Baa-aa-aa. Baa-aa-aa-aa.

Yuri drew in a breath of morning air and cracked an eye open. A flock of sheep had wandered into the old church ruins while he had slept. They stood around him among the sunny rubble, huffing and chewing and destroying the peace with fluffy irresponsibility.

He sat against an upturned knee for awhile, his hair askew from sleep, and watched them pick their way among the weeds and broken pews. There was still water left in his canteen, and a bit of cheese and tack for breakfast. The leaves rustled softly overhead.

It was time to go. With a hand against the crumbled pulpit he climbed to his feet, then took up his pack and weaved his way down to the trail. The path had been growing thinner as he'd traveled, and settlements had been fewer and farther between these past few weeks. The last stories he'd heard were about beasts in the forest, dangerous roads and demonic sounds among the stones. But sheep meant shepherds, and shepherds meant there was at least a settlement nearby.

There was no shepherd in sight -- only the sheep, scattered and wandering. He left them behind in favor of the path ahead.

Not long after, the echo of cracking wood and screaming sheep reverberated deep in the woods behind him.

---

Within the hour, Yuri was clambering up a rocky slope toward the high walls of a settlement, breathing ragged from running, a sword clutched in his hand. He called up the guards and slipped in through a small door that promptly locked behind him.

---

The guards were paid, and Yuri was allowed to keep his sword. He wandered slowly through the bright streets, a bit rough for his brush with death, a bit gaunt from his weeks on the road, a bit too tall given the average height of these particular townsfolk. This, combined with his layers of desert-woven clothes and a pack that bulged in unusual shapes, caused no few people to stare.

He would find a proper meal in exchange for the trinkets in his sack, and a spare bed for work. Then he would think about the terrors of the forest, and the fact that he would need to be better prepared before he ventured out again.

He would have to leave sooner than was usual or risk catastrophe. These walls not only kept the beasts out -- they prevented the people from escaping.

She stared up at the scorched tree in awe.

It had happened so quickly, and if she couldn't see the dead, burned branches Arabella wouldn't have believed it even had. She glanced down at her singed finger tips, the blackened ends were slowly fading back to their normal peach colour. The feeling was quite surreal. Like one of those abstract dreams, and it was fading just as quickly as one. She tried her hardest to recall that feeling, that tug deep inside her mind that had been as simple to ignite as moving her pinkie finger, however it had passed and she felt like the normal Arabella.

But she was different.

This was the third time something like this had happened. First with a book, second a chair and now this tree. Each time it had been the same. It started as a small headache which quickly spread into a dizzying migraine. Her vision blurred and then seconds later it cleared and her hand, along with whatever it had been touching, went up in flames. She backed away slowly, examining the ruined remains. From what she could see the fire had burned the tree right down to its roots. The damage was considerable.

And if this tree were a human, they would be dead.

She shivered at the thought.

---

Arabella had barely made it in the door before she heard a loud crash and the sound of her aunt's exasperated voice. "Benjamin Shepardson, get back here young boy!" This was followed by the giggles of a child and small feet padding against the floor overhead. Two of her cousins sat in the living room, the young girls were chatting and knitting. Ari could see that their mother must have been with them, by the looks of her discarded scarf. The two girls barely looked up when the door banged shut after Arabella, too engrossed in their gossip.

She could also hear the quieter noise of people talking in the kitchen.

"I want you to go into town," as she came into the room, Arabella could see her uncle press a few silver pieces into his son's hand. "I need more help then just you, and Ben is too young. Offer these silver pieces and a bed to any man willing to work." Ari watched her tall, broad cousin nod towards his father. "Sure, I still think it's unnecessary though. I can do it, Pa." Her uncle scowled a bit, his eyebrows furrowed and his chin dipped. "Go into town, Jason."

