out. How the corporal had been waiting for them. How… the skin-changer bear had eaten Sparrow. Stealing his shape and knowledge. Old Badger took all in. Like she was draining the pain from her.

Once Little Ant had told her everything, Old Badger closed her eyes. She kept them closed like she could not stand to see.

“… grandmother?”

“This will not stand.” Old Badger whispered.

Little Ant rubbed her paws.

“What can we do?” Little Ant asked.

Old Badger scratched her brow and then lit her pipe. She inhaled the sweet smoke to calm her nerves before speaking.

“Little Ant. Listen to me. Past the Wyrd Stones in the land of men, lives a lord. Viscount Cassio de Rossi… and his advisor.”

Little Ant stared at her in horror.

“You… want to ask tall people for help?”

“There is no shame asking for help. I will write a letter and you will deliver it.”

“… me?”

“Yes. For Sparrow.”

“… for Sparrow…”

If it was for her mentor… she would do it. Even ask help from tall people.

She was never alone on her sickbed. Her parents kept her company mostly but when they needed to rest, Old Badger would play dice with her.

But she could not rest forever.

Thanks to Old Badger’s ointments, Little Ant could soon walk again. Once she was back on her feet, she was given Old Badger’s letter and sent to the lands of men. To Garuccia. But it wasn’t crossing the border between kingdoms that she was thinking about. Her mind kept revolving around Sparrow.

Her mentor… the man who had taught her to track, hunt, and fight. She’d had to sit outside his tent for three nights straight before he had agreed to make her his apprentice. He had been so gruff at the beginning but after she had proven herself, he had become her friend.

And now… he was gone. Gone forever.

Little Ant dried her tears and kept pushing forward.

Finally, she arrived at the Wyrd Stones. Two great rocks rising from the ground, planted there by two great kings a thousand years ago to mark the borders of their domains. There was a flickering light when the portal between worlds opened to her and Little Ant crossed the Wyrd Stones, leaving The Wyrding behind and entering Garuccia.

A shiver ran down her back when she stood in Garuccia. It felt all wrong. she couldn’t feel any magic in the air. It all seemed so faded. Like she had entered a world gasping its final breaths. Just one look was enough. She could not stay here. She would deliver the letter and return home. And never return to this awful place.

Moving as quickly as she could and following grandmother’s directions, she arrived at Cassio’s mansion in two days.

The mansion was a monstrous thing built from stone and wood. It looked more like a prison than a home. How could anyone rest in a place that imprisoned you? A home was something you took with you. It wasn’t something that chained you down. Even being built by the ocean didn’t make it feel any more welcoming. This lord was a man owned by his property. He was tied down by it.

Which raised the question… how was she supposed to deliver the letter?

It was getting dark, and the sun had almost disappeared. If she tried approaching that horrific house, she was sure it would eat her whole and never let her go. How could she…?

Little Ant spotted a stone on the ground and a plan came to her.

She wrapped the letter around the rock and found a window with light coming out of it. She could make out the silhouette of two men sitting inside, drinking, and talking while played a game of some kind. After weighing the stone in her hand, Little Ant took aim and threw the rock.

The window was shattered into a million pieces. A terrified yelp came from inside and someone dove down for cover.

“What the hell?!” Someone roared inside.

A tall man with broad shoulders rushed to the window and glared outside.

“Who threw that?! Guards! Scout the area! I want them found! Sal! Bring me my rifle!”

Little Ant was long gone when they began looking for. Heading back home.