ã€ŠThe Skin-Bound Tome Sidestory - The Selkiesã€‹


 Chapter 01 - The Village at the Sea

    It is said that ancient gods roam the sea. As great waves they crash, foam-crested against the blackened cliffs and grey shores of Harren. Their wails echoing along the sharp rocks and up and in between jagged stones. Almost as if they could crawl out of the primordial dark of the sea by holding on to slick stone. As if they could reach out to take what they once had and which was taken from them not by force but forgotten memories.

    The people of Harren were hard and marked by the sea. Their faces weathered and their character, at the first glance, cold and distant. But once trust was gained, they opened up and were more than willing to share.

    It was therefor no surprise that even the Selkies, who lived in a colony nearby the fishing hamlet, were welcomed with warm smiles once they had proven to harbor no ill intentions towards the humans of Harren. While kept a secret outside Harren, the villagers soon established a form of trade with the Selkies. In exchange for fish and man-made wonders, the Selkies brought the people of Harren rare pearls and gold nuggets swept out of the inland by the rivers.

    Thanks to this exchange, Harren turned into a prosperous place, where even during times of crisis the people managed to live well. Even the Selkies prospered and started to build small houses in the style of the humans around their hidden bay. In time, the humans and Selkies grew ever closer until the first marriages were announced. And, different from common legend, those marriages were made from genuine love, with the Selkies keeping their sealskins and the humans finding their spouses to always return after a few days out at the sea.

    The people of Harren kept their relationship with the Selkies hidden, well aware of the consequence not just for the Selkies but also themselves. To aid in this secrecy, they kept their prosperity hidden behind overgrown houses and barely tended gardens and fields. In the end, outsiders, drawn in by rumors of the gold of Harren, were kept at a distance by seemingly unfriendly faces and the roughness commonly expected of those who make their livelihood by working hard and conquering the harsh sea on a daily basis.

    ¡ª

    It was a cold autumn morning, the grey sky slowly brightening crimson in the east. Moisture clung to the air, and muddy puddles crisscrossed the streets and back paths of Harren. Alistair left his home, a narrow cottage close to the border of the village, and went on his way towards the shore where his small fishing boat awaited his return. On his back he carried a sack with all the necessities for his day at sea, from fishing nets to hooks and fishing lines, as well as something to eat, and a set of separate clothes warped in an oiled leather bundle to be kept dry.

    His feet hurt a little due to the webbing between his toes, a common trait among the people of Harren, but once he was on the boat, he could pull the boots off and stretch his toes. His mother had early on taught him to keep his feed hidden when on land, in order to not arise any suspicions from outsiders. What outsiders lurked around muddy streets in cold October mornings before sunrise was a question he only partially pondered. Though there were two outsiders, he had to consider.

    For about a month now there were two priests in Harren, who had been appointed by the local bishop to take care of the small, slightly decrepit church as well as the villagers. Why a man who had never shown up in Harren suddenly cared about their spiritual wellbeing was not just beyond Alistair, but also anyone else native to Harren. Nobody even knew how the bishop looked, and plenty hadn¡¯t even known such a man existed at all. But what soon became clear about the bishop was that he seemingly didn¡¯t care as much as the envoy, he had sent along the two priests, had made him out to do.

    To Alistair and the majority of other inhabitants, the brothers were just nosey nuisances. A pair of outsiders who had no business within the village. While treated with the expected politeness, no one interacted with them more than was necessary during the Sunday¡¯s prayers and other feast days of the church.

    Lucky for Alistair, he was unlikely to cross the priests¡¯ paths if he kept going. They mostly lived holed up in the house adjacent to the church and paid mostly attention to the church. Still, they were often seen lurking around the streets but only around sunset. During sunrise, it was rare to see them around at all.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Alistair went down the streets and pathways while fog started to thicken closer to the sea. Once he was past the last house towards the shore and entered the sandy path towards the ocean, it was nearly impossible to clearly see ahead more than a few yards. Still, he knew where he needed to go.

    The moorings had been built and rebuilt over countless times by his family at the shore. Always at the same place in the same style, just like all the other fishing families did in their small alcoves, crated by the sea and kept separate from one another. Although some of the weather planks were already damaged, they would still hold firm for a few more years.

    As Alistair stepped into the mooring, he heard a splash close by and stopped. A heartbeat later, he could hear a soft voice whisper from beneath the wooden planks.

    ¡°Alistair?¡±, a young woman asked, tense. ¡°Is that you?¡±

    ¡°Aila? Who else could I be?¡±, he asked chuckling and headed to the side of the mooring to look over its edge.

    Another splash followed, and a grayish brown seal peeked out of the water. It¡¯s large black eyes fixed on Alistair, who smiled at the animal. Suddenly, the seal opened its mouth further than should be possible. But instead of the red maw filled with sharp teeth, a young woman¡¯s head appeared as the head of the seal fell limp like a hood around her neck.

    ¡°Is something the matter?¡±, he asked concerned, the smile vanishing from his face. ¡°You look as though you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve found another one¡±, said Aila shivering after looking around. ¡°By the huge rocks down the shore from here.¡±

    ¡°By the Lord!¡±, Alistair exclaimed and immediately pressed his hand against his mouth.

    A moment later, he kneeled down and went closer to the Selkie.

    ¡°D-do you know who it is?¡±, he asked in a hushed voice.

    ¡°No I¡­ I didn¡¯t dare to look¡±, Aila replied, stammering.

    ¡°Show me the way¡±, he told her, and stood up.

    The Selkie nodded and pulled the seal head back up, where it returned into its natural shape. With a splash, she was back in the water, only barely visible as a shadow beneath the waves. Even without her guidance, he would''ve known where to find the body. After all, judging by her description, it was the same spot as last time.

    Soon the fog pressing in from the sea cleared slightly and allowed the jagged rocks to appear like dark shadows against the foaming waves. Aila jumped a few times out of the water to make it easier for him to follow her.

    Arriving at the stones, Alistair put his sack down on a dry patch of sand, far away from the waterline, and climbed onto the rocks. This was a painful thing for him as the awkward angles he had to keep his feed in pulled at his webbing. Even before arriving at the spot, he could see an arm poke out from between the black stone. Apprehensive, he became slower until he almost stopped. But he knew, he couldn¡¯t postpone this further, and took a deep breath.

    The stones gave soon way to more of the body. From the first glance, Alistair could tell that it was another girl, about his and Aila¡¯s age. She was naked, and her black hair was knotted with flotsam and tang. Judging by the spongy look of her skin, she had been some time in the water, but not long enough to show any signs of decay. What stood out to Alistair were the large deep cut below her rips and bite marks. Some of them look suspiciously like those of a seal.

    Alistair climbed over the jagged rocks and lowered himself down to get close enough. His hand trembled as he reached for the girl''s face. Carful as if she were just sleeping, he brushed the hair away and looked into a face he knew.

    ¡°By the Lord¡±, he murmured. ¡°Maude¡­¡±

    ¡°Who is it?¡±, Aila asked alarmed, some distance away.

    He couldn¡¯t bering himself to tell her. But at the same time, she did come closer.

    ¡°Stay away!¡±, he called out.

    ¡°Alistair?¡±, she asked, confused. ¡°What¡­ Why?¡±

    He stammered but could bring out a coherent word.At the same time, he was aware he couldn¡¯t keep this from her as she drifted closer, carried by the current.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡±, he murmured and cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Aila.¡±

    ¡°What? Oh¡­ Oh, no! Who is it?¡±, she asked, trembling and with tears in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s someone¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Maude¡­¡±, he said, barely loud enough to be heard over the waves.

    Aila immediately pulled the seal head back up and let out a wail so painful it felt like a knife was driven into his heart. But before he could offer any solace, she vanished below the waves in a splash. Panicked, he called out after her but received no answer. Worried about her wellbeing, he undid his boots, but before he could jump into the cold ocean she appeared again, letting out a pitiful sound before pulling her human head out of her sealskin.

    ¡°S-sorry¡±, she said between hick-ups while still crying. ¡°I-I di-didn¡¯t meant to st-startle you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright¡­ I understand¡­¡±, he replied and tied his boots. ¡°It¡¯s best if you swim to your aunt and uncle, while I¡¯ll go and fetch the mayor.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­ I-I do just th-that.¡±

    With her seal head back on, she vanished beyond the waves. Alistair took a deep breath and looked once more at Maude. He couldn¡¯t leave her like this, but at the same time, he knew that he wouldn¡¯t get her out alone of the rock fissure she was in. So he turned around with a heavy heart. Once he was back on somewhat solid ground, he immediately started running despite his feet feeling like being cut by hundreds of small glass shards.

 Chapter 02 - A matter for the Bishop

    The sun had come out and driven the fog from the land. It seemed like bitter mockery for the day to be such a pleasant one. On the other hand, the weather had made it easier to get Maude¡¯s body out of the stone fissure. Alistair along some of the other more nimble men of Harren had carried her onto the shore and laid her down on the soft sand. Some of the others who had accompanied them immediately covered her with a linen sheet and spoke prayers for her soul.

    Once she was played down with the necessary dignity, the mayor of Harren inquired Alistair as to how he had found the body. Truthfully, he told him everything right before the two priests arrived at the scene. The bystanders, all of them longtime residents of Harren, immediately ceased their murmur and made way for the brothers. Alistair froze up as much as everyone else.

    ¡°This is a matter for the bishop now!¡±, announced the younger of the brothers, called Hamish, with overbearing fervor while his brother Iain kept behind shaking his head.

    ¡°The bishop has more important things to do¡±, the mayor replied stern. ¡°We people of Harren have always dealt with our problems ourselves, and we don¡¯t intend to change this on the whim of two outsiders.¡±

    ¡°This sounds almost like you know the one behind those murders and want to protect whoever it is¡±, he asked, his cold blue eyes almost bugging out of his skull.

    ¡°We still don¡¯t know whether it was a murder or just an accident¡±, he replied, almost sparking fire from his brown eyes. ¡°Beyond that, I can assure you that no one living for generations here in Harren would hurt one of us!¡±

    ¡°So are you insinuating that an outsider was the culprit? You are hiding something! Maybe it was you?¡±

    ¡°Brother, please calm down¡±, Iain said tired and placed his hand on his brothers shoulder with an exhausted look. ¡°Nobody gains anything by throwing around baseless accusations.¡±

    ¡°Brother¡­¡±, Hamish replied hollow and almost snarled.

    For a moment, he looked like he was about to dig his bare hands into his brother¡¯s chest, but after a second, he backed down surprisingly quick. A strange callous smirk played at the corner of his mouth. At the same time, Alistair couldn¡¯t help but smell some strange herbs coming from him. Still, this ought to just be the smell of incense.

    ¡°Before we can draw any conclusions, we need to take a look at the body¡±, Iain continued unbothered and looked over at Maude while pushing his glasses back up his nose.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    ¡°Still, I dare say that she¡¯ll show the same wounds and will have her heart cut out as the others¡±, his brother continued. ¡°I told you by the time the second death occurred that this was the work of some inhuman beast. It¡¯s beyond time to inform the bishop and call for aid.¡±

    ¡°One step after the other, brother¡±, he replied calmly and walked over to the body.

    With cold detachment, he pulled the soaked cover-up and looked at her. Alistair felt that this was inappropriate and wanted to stop him, but before he could make a single step, he felt the mayor¡¯s hand on his shoulder.

    ¡°Come along for a bit¡±, he told him. ¡°We need to talk.¡±

    ¡°Yes, uncle¡±, he replied and went long underneath the burning calculating gaze of Father Hamish, while the others remained at an uneasy distance.

    ¡°We can¡¯t no longer ignore them, boy¡±, the mayor told him once they were out of earshot. ¡°If we want to not doom the whole village, we need to play along.¡±

    ¡°But then it will be known that we¡­ You know¡±, he said, after another uncomfortable glance towards the young priests.

    ¡°Yes, there¡¯s the danger our secret will come to light, but this murderer has to be stopped. Besides, if we allow them to inform the bishop without putting up a fight, then we¡¯ve time to prepare and hide the skins. We don¡¯t have any options left. I suspect them to inform the man regardless of our wishes, so all we can do is avoid having them ask further questions.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re already asking more than I¡¯m comfortable.¡±

    ¡°I understand, but, please, boy, do you want to make them suspicious of you?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t kill anyone!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying that, but they might think of it. After all, you were the one who also discovered Catriona. And you can¡¯t mention that Aila was the one to find her cousin and led you to her.¡±

    Alistair lowered his eyes to the tips of his boots. To mention, Aila¡¯s involvement in finding Maude was beyond insane. It would immediately show those two that the people of Harren were involved with Selkies. Not to speak of the suspicions, which would fall on her because she wasn¡¯t human and because of what clearly looked like animal bites on the victims.

    ¡°Alistair, you may be off age, but you are still like a son to my wife and me since your parents died¡±, the mayor said with a warm smile and placed his calloused hand on his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll see to it that nothing bad will happen to you.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, uncle¡±, he replied meekly, and looked over to the priests and the body.

    ¡°It seems it¡¯s about time we return¡±, the old man mused as he frowned at the glaring Hamish.

    ¡°This is beyond anyone here in Harren¡±, Father Iain said sternly as they approached him. ¡°The wounds seem to point to something inhuman. We¡¯re going to inform the bishop of this. No matter if you want to or not.¡±

    ¡°This was to be expected¡±, the mayor said in an agreeable voice. ¡°I, too, wish to find the culprit, but are you certain it is something inhuman?¡±

    ¡°There are wounds that can¡¯t be explained easily, as they point to a large animal like a seal¡±, he explained. ¡°And I never heard of such animals wielding a knife either.¡±

    That moment, Aila, and her aunt and uncle arrived at the scene. As her aunt saw the covered body, she let out an animal-like cry and ran to the body of her daughter. Alistair went to Aila, whose hair was still wet and smelled like salt and seaweed. She immediately threw herself against him and allowed herself to openly weep. He held her close and shielded her from the all too curious gaze of both priests.

 Chapter 03 - Something lurking in the Deep

    Harren was located on the northern shores of the kingdom. With grey beaches and black cliffs as well as the cold winds and the icy waters, it wasn¡¯t a place many people wanted to travel to. The few visitors to the village only stayed for the night or during the regular occurring storms and left for their real destinations, usually days of travel away. This in turn meant there wasn¡¯t much care invested in the streets to and from the village, making fast travel nearly impossible.

    Much to the displeasure of the priests, between the letter to and the answer of the bishop, almost a month passed. During this time, a tense calm had fallen over the village. The calm broke when another corpse was found.

    A girl again.

    Again, with the same wounds.

    Alistair started to feel apprehensive when he walked to the moorings during the early hours of the day to go fish. The thought that Aila could be the next one became a low, constant murmur in his mind. One he could still tone out if he wanted, but not get rid of. Another nagging thought, much older yet equally insistent, reared its head.

    If only I had my mother¡¯s sealskin.

    Only once Aila poked her head out from the water at the mooring, and he could be sure she was fine, those thoughts grew silent. It also seemed them being together at sea was a source of calm for her as well. They needed each other as much as the air to breathe.

    The day after the last victim had been found, they set out as usual. Aila in her seal-form right next to him in his boat. Once they brought some distance between themselves and the shore, she jumped into the boat. At first, this had been their only way of meeting, but for about a year it had just become a pleasant thing to do.

    ¡°I¡¯ve come to wonder about a few things¡±, said Aila after he had thrown out the last of his baits.

    ¡°Do go on¡±, he encouraged her, as she didn¡¯t continue.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    ¡°Maude had told me about a month before she was¡­ you know¡­ that she had seen something odd in the water while hunting¡±, she continued tense.

    ¡°Odd? To what extent?¡±

    ¡°She spoke about a devil lurking in the deep. Something like a seal but much more monstrous. Like¡­ like a werewolf is to a human.¡±

    ¡°Can Selkies become werewolves?¡±, Alistair asked after thinking about it for a few moments.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±, Aila replied and slumped down a bit.

    ¡°Did she tell your aunt and uncle?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but they put it up to diving sickness. After all, Maude liked to dive deeper than anyone.¡±

    ¡°I mean¡­ We don¡¯t really know what lives down here¡±, he said and looked over the side of his boat, which now appeared much smaller to him than it already was. ¡°Perhaps there are were-selkies or the like.¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so¡±, Aila replied thoughtful and shook her head. ¡°Perhaps it was just diving sickness.¡±

    ¡°But aren¡¯t there different tribes of Selkies?¡±, he asked, as he remembered to have heard something like this some time ago.

    ¡°There are as many Selkie tribes as there are seals¡±, she said, somewhat taken aback by his uncertainty. ¡°My gran told me about a tribe high up in the north, who look in their seal-form like a walrus. The men are supposed to have quite the remarkable beards¡­¡±

    ¡°Should I grow out my beard?¡±

    ¡°Oh no! You would look too much like one of those grimy sailors who sometimes accidentally wash ashore around here!¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright, love! I promise I won¡¯t. But back to our topic: Couldn¡¯t a Selkie of a different tribe be here and committing those¡­ murders?¡±

    ¡°While plausible, I don¡¯t think so. It¡¯s quite difficult for a member of a different tribe to hide from another. We would smell a stranger within a mile.¡±

    Alistair let that sink in for a while. Looking at the calm sea, he still wondered about what was hidden below it. There had been tales of giant sea monsters from some of those sailors Aila had just mentioned. And there were the old legends well known around the region. Not just about Selkies, but also about mermaids, and the spirits of those who sought their end at the cliffs just a few miles west of the village.