Uncle David was a large, looming man. Intimidating when he wanted to be, a huge softy the rest of the time. However, now was one of his intimidating moments and as he walked out of the room, Arabella saw her cousins jaw tighten a bit. "Can I come with you? I want to pick up a few things." Her voice broke Jason from whatever he had been thinking of as he watched his father leave. "Yeah, sure. C'mon."

---

The two were silent for half of the trip. Walking down the road, dust picking up after them. She opened her mouth to talk when Jason raised a finger and pointed to a tall, gaunt man. "Who is that?" They both looked in awe at him, it was very rare that they saw newcomers. The wall kept everyone, and everything, out. "I don't know. He must be new." Arabella's voice was very quiet as they walked past him wide eyed. She slowed a bit, her gaze stayed on him curiously. "Hurry up, Ari! Pa wants me to find someone to work before supper." Her head snapped forward and she yelped a quick apology. Her face heating a bit when she realized she had been staring.

"Sorry, coming."

The moment the pointing finger and staring eyes found him, Yuri turned his interest to a market table filled with half-rotten fruit. He proceeded to examine the fruit -- while the merchant fidgeted and yammered in hopes of a sale -- and waited until his path was clear of gawkers. As much as Yuri was accustomed to unwanted attention, it was tiring to field questions and suspicion at every step. As far as any of them needed to know, he was here for the world-famous, exotic . . . apples.

But just as the way was opened again, a mention of find someone to work reached his ears.

Yuri waited with an apple in his hand, watching -- in the corner of his eye -- the redhead called Ari chase after the voice. He handed the stuttering merchant a blue translucent gem, and while the old man stared at it Yuri dropped an apple in his pocket and bit into another, following after Ari's bright hair. She was going to lead him to his next job.

"'Scuse me." He had hung back until the two had stopped again, allowing him to catch up without chasing them. He spoke to Jason with an accent from across the sea, but clear enough to understand. "Do you know anyone who has work to be done?"

The cousins had been walking at a steady pace, Jason had been stopping periodically to question a few local boys about jobs, but it seemed that most were busy working for their own fathers or uncles. "This is hopeless. Pa is being over-dramatic. I can do most of the work myself." Jason complained quietly as the two stopped beside a greying merchant selling small, wooden decorations. "I can always help if you need it." Jason scoffed at his cousin, who was more like his sister. "Likely! Pa would never allow it."

Ari was about to sneer something nasty back at him when a voice called both of their attention. Ari's head whipped around, her long red hair caught in her eyelashes so she had to gently pick it out.

It was the new guy, looking battered and sickly, however quite impressive still. His thick accent wasn't one that Arabella or Jason recognized, but they still easily understood that he was looking for work. Arabella glanced up at her cousin who's jaw had set as he stared up at this man. "Yes, actually." Jason said, after a few moments of sizing him up. "Our father is a farmer. We are in need of a new farm hand, someone to help feed and take care of the animals." Ari watched Jason reach into his pocket and pick out the silver pieces. "We are offering this along with a bed. If you wanna come back to the house, meet our father you can follow us. You can take a meal while you talk with him some more."

Jason gently tugged on Ari's arm, motioning for her to follow her back home. "This is the way, my name is Jason by the way and this is-" Arabella shoved him a bit. "I am perfectly capable of introducing myself. Just cause I am a girl doesn't mean I don't speak english."

She looked back at the dishevelled traveller. "The name is Arabella."

He raised a brow at Arabella, for a moment confused into silence by how forward and eager she was to speak up. He was accustomed to the dock women and the barmaids with their crass voices, but most young women of the towns and settlements tended to keep to themselves -- they looked away, spoke meekly or hurried in the opposite direction when he approached. But then, in the middle of a monster-infested forest -- with the threat of being hunted and dismembered looming just outside the town walls -- a mere stranger was not a frightening sight.

Still, it was bold and stupid of her to speak so recklessly. His opinion showed on his face just for a moment before he nodded solemnly to Jason.

"My name is Yuri. I thank you and accept. Please allow me the honor of meeting your father."

