The Woodswise fire crackled merrily, sending up sparks to spar with the snowflakes that were beginning to come down from gloomy skies. Spirits were high, the gaggle around the flame unphased by the wandering cloaked figures, drawn in by the revelry. Songs and stories were shared, merry spirits doing more to stave off the cold than the fire itself.

For once, Reason did not feel inclined to share in the fun. The weight of their decisions lay heavy upon them, the burdens of the day stacking like bricks on their back. They were tired, tired that every time an opportunity arose to help some, others around them got hurt. Each little victory came with its own shadow, haunting their footsteps with a vicious smirk.

The fire, at least, provided some temporary comfort to their clouded thoughts. They were reminded of recent travels with Rhyme, huddled over a small flame conjured in the palm of their other half’s hand as they rested before the next step of their journey, humming a song together.

Reason mulled on if their recent political appointment would actually help assuage the continually rising tensions, tensions they were at least in part responsible for. They would have no doubt refused the proposal from the nobles had they not pointed out that it would do well to symbolize Runeheim’s respect for the Dunnick people. With no desire to lead their fellow Duns to inevitable bloodshed, Reason had accepted. For once, it felt the path to offer aid and respite to their people was clear.

Still, Reason was aware how this was just another sign of the inability of nobles to change their ways. They suspected the number of Duns joining the freedom fighters would continue to grow regardless. Fighting may be inevitable, but Reason was of the opinion that it was a short term solution. It hurt a deep part of their fragmented soul that their countrymen had lost so much hope of a free Dunland that they were driven to find Home somewhere else.

Worse was the question if their newfound role would strip them of the title of hero of Dunland in the eyes of their people. How funny, that Reason had just started to feel the lightness of freedom, being no longer chained to a contract or a mage’s guild.

And Rhyme… So many times, Rhyme had gotten hurt. It did not help that in their fervor they would always push through their pain, endlessly seeking the answers that they thought would bring them clarity. And who was Reason to stop that? After all, the answers compelled them too. The deep, secretive part of them that remained O’shea ached to uncover all that was hidden from him. Ultimately, they felt the costs incurred were worth it.

Any cost, except for that of Rhyme.

△ △ △

Reason could still hear the fresh snow crunching beneath their feet as they and Sygurn raced through the streets of the forum after Rhyme. Wisps of smoke rose up from small, charred spots upon the ground, evidence of the demon’s power surging through the hapless fire mage.

Somehow able to catch up, Reason had latched onto Rhyme, helplessly begging them to resist the demon’s hold, ignoring Rhyme’s own pleas for Reason to get away. They struggled to still Rhyme’s hands as a horrified crowd looked on, wishing for the onlookers to be safe, for the demonic entity to quit puppeting Rhyme. And then –

“Deflagrate Ignis et Auctorita…”

△ △ △

“I was but a maid, doin’ me job.”

Reason whipped around, the horrifying memory still flitting in their thoughts, the phantom sensation of flame magic hot on their arms. In their fidgeting, they had shuffled further from the crowd and away from the safety of the fire. A pale figure hovered uncomfortably close, staring straight through the carpenter at the blazing fire.

Reason gauged it carefully, curiously even. It made no move to threaten them.

“I never harmed no soul in me life. Jus’ tryin’ to provide for me kiddos,” the Malefic uttered, its gravely voice hardly audible.

“And then the whole house collapsed on me.”

Reason’s blood ran cold.

The Woodswise folk broke into a howl, and a cluster of ghosts that had gotten too close to the fire rushed past Reason with a hiss. The Malefic’s gaze flicked to meet Reason’s, then vanished.