    Suddenly, this old unbidden thought crossed again his mind.

    If I had my mother¡¯s sealskin¡­

    For a long time, he had dreamed to roam the sea as a seal. Even before he had met Aila, he had longed for a sealskin. But there was nothing he could do. There was no way for him to get one.

    Before his glum thoughts could truly manifest, one of the fishing lines connecting the nets to his boat was pulled taut. Alistair reacted without thinking and began to hall the catch in with Aila¡¯s help. Once the haul was in the boat, he started to sort it while Aila ate a few of the more sizable fish. At first, it had been odd to see such a petit girl eat like this, but he soon had found it quite adorable ¡ª much to her playful dismay.

 Chapter 04 - The Order of the Crimson Hand arrives

    As expected, it was a month later, during Christmas, when the promised help from the bishop finally arrived. Despite there being no victim this time, there was little to no festivity among the people of Harren. Everybody was tense and had no mind for any merriment. But the moment the bishop¡¯s investigators arrived, some relief took hold, but as the people left their homes to look at the newcomers, the relief evaporated like fog in the sun.

    All in all, it was an almost laughable small group of six men. Five of them looked about Alistair¡¯s age, with the sixth appearing more like a chaperone than a leader. While no one had held any special expectations, this seemed like an ill fitted joke. Just six men, and the majority so youthful that they couldn¡¯t hold much experience. Still, the way they rode into the village, especially the blond man at the helm, made it clear they were serious business.

    Silent and with stern looks, they directed their horses into the village square, where the mayor waited with the two priests. Alistair had thought about joining them to meet those knights head on, but ultimately had decided against it. Something he didn¡¯t regret at all, as their leader looked quite intimidating despite his youth and strange beauty. Still, he and Aila had chosen a close enough spot with a few other villagers to watch what was going on.

    The riders stopped their horses some distance away and dismounted without haste. They wore only little armor, and above their tunics they wore white scapulars with a crimson hand and a cross printed across. Their weapons were on clear display and left no doubt that they at least knew how to fight. As they approached the mayor and the priests, the oldest member of the group kept to the back with the watchful gaze of an instructor.

    ¡°Welcome to Harren, highborn knights of the Crimson Hand¡±, the mayor greeted them and bowed to them with the priests.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to bow, good man¡±, the blond said calm and collected. ¡°Neither of us is highborn.¡±

    ¡°Then what farce is this?¡±, asked Father Hamish angry. ¡°Hasn¡¯t the bishop understood the danger this place is in?¡±

    ¡°One doesn¡¯t need to be highborn, Father, in order to become a member of the Crimson Hand¡±, the leader of the group explained without raising his voice. ¡°All that is needed is the unwavering will to defend humanity from the forces of the Devil or any other otherworldly power.¡±

    As he said this, there was clear distaste in his eyes for Father Hamish and his brother, who held him back at the shoulder. He then looked around those present, sizing them up one by one with a gaze as cold as ice. The only people he seemingly lingered for longer than a second were Aila and Alistair. Instinctively, she reached for Alistair¡¯s hand and pulled herself close. The leader then looked back at the mayor with a calculating expression.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°My name is Rosomil, and I¡¯ll be handling this investigation¡±, he explained matter-of-fact. ¡°All inquiries will go through me or my vice captain, Lodwin.¡±

    As he said this, he pointed at the tall red haired man right next to him, who seemed slightly amused by the situation.

    ¡°We would rather not offend you, Sire¡±, the mayor said, after silently pleading with the brothers to back down. ¡°It¡¯s just that the tensions are hight here in Harren. People keep looking over their shoulders.¡±

    ¡°Rest assured that whatever evil has befallen this hamlet, we will take care of it. Be it human or inhuman¡±, Rosomil explained. ¡°The first measure will be a thorough questioning of those who have found the bodies. My companions and I expect to hear about every little detail and nothing but the truth.¡±

    Aila tightened the grip around Alistair¡¯s hand. He reassured her by squeezing hers back. He didn¡¯t intend to tell this man about her true nature. Likewise, he wasn¡¯t even sure if his webbed feet weren¡¯t grounds enough to have suspicions fall on him.

    ¡°Is there a suitable place for us to stay during this investigation?¡±, the leader of the group asked. ¡°An inn or an abandoned house?¡±

    ¡°This village has just one inn, which I run¡±, the mayor explained. ¡°You can stay there while I provide everything for you and your companions free of charge.¡±

    ¡°That much isn¡¯t necessary, as we¡¯ll pay for the roof and the food you¡¯ll provide us¡±, the blond replied dry. ¡°It is one of the Orders tenants to not let hospitality remain unrewarded.¡±

    ¡°Then allow me to see you to your lodgings¡±, he said formally, and headed towards the inn, which also doubled as home for his family.

    The knights followed while some of the servants were tending to their horses and bringing them to the stable right next to the inn. Alistair watched them weary as they went past him and Aila, his eyes drawn to the crimson hand, which was prominently displayed not just on their scapulars but also on the few banners they had brought along.

    ¡°They¡¯re dangerous¡±, Aila whispered to him once they were out of earshot. ¡°Especially their leader. He seems¡­ He seems to already know what I am.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡±, Alistair tried to reassure her. ¡°How should he? He¡¯s just human.¡±

    ¡°But the way he looked at¡­ I don¡¯t know. He doesn¡¯t look human to me.¡±

    ¡°He works for the bishop. I don¡¯t think the clergy would suffer any nonhumans to serve them.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ No, you¡¯re right. I¡¯m just so nervous all the time.¡±

    ¡°Everything¡¯ll be alright soon¡±, he reassured her and held her close.

    They remained standing for some time with the other curious villagers. But as soon as it became apparent that nothing of further interest would happen, the people dispersed and headed back to their homes or workstations.

    As they left, they came across Father Hamish, who seemed just as fidgety as usual. Yet, there was something tense about him, that made Alistair pull Aila slightly behind himself as they went past him. It didn¡¯t help that he watched them like a hawk.

 Chapter 05 - A tense Interrogation

    A few days passed, during which the Knights of the Crimson Hand were scarcely seen outside the inn. It even appeared to most inhabitants of Harren, that they just imagined them arriving. Or at least they feigned this lack of memory in order to not think too much about the sealskins many had to hide before the knights'' arrival.

    Alistair went alone to the sea. It was so cold that the ocean had frozen over by the shore. He couldn¡¯t go out at sea to fish this day but the sun shone and warmed the black rocks enough he felt comfortable thanks to his Selkie-ancestry. Sitting there, he contemplated the murders. As far as he was aware, all victims until now had been pureblood Selkies or descendants of one and a human with access to a sealskin. But they had all been found in their human form, with their sealskins missing. Alistair hadn¡¯t asked Aila about it, as most Selkies were peculiar about their skins. It was a sign of bad manners to ask them.

    ¡°If I just had a skin myself¡­¡±, he mused, downtrodden. ¡°I could at least dive with Aila and keep her save in the water.¡±

    He often wondered where the sealskin of his mother had ended up. Aila¡¯s gran had once told him that sealskin were either handed down in the family or returned to Sedna, who would give them to those, who needed them. Sedna, the Mother of the Ocean, was said to be the mother of all life within the vastness of the sea and the one weaving the sealskins.

    ¡°Perhaps she took the skins from the dead¡±, he mused and sighed deeply.

    ¡°Of whom are you talking?¡±, asked someone behind him.

    With a shout, Alistair turned around and nearly fell from the rock.

    ¡°I duly apologize for startling you¡±, the young leader of the knights said, and stepped closer ¡ª his hands hidden in the pockets of his coat. ¡°It wasn¡¯t my intention to do so.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ It¡¯s alright¡±, he said, and jumped down from his sitting spot. ¡°Is there a reason you¡¯re here?¡±

    ¡°I was looking for you¡±, he said, with a thoughtful expression. ¡°Care to walk with me?¡±

    Alistair felt like he had no say in the matter and nodded. The leader of the knights was about as tall as him, but there was an air of superiority around him, which should¡¯ve been off-putting but strangely wasn¡¯t. The knight seemed distant yet polite. At the same time, Alistair felt that there was more to him than met the eye.

    ¡°Your name¡¯s Rosomil?¡±, he asked as they walked along the shore towards the cliffs.

    ¡°Yes, and you¡¯re Alistair¡±, he replied and regarded him with clear blue eyes. ¡°I was told by the mayor that you found two of the four dead. I¡¯m curious to hear your side of the story.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t kill them¡±, he said out of reflex and stopped dead.

    ¡°I never insinuate this¡±, he replied cold, which in turn made Alistair flinch. ¡°Just tell me what you know.¡±

    Alistair took a deep breath and started to tell Rosomil how he had found Catriona. Luckily, he had found her alone but once he started to talk about Maude, he had to omit Aila. Judging by the thoughtful look on Rosomil¡¯s face, he seemed to do a fantastic job to obfuscate her involvement. The knight didn¡¯t even interrupt him to dig deeper.

    Once Alistair had finished, the knight stopped and turned towards the sea. Some cracks had formed on the ice sheet, signaling that it was gone soon. As the knight stood there, Alistair took the chance to take a closer look.

    All in all, Rosomil seemed much like him, not just in age but also strength. What appeared odd though was that he didn¡¯t wear much armor. He seemed rather leisurely in his attire, disregarding the short sword at his hip and his white coat with the crimson hand on it. And there was this strange beauty. While certainly human, there was something about him, making him appear like a saint or angel, which unnerved Alistair now as much as it had unnerved Aila.

    ¡°I do have a few questions considering how you found the second girl¡±, Rosomil said and appeared suddenly much older and sterner than before.

    ¡°Please, ask me anything you want to know¡±, Alistair replied timid. ¡°I¡¯ll answer honestly.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    ¡°You told me you were on your way to your ship at the mooring here, didn¡¯t you?¡±, he asked, and Alistair nodded. ¡°I keep wondering¡­ the girl, Maude, was found a few yards away to the west. I do wonder why you went that way, when the path you took leads you directly to the mooring. How come you didn¡¯t go to your boat but walked away from it in that direction?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ uhm. I saw a few seabirds hover above the stones.¡±

    ¡°Seabirds¡­ I don¡¯t see why a few crying birds would cause you to think anything was off. They could¡¯ve just found some dead fish, which wouldn¡¯t be off any concern to you. You¡¯re a fisherman, I doubt you would¡¯ve wasted time like this.¡±

    ¡°I just saw something odd, which I couldn¡¯t place at that moment, and decided to investigate.¡±

    ¡°At dawn? With thick fog all around?¡±

    Alistair couldn¡¯t help but stare at the knight. There was no way he wouldn¡¯t now think him to be the culprit. But he was unable to give Aila¡¯s involvement away to him. He would certainly think she did it and kill her without hesitation.

    ¡°I¡¯m not here to throw around blind accusations¡±, Rosomil addressed him somber. ¡°And you don¡¯t look like a murderer to me. But you¡¯re keeping something from me. So, let me ask you¡­ Is this secret worth it to be accused of murder?¡±

    ¡°And here you are, telling me you aren¡¯t going to throw around accusations, but now you¡¯re calling me a murderer.¡±

    ¡°I guess my wording was a little off¡±, Rosomil remarked and ushered him to move on. ¡°I want to know if your secret will remain protected if the villagers conclude you¡¯re the one they¡¯re looking for.¡±

    ¡°The people of Harren would never accuse me of murder! I¡¯m one of them.¡±

    ¡°Which would result in you finding no one to speak in your favor should you be named a suspect. You¡¯ve found two of the four corpses. It¡¯s just logical to question your innocence.¡±

    ¡°But I didn¡¯t do it! Why should I?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the most important question to ask.¡±

    ¡°But I told you! I¡¯m innocent!¡±

    ¡°I think so too¡±, Rosomil said, with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. ¡°I need to find the reason behind those murders. There¡¯s no killing that happens without a reason, no matter if the perpetrator is a human, an animal, or something else entirely. Once I¡¯ve found that reason, I can clear your name with ease. And that¡¯s why I want you to be honest with me. Your secret shouldn¡¯t be worth the risk of being executed.¡±

    Alistair was torn between protecting Aila and his own safety. His first instinct was to deny the secret and keep it. The knight had no business of knowing about Aila and the other Selkies. On the other hand, he was well aware that, should he be trialed and sentenced to death, which was all but certain considering the circumstances, he couldn¡¯t protect her any longer. She would also suffer, grieve and even the guilt of thinking she had been in love with a murderer. A murderer who had killed her cousin.

    ¡°Here we are¡±, said Rosomil, and turned towards the mooring from which Alistair went fishing almost every morning. ¡°Please show me how exactly you found the second body.¡±

    Tense, Alistair went onto the over frozen mooring. Finding sure foot was more difficult for him than an ordinary human. Due to the walk, his webbed feet hurt as if thousands of hot needles were pushed slowly into his soles. Rosomil watched him intently without betraying any of his thoughts.

    ¡°And you¡¯ve seen the body from here?¡±, the knight asked, stepping beside him.

    There was a scratching sound below them. Slow, Alistair looked down and just saw a brown flipper disappear underneath the worn boards. There was no guess work needed to know that this was Aila. It was also apparent the knight had noticed her as well.

    ¡°I doubt it¡±, Rosomil continued. ¡°You met with someone who had found the body beforehand. Someone who pointed you towards it. The true culprit, perhaps?¡±

    Alistair bit his lips. This was what he had been afraid of. How could this man come to this conclusion so fast? Perhaps Aila had been right all along. Perhaps he wasn¡¯t human. Instinctively, Alistair back away from him and slipped on the boards.

    ¡°I have to ask you¡­ Is it worth protecting this person?¡±

    He hadn¡¯t drawn his sword nor had he placed his hand on the pommel. All in all, he did not stand even directly above him, yet Alistair felt as if the blade had been placed against his throat.

    ¡°Stop! Stop it!¡±, cried Aila in her seal-form, which caused her voice to sound alien.

    She waddled out from underneath the mooring and pulled partially out of her sealskin. The knight watched her intently yet without showing any sign of aggression or even surprise.

    ¡°Don¡¯t harm him!¡±, she shouted and pulled the skin around herself as to resemble a crude dress. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll kill you if you hurt him!¡±

    ¡°Aila! Stay back!¡±, Alistair shouted and scrambled back to his feet.

    He was ready to jump the knight. While unarmed, he still could try to subdue him, but Rosomil didn¡¯t react. He just watched her with an unreadable expression, which was more unnerving than if he tried to kill them.

    ¡°I thought as much¡±, he said, calm and collected. ¡°Please, do come up here.¡±

    Uncertain, Aila hesitated, but after a moment she went to the edge of the mooring. Alistair immediately reached down to pull her up. Once they both stood again, he pulled her behind himself.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mean any harm to the two of you¡±, Rosomil continued, somber. ¡°Far from it. I seek the truth in this case. Wether it means a Selkie or a human or both are the culprit. But I don¡¯t think the two of you are behind those killings. Yet, you two are each a part of the secret. Talk to me. Tell me the truth.¡±

    Alistair felt as if a spell had been put on him. There was something about this man, that seemed about as strange as the monster in the sea, Aila had mentioned. Trembling and without another choice, Alistair told Rosomil once more how he found Maude. This time the real story.

 Chapter 06 - Attacked at Sea

    A storm broke against the shore of Harren. The people holed up in their homes while the knights did the same inside the inn. But not all were inhabitants of Harren feared the storm. Some Selkies swam through the turbulent waters and let the waves roll them around the weightlessness of the ocean. It was one of their feast days when they went out into the depth to hunt for a special kind of squid only present around the new moon at this time of the year.

    This year Aila was the first time among them as this feast also marked the day she was finally considered of age among her people. The thrill of the hunt made her forget for the moment about the murders and what Maude had told her about the monster in the deep. The shine of the squid was also mesmerizing and inciting her to give this hunt everything she got. Just as her gran had once said, feast-days are for feasts and not for worries.

    But as she dove deeper and deeper, following a peculiar large squid, she suddenly found herself alone in perfect darkness. Although she could see much better than any human in the dark ocean, this time she was blind. But fear didn¡¯t take hold of her. She could still feel the ocean currents with her whiskers. The storm above pushed also against the lower layers of the ocean. She could feel the upheaval of giant waves breaking against the shore as much as the minute turbulence caused by the propulsion of the squid.

    Suddenly, the squid she had been pursuing changed direction and swam past her. With renewed vigor, she followed the fast swimming animal. Inches from catching the squid, she was suddenly rammed by something big and tumbled through the water.

    She reoriented herself and collected her bearings.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Suddenly, a shiver ran down her spine.

    There was something close by.

    Something right behind her.

    Slow, she turned around and concentrated on her whiskers. Although she had never been the best at it, she could still somewhat map out her surroundings by using them.

    What she sensed confused her. It seemed like a seal was close by, at least judging by the general disturbances in the stream of water. But this seal was big. Much bigger than even the tallest Selkie of Harren.

    Somewhat apprehensive, she opened her eyes, despite it being foolish. Yet, it was just the right moment. The glowing squid swam just past a giant set of hollow eyes, which reflected the light of the animal with an intense fluorescent green.