He was a man of few words, especially when he was trying to make a business deal. It was the father he needed to convince -- and there was no reason to risk losing favor with Jason by saying too much.

He completely ignored Arabella's existence. It was of the utmost importance that both Jason and their father trusted him to the highest degree with his presence in their home, and he predicted that her forward behavior was only going to make his attempts all the more difficult. So he walked tall and strong for his apparent ill health, and kept his eyes straight ahead, expression grim and focused. His pack clinked softly as he walked.

Arabella watched the flicker of annoyance cross through his eyes just for a moment. Her jaw twitched slightly. She looked up at Jason who gave her a small shrug as if to say she should have known her place. "C'mon Yuri, it isn't far. I am sure Pa will be happy to meet you."

The three young people started towards a more rural area of the town. The houses were made mostly of wood with animals scattered among the yards. Kids were being called in for supper and dogs yapped loudly as their masters filled their dishes. "You're just in time for supper, Ma was making stew tonight and there will be plenty. She always makes extra." Jason chatted easily, smiling and nodding to a few people they passed who tried not to let the shock of seeing a new person show on their faces. Most of them failed miserably. "Pa is one of the town's biggest suppliers for meat and such. Kinda a big deal I guess." Arabella, who had hung back a bit, laughed. "Jason, you sound stupid. Don't brag." She pushed passed the two boys, maybe being a little too rough with Yuri. "Pa wouldn't be pleased with that."

She could feel her cousin's glare against her back as she started into a small wooden house with a bigger barn in the back. There was noises coming from inside and a warm glow coming from one of the rooms. Jason hurried to catch up with her with an exasperated sigh. "Sorry about her." He murmured to Yuri. "C'mon."

The two men entered into a small living room that led into a quaint kitchen. The smell of stew filled the air along with a low buzz from the voices of the family. A short, stout woman with flaxen blonde hair stood scooping soup into wooden bowls at the table. A small boy was sitting, fidgeting impatiently beside two young girls who thanked their mother politely. A kindly looking man with thick, burnt arms sat at the head of the table and he gave his wife a small kiss on the cheek as she scooped an extra large portion into his bowl. "Pa, I want you to meet Yuri. He is looking for work." A look passed between father and son, a little bit tense. "Wonderful. Sit down Yuri, my name is David and this is my wife Rosemary. Welcome to our home."

To anyone else, the quaint picture of a big, loving family would warm the heart and soothe the soul. Anyone else might be pleased to have the chance to stay here in this warm house -- but this place was too neat, too polite, too perfect. He caught the strained look between David and Jason. Yuri felt a chill of dread to think of staying here. He would have to remain passive and vigilant, keep his guard up and his thoughts buried.

The only anomaly seemed to be that redhead. The disappointment of the family, he assumed by the way Jason apologized for her. There was always one.

Yuri nodded respectfully to David and accepted the offered seat, letting his pack down beside him. "It is an honor to meet you, sir, ma'am," he said as he tipped his head to David and Rosemary. "I thank you sincerely. You have a beautiful home." He probably said a bit more on the subject of gratitude and compliment, but his voice spoke automatically without his thinking much about it. He knew by now what to say to put people at ease in his presence.

During the conversation, his origin and presence in town was inevitably brought up. "I'm originally from Tolos, but as a trader I've traveled to most parts of the world. I deal in exotic goods and enchantments." Upon request he would readily produce a gold shimmering feather he had obtained from a monstrous bird in the desert; a beautifully painted mask from a tribe in the jungle; and a little pink stone that floated above his palm as if it were magnetized. "There is only a small market for my wares, though. Most of my time is spent working farms and construction. I know horses, goats and sheep particularly well. I'm proud to work, and to use my strength and skills however they will best assist you."

It was the same spiel, every single time. His voice might have sounded rehearsed, but he looked at David with sincerity and confidence in his skills.

Arabella, who had sat passively as she always did in front of her adoptive parents, listened with peaked interest. If she had been more bold to speak in front of her uncle, she would have asked this traveller about life outside of the village. However, it was often frowned upon for people to ponder about what was beyond the wall. It was trivial, no one ever left. Danger lurked behind the wall. You could sometimes hear it late at night, the howls and the moans of things best left alone. But still, she was curious and her mind spun with a series of inquisitive questions.

"Well Yuri, you seem like a strong, fit man." Uncle David, set down his spoon, his bowl nearly empty now. "I would be so glad to have you on as my assistant, for however long you are in town." David looked towards his eldest son, whose face had grown grim. Despite Jason's obvious disapproval, he continued. "We have a spare room in the barn loft which I am sure will accommodate you and give you all the privacy you need. You will be paid at the end of every week for your duties, and you are more than welcome to join us for our daily meals." A grin spread over his face, it caused a new light to be shed over this large man. Cheerfully he held out his hand and clasped Yuri's, shaking it vigorously. "We are quite happy to have you son."

---

"Maria, Lilith! It is your turn to wash the dishes tonight. Do it quickly and you may knit before bed if you wish."

Arabella had snuck away before her aunt noticed her and requested she sit with them as well. Most of her childhood had been spent knitting, cooking and washing. Learning all the things that would make her a good wife. She couldn't spend another hour doing such things, for fear she would lose her mind. Instead, she snuck outside to where Uncle David had taken Yuri to the barn. The two big men were conversing outside.

"Here is the barn, just instide and to the right is a ladder. Hopefully you find the room meets your needs." Uncle David clapped Yuri on his shoulder. "See you tomorrow morning bright and early. Jason and I will show you the ropes." Arabella had snuck into the shadows behind a barrel. She watched as her uncle bid the man good night and disappeared back into the dimming house. With mute curiosity she stayed where she was, watching this stranger from a different world. Half envious, half annoyed.

Yuri found it a challenge to balance his ravenous hunger with his desire to impress David with his superior self-discipline. He could have cleaned the entire pot by himself, if he were left alone with it -- but he calmly and slowly ate, and he maintained an appropriate level of eye contact with David, nodding and giving short affirmative responses.

Jason's ever-souring expression was consistent in the corner of his eye, but Yuri did not react. He didn't care what the strained relationship was between father and son, but he did care that he would now have to keep an eye on Jason. People that weak and insecure had a tendency toward sabotage when threatened. Yuri shook David's hand when it was offered, and he very nearly twitched at being called son. It was as if David were inviting Jason to make Yuri's life hell for the next few weeks.

He smiled calmly, and he nodded with a grateful squeeze of David's hand. "I am happy and honored for your generosity. You will not be disappointed."

Damn this place.

---

Yuri looked up at the barn with a ghost of a smile, as if it were a five-star hotel. "It is more than enough. Thank you. I will meet you as the sun rises."

He waited by the door of the barn, and watched David go back into the house. As soon as the house door was shut, Yuri's prim posture collapsed into a slouch and he dragged a hand through his hair. "Fucking hell, thank god." He grabbed his bag, tossed it over his shoulder with a rattle and a clang, and shuffled into the slotted dark of the barn.

The smell of hay and wood was thick and fresh, and the noises of the animals were quiet and predictable -- far better than anything he could have expected to find in the house. He clambered his way up the ladder.

A few moments later, a dim blue glow illuminated the loft. Yuri set the lighted jar on a box, snapped the blanket a few times, checked the mattress for rats before he sat down. His weathered boots clunked to the floor and he rubbed the angry blisters on his feet. He hadn't been prepared for a ten-mile run from a hungry set of jagged teeth, and now the soles of his boots were nearly worn through.

He turned out the light and flopped wearily back on the mattress. Out of habit he pulled a small flat compass out of his shirt, forever around his neck by a leather string. He stared at it by a crack of moonlight. The needle did not point North, nor did it waver.

He had a feeling he was being watched. Usually if he ignored it, whoever it was would go away.