    If on land, she would¡¯ve screamed. Instead, she dashed off, barely seeing the giant maw filled with jagged teeth aimed at her throat.

    Aila swam for her life.

    She didn¡¯t dare to stop.

    She didn¡¯t dare to even turn around or feel out if she was hunted.

    All she could do was swim.

    Swimming towards the surface.

    Swimming towards the others of her tribe.

    The moment she saw the hectic glow of the squids above, she slowed down. A mistake, as a few seconds later sharp teeth ribbed into her back flippers. Purely on instinct, she turned around and a bit down into the next thing she could reach. The taste of blood immediately poisoned her tongue, but she managed to tear free and swim the rest of the way towards the others.

    Once she had reached them, she immediately left the feast and went back into the secret Selkie part of the village. Upon being questioned as to the origin of the wound, she said it had been a shark ¡ª a common problem among her people and around these waters. Lucky for her, they believed her and didn¡¯t ask further questions. Perhaps they were even too afraid to ask the real question they most likely had thought of.

    All Aila thought of was to return as soon as the sun rose to Alistair and ask him for advice.

 Chapter 07 - Suspicious Injuries

    ¡°The priests need your help¡±, said the mayor as Rosomil arrived in the main room.

    The others sat already at the table, eating breakfast, with Aswald sitting at the side. He looked towards them with a curious expression. At the same time, Lodwin raised his spoon slower than usual and watched them with some weariness.

    ¡°Do they, now?¡±, Rosomil asked with a frown and stopped at the food of the stairs. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Did they find another corpse?¡±

    ¡°No, nothing of the like, Sire¡±, the major replied hasty with a nervous laugh while waving his hand. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ While I made my rounds assessing the damage last night¡¯s storm had done, I came across their house and found not only one of the windows broken, but both of them injured. Since I lack the necessary knowledge to offer adequate care, I thought it wise to talk to you knights.¡±

    ¡°Than I shall immediately accompany you and tend to their wounds¡±, Rosomil said.

    ¡°What about breakfast?¡±, asked Lodwin from across the table.

    ¡°I¡¯ll eat at a later point¡±, he replied and headed back towards the stairs. ¡°I¡¯ll go and fetch my medical equipment.¡±

    Once he had the major necessities in a small leather bag, Rosomil headed back down the stairs and left the inn with the mayor in tow. While they walked to the residence of the priests, Rosomil used his chance to speak with the old man.

    ¡°How long are the priests with you?¡±, he asked, somber.

    ¡°For three or four months¡±, he answered.

    ¡°Do you know to which they were assigned before?¡±

    ¡°No. They were ordered here upon the bishop¡¯s wish. I neither know to which parish they had been assigned before coming here nor why exact they were chosen for this place.¡±

    ¡°You never asked?¡±

    ¡°No. It seemed ill fitted to ask them any such questions. After all, the bishop pointed out that he wanted someone to take care of the salvation of our souls because of the two murders preceding their arrival here.¡±

    ¡°How was the bishop informed of the first murders?¡±

    ¡°That¡­ uhm¡­¡±, the mayor hesitated and stopped.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±, Rosomil asked, intrigued.

    ¡°I¡¯m not certain how, Sir Knight¡±, he insisted. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be, I¡¯ll ask the priests giving the chance is right around the corner¡±, he said and gave the mayor a sign to continue.

    ¡°Around the corner is actually a good word, we¡¯re almost there¡±, he said, somewhat amused despite the situation.

    ¡°I¡¯ve still one question, I would like to ask¡±, said Rosomil, looking straight ahead.

    ¡°Just ask, I¡¯ll answer if I can.¡±

    ¡°Has the bishop always been interested in Harren?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t think so. I¡¯m among the oldest people here in Harren, but I don¡¯t remember receiving any news from the bishop. Among the people of Harren, I guess, I was just among a handful who did know of his existence. And I only did know of him or rather his role because of the old priest we had about six years ago. I guess someone with the necessary connections did inform the bishop who then saw to it the priests came here.¡±

    ¡°Interesting¡­¡±, murmured Rosomil with a frown.

    A few moments later, they arrived at the house. Their home was one of the bigger, better kept houses. Rosomil suspected that the lack of apparent upkeep in the rest of the village was intentional, as the people seemed too well-adjusted to let their homes fall into disrepair. It also held up with the rumors he had heard about before coming to Harren. Well off people, hiding their wealth behind a facade of decrepit buildings. A good deterrent against a common thief, but with rumors like this circling, questionable if still that smart of a move.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The major went to the door with some reluctance and knocked.

    ¡°Father Iain? Father Hamish? I¡¯ve brought the leader of the knights!¡±, he announced them after there was no response. ¡°Please open the door!¡±

    A moment later, something seemed to fall over behind the door. Alarmed Rosomil pushed the old man aside and knocked against the door. Before he could call out, the door was opened a few inches by an exhausted looking Father Iain.

    ¡°I told you, we just need medicine¡±, Iain said, glaring at the mayor across the border of his glasses, of which one side now had a crack.

    ¡°You only get my medicine along with my expertise¡±, Rosomil replied stern. ¡°May I come in?¡±

    For a moment, the young priest, who seemed just a little older than him, continued to glare. He held the eye contact and frowned. A moment later, Father Iain opened the door fully and stepped tentatively aside.

    ¡°Come in, but only go where I tell you to go, Sir Knight¡±, he said and looked over at the major, as if daring the man to enter as well.

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle everything from here on out, thank you, mayor¡±, Rosomil said to deflate the tension, which seemed to relieve the old man greatly.

    Iain let him in and closed the door slowly behind them. Rosomil used the moment to get an overview of the small house, but before he could really settle on details, Father Iain ushered him forward with a strong hand on his shoulder. He didn¡¯t like being touched so casually but forced his displeasure down. For now, he needed to play along and gain the priests¡¯ trust. Still, he took note of the strong herbal sent within the house. A scent which permeated everything and originated not from the kitchen, Father Iain was pushing him in, but a room further back, close to the wall of the church.

    Upon entering the kitchen, Rosomil took a short visual assessment. By the looks of it, they had been eating breakfast while treating their wounds. Especially Father Hamish seemed worse for wear. He looked exhausted, and the smell of the herbs wafted around him like a thick cloud. His bare chest showed bruises and scratches, as well as a set of new bandages. Something was definitely off, but Rosomil could tell what it was.

    ¡°What happened?¡±, he asked and stepped next to Father Hamish.

    ¡°The storm broke a few windowpanes, and we got hurt by the shards¡±, explained Father Iain stern, without moving away from the door.

    ¡°We got hurt?¡±, asked Rosomil and placed his bag beside the table before taking one of the chairs and placing it right next to Hamish, who stared at him as if in a drunken stupor.

    As he did so, he could smell the distinct scent of the ocean coming from Hamish below the herbal smell. There were also some salt crusts on the side of his face, as if he had been hastily cleaned.

    ¡°Yes, Sire Knight¡±, Iain answered and moved closer, but still kept himself between Rosomil and the only entrance to the kitchen. ¡°I would prefer if you could keep this visit short.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t send the mayor to me?¡±

    ¡°No. He went out of his own accord, despite me telling him we could take care of this on our own.¡±

    Rosomil nodded and undid the bandages as gently as he could. To his surprise, the wounds didn¡¯t look like they had been caused by glass shards. They were too symmetrical, and the surrounding bruising was also uncommon for such a wound. This was clearly an animal bite.

    ¡°The wound¡¯s infected¡±, he said, and moved to his bag to get one of his ointments out. ¡°I¡¯ll leave some of this with you to apply with every new wound dressing.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll do just that¡±, Iain said with clear impatience in his voice.

    ¡°What I¡¯m also curious about is your brother¡¯s mental state¡±, Rosomil continued after he had bandaged Hamish.

    ¡°What about him?¡±

    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t he said a single word and let me treat him as if he¡¯s just a doll?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m only tired¡±, Hamish said with great difficulty.

    ¡°You heard him, Sir Knight, now go¡±, said Iain with a tint of nervousness in his voice.

    ¡°What about your injuries?¡±, Rosomil asked and glared at him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need your help¡±, he insisted.

    ¡°Your brother doesn¡¯t have any shards stuck in his side, so I just want to make sure you won¡¯t get an infection as well¡±, he insisted in return.

    For a moment, Iain seemed about to throw him out of the house. Yet, after a glance at his worse for wear brother, he took a deep breath and slowly undressed his upper body. Rosomil watched him intently and took note of the bruises and superficial scratches on his upper body, as well as the wounds on his arms. He and his brother looked like they got in a scuffle with some wild animal.

    Overall, Father Iain¡¯s wounds were almost identical to his brothers. The form also points to it being rather a bite than being the aftermath of some broken glass shards. A bite made by something bigger than what bit Hamish. But Rosomil didn¡¯t remark anything on it. On one hand, he doubted that they would be forthcoming with any information, nor did he want to show them that he knew that a lie was underfoot.

    ¡°Are you done now?¡±, asked Father Iain, almost irate once he had bandaged him.

    ¡°I am¡±, Rosomil replied cold and packed his things back together. ¡°But what did you give your brother?¡±

    ¡°A herbal remedy¡±, he answered after a moment of hesitation.

    ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°Against pain. And anxiousness.¡±

    ¡°Just that?¡±

    ¡°Sir Knight, I ask you to go now.¡±

    For a moment, Rosomil wanted to push him but ultimately decided against it. With a sigh, he obeyed and let himself be escorted to the front door.

 Chapter 08 - Exchange of Information

    Alistair was awakened by insistent knocking. Slow, he sat up and needed a moment to collect himself. During and right after such a storm he never went out to fish as he would haul in mostly debris and flotsam. Therefore, he and Aila usually met around midday to help in the village with repairs. Again someone knocked hard against his door. At the same time, Aila called his name in such a way, it made the last remnants of sleep disappear from his mind.

    So fast he almost stumbled over his feet, Alistair headed to the door and opened it. Before he could say anything, he was greeted by a tight hug.

    ¡°Did something happen?¡±, he asked, concerned.

    ¡°Alistair¡­ I¡­¡±, she replied, tense. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I was attacked last night.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡±, he asked shocked and looked her up and down and immediately took note of her bandaged foot.

    Without wasting any time, he helped her in and offered her a seat. Afterward, she told Alistair what had happened.

    ¡°We need to tell the knights¡±, he told her once she was done.

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t really know¡­¡±, she hesitated.

    ¡°It¡¯s the right thing to do¡±, he continued, tense. ¡°Rosomil is much more of an amicable person than his cold exterior makes him out to be. Or have you already forgot that he has promised to keep your involvement and your true nature a secret for as long as he can?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not sure whether I can really trust him or not¡±, she replied after a moment. ¡°We also don¡¯t know if it will actually help him.¡±

    ¡°Any information is good information. And I think we should help him out. As a thank you, so to speak.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ You¡¯re right¡±, Aila replied with a sigh and stood up with some difficulty.

    ¡°Should I carry you?¡±, Alistair offered her along his hand.

    ¡°I can manage, thank you, love¡±, Aila said with a loving smile and took just his hand.

    ¡ª

    Arriving at the inn, Alistair and Aila only found the other knights sitting on the largest table. They were eating breakfast while talking about what they knew thus far about everything. It was odd that their leader wasn¡¯t with them. What was even stranger was the older man with them. He just sat on a chair at the side, with his own breakfast already eaten, and watched them intently without involving himself. He noticed Alistair and Aila immediately and gave them a hand gesture to come closer. Reluctant, they approached the table.

    The redhead stopped mid-conversation and directed his companions'' attention towards them.

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who found tow of the bodies, aren¡¯t you?¡±, the redhead asked Alistair with a soft smile. ¡°Captain Rosomil talked about you. Anyway, what can we do for you?¡±

    ¡°Where is your captain?¡±, Alistair asked, uncertain. ¡°He¡¯s with you?¡±

    ¡°Currently he¡¯s at the local church or wherever those priests are¡±, Rosomil¡¯s second in command replied after a moment. ¡°You¡¯re hurt girl. What happened?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡±, Aila replied timidly and pressed herself against Alistair.

    ¡°We just want to speak with your leader¡±, he insisted after a deep breath and pulled her slightly behind himself. ¡°That¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°If it has anything to do with our investigation, you can also speak to me¡±, he replied. ¡°The name¡¯s Lodwin, by the way.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I know¡±, he replied, just now remembering his name. ¡°Still, we just want to speak with your leader.¡±

    For a moment, Lodwin¡¯s smile disappeared and Alistair¡¯s heart sank. But instead of insisting on them telling him everything, the knight just sighed and stood up. Much to the visible confusion of the others ¡ª especially the older man¡¯s.

    ¡°I see¡±, he said, serious. ¡°I meant anyway to check up on our leader to see if he needs any help.¡±

    Without another word, Lodwin went to the door of the inn. The others watched them with clear confusion. Especially the old man seemed not too happy about this, judging by the few heartbeats long very deep frown that just crossed his face.

    Alistair felt the tension rise.

    ¡°What are you two waiting for?¡±, Lodwin asked jovial, and waved them closer. ¡°Come along, I¡¯ll bring you to our leader.¡±

    Reluctant, Alistair followed him with Aila to the door and left the inn, feeling the piercing gaze of the others on his back.

    ¡°Rosomil told me and the others except Aswald about you¡±, Lodwin began as they were out of earshot of the inn. ¡°So you two can ease up a little.¡±

    ¡°Aswald¡­ is that the old one?¡±, Aila asked meekly.

    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered, chuckling. ¡°You ought to know that this is actually a test for our group. He¡¯s with us to have a watchful eye on us but nothing more.¡±

    Alistair was taken aback by this admission. While it explained their youth, it also indicated that the bishop didn¡¯t care as much about them as Father Iain and his brother thought or the letter from the bishop had suggested.

    ¡°Say, girl, did you get hurt by the storm as well?¡±, asked Lodwin out of the blue while slowing down to match her and Alistair¡¯s pace.

    ¡°I¡­ I only want to talk to your leader about it¡±, she answered and tightened the grip around Alistair¡¯s hand. ¡°If that¡¯s alright with you.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Suit yourself¡±, he replied, and shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s better anyway. He can administer some medical help to you, if you like.¡±

    ¡°He can perform magic?¡±, Alistair asked, surprised.

    ¡°Oh no, he¡¯s just more knowledgeable than I, considering medicine¡±, he answered amused. ¡°Although occasionally, I suspect him to work miracles. That¡¯s also why he¡¯s with Father Iain and Father Hamish. The storm last night did some damage to their lodging and both got hurt in the process.¡±

    Alistair and Aila remained silent for the rest of the way. Once they arrived at the small house both priests inhabited, they saw Rosomil leave it with a bag slung over his shoulder. He immediately spotted them and stopped on the path in front of the house. But before he could greet them, Father Iain left the house with a sour expression on his lean face. It even deepened once he took note of Alistair and Aila.

    ¡°How¡¯s the healing going?¡±, asked Lodwin, his leader.

    ¡°Good¡±, Rosomil replied dryly and looked with a frown at Father Iain. ¡°There were luckily no shards stuck in the wound, and Father Iain has done a formidable job stopping the bleeding.¡±

    ¡°Your insistent questioning wasn¡¯t needed¡±, the priest remarked with subdued anger.

    ¡°But I¡¯m here to ask insistent questions¡±, he replied, unimpressed. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you with your brother? He might need some assistance considering his state.¡±

    Father Iain let out a sharp breath and returned into the house.

    ¡°And what about you two?¡±, asked Rosomil, only slightly softer.

    ¡°Can we talk somewhere private?¡±, Alistair asked with a weary glance towards the dark windows of the priests home.

    ¡°Is your home close by?¡±, Rosomil asked, and he nodded. ¡°I see. Lead the way.¡±

    ¡ª

    Once they arrived inside Alistair¡¯s small cottage, Aila immediately told Rosomil and Lodwin what had happened during the storm.

    ¡°Interesting¡±, Rosomil said once she had finished her story. ¡°But before I tell you what I think of it, I want to take a look at your foot.¡±

    Reluctant, she nodded and pulled, very slow and tentatively, her shoe off. Careful, he undid her bandages and examined her foot from all directions. He then did some gentle flexes with her toes as well. Whenever she flinched, Alistair felt like he needed to pull him away from her but refrained with some difficulty from it. Once Rosomil was done, he asked his companion for a few strange ointments and salves from his bag.

    ¡°Good thing your bones aren¡¯t involved¡±, Rosomil remarked while he treated her food. ¡°But you''ve got the start of an infection in it. I¡¯ll give you some of the ointment I¡¯m using right now to keep it clean. Use it and change the bandages daily. You also shouldn¡¯t use your sealskin until it¡¯s fully healed. I don¡¯t know how your transformation works, but doing it could tear the wound open again.¡±

    ¡°Thank you¡±, she said with a soft smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s my duty¡±, he replied matter-of-fact. ¡°As for your story¡­ Are you sure this wasn¡¯t another Selkie?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m certain!¡±, she answered. ¡°Judging by looks alone, it wasn¡¯t a member of our tribe. Besides, we Selkies smell members of other tribes immediately and know where they are.¡±

    ¡°But you were underwater¡±, he argued against her statement, which visibly stunned her. ¡°I¡¯ve seen some real seals around the shore, and they close their noses when they dive. I suspect a Selkie dives just like a seal.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps she was attacked by a normal seal that wanted to protect its territory?¡±, suggested Lodwin intrigued.

    ¡°Fair point¡±, he remarked, thoughtful.

    ¡°If someone knows a seal from a Selkie, then it¡¯s Aila!¡±, said Alistair angry.

    ¡°Please, Alistair¡±, she said and grabbed his hand to calm him, which immediately worked.

    ¡°We aren¡¯t here to insult her, but in pitch-black darkness you can¡¯t be entirely sure of anything¡±, argued Rosomil, unusually tense. ¡°It can play tricks on your senses¡­¡±

    ¡°I know¡±, Aila said after taking a deep breath. ¡°And I¡¯m certain this wasn¡¯t a seal. It was far too big for it. And too fast. And¡­ it was too malicious.¡±

    ¡°Are you Selkies, followers of Sedna?¡±

    The question came out of the blue. Alistair didn¡¯t really know what Rosomil was going on about but judging by Aila¡¯s tense expression he seemed to have found another secret of the Selkies.

    ¡°We follow the Lord¡±, she said hasty.

    ¡°We aren¡¯t here to accuse you of paganism¡±, Lodwin said with a warm smile. ¡°You¡¯re not human after all.¡±

    ¡°Lodwin, don¡¯t be so blunt¡±, Rosomil remarked with a frown, which made the redhead blush embarrassed, and turned back to Aila. ¡°I¡¯m asking because I¡¯ve read about Sedna¡¯s Curse.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve never heard about something like this¡±, she said timid but held eye contact with him.

    ¡°Strange¡­ Anyway, Sedna¡¯s Curse is applied by your goddess to those who kill a Selkie in their seal-form and skin them. I wanted to know if the Selkie turns back into a human upon having their skin removed, or if they remain a seal.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s abhorrent!¡±, Alistair interrupted. ¡°And she already told you she doesn¡¯t know about it!¡±

    ¡°But I do know about it!¡±, said Aila, visibly distressed. ¡°I know it through my gran, but she called it something else. I think in a different language, but I know about it.¡±

    ¡°Then tell me, how does this curse work?¡±, asked Rosomil, insistent.

    ¡°If a Selkie is killed and skinned the human who did it will have it, the first time he wears it, burned into his body¡±, she began to explain as pale as a ghost. ¡°He¡¯s then cursed to turn into a feral seal every seven weeks. In this shape, he¡¯ll kill or try to kill anything and anyone he¡¯ll meet.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a subcategory of the werewolf¡¯s curse¡±, remarked Lodwin somber. ¡°Is there a cure?¡±

    ¡°Not that I know of.¡±

    ¡°Are there any weaknesses or ways known on how to deal with the afflicted?¡±, Rosomil asked thoughtful.

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t know of any.¡±

    ¡°Is there at least a way to know the afflicted? You mentioned the sealskin is burned into the body.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, but I don¡¯t know. My gran rarely spoke of the details. I think she meant in the metaphorical sense.¡±

    ¡°Has there ever been a case of this curse in this area?¡±

    ¡°Not that I know of. We have lived here for generations, peacefully with the humans.¡±

    Rosomil fell silent for a few moments, then he went with Lodwin to the others side of the small room. They talked in hushed voices. Alistair wasn¡¯t in the mood to listen in on them. The danger of someone cursed to be the perpetrator seemed plausible to him. It just remained the question of whom it could be. At the same time, his wish to get a sealskin himself returned with a vengeance. And just as violent as this wish pierced his heart and mind, it became tainted by the thought of the curse. Absentmindedly, he placed his hand on Aila¡¯s shoulder and squeezed her gently. She returned the gesture by placing her soft hand on his.

    Suddenly, the storm-bell was sounded, which usually alerted the people of Harren of shipwrecks happening. But since the storm had subsided, it could only mean another murder had taken place. Rosomil and Lodwin reacted immediately and stormed out of the cottage. Reluctant, Alistair and Aila followed them.

    ¡ª

    As expected, there had been another murder. This time a young man, who had just drifted ashore a few hours ago and had been found by one of the fishermen looking after their ships. He was naked, bore the same wounds and missed his heart as Maude and the others did. Alistair tried to keep Aila back, but she insisted on stepping forward to identify the victim. While not someone from her immediate family or circle, she and even Alistair knew him well enough to be moved by the loss.

    Again, Father Iain and Father Hamish arrived. Both of them seemed worse for wear. Especially Father Iain seemed to force himself to move despite the clear pain visible on his face.

    ¡°Another one!¡±, shouted Father Hamish like a drunk and pushed past the on lookers to the body.

    ¡°Please stay back¡±, said the brown haired knight, who was with Rosomil, and pushed him back.

    Clearly in pain from the shove, the priest staggered backwards and pressed his hand against his side. His brother immediately went to him and said something that he didn¡¯t like. Still, Father Hamish remained in the back by his brother¡¯s side. There was something strange, almost malicious about the priest, but Alistair could really point out what it was.

    Rosomil, meanwhile, continued his examination of the body without looking up even once. Alistair wondered what he was finding or what kind of conclusions he would draw from it. But instead of lingering around, he took Aila and left the scene. Not without feeling Father Hamish¡¯s hateful gaze on his back.

 Chapter 09 - Investigative Summary

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t add up¡±, remarked Oswin, and leaned backwards in an exasperated motion while ruffling his dark hair. ¡°If the murderer is a cursed Selkie, then why do they use a knife to carve the heart out?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps he just hurts them bad enough to incapacitate them and finishes them off with a knife once he returns to his senses?¡±, suggested Sifilo with a thoughtful frown, darkening his green eyes. ¡°As a matter to end their suffering.¡±

    ¡°Or perhaps it¡¯s a form of a ritual¡±, said Vitigis, and crossed his arms. ¡°Collect enough Selkies hearts and receive some price.¡±

    ¡°Then what¡¯s the price?¡±, asked Oswin intrigued. ¡°Perhaps a sealskin?¡±

    ¡°Would make sense¡±, agreed Sifilo. ¡°A sound motivation.¡±

    ¡°But this doesn¡¯t work with what the Selkie-girl has told Rosomil¡±, interjected Vitigis and slightly glared at Oswin. ¡°She mentioned some sort of seal-like monster, which would rule out the sealskin business.¡±

    ¡°Can we be certain the Selkie-girl has told you the truth, Rosomil?¡±, asked Oswin and turned to the head of the bed, where Rosomil sat deep in thought.

    Since Aila had shown her true self, Rosomil and his companions met in secret inside the largest bedroom given to them. While Aswald had shown no sign of interfering in accordance to his role during this investigation, he had grown visibly suspicious of them. While Rosomil doubted that he would make note of this in his final report, he was well aware of what his mentor knew about his beliefs. There wasn¡¯t much thought need to come to the conclusion that he helped the Selkies.

    ¡°I do believe her¡±, he answered the question. ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve seen her in her seal form. She¡¯s too small. Her teeth aren¡¯t massive enough to have caused the bite marks on the newest corpse, and I doubt they would fit the others as well. If she were a werebear, well, then I think her teeth could fit, but this is impossible. Selkies, just like any other shapeshifter, can¡¯t be afflicted with a skin-changing curse.¡±

    ¡°What about her fianc¨¦?¡±, asked Oswin, and ran a hand in a tense motion through his short brown hair. ¡°Is he even her fianc¨¦?¡±

    ¡°Your last question is unimportant and, no, he¡¯s of Selkie-descend but not a pureblood Selkie¡±, Rosomil explained and leaned back against the rough wall by his bed. ¡°He doesn¡¯t appear to even own a skin.¡±

    ¡°He could be lying¡±, Sifilo suggested with a piercing glance towards him. ¡°She could be lying too. Both of them aren¡¯t human. Perhaps they work even together. Kill a few Selkies and use their hearts to become a full Selkie yourself.¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t appear like murderers to me.¡±

    ¡°And she got attacked the night of the last murder¡±, commented Lodwin, pensive.

    ¡°Could be a ruse¡±, Vitigis countered, playing with one of his thin auburn braids. ¡°Rosomil, I respect you as our leader and a friend, but you''ve got a tendency to trust those nonhumans without probable cause. Many if not all drive joy from fooling humans.¡±

    ¡°Humans lie about as much¡±, he replied sullen. ¡°Besides, why should she protect him? Her cousin was among the victims.¡±

    ¡°Problems within the family?¡±, asked Oswin.

    ¡°I asked around the families of the victims¡±, answered Lodwin, bored. ¡°They all told me that there were only minor squabbles among them. Stuff you expect within families but nothing warranting murder.¡±

    ¡°And you think they told you the truth?¡±, asked Vitigis probing and slightly tilted his head. ¡°All of them are Selkies, are they not?¡±

    ¡°They didn¡¯t appear to be lying and were, in fact, greatly concerned to finding the murder¡±, he replied, mimicking his movement, which made Vitigis let out a sharp hiss.

    ¡°Thinking about it, the thing with someone being a bearer of the Curse of Sedna does sound plausible¡±, said Sifilo, slow and pensive. ¡°Imagine you lose yourself every seven weeks to such a curse and when you wake up, and you find someone badly hurt beside you. You know only you could¡¯ve done it. Shame and guilt mix, and the only way you can apologize is by ending your unfortunate victim¡¯s suffering. An act of mercy, if you will. And you take the heart to make it appear like some strange ritual is going on, to spread some falls leads.¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Perhaps, but this doesn¡¯t exactly tell us who did it¡±, said Sifilo.

    ¡°It also doesn¡¯t make sense timeline wise¡±, remarked Rosomil. ¡°The murders happen every new moon and not every seven weeks.¡±

    ¡°Nor does it explain why the heart was taken¡±, Oswin added.

    ¡°I would suspect it to be because of some ritual¡±, suggested Vitigis somber. ¡°Rosomil, did you read about anything pertaining to Selkie-hearts being used in some rituals?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know of any such ritual¡±, he answered, deep in thought. ¡°And I doubt the Selkies will be forthcoming with information when I ask.¡±

    Everybody nodded in agreement. While the others continued their conversation, Rosomil thought about Aila¡¯s story of what happened last night. She had bitten the one who tried to harm her. While she had been unable to tell him where exactly she had bitten her attacker, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡­

    ¡°I suspect the priests¡±, he said and caused everyone to fall silent.

    ¡°Rosomil, you can be happy Aswald didn¡¯t hear you¡±, Oswin said deadpan after a few moments.

    ¡°Yeah, he would scold you to hell and back again¡±, Vitigis agreed. ¡°And pull us back into the headquarters by our ears.¡±

    ¡°Just because they¡¯re with the church doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re innocent¡±, said Lodwin, and straightened his back to tower above the others.

    ¡°Do you have any evidence?¡±, asked Sifilo with a frown.

    ¡°Nothing concrete but circumstantial evidence¡±, he answered. ¡°Remember how I was called to treat both of them for wounds they said to have received during the storm? Beyond minor scratches and bruises, they both had deep laceration and bruising on their sides. While they told me that a window of their home broke and caused the injuries, their wounds didn¡¯t exactly look like they originated from a few sharp shards.¡±

    ¡°You did mention that there was no debris in their wounds¡±, Lodwin recalled with interest.

    ¡°Yes. And the arrangement of the wounds was also peculiar. They were more along the lines of animal bites.¡±

    ¡°Still, it doesn¡¯t mean anything¡±, Vitigis remarked with a scowl. ¡°Especially since both of them were hurt. Rosomil, you can¡¯t just go and accuse members of the church like this.¡±

    ¡°No matter who has committed a crime, punishment is needed¡±, Rosomil replied, commanding. ¡°I don¡¯t care if they¡¯re Selkies, humans, priests or even if one of them were the pope. I¡¯ll only seek the truth.¡±

    ¡°While commendable, this attitude well get you killed one day¡±, said Vitigis, unimpressed. ¡°Or even worse.¡±

    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t ignore them as possible suspects because they¡¯re priests¡±, argued Oswin. ¡°Perhaps they''ve got something to hide.¡±

    ¡°We need to find real evidence¡±, said Lodwin and stood up while stifling a yawn. ¡°Perhaps they hide something nasty in their house. Didn¡¯t they just let you into the kitchen, Rosomil?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­¡±, he replied deep in thought and didn¡¯t elaborate.

    While the other continued, he thought about his examination of the brothers. It hadn¡¯t been surprising to find them somewhat disheveled, the smell of this so-called herbal remedy and the salt crusts left on Hamish had been uncalled-for. Had he been in the sea during the storm? If so, then why? How were their wounds inflicted upon them? And why had Hamish appeared as if drugged?

    ¡°The first murder happened before they had arrived here¡±, Oswin said, concerned, and made Rosomil¡¯s mind return to the present.

    ¡°Perhaps they did show themselves afterward to gain an alibi¡±, Lodwin suggested.

    ¡°And where would they¡¯ve stuck around for the month?¡±, countered Vitigis. ¡°They don¡¯t look like they thrive in the wilderness.¡±

    ¡°Further questioning will be necessary¡±, said Oswin with a smirk.

    ¡°I say we search their belongings¡±, said Rosomil, calculating. ¡°And question them further.¡±

    ¡°Is that an order, Captain?¡±, asked Lodwin eager.

    ¡°Indeed it is¡±, Rosomil said, confident. ¡°I want you to look for anything suspicious and improper within the priests¡¯ home and even the church. No matter what you find, you¡¯ll confiscate it immediately and bring it here to analyze and safeguard.¡±

    ¡°Good, I can¡¯t wait to see their stupid faces when we ransack the place¡±, said Oswin amused.

    ¡°I just want to say that I think we don¡¯t have enough evidence to make a reasonable assumption of their guilt¡±, remarked Sifilo, tired. ¡°They¡¯re members of the clergy and not one of those random fishermen. Still, I trust you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take full responsibility and mark your concerns¡±, replied Rosomil stern. ¡°What about you Vitigis? Do you have any?¡±

    ¡°I share Sifilo¡¯s opinion¡±, he answered and yawned, while Rosomil nodded. ¡°And I¡¯ll follow your orders as well.¡±

    ¡°But before we do so, we should go to sleep¡±, remarked Lodwin and yawned himself, while everybody agreed with him

    Even Rosomil nodded along, while he still thought about the wounds of Father Iain and Father Hamish. He would need to examine them again in more detail, but it was questionable that they would even let him that close once more. After all, he had asked some uncomfortable questions during his visit. Questions especially Iain hadn¡¯t been too keen on answering.

    Rosomil also had some questions for Aila, considering the true nature of Selkies. While he doubted to get much out of her since he had read about her kind and now knew first hand that they were notoriously unforthcoming considering their nature, he still thought it worth a try. But for now, all of this had to wait.

 Chapter 10 - New Chances and Consequences

    Aila had become increasingly tense since the attack and the latest death. Alastair tried to be as much a centre of calm as he could and cheered her up to the best of his ability. Still, it surprised him that she wanted to go on a long walk to the shore with him.

    ¡°Are you sure about that?¡±, he asked her as they left his cottage. ¡°Doesn¡¯t your foot hurt?¡±

    ¡°It does, but I grow just so tense if I don¡¯t move around¡±, she replied apologetic. ¡°I guess it¡¯s also because I can¡¯t take a swim for some time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that.¡±

    ¡°Oh, love, you don¡¯t have to be. As long as you¡¯re by my side, it¡¯s alright.¡±

    ¡°I love you¡±, he told her with a warm smile and kissed her.

    ¡°I love you, too¡±, she replied afterward, and hocked her arm under his.

    They walk like this past the village and towards the sea. The sun shone high, and it wasn¡¯t that cold considering the season. Still, due to the calm air, Alistair couldn¡¯t help but think and reminisce. Aila, being attacked the night another murder had taken place, had really cemented the danger she was in. A danger he couldn¡¯t protect her from.

    ¡°I wish I could follow you into the sea¡±, Alistair said, without thinking much about his words and the hidden meaning behind them as they arrived at the shore.

    ¡°But you do so already¡±, she replied with a soft chuckle. ¡°We always sail out together with your boat.¡±

    ¡°No. I mean, yes¡±, he replied and shook his head. ¡°But that¡¯s not what I mean. I can¡¯t follow you on your dives. All I can do is watch you vanish beneath the waves and pray that you surface again. I wish I had my mother¡¯s sealskin.¡±

    ¡°Oh, Alistair¡­¡±, she said and leaned against him. ¡°Don¡¯t push yourself so hard. It¡¯s alright.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not¡±, he insisted, warped his arms around her and rested his forehead against hers. ¡°I want to protect you.¡±

    For a moment, she seemed to be about to gently refute him. But instead, she took a deep breath and kissed him.

    ¡°There¡¯s a way for you to gain a sealskin fairly, but it¡¯s dangerous and I rather you wouldn¡¯t ask for it¡±, she finally said and looked with a frown out at the sea.

    ¡°If there¡¯s a way for me to be able to protect you from this sea-monster, then I¡¯ll take it. Please, Aila. The thought of losing you makes me sick.¡±

    For a moment, she seemed about to cry, but ultimately didn¡¯t. Instead, she looked him in the eyes with reluctance but also great understanding.

    ¡°You¡¯re part Selkie, so I guess you would fare better than someone of pure human descend¡±, she explained. ¡°Out at the furthest point of the cliff in the west, there¡¯s a nook with a shrine to Sedna. It¡¯s only accessible by swimming. Once you¡¯re at the shrine, you need to pray to Sedna and ask her for a sealskin. Tell her about your ancestry and why you ask for the skin, and she might give it to you.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound too bad¡±, he replied with a hopeful smile.

    ¡°Well, she may ask something in return for the skin. A task you need to perform or a sacrifice you must make. She can be as fickle as the sea and no matter what, you must follow her instructions to the point should you agree. Deviate even slightly and she might curse you. I can only urge you to not do it though.¡±

    Alistair fell silent. On one hand, he didn¡¯t want to disappoint her, but on the other, he also saw no other way to make sure she was safe.

    ¡°Please, promise me you won¡¯t do it¡±, insisted Aila and threw herself against him. ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose you as much as you don¡¯t want to lose me. And I already regret telling you.¡±

    ¡°I¡­¡±, he murmured and held her tight.

    ¡°Please, Alistair!¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I promise.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. I love you.¡±

    ¡°I love you, too.¡±

    With the wind tangling her black with his golden hair, they kissed while the waves crashed against the shore.

    ¡ª

    Rosomil chose this moment to leave. He had listened in on them by using some magic Aswald had taught him a while ago. While simple, the spell made it near impossible to be spotted or heard when one held completely still.

    As he returned towards the inn, he thought about what he just heard and compared it to what he knew from the books in the library at the headquarters of the Order and what he had learned in connection with the case. It had been odd that all the victims had been full-born Selkies. No human or human of Selkies-descend had been killed. Even odder was the fact that all of them had been found not just with their hearts missing but also their sealskins. Were the skins stolen by the killer? The wounds indicated, judging from their placement and depth, that those had been inflicted while the victims had been in their seal-form. The knife wounds showed a placement more congruent with being inflicted when they had returned into their human shape. Aila¡¯s wounded foot and some of her explanations made this conclusion not just plausible but likely.

    Still, Rosomil wasn¡¯t sure about the logistics behind this. What also didn¡¯t help was the fact the places the corpses had been found clearly weren¡¯t the places they had been killed. All of them had been thrown around the ocean for a while, but not so long as to bloat.

    ¡°The currents¡­ I need to know the currents¡­¡±, he murmured, and looked back the way he had come.

    But before he could turn around to ask Alistair for his knowledge of the local currents, he was approached by Lodwin. The redhead seemed unusually somber.

    ¡°Something happened during the search?¡±, asked Rosomil, tense.

    ¡°Kind of¡±, he replied and took a deep breath. ¡°The priests have found out about Aswald¡¯s role and made a formal complaint against you.¡±

    ¡°They can complain all they want¡±, he said, and moved on with Lodwin. ¡°As captain of our group, I can order them to let me search through their belongings. They¡¯re ordained, but I don¡¯t care. Especially as members of the clergy, they can¡¯t stand above rules.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, still, Captain Aswald has ordered me to return with you immediately. You¡¯re under house arrest.¡±

    ¡°What?! He can¡¯t be serious.¡±

    ¡°They way he spoke, he is. I know that you¡¯re his favorite student, but even you can¡¯t expect him to be lenient or write a favorable final evaluation in this case.¡±

    ¡°I expected him to reprimand me¡±, said Rosomil with a tired sigh. ¡°But house arrest¡­ Tell me, Lod, was the search at least successful?¡±

    ¡°No¡­ not exactly. We didn¡¯t manage as much as Aswald followed us. I guess he knew something was up.¡±

    ¡°Damn it! Fuck! Now they¡¯ve plenty of time to destroy any evidence left!¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t change it by cussing yourself out.¡±

    At this, Rosomil glared at Lodwin.

    ¡°If you continue to frown like this, you start to shot fire with your eyes¡±, Lodwin remarked teasing.

    ¡°You really make me want to do just that¡±, he said sour, and took another deep breath. ¡°House arrest. Fucking house arrest! How the hell is he expecting me to deal with this case now?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go and talk to Aswald¡±, suggested Lodwin sympathetic, and placed his hand on Rosomil¡¯s shoulder. ¡°If someone can deal with him, then it¡¯s you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right¡­¡±, he sighed and continued to move on.

    Lodwin immediately fell in step with him.

 Chapter 11 - Sednas Shrine

    Alistair¡¯s sleep that night was fleeting and filled with nightmares. More than once, his mind showed him images of Aila being massacred by the sea-monster, the priests, or even the knights. He couldn¡¯t take any longer. Especially with her words about the Shrine to Sedna still vivid in his mind. The answer to his prayers close by, but he had promised Aila not to go.

    Torn between his biggest wish, Aila¡¯s safety and staying true to his word, he twisted and turned around on the hard mattress filled with hay and covered by some fleeces. One way or the other. He couldn¡¯t have it all. He had to choose. Unable to fall asleep again, he fetched his coat and boots and decided to go on a walk. He could think better anyway when moving around.

    Once again, fog had drifted into the village, making it difficult to see more than just a few feet ahead. Unbothered by it and the cold, Alistair continued to walk without a real destination in mind. He was too occupied by his worries to really pay any attention to his surroundings. But soon he could not only smell the strong salty tang of the sea but also hear the soft rush of small waves splash against the rocky shore. While still out of sight, Alistair stopped and smiled to himself. At least his feet knew where he wanted to be, but once more he thought about Aila and the monster. Perhaps it was somewhere down there, beneath the water. Waiting. Lurking.

    The idea of it hiding there made the thought to go and jump into the sea even less appealing beyond the natural dangers of those waters. Dangers such as the fog and some of the currents, that even amidst calm waves, were alone dangerous enough. Especially, those currents hiding behind the calmer parts of the ocean¡¯s surface, could spell certain death.

    ¡°If death isn¡¯t worth the risk to prove your love, then none of my skins shall be worth your soul, halfblood.¡±

    Alistair froze as if turned to ice. There was no way he had just heard those words, spoken by a very rough sounding older woman.

    ¡°Hah! Damnable oaf! And you say you love one of my daughters? Has your tree-climber-blood made you daft?¡±

    It seemed the voice originated from the ocean, yet at the same time it seemed to be directly beside him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see what she sees in you, but since she genuinely loves you, I¡¯ll refrain from drowning you right now, right here¡±, continued the woman, who could only be Sedna herself. ¡°Should you be able to push past your tree-climber-blood, you better swim within the next fifteen minutes towards my shrine as the tide leaves the shore. If you make it, we talk sealskins. If not, well, you know what will happen, halfblood. And now off with you! Time¡¯s of the essence, so don¡¯t waste it!¡±

    With a loud splash, something big jumped into the water. Judging by the sound, it had been much bigger than Alistair or even his boat.

    With a gasp, he took such a deep breath as if she had already tried to drown him. Trembling, he immediately looked towards the open sea, but only saw the almost perfect murky wall of fog, which seemed to close in on him like a deadly trap.

    The cold had never been a problem for him due to his nature. Yet, this time, it seemed foolish to strip and swim out into the sea. Beyond the cold, there was also still the fog. But Sedna had been clear. He had no time if he wanted to use the out flowing water of the low tide to at least save some energy on his swim. He also had no doubt that she wouldn¡¯t listen to him should he swim out the following day or even the next low tide.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Aila. I¡­ I don¡¯t want to break my promise, but Sedna herself has shown me that it¡¯s the right thing¡±, he murmured and undressed.

    He placed his clothes between some rocks, he knew it wouldn¡¯t be touched by the sea even by high tide, and immediately walked into the water. The moment his webbed toes touched the ice-cold water, he involuntarily gasped. This was his last chance to turn around. Reluctant, he looked over his shoulder in the direction of the village, which was hidden behind an almost perfect grey wall. To Alistair, it seemed like he was trapped in an alternate universe, where just he, the sea, and what or whoever had spoken to him existed.

    ¡°If Aila were to see me, she would run up to me and drag me from the shore¡±, he murmured and turned back towards the ocean. ¡°I¡¯m certain of it.¡±

    But she isn¡¯t there.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Aila¡±, he said after a moment with tears in his eyes. ¡°Please, forgive me. I can¡¯t keep this promise. I just need to do it. For you. Because I love you, Aila. Because I love you.¡±

    Alistair took a deep breath and made his way into the water. The cold was unpleasant, but before it could overwhelm him, he grew accustomed to it. This surprised him, but ultimately, he ascribed this to his Selkieblood. Even the near constant pain in his webbed feet vanished once he started to use them to swim.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    It felt almost too easy to find the water streaming out with the tide. Too easy to navigate the shoreline despite it being not just hidden by fog but also the dark of the night. Strangely, Alistair felt born for this. As if he were meant to swim the ocean like this. Not on a boat but with the water as his vessel.

    As he reached Sedna¡¯s shrine, he stayed a moment in the cold water. He used this time to take everything in, since the fog seemed unwilling to as much as approach the general area of the shrine. The structure of it consisted of a pile of rocks with one flat one at the top like a table. On it were various figurines of marine animals, carved from driftwood, polished stone, shells, bones and what appeared to be tusks. There were also ornaments made from animal bones and more shells, all arranged to look like guardians to this place of worship. Alistair felt as if he committed some vile desecration of the shrine by simply looking at it. Yet at the same time, he felt watched by something wishing him harm, should he stay any longer within the water.

    He took a deep breath and swam the rest of the remaining distance to the shrine and climbed out. To his surprise, the air felt welcoming and warm. Almost as if the spring sun were shining on him. But this pleasantness vanished a second later as he heard a loud splash behind him. Almost as if forced by a strong hand on his shoulders, he fell on his knees in front of the shrine and lowered his head.

    ¡°So you do seem worthy of my consideration, halfblood¡±, Sedna said from everywhere and nowhere at once ¡ª the form of the shrine made her voice reverberate in strange ways. ¡°But don¡¯t just think your trials have ended here. Oh no, they¡¯ve just begun. But before that, tell me, halfblood, what is it you desire?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I desire a sealskin, as befitting my ancestry¡±, he said after swallowing hard.

    ¡°Is that so? But you only share in half of my children¡¯s blood! The other half trembles even now in fear! How do you fathom to be able to withstand the deep when being here on dry land makes your tree-climber-blood freeze in your veins?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t desire it for solely my own benefit¡±, he continued, tense. ¡°I do wish for a sealskin to protect the woman I love, who is also a daughter of yours.¡±

    ¡°Many tree-climbers steal my daughters and sons! They imprison them by robbing their sealskins and force them into loveless marriages to create abominations like you! Countless tears have I shedded over their plight, and you dare to come into my domain?! You dare to tell me you love one of my daughters?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Yes, I do lover her. With all of my heart, with all of my being!¡±

    The was another loud splash behind him, followed by what sounded like something truly gigantic flopping onto the shore. Alistair could feel flecks of water sprinkle on him like glass shards, but he didn¡¯t dare to turn around and look. At the same time, Sedna said something in what sounded like the same language Aila knew Sedna¡¯s Curse in. Yet, her words sounded angry and hatful.

    ¡°You only speak about yourself, tree-climber! Do you truly know how my daughter feels about you? Do you know her heart as good or even better than your own? Or are you just telling me what you want to hear yourself? Or worse, what you think I would like to hear?!¡±

    ¡°I know that she loves me the same as I love her!¡±

    ¡°Then what would you do if I made her hate you? Would you force her still into a one-sided marriage? Would you steal her skin for your own use? Would you make her miserable? Would you kill her if she were to leave your side to return into her true mother¡¯s embrace?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t¡±, said Alistair with a thin voice as he felt the unbearable hot breath of the enormous thing behind him. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t force her into anything. I only want her to be happy and if her happiness lies within the waves alone, I would let her go and follow her into the depths dead or alive, it wouldn¡¯t matter to me.¡±

    Massive claws scabbed across the stone close to his back. Suddenly, Sedna started to laugh. It was an earth-shattering, ocean stirring laugh so intense Alistair thought it alone could kill him.

    ¡°You¡¯re telling the truth¡±, she finally said. ¡°But your tree-climber-blood still mars your soul.¡±

    His heart sank. After all of this, she wasn¡¯t going to give him a skin? Despite his fear, he didn¡¯t dare to address her in the matter.

    ¡°Yet, since you¡¯re willing to give your life to me for my daughter, I¡¯ll give you your mother''s sealskin¡±, she continued after a moment. ¡°Under one condition.¡±

    ¡°Which would be?¡±, he asked timid.

    ¡°You need to prove that your heart not just belongs to my precious daughter, but also to her people, my children. I won¡¯t suffer a halfblood weeping for it¡¯s tree-climbing brethren, so you have to prove to me your willingness to cut your ties to this land-dwelling filth.¡±

    ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a halfblood in your midst who has not just taken a sealskin by treachery but by murder! I want you to find this cursed scum, kill him and return the skin until the next new moon to me without telling anyone about it. Should you do so without hesitation and remorse, I¡¯ll not just gift you your mother''s skin forever, but I shall bless you and name you among my sons. But should you fail or hesitate, the curse shall be yours to bear, and with it all the hatred I harbor for those land dwellers.¡±

    The giant mass behind jumped into the ocean with a great plash. A moment later, something large and wet was flung at him. The impact threw him prone on the ground and knocked the air from his lungs. He remained for a long time splayed out on the ground, not daring to move or even look at what could only be his mother¡¯s sealskin on his back.

    ¡°The tide¡­¡±, he murmured and woke himself up from his stupor. ¡°I need to return with the high tide¡­¡±

    Slow he sat up and pulled the sealskin from his back. While he had seen Aila¡¯s sealskin plenty of times, he had never really paid much attention to it. Yet, his mother¡¯s skin seemed to look much like hers, but also wholly different. Slightly apprehensive to climb into it, he hugged it close to his chest and looked out at the ocean. Somehow he thought to remember feeling the soft fur once before, a long time ago. Involuntarily, tears flooded his eyes, and before he knew it, he was crying. Crying because he finally held not just a sealskin, but his mother¡¯s in his hands, and crying because of her memory.

    ¡°The tide¡­¡±, he reminded himself once more between sobs. ¡°I must go¡­¡±

    Still crying, he took the skin into the cold ocean, which somehow appeared more welcoming and even warmer to him despite it remaining frigid. Tentatively, he climbed into the skin. It felt right. As if he had been his whole life drowning and just now learned how to breathe underwater. Slow he pulled the hood of the skin up and found himself consumed by his seal-nature.

 Chapter 12 - An unpleasant Awakening

    Warm sunlight shone on his face. Cold air drifted across his naked back. Slow, Alistair regained his wits and looked around. He was inside his cottage and judging by the hight of the sun it ought to be around early midday. Confused, he sat up and found himself fully naked on his bed, with the sealskin draped over his lower body and legs.

    Shock was the first thing he felt. Then came the guilt. The skin alone made it impossible to chalk what happened last night up to a nightmare. He had broken his promise to Aila. He had betrayed her trust. He had ventured to the shrine. He had spoken to Sedna. And now, he had to do what she asked of him or lose everything.

    Suddenly, as if his body just now remembered to exist, he felt a burning sensation in his side. Instinctively, he pressed his hand against his ribs and stifled a hiss of pain. Moving his hand away, he saw fresh and old blood on his palm. Panicked, he jumped out of the bed and assessed his wounds. As he did so, a vague memory of being attacked by something akin to a whale or shark surfaced. Shocked, he remembered not to have felt any fear that time and how he had killed the animal without hesitation. At the same time, he realized he felt strangely well-fed.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve hunted fish and other things like a seal¡­¡±, he murmured and looked again at the skin. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve enjoyed it.¡±

    Somehow this way of killing, despite being natural, left a sour taste in his mouth. Remembering everything now, he felt disgust. He had become worse than an animal, for animals knew no better than to kill like this. He could still feel the coppery taste of blood on his tongue. He could just hope that among the blur of creatures wasn¡¯t another Selkie.

    Feeling nauseous, he forced himself to tend to his wound, which was thankfully not too deep. Once that was done, he hastily cleaned and dressed himself, and removed the bloody covers from his bed. Not knowing what to do with those, he warped them into the sealskin and hid everything at the bottom of the wooden chest he had inherited from his parents. He knew that he couldn¡¯t keep either inside there long, but it had to do for the moment.

    He was done not a second to late as there was an insistent knock on his door. Still feeling sick, he went to the door and opened it. The moment it swung open enough, Aila jumped into his arms. He needed all of his will power to not just let out a pained yelp.

    ¡°Thank goodness you¡¯re alright!¡±, she said with great relief. ¡°I was worried sick, you know?¡±

    ¡°Worried?¡±, he asked hoarse.

    ¡°Yes! We thought something happened to you because your clothes were found in the early morning at the shore¡±, she explained and looked at him inquisitively. ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I did¡­¡±, he stammered, but couldn¡¯t really force out the words.

    ¡°Alistair¡­¡±, said Aila, her expression falling. ¡°Has something bad happened to you?¡±

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    ¡°Go inside and sit down¡±, she said alarmed and ushered him back into his cottage.

    Once he sat, she kissed him on the forehead, for which he was more than grateful, since he suspected she could still taste the blood on his lips. She then examined him shortly and found his wounds.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°By the Lord! What happened to you?¡±, she asked, sick with worry.

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    Again he couldn¡¯t say it.

    ¡°Wait here! I¡¯ll go fetch Rosomil¡±, she said, and before he could protest she was already out.

    Naked fear gripped his heart. If Rosomil found the skin when he told him that he didn¡¯t have one, he would be in trouble. No matter the good will Rosomil had shown him, the knight wouldn¡¯t stay this amicable once he inquired about last night. And Alistair had no doubts to be unable to keep anything from him and, per proxy, from Aila in this case.

    As the realization set in, he couldn¡¯t help but tremble in pure animalistic fear.

    ¡°Alistair!¡±

    Slow, he looked up and saw Aila nearly falling on top of him. Rosomil was with her and immediately made his way to them.

    ¡°Step back¡±, he told her, and straightened Alistair back up the chair.

    Before he knew what was happening to him, he was pulled this way and that and found the knight uncomfortable close. His piercing blue eyes seemed to lay bare every of Alistair¡¯s secrets and fears.

    ¡°He must¡¯ve been hit in the head¡±, the knight said after nearly an eternity of tense silence. ¡°Although luckily, I see no wound and don¡¯t feel any broken bones.¡±

    A moment later, he held a small dish underneath Alistair¡¯s nose, which nearly made him gag. But whatever was in the dish, had somewhat cleared his mind. Confused, he looked at him, to Aila and back again.

    ¡°Can you undress your upper body?¡±, asked Rosomil, concerned.

    ¡°I¡­ I can¡±, he replied, deeming it stupid to refuse.

    Once he had pulled the simple linen shirt up, Rosomil tenderly looked after his wounds without removing the bandages. For a moment, he looked questioning directly into Alistair¡¯s eyes and then very subtle to Aila, who stood beside them pale as snow and chewing her fingernails.

    ¡°He did a good enough job treating his wound, removing the bandages would cause more harm than good right now¡±, he explained and looked fully at her. ¡°I want him to let me personally change the bandages around the evening in the inn while the sun¡¯s still up.¡±

    ¡°Is there anything I can do for him?¡±, she asked meek.

    ¡°Just give him something to eat and drink. The most important thing he needs right now is rest. I shall question him in the evening while I check his wounds.¡±

    ¡°I can manage on my own¡±, Alistair said and dressed himself again.

    ¡°But you got nearly killed!¡±, Aila protested with tears in her eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ fine¡±, he insisted, which wasn¡¯t entirely a lie.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you two alone for how¡±, Rosomil remarked, and packed his medical supplies away ¡ª Alistair hadn¡¯t even noticed he had spread those in the first place. ¡°Should his speech become incoherent or should he say odd things, stumble around, or throw up, you need to immediately call for me. Head injuries are fickle beasts.¡±

    Aila nodded and immediately started to rummage around the small cabinets beside his stove. Alistair watched Rosomil walk to the door with tense steps. At the door, the knight turned around and looked directly into his eyes. Somehow, his gaze felt worse than Aila¡¯s worried scream. He was clearly aware of the truth, without Alistair needing to say a single word. A moment later, he was gone.

    The clinking of the few pots and pans he called his own returned his attention to Aila. She already placed a pan on the stove and looked for the firewood in the basket next to it. Slow, Alistair stood up and went to her. Before she could put a second piece of wood into the stove, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her gently up.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to cook anything for me¡±, he told her, looking into her dark eyes.

    ¡°But surely, you must be hungry¡±, she protested softly.

    ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood to eat.¡± ¡ª another half-truth.

    ¡°Do you feel sick then?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    He closed his arms around her and rested his head on her shoulder. Tentatively, she returned the hug and relaxed. They stood like this for some time until Aila took a deep breathed and sighed.

    ¡°Something wrong?¡±, he asked, and pulled back a bit to look at her.

    ¡°I¡¯m just so happy to have you¡±, she replied with a board smile while blushing.

    ¡°Then¡­¡±, he began just as the thought crossed his mind. ¡°Let¡¯s get married.¡±

    ¡°Married?¡±, she repeated, pleasantly surprised.

    ¡°Yes. I love you, so¡­ what say you? Do you want to marry me?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±, she shouted so loud, his ears started to ring.

    Immediately, she apologized profusely, but he silenced her with a kiss. This time the kiss felt different. There was something much more passionate in it, but also a subtle feeling of doom.

 Chapter 13 - The Appointment

    The evening came sooner than Alistair had wanted. If it were just him, he would¡¯ve ignored the order Rosomil had given him, but Aila made sure he wouldn¡¯t miss his appointment. Together, they went to the inn and found him sitting at the largest table with the old man, who hadn¡¯t done much but watched them during their stay. The moment he entered the small room, Rosomil stood up and welcomed him as if the inn belonged to him.

    ¡°Good to see you here¡±, he said and showed Alistair towards the stairs. ¡°Please, go up. We¡¯ve prepared a room.¡±

    ¡°Can I come along?¡±, asked Aila, reluctant.

    ¡°No¡±, he answered cold.

    For a moment, she looked like she was about to protest, but a stern gaze from Rosomil was all it needed for her to stay down. With a sigh, she hung her head and looked lost around the place, as Alistair followed Rosomil up the stairs.

    ¡°May I offer the young lady some mead or water?¡±, asked the old man, weirdly polite. ¡°And please, sit down. This might take a while.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take some water, thank you¡±, she replied shy. ¡°My name is Aila.¡±

    ¡°Well met, Aila. You can call me Aswald.¡±

    What else was spoken Alistair didn¡¯t hear as they reached the first floor and there relatively soon the room the knight had reserved. Rosomil stopped in front of the door, opened it and invited Alistair in with a stiff gesture. Somehow, this felt worse than his first interrogation.

    ¡°Please sit down¡±, said Rosomil after he had entered the room and closed the door.

    Alistair followed the offer and took a deep breath. The room was brightly lit by multiple lamps and candles, as well as the fireplace. He felt suddenly very naked despite being fully clothed.

    ¡°While I look after your injuries, I¡¯ll ask you a few things¡±, Rosomil began, sat down next to him and adjusted the light. ¡°I expect you to be honest with me.¡±

    ¡°Why would you think I would lie to you?¡±, he asked, seeking safety in forwardness.

    ¡°Because you¡¯re the worst lair I ever had to get to know until now!¡±, he replied angry. ¡°I just told your girl that you had a head injury so she wouldn¡¯t be even more worried than she already is! And I do believe this lie serves you well, doesn''t it? Now tell me! Why did you undress and take a swim in the ocean last night?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t-¡±

    ¡°You did!¡±, he shouted and slammed his hand on the table, which made everything on it jump. ¡°I know how to read trails! And no one! No one in this world folds their clothes and tugs them away in a dry crevice without intention! Now tell me where you went, or I officially name you a suspect in the murders!¡±

    ¡°Yes, I did swim in the ocean last night¡±, Alistair admitted slowly. ¡°But the why is none of your business.¡±

    ¡°It is very well my business¡±, Rosomil replied deadly calm and glared at him. ¡°Get your shirt off.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t tell you why¡±, he repeated less confident and undressed his upper body.

    ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for this¡±, said Rosomil, and touched Alistair¡¯s forehead.

    For a second, his fingertips felt like hot iron, then a tingling sensation filled Alistair¡¯s whole head and caused him nearly to black out. But before he could drop from the chair, he knight removed his hand and cursed.

    ¡°W-what did you do just now?¡±, Alistair asked through the splitting headache he had caused.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°I tried to extract your memory but failed¡±, he explained as if him performing witchcraft was normal.

    ¡°You¡¯re a demon?¡±, asked Alistair and felt his entire body grow cold.

    ¡°No. Not a demon¡±, explained Rosomil with a slight hint of shame on his face, while he undid the bandages. ¡°I¡¯m just born with an affinity for magic, which enables me to use it. Now tell me why Sedna has placed a spell on you.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t¡±, he whispered defeated, which made Rosomil ease up. ¡°I just can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°I see¡±, he replied, more tired than anything else, and started to examine Alistair¡¯s wounds. ¡°You made a dangerous deal with a dangerous being. Was gaining a sealskin really worth it?¡±

    ¡°H-how do you know?¡±, he asked, shocked and wanted to say more, but his tongue felt as if it was pulling itself down his throat.

    ¡°Don¡¯t force yourself to say anything on the matter, the consequences could cost you more than you know, should you push past the spell¡¯s restrictions.¡±

    ¡°You sound like you have experience¡­¡±

    ¡°Not personally, but I¡¯ve seen what can happen if you make a deal and do the wrong thing.¡±

    For a few moments, they fell silent. Alistair didn¡¯t know what to make of Rosomil. He didn¡¯t even know what to make of himself anymore.

    ¡°Hey, I guess it would be kind of asinine to ask you for help?¡±, Alistair asked in a low whisper.

    ¡°I would help you but keep the exact wording of your contract in mind¡±, he replied and put something on his wounds that burned and cooled at the same time. ¡°If it allows you to have help, then yes. If no¡­¡±

    ¡°I must do it alone.¡±

    ¡°Then, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°I should be the one apologizing.¡±

    At this, Rosomil let out a soft laugh. It would¡¯ve been pleasant if his face weren¡¯t so serious.

    ¡°Whatever you did or promised to do, do it exactly how it was explained to you¡±, he warned and leaned back after he bandaged Alistair. ¡°Diversion can lead to catastrophe.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m aware of that¡±, he replied, downtrodden.

    ¡°I hope it won¡¯t be too much of a burden on your soul.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°And now, you tell me what you can about last night. I¡¯ll be able to figure out the rest.¡±

    Alistair nodded and began his tale.

    ¡ª

    ¡°What did he say?¡±, asked Aila once they left the inn.

    It was already dark and the air crisp and clean. The moon above them, despite just being a thin sickle, shone bright, accentuated by a myriad of stars. It was a beautiful night, but Alistair couldn¡¯t bring himself to enjoy it or even suggest a late night walk.

    ¡°That I did a good job of cleaning my wound and that it would soon heal, but I should rest up for a while¡±, Alistair told her exhausted.

    ¡°Then you won¡¯t set out to fish tomorrow morning?¡±, she asked, half disappointed, half relieved.

    ¡°You know I can¡¯t skip two days in a row to go fish¡±, he replied, smiling and hugged her close. ¡°I need to eat.¡±

    ¡°I could go fish for you¡±, Aila proposed.

    ¡°I actually prefer my fish to be in one piece, without bite marks.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s mean!¡±

    ¡°Oh, love, I didn¡¯t mean to insult you, and you¡¯re adorable when you play with your fish.¡±

    ¡°You damnable tease!¡±, Aila shouted, laughing and leaned against him. ¡°I forgive you, but only this once!¡±

    ¡°Duly noted¡±, Alistair replied and leaned in for a kiss, she gladly received.

    Suddenly, Alistair felt being watched by something or someone hateful. A moment later, Father Hamish sauntered out of the shadows between two houses. He walked a little sluggish and seemed drunk. Frowning, Alistair pulled Aila closer but didn¡¯t slow down.

    As they crossed paths, the smell of some strange herbal concoction was strongly emitting from him. Smelling it alone made Alistair dizzy. Alia too seemed to react the same and even pushed him along with a disgusted expression.

    Suddenly, Father Hamish grabbed her. Alistair reacted without thinking and knocked him to the ground. Doing so, he had to fight the urge to beat the priest to a pulp.

    ¡°You mongrel!¡±, Hamish snarled like an animal. ¡°How dare you attack me!¡±

    ¡°You grab me!¡±, Aila responded, angry before Alistair could say anything. ¡°It¡¯s also uncouth for a priest to roam the streets visibly drunk!¡±

    Before he could get up on his own, his brother appeared and ran towards them.

    ¡°Brother!¡±, Hamish shouted as he saw him and hastily went back up on his feet.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you brother me!¡±, shouted Iain and nearly knocked him back down.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±, asked Aila, angry.

    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business¡±, replied Father Iain, cold. ¡°And you, Hamish, you come back this instant!¡±

    ¡°Make me!¡±, he shouted like a sullen child, and was off a moment later.

    ¡°Neither of you will utter a single word about this to anyone!¡±, Iain hissed towards Alistair and Aila, and went after his brother a moment later.

    ¡°What in the Lord''s name was this?¡±, Alistair asked while hugging Aila close.

    ¡°Best we do what he asked of us¡±, she replied, uncertain.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess¡­¡±, he replied.

    In utter silence, they headed to his cottage, where Aila kissed him goodbye for the night and left for her home with her aunt and uncle. Alistair had considered for a moment asking her to stay, but the thought of her finding the sealskin and the bloody bedsheets in the trunk was too much for him. With a heavy heart, he closed the door and went to bed.

 Chapter 14 - Late Night Conversation

    Rosomil sat with Aswald alone in the inn. The others in his group were keeping watch or resting at the moment. From the second he had looked at the young fisherman, he had known that something had changed within him. Something he wasn¡¯t sure if entirely good. And what Alistair had just told him didn¡¯t bode well for him.

    ¡°The rumor of the Shrine of Sedna must be true, then¡±, Aswald said, looking across the edge of his mug of mead at him.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t supposed to give hints¡±, he replied sullen.

    ¡°I¡¯m stating a fact after careful consideration of what you told me about the fisher-boy.¡±

    For a few minutes, the only sound inside the crammed interior was the cracking of the fire.

    ¡°A deal with the sea witch¡±, Aswald stated with a dismissive chuckle. ¡°Stupid kid. This will surely kill him.¡±

    ¡°He isn¡¯t the murderer¡±, said Rosomil, deep in thought, watching the steam rise from his mug of mead.

    ¡°He might become one now.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Rosomil. It¡¯s noble to assume the best of people, but only people.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t the Selkies in this hamlet showing you that they¡¯re people too?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still young.¡±

    ¡°Age has nothing to do with it.¡±

    At this, Aswald took a deep breath and leaned forward, resting his arms on the table while warming his hands on his mug.

    ¡°That¡¯s precisely why I didn¡¯t want to tell you everything¡±, Rosomil said with a frown.

    ¡°You know me so well, I fear I might¡¯ve created in you the man who will one day see it fit to kill me¡±, he replied and let out a hearty laugh.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say such stupid things in jest, Master¡±, he said, almost hissing.

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right¡±, he said, serious once more. ¡°Especially with a still unknown danger lurking out in the dark. But back to the fisher-boy¡­ What do you think he asked of the sea witch?¡±

    ¡°I presume it¡¯s a sealskin¡±, Rosomil answered, and decided not to tell him everything he knew.

    ¡°Would make sense¡±, Aswald agreed and took a sip of his mug. ¡°He¡¯s a halfblood. She might¡¯ve been charitable with him.¡±

    Judging by the haunted look on Alistair¡¯s face and his inability to speak freely, Rosomil highly doubted it. Again, he said nothing about it.

    ¡°Well, it shan¡¯t be our problem if he now frolics with his girl as a seal around the ocean¡±, Aswald continued, unbothered. ¡°Still, I do wonder¡­ Why are you so easily trusting towards everyone? With what I taught you, you should be able to feel out who¡¯s human and who isn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Their nature doesn¡¯t determine their actions¡±, he replied, angry. ¡°And I stay adamant. I do believe they too have a choice to be good or evil.¡±

    Aswald hummed understanding and took a big swig of his mead. For the following moments, silence coated them again in a tense atmosphere.

    ¡°Tell me, what do you think is the motive behind the murders¡±, said Aswald suddenly and stretched his arms.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°I suspected something sexual from the fact all victims had been women and going by the rough description we had before we came here and spoke with the villagers¡±, he answered. ¡°But there''s the fact we now have a man among the victims to consider.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps the man was exactly chosen to make you think this way.¡±

    ¡°True, but if it were something sexual the murders would¡¯ve not just escalated in frequency but also violence. And the described wounds as well as those I saw on the victims speak of an animal attack, disregarding that the hearts were cut out with a knife and some precision. Nothing appeared like the usual defensive wounds found on such victims. Besides, there were no reports of strangers or a villager approaching any of the women in an uncouth way.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your take on the motive, then?¡±

    ¡°The choice of victim was accidental. But the death ritualistic.¡±

    ¡°What makes you think that?¡±

    At this, Rosomil slowly turned towards him, glaring. Aswald let out a warm laugh.

    ¡°You learned to call people stupid with just a glance¡±, he said, amused. ¡°I¡¯m impressed.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯m impressed with your lack of concern¡±, replied Rosomil, cold. ¡°It is unclear to me why the murderer takes the heart of his victims. I read about anything pertaining to Selkies and Sedna I could during our ride here, but there was nothing mentioned concerning such sacrifices.¡±

    ¡°Selkies are notoriously unforthcoming with their culture¡±, Aswald remarked, much more serious. ¡°And the library in our headquarters doesn¡¯t hold much information on them either. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if there is a ritual they just don¡¯t speak with outsiders about. I doubt they even told the human villagers anything.¡±

    ¡°The victims were all Selkies¡±, pondered Rosomil aloud. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine such a rather cannibalistic ritual among them.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t ascribe human sensibilities to them.¡±

    Rosomil ignored him.

    ¡°What about their skins?¡±, asked Aswald after a few moments.

    ¡°They were all found naked. Their sealskins gone. I suspect either taken by the culprit or by Sedna.¡±

    ¡°Could their sealskins be the reason for their murders?¡±, asked Aswald in a way Rosomil didn¡¯t like, as he always used this tone to push him into a certain direction. ¡°Don¡¯t make this dark face. Although, it tells me you already know what I want you to consider.¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯t supposed to give hints¡±, Rosomil insisted and frowned at him.

    ¡°But can you be sure the fisher-boy is innocent? He probably wanted to have a skin of his own, not just since the murders started. Considering how he got orphaned and what his mother took with her back to her sea-witch god¡­ It would be understandable for him to try to steal one. Perhaps he even hopes to become a pureblood Selkie by consuming their hearts. The heart¡¯s considered the anchor of the soul. Perhaps he thinks he can change his nature by consuming it. Alt of nonhumans and even humans instinctively know this fact to be true without realizing.¡±

    ¡°He just wants to protect his fianc¨¦e¡±, he responded, indignant. ¡°And he doesn¡¯t strike me as a murderer.¡±

    ¡°A noble excuse. Rosomil, I know those creatures. There¡¯s no difference between purebloods and halfbloods. They lie. They betray. Not only that, but they string you along for their amusement.¡±

    ¡°I trust him.¡±

    ¡°Rosomil¡­ Please. You¡¯re not just a talented fighter, but also a talented magic wielder. I¡¯d rather you become the captain of your small squad than Lodwin. So stop with this. You aren¡¯t this gullible.¡±

    ¡°Lodwin is as good a knight as I and should my penchant for gullibility remain then he would be the better leader.¡±

    ¡°Lodwin is a follower and not a leader. Don¡¯t look at me like this, or I¡¯ve to accuse you of attempted murder.¡±

    ¡°Cease with those stupid jokes.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re no fun at all, boy. Anyway, what I wanted to say is, Lodwin follows orders to a point. He doesn¡¯t really question anything unless it¡¯s blatantly obvious or someone prompts him. He¡¯s a good guy otherwise and the perfect choice for your right-hand man. You, on the other hand, ask questions even before you heard the first word. You look over your orders and analyze them. Furthermore, you think for yourself. You keep your convictions until truly disproven.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand you. Now you praise the very character flaw you find so distasteful within me.¡±

    At this, he bellowed a hearty laugh, which irritated Rosomil even more. Clenching his jaw, he took a deep breath and let the air slowly back out. There was a certain irony within it, as Aswald had been the one who had taught him this trick to calm down.

    ¡°How about we call it a day and talk tomorrow once more¡±, Aswald suggested, amused, and stood up. ¡°It¡¯s always fun to tease you out of your shell.¡±

    ¡°A mollusk broken out of its shell will die¡±, Rosomil remarked coolly and deep in thought.

    At this Aswald looked at him with surprise, but he ignored him. Regarding the remainder of his mead inside his mug, he watched how some of the drops merged and flowed together.

    ¡°Currents¡­¡±, he murmured. ¡°I need to check the currents. Find where they were really killed¡­¡±

    Deep in thought, he only partially noticed how Aswald left him alone to go to bed.

 Chapter 15 - No Turning Back

    After some hours, Alistair managed to regain his wits and managed to swim back to the shore. Too tired to do much but crawl on land, he dropped into the soft sand between two large rocks and closed his eyes. He didn¡¯t even bother to pull out of the skin.

    But soon his ears picked up hushed, almost feverish voices and hasty steps. Too tired to do anything, he remained as he was. A part of him wanted to hide back in the ocean, but another part of him just suggested remaining where he was. Maybe he was just mistaken for a normal sleeping seal or, even better, if he remained as still as possible, whoever was coming would consider him to be a rock.

    ¡°¡­ stay back! I swear, I¡¯ll give you so much of the concoction that you¡¯ll sleep for a decade!¡±, a man shouted ¡ª someone familiar.

    ¡°Seven-times blood on the new moon!¡±, another man replied with almost feverish fervor. ¡°Wash your skin clean with blood! Eat the hearts! Eat the hearts!¡±

    ¡°Will you stop!?¡±

    Someone was thrown to the ground. Slow, Alistair turned his head, cracked one eye open and was immediately wide awake. Perhaps some fifty yards away, he could make out Father Iain and Father Hamish. They fought like some drunken ruffians on the ground. Throwing blows and tumbling over each other. It was utterly ridiculous watching them, but at the same time Alistair couldn¡¯t help but feel his doom creep closer to him.

    Suddenly, they came to a halt. Hamish was on top of Iain and closed his hands around his brother''s neck.

    ¡°How about I kill you next?¡±, asked Hamish calm and cold as ice. ¡°You¡¯re a Selkie, too, brother. Your heart will suffice as seventh.¡±

    ¡°For you to revel in this¡­¡±, Iain replied, laughing. ¡°One could think you want us to fail!¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡±

    ¡°And who¡¯s going to help you keep our bargain? This bargain involves both of us.¡±

    ¡°You enjoy it, too!¡±, he remarked, trembling in furry. ¡°But those knights! Especially their blond leader¡­ he knows what we both are! One look was all he had needed!¡±

    ¡°Who knows from what witches womb he spawned, but he has no real evidence. And tomorrow night is a new moon. I don¡¯t care for whom you choose in your beastly state. I¡¯ll wait as usual. But might I suggest you drag out Sedna herself?¡±

    At this, Hamish let out a malicious chuckle.

    ¡°You know she toys with me, brother¡±, he said. ¡°I, personally, hope I can dig my teeth into that Selkie-girl. Her blood tasted so sweet. So sweet¡­¡±

    Hamish suddenly slumped down and seemed about to fall asleep on top of him.

    ¡°Does the concoction finally work?¡±, asked Iain with a hint of nervousness. ¡°Hamish?¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    ¡°Right¡±, Hamish murmured and fell down beside him. ¡°Sorry¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you.¡±

    ¡°I forgive you and remember tomorrow will be the last day and, with a little luck, you¡¯ll be free¡±, Iain told him as he pulled him back up.

    Could this be real? Could he be certain that what he just witnessed had, in fact, truly happened? Alistair¡¯s heart beat up to his chest. He needed to get up and tell the knights! He had to tell Rosomil! The priests¡­ it¡­

    He couldn¡¯t.

    His contract with Sedna made it impossible for him to tell anyone anything about what he just saw. Perhaps this was even her intention. A method not just to push him along, but also one to show him how inevitable his situation was. Perhaps she had toyed with him. Played both him and the priests.

    Sluggish, Alistair moved forward, but his whole body still ached. He managed a few feet and collapsed again, as much as a seal could collapse on land. Moving around on land as a seal was a challenge and after the freedom of the sea, being now on land felt like a prison itself. Yet, what harm could it do him to rest a few moments longer? Just a few moments¡­

    ¡ª

    ¡°Alistair?¡±

    Not again¡­

    ¡°Alistair?¡±

    Not the nightmare¡­

    Slow, Alistair opened his eyes and let out a pained sound. The sun shone bright into his face and the rush of the ocean was loud and immediate. This wasn¡¯t right.

    But all thought was pushed aside when he felt Aila warp her arms around him.

    ¡°It¡¯s you!¡±, she shouted, vibrating with happiness. ¡°It worked! It really worked!¡±

    He wanted to ask what was going on, but all he could do was a garbled yelp.

    ¡°I see, I see¡±, Aila said, still laughing and hugging him. ¡°One moment, it¡¯s quite difficult to talk in this form.¡±

    Gently, she slipped her hand into his mouth and pulled it from his face. Once his human head was free, he took an involuntary breath and looked around.

    ¡°What happened?¡±, he asked shocked while the realization set in, that she now knew.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡±, Aila replied and hugged him close. ¡°I should¡¯ve warned you. Oh, but who would¡¯ve thought that Sedna would listen to me?¡±

    ¡°Sedna?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Since I told you about her Shrine, I couldn¡¯t sleep well, knowing you might still feel forced to ask her yourself for a sealskin. So, I prayed to Sedna and offered her a ton of fish and small trinkets, so she would actually gift you a sealskin, and now she has just done that! I can¡¯t believe it! It¡¯s a sign!¡±

    This isn¡¯t true. I need to kill Hamish and Iain. The skin is to be paid in blood.

    Alistair wanted to tell her.

    He needed to tell her.

    He couldn¡¯t tell her.

    Like a fish out of water, he opened and closed his mouth.

    ¡°Oh, I forgot¡±, she said and brought him back into the present. ¡°You must feel quite confused. I didn¡¯t tell you that you need to learn to live with your seal nature once you get your skin, or you¡¯ll be little more than a normal seal.¡±

    ¡°I lose my mind?¡±, he asked, shocked.

    ¡°No, no! You won¡¯t lose your mind, you¡¯ll just need a few swims in your skin to learn to control yourself. It¡¯s more akin to learning how to walk again, rather than having your mind taken over by some feral seal mind.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ nice to hear.¡±

    ¡°Alistair?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I should¡¯ve told you that I prayed to Sedna!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, love. It¡¯s alright¡­¡±

    He didn¡¯t really know wether she cried because of relief or because of happiness. It was all the same to him. He couldn¡¯t tell her the truth. He just couldn¡¯t. The only thing left for him was to hold her tight and ran his hand through her hair.

    ¡°Tonight, let us get married¡±, Aila sudden suggested, leaning against him.

    ¡°Tonight?¡±, he asked, shocked.

    ¡°Yes!¡±, she replied eager and looked at him longingly. ¡°Since you now have a sealskin, we can marry following the old Selkie custom. It¡¯s said to bring good luck to marry during a new moon in winter. Sedna has truly blessed us!¡±

    To him, this wasn¡¯t a blessing but a mere misunderstanding. One drawing in the laughter of an old woman, only he seemed able to hear. This was all her doing and she enjoyed it.

 Chapter 16 - The Letter

    Rosomil sat at the table with Aswald, his arms crossed and a deep frown on his face. Aswald sat at the side once more with a mug of warm mead in his hands. Looking at the old man, one could think this was just another of many ordinary mornings, but deep down he knew that something was soon going to happen.

    Suddenly, the door of the inn was opened, and a courier entered the inn. The young, travel worn man took a careful look around until his eyes met Aswald¡¯s. Immediately, he approached the table and bowed before him.

    ¡°I presume you¡¯re Sir Aswald of the Crimson Hand?¡±, the courier asked cordial.

    ¡°That¡¯s right¡±, he replied. ¡°You arrived here earlier than I anticipated.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Sire¡±, he said and bowed again while pulling a leather warped envelope out of his jacket. ¡°I''ve got the letter right here.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. You can stay for as long as you want here, I¡¯ll see that your expenses are covered.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Sire.¡±

    ¡°You can go now.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Sire.¡±

    Without lingering, the young man left the table and headed to the mayor, who had watched everything from a polite distance.

    Rosomil paid him no further attention and turned to Aswald, who had already opened the letter and read it. It was difficult to guess the letter''s content based on his expression but Rosomil felt that something within the letter made him grow tense. But before he could ask what this was about, the door to the inn was pushed open once more. Oswin, looking less than pleased, entered the room without further ado, walked to the table and sat down.

    At the same time, the mayor¡¯s wife walked over to him and offered him a warm mead as well as something to eat. Thanking her softly, he accepted her offer and stretched his arms above his head.

    ¡°Looks bad, Captain¡±, he finally said, exhausted. ¡°I managed to retrace their steps, but I couldn¡¯t find out what exactly happened.¡±

    ¡°Then tell me, what did you find¡±, Rosomil said in a low almost dangerous voice, which made Oswin swallow hard for a moment.

    ¡°I managed to follow their footsteps to the shore¡±, he began. ¡°There they seemed to have fought with each other. While I didn¡¯t find any blood, I guess one of them had managed to knock the other out and bring him back to their house. Still, I don¡¯t know how they have managed to leave without one of us noticing.¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°Is this enough to warrant a search?¡±, asked Rosomil and slowly turned to Aswald, who had just finished reading the letter.

    ¡°No¡±, he replied and folded it back together. ¡°While suspicious, this could very well just be a squabble among siblings.¡±

    ¡°Then we need to question them¡±, he insisted. ¡°Oswin, I want you¡ª¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t be brought here like criminals either¡±, he interrupted Rosomil, calm yet firm. ¡°They¡¯re under the protection of the bishop themselves and as such we need to show them respect.¡±

    ¡°Respect is earned, not demanded!¡±

    ¡°Rosomil, we¡¯re talking here about our superior. The bishop¡¯s word weights more than your unfounded opinions.¡±

    ¡°They could be the prodigies of the pope and I would persecute them for their crimes!¡±

    ¡°You can only persecute someone guilty of a crime!¡±

    ¡°But they¡¯re hiding important information from us!¡±

    ¡°Rosomil! I order you to sit down! At! Once!¡±

    Trembling of anger, he obeyed and sat back down. In doing so, he looked over at Oswin, who looked like he would prefer to be somewhere else far, far away right now. A moment later, he returned his gaze to Aswald.

    ¡°How come they¡¯re suddenly under the protection of the bishop?¡±, Rosomil asked, crossing his arms.

    ¡°It¡¯s written in this letter¡±, he answered and held it up, so he could clearly see the wax seal, he had carefully peeled off from one side.

    ¡°I don¡¯t intend to bend my knee just because this damnable letter arrived¡±, murmured Rosomil and clenched his fists so hard the joints cracked. ¡°How come the bishop even wrote it?¡±

    ¡°I did write to the bishop around the time we arrived with a few questions, considering Father Iain and Father Hamish. I was curious as to how and why so young, freshly ordained priests were sent here so far away from the diocese¡±, Aswald continued stern. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect him to be this clear on the matter. I guess he must¡¯ve heard about you and your tendency to believe in nonhumans. Once we¡¯re back at the headquarters, I will make an inquiry as to how he did manage to gain this knowledge but for now, we have to obey.¡±

    ¡°What else has he written?¡±

    ¡°He just suggested that which I¡¯ve already ordered you to do. To wait until the next new moon, which will be the next night, and catch the murderer redhanded.¡±

    Rosomil swallowed the nasty comment he had at the tip of his tongue and crossed his arms once more. To be ordered to step down and late another murder play out just to get the perpetrators redhanded when all he needed was a proper search and a long and proper questioning drove him insane. This wasn¡¯t at all what it meant to him to be a member of the Crimson Hand.

    ¡°Think, Rosomil¡±, continued Aswald. ¡°Iain and Hamish arrived here after the first murder. And what reason would they have to harm the Selkie population here?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what a thorough questioning is for¡±, he replied sullen.

    Aswald sighed and left his reply uncommented. Rosomil was glad he didn¡¯t force the issue. He didn¡¯t know how much longer he could take this before he was going to punch his mentor.

    ¡°Give me the letter¡±, he said, barely keeping from grinding his teeth.

    Aswald raised an eyebrow and slowly pocketed the letter.

    ¡°I hereby request humbly to be handed this letter pertaining to our active investigation, Master¡±, Rosomil said with a sigh.

    ¡°Request denied¡±, he replied cold. ¡°You need to work on your manners when angry.¡±

    Fuming, Rosomil took a deep breath and counted to three before letting the air out slowly. He was certainly there ought to be more within the letter, but he had no way of getting it anytime soon, if at all. All left for him to do was to follow Aswald¡¯s orders and hope that his evaluation was well-meaning enough for him to even remain in the status of a knight without being demoted to adept.

 Chapter 17 - Trapped in a Waking Nightmare

    The day went by in a blur. Aila insisted on teaching him how to swim as a Selkie, and since the morning they hadn¡¯t done anything else. Caught between happiness to finally be able to swim with her as a seal through the ocean and utter dread of what was still expected of him, all Alistair could do was to smile and bear it. There was no way he could ditch Aila and look for the priests to kill them. There was also no way for him to be able to tell her the truth as to how he had gained the skin.

    To his dismay, whenever his fianc¨¦e noticed his tortured mind, she attributed it to the seemingly new situation of him having a sealskin and using it for the first time. Her words were kind and encouraging. They showed him how much she loved him and how much he loved her, and how deeply he regretted having struck a deal with Sedna, Mother of the Ocean.

    As the evening drew closer, Aila didn¡¯t slow. Still more than ecstatic about his new skin, he had to force her to stop, at least for a few moments.

    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±, she asked as they swam for the shore and flopped onto it.

    Everything¡¯s wrong.

    He couldn¡¯t say that.

    ¡°I just need a break¡±, Alistair said instead, and took a deep breath.

    ¡°That¡¯s alright¡±, Aila replied chuckling, which sounded adorably cute in her seal-form. ¡°I pushed you around quite a lot today, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ You did¡­¡±, he said anxiously and rested his head on the surprisingly warm sand.

    ¡°I guess I¡¯m just so eager to marry you, I can¡¯t help myself¡±, she responded and nuzzled against him.

    ¡°I, too, can¡¯t wait. What¡¯s this Selkie tradition about?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ I guess I should tell you, and now¡¯s better than later, isn¡¯t? So¡­ At dusk, we need to head with the outgoing tide towards Sedna¡¯s shrine and pray there until the new moon rises. Once it¡¯s up, I¡¯ll have to dive first, while you have to wait for some time until you follow me. Then you have to seek me out and find me before dawn.¡±

    ¡°A game of hid and seek?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just a game of hide and seek! It¡¯s meant to show that the couple does trust another and will find each other even in the dark. It¡¯s rather romantic, isn''t it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s rather dangerous with the murderer swimming around¡±, he replied concerned and slightly shocked about her unbothered mind considering the circumstances.

    ¡°Alistair, as a Selkie you have to do it¡±, she replied sullen.

    ¡°Will Sedna curse me, if I don¡¯t?¡±, he asked serious, but Aila seemed to take his concern as a joke.

    ¡°Silly, she won¡¯t, but I¡¯ll get angry if you deny me this tradition¡±, she replied haughty. ¡°Which is worse, isn''t it?¡±

    ¡°I guess a spurned spouse is worse¡±, he replied and forced himself to laugh despite his throat feeling like a tight rope pulling slowly close around it.

    ¡°Well¡­ I guess you¡¯re somewhat right, still,¡± she mused after a moment apologetical. ¡°If something happens, I know where I can find you and I won¡¯t be hiding somewhere difficult. So¡­ Please¡­ With those murders around, no one here in Harren has a lot to laugh about, let both of us have at least a little fun.¡±

    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right¡±, Alistair replied tense and looked towards the horizon, where the sun stood like a great orange orb above the fog out at sea. ¡°Let¡¯s continue to train my swimming abilities. I don¡¯t want to disappoint you tonight!¡±

    Aila let out an exited bark and flopped back into the sea. Alistair hesitated a moment, but then he followed her with a heavy heart.

    ¡ª

    Upon dusk, Aila and Alistair watched the sun close in on the horizon as a crimson pearl.

    ¡°Now it¡¯s time¡±, Aila said in clear awe of the situation. ¡°And to be blessed with such pleasant weather¡­ Alistair?¡±

    ¡°Yes, my love?¡±

    ¡°I think Sedna wants us to marry.¡±

    ¡°I do hope so.¡±

    ¡°Could it be, you¡¯re much more nervous than I?¡±, she asked and nuzzled him.

    ¡°Perhaps¡­¡±

    At this, she laughed and jumped into the water. Alistair didn¡¯t want to lose her out of his sight and immediately followed her. Soon they reached the cliffs and followed the outflowing waters of the tide to the Shrine of Sedna.

    Doing so in the shape of a seal with all the animal¡¯s abilities was a breeze in comparison to his late night swim. Still, he couldn¡¯t really relish this ease. His heart felt leaden and about to jump out of his throat.

    They arrived in silence and, judging by Aila¡¯s tense yet happy expression, all was in order. With reverence, he hadn¡¯t expected from her, she shed her sealskin and stepped naked onto the stony shore, holding the sealskin like a cape across her shoulders. Alistair followed her example and stepped next to her, taking her out held hand. Together, they kneeled, while continuing to hold their hands.

    ¡°Mother of the Ocean¡±, Aila began, unusually serious and almost solemn. ¡°As it is costume, we stand before your shrine, dressed in what you intend your humble children to wear. Together, united in heart and soul, we ask humbly for your blessing for our union. May your fortune guide us as below as above in the eternal bliss of love.¡±

    Alistair half expected Sedna to appear like she had appeared to him during his first visit to this place. Yet, everything remained calm and the new moon, strangely visible as a black hole in the dark sky, rose higher and higher as if time hastened it on. After a few more moments, Aila let go of his hand, much to his growing dismay. As if sleepwalking, she moved back to the sea and warped herself inside her sealskin. A heartbeat later, she was gone beneath the unnatural calm ocean, which appeared more like a black mirror than the giant expanse of water it usually was.

    Alistair wanted to follow her immediately but found he couldn¡¯t move more than his neck. Frightened, he fought against the binding but found no relief. At the same time, he thought to heard Sedna¡¯s sickening laugh echo across the mirror-like ocean.

    The second this petrification disappeared he ran into the ocean, breaking the mercury surface and warped himself into the sealskin.

    His heart beat up in his chest and the only thought left inside his head was:

    Find her! I need to find her!

    Feverish he looked around the kelps and couldn¡¯t find her.

    Panicked he turned around all the rocks and couldn¡¯t find her.

    Desperate, he surfaced and saw just the vast expense of his nightmares realized.

    And then there was it. The monster which had attacked Aila before. There was no mistaking the large glowing eyes and the giant maw, so much bigger than her. So much bigger than Alistair.

    The beast snapped its jaws close in his direction. He could feel pain bloom in his left flipper, but he didn¡¯t let his fear overtake him. Worried sick about Aila¡¯s safety, he attacked the monster and a bit down.

    This time, the taste of blood felt exhilarating and liberating.

    He clawed and bit.

    He rammed and shook.

    He did all a seal was capable of and more, for he had also the cunning of a human on his side this time.

    The monstrosity didn¡¯t stand a chance.

    Despite being stronger and wilder, it was no match for his nimbleness and sharp mind.

    Bit by bit, he wore the beast down until everything became just a blur.

    The moment Alistair surface, he was surprised to be close to the shore of Harren. Exhausted and certain to have fulfilled his promise to Sedna, he swam ashore and found Aila there. By the looks of it, she must¡¯ve grown tired of hiding and decided to wait for him on land. But there was something wrong.

    He couldn¡¯t tell what it was until he was ashore. But the moment he saw the blood on her body, he knew that he had been too late. Yet before pain and grieve could take over, he was knocked out and knew no more.

 Chapter 18 - Aftermath

    Shock.

    This was all he felt upon hearing what had been found at shore in the morning.

    Could all of his ideas and conclusions been wrong?

    Could he have really erred too much in his judgment?

    His feet were heavy as he ran with his men to the crime scene. Half of him expected not to find the fisher-boy there but the one who found them, an equally shocked inhabitant of Harren, had no reason to lie. And lying he did not.

    Upon arriving at the shore the first thing Rosomil noted was the crowd of shocked onlookers and the bone shilling cries and wails of Alistair.

    ¡°Step back!¡±, Rosomil and Lodwin shouted in unison, while the others corralled the gawkers aside.

    ¡°Someone get the mayor!¡±, added Lodwin while securing the parameter.

    Some of them left, and Rosomil used his chance to immediately approach the blood-covered fisher-boy. Upon doing so, he drew his sword, ready to plunge it into Alistair should he be stupid enough to fight. But soon he realized that there wasn¡¯t much fight left in him, if at all. All the fisher-boy did was cry and cradle Aila¡¯s lifeless body in his arms.

    This wasn¡¯t right.

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    This wasn¡¯t the reaction of a murderer.

    ¡°Something¡¯s not right¡±, he murmured, which in turn made Alistair notice him.

    ¡°Sir Knight!¡±, he cried, his voice almost completely gone. ¡°I¡­ Aila¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡­ know¡±, he replied pained and lowered involuntary his sword. ¡°I need to apprehend you.¡±

    ¡°No! No!¡±, he shouted and hugged his dead fianc¨¦e closer. ¡°Don¡¯t take her from me!¡±

    ¡°Please, it needs to be done¡±, he continued, unable to continue to look at him. ¡°Come with me out of your own accord. Don¡¯t force my hand.¡±

    That moment, the mayor arrived and ordered the remaining onlookers away. Upon moving next to Rosomil, he crossed himself and let out a short prayer.

    ¡°Alistair¡±, he addressed the fisher-boy a moment later. ¡°Please, come along. I know you didn¡¯t do it. We want to help you.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no helping me¡±, he replied, exhausted, and without letting go of Aila. ¡°I can¡¯t be helped anymore. Maybe I could never be helped.¡±

    ¡°Please, boy, let us at least try¡±, the mayor continued and reached out with his old, weatherworn hand. ¡°As your family¡­¡±

    ¡°Then, please, take care of Aila¡±, he finally said and looked at forlorn at the mayor.

    ¡°I promise, we¡¯ll take care of her¡±, he replied and kneeled down, still offering his hand. ¡°We placed a nice linen sheet on her, so she can keep her dignity. No further harm will befall her. I promise.¡±

    ¡°T-thank you¡±, Alistair replied and placed her down while gently stroking her cheek one last time. ¡°Just don¡¯t harm her.¡±

    ¡°We won¡¯t harm her.¡±

    He nodded and let himself be pulled up by the old man. Together, he and Rosomil, guided Alistair away from the shore towards the inn.

    Behind the inn, where the mayor usually split fire wood with a heavy slightly rusty axe, there was a small stone cell once built to imprison sailors accused of mutiny. For decades, it hadn¡¯t seen any use. If it had ever been used at all.

    Rosomil and the mayor locked him in the cell after giving him some clothes and lighting a lamp and a small fire for him to not freeze. Rosomil was going to interrogate him soon enough but for now, he needed to take care of everything.

 Chapter 19 - Aswalds Offer

    The cell was a cold place and the wind blew through the cracks with unrelenting force. The lamp and blanket given to him as well as the additional clothing and the campfire did little to keep the cold away. But Alistair didn¡¯t felt it anymore. He could''ve sat naked in a snowstorm and wouldn¡¯t have felt the cold. He also didn¡¯t felt the hardness of the stone or the dread of being wrongfully accused. For all he cared, only death could make him feel something, and this something would be relief.

    Time had stopped existing as well. Days or weeks could have passed, and it would have made little to no difference to him. But Rosomil returned, probably just a few hours later. At least the sun was still up.

    The knight¡¯s face was stern and seemed to glow with determination. It was strange how much he resembled some of the depicted angels from within the church.

    ¡°How are you doing?¡±, asked Rosomil, and sat down in front of the cells on a wooden stool he had brought along.

    ¡°Just execute me¡±, he answered, monotonous. ¡°Kill me. End my life.¡±

    ¡°I want the truth and not your life¡±, he replied with subtle distaste on his face.

    ¡°The truth doesn¡¯t matter. It won¡¯t bring her back.¡±

    ¡°So you want to be known, judged and executed as your fianc¨¦e¡¯s murderer?¡±

    ¡°Aila¡¯s dead! It won¡¯t bring her back. It doesn¡¯t matter! Nothing matters!¡±

    Rosomil sighed at this and hung his head for a few moments. Then he looked up slowly, as if assessing Alistair.

    ¡°I thought you were more courageous than this¡±, the knight said, and stood up to close in on the metallic bars. ¡°I thought of you as stronger than this.¡±

    ¡°Strength and courage mean little if one deals with ancient gods, it seems¡±, he replied with a humorless laugh and looked up at Rosomil.¡°Let me tell you what Sedna asked of me in exchange for my mother''s skin.¡±

    Despite the growing hole inside his chest, Alistair told him everything. From the moment Aila had told him about the shrine, to his foolish swim at night, to Sedna¡¯s conditions and, finally, to what he had done the night Aila had been killed. Rosomil listened closely to him and at no point interrupted his tale. Once Alistair was done, he slumped back once more and closed his eyes with a sigh.

    ¡°I see¡±, Rosomil remarked after what seemed to be an eternity. ¡°So you¡¯re telling me you did manage to kill the true killer?¡±

    ¡°I must¡¯ve¡±, he replied. ¡°Or else I¡¯ll turn into this beast from now on.¡±

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    ¡°And you¡¯re sure you want to be executed?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve nothing left to live for.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll see to it that your end will be as painless as possible.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your kindness, Rosomil.¡±

    ¡°No, don¡¯t thank me¡±, he replied with a pained, deeply disappointed expression. ¡°I have to leave now. Someone will bring you something to eat soon. The execution will be held next evening.¡±

    Alistair watched him leave and huddled back into the blanket. Somehow, a part of the cold now did manage to seep into his bones.

    ¡°I¡¯ve expected better from you, fisher-boy¡±, said an old man suddenly and made Alistair jump to his feet.

    A moment later, Aswald appeared seemingly out of nowhere right in front of him. He seemed like a ghost but at the same time he commanded a certain air around himself, that made him appear much more solid than any human was entitled to be.

    ¡°What do you want? Aren¡¯t you the instructor of the knights?¡±, he asked, distrustful.

    ¡°That I certainly am¡±, he replied chuckling and sat down on the stool Rosomil had left behind. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but listen in on what the two of you had to say. Interesting things, certainly.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think Rosomil would appreciate it if you were to speak with me¡±, he replied reluctant.

    ¡°The boy doesn¡¯t appreciate plenty of things I do with or without his knowledge, but this one specific instance is for you, my friend.¡±

    ¡°For me?¡±

    ¡°Yes, for you. Since you failed your mission.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I failed?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t kill the murderer of your fianc¨¦e. You just gave him a sound beating and, since he won his bet with the Seawitch, he got healed and runs now through the village, proclaiming you guilty on all accounts.¡±

    ¡°You jest! You lie!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t lie. Not in such matters. That¡¯s also why Rosomil left so disappointed. He¡¯s disappointed in you and, for the most part, in himself. For he believes that you lied to him, that you strung him and even your fianc¨¦e along. Out of fear and shame for being cursed, a reasoning he understands and why he still acts so amicable towards you, but he believes you a liar. He believes you''re guilty and the tale you spun him just now an excuse.¡±

    ¡°Then you have to tell him the truth!¡±

    ¡°And what good would that do him? I prefer his heart breaks a little now, rather than later. He must learn not to trust nonhumans. I can¡¯t have him become a Captain within the Order when he so easily believes nonhumans over humans.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a cruel master, aren''t you?¡±, Alistair asked with an angry snarl. ¡°You¡¯re no man of honor!¡±

    ¡°As much as status is meaningless within the Order, so is this naive notion of honor¡±, he replied, laughing. ¡°We are an Order of monster-hunters, and honor before reason in the treatment of monsters gets one killed. Rosomil¡¯s potential is far grater than any other I¡¯ve seen among the countless knights I¡¯ve instructed over the years. I would be a fool to have him grow weak by following his heart even, or rather, because he¡¯s right. Because next time he might be wrong. And wrong, you¡¯re just once in our line of work and then you''re dead. But back to you. What do you want to do now? Roll up in a ball, cry, and let the true murderer of your lovely girl go around breathing and cheering on your demise? Or do you want to fight? Do you want to take revenge?¡±

    ¡°I have no fight left in me¡±, replied Alistair, exhausted. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t care anymore.¡±

    Aswald couldn¡¯t hide his surprise, despite clearly trying. This in turn made Alistair hate the old man even more.

    ¡°Well, if that¡¯s your wish¡­¡±, he finally said and stood up. ¡°Still, I give you a chance, should you change your mind.¡±

    He did touch the door of the cell, followed by a small but clearly audible click. A moment later, he left Alistair alone without another word. He watched the old man disappear and hung his head.

 Chapter 20 - At the Edge of the Sea

    Night settled, but Rosomil remained awake and took a long walk to clear his mind. His path brought him to the ocean. Gentle the waves embraced the shore, their rush a soft heartbeat older than the stones they touched. As the cold spray drifted against him, it felt as if the stars above him touched his face. Involuntary, he looked up and saw the ocean mirrored in the wast sky above him.

    There was something in the air, unnatural and lurking.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t planing to throw yourself into the ocean, are you?¡±, asked a friendly voice behind him.

    ¡°Lodwin¡­¡±, he addressed his friend and turned around. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°I could ask you the same¡±, he replied and stepped beside him. ¡°Can¡¯t sleep?¡±

    ¡°How could I?¡±, he returned and took a deep breath.

    For a few moments, they stood in utter silence next to each other. Rosomil was grateful for this and let his gaze wander again along empty vastness of the ocean and the sky. He felt like the vast scenery was the perfect mirror to his soul. Often he had felt this distant to everything but rarely with this intensity.

    ¡°I think the fisher-boy is innocent¡±, Lodwin said, and shattered the solitude which had almost filled him completely.

    ¡°I think so too¡±, Rosomil replied solemn and turned to his friend.

    ¡°Then why are playing along this charade?¡±, the redhead asked with a raised brow. ¡°Is this Aswald¡¯s doing?¡±

    Rosomil remained silent and turned away.

    ¡°You should stop listening to him¡±, Lodwin continued. ¡°I have the feeling he is trying something with you, and neither do I know what exactly it is nor do I like it.¡±

    Again he remanned silent.

    ¡°Then, is there something can we do to help the fisher-boy?¡±, asked Lodwin, changing the topic clearly reluctant.

    ¡°Nothing, I¡¯m afraid¡±, he replied defeated which clearly surprised his friend.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious¡±, said Lodwin exasperated. ¡°We need to do something! Write the bishop! Tell him about Hamish and Iain! We can¡¯t go around dooming innocent people to death! No matter if human or not!¡±

    ¡°And what should we write? That the priests are Selkies and murdered other Selkies?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    ¡°No, Lod. Aswald wrote to the bishop about the situation here and asked about the priests the day we had arrived here. He finally showed it to me right after we had apprehended Alistair.¡±

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    ¡°What the did Bishop write?¡±, he asked tense.

    Rosomil took a deep breath. He still couldn¡¯t believe the dismissiveness of the letter. The cold, almost clinical words written without a hint of compassion since the whole situation didn¡¯t concern any humans.

    ¡°The bishop wrote that he is aware of the priests¡¯ true nature¡±, Rosomil began after he collected his thoughts. ¡°They told him about this village and the secret the people thought to have kept so keenly.¡±

    ¡°What? How did they know?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know the details, but he said they were here and found out about the Selkies. They wrote him, revealing the secret along their true nature and proposed an idea. They wanted to turn the Selkies here away from Sedna and to our Lord and Savior. As an experiment to see if they could be turned fully human by denying their Goddess of the Sea.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s stupid. The brothers are ordained as priests and clearly haven¡¯t turned human. The man must be stupid.¡±

    Rosomil couldn¡¯t help but laugh. A dark, humorless laugh. While he immediately felt bad for the mocking tone, he couldn¡¯t help it.

    ¡°Well, Lod, he clarified that, despite him thinking their proposal to be of interest, he ultimately isn''t concerned with the Selkies or what they do among themselves. They¡¯re not human despite looking like it, he wrote.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s distasteful¡­ And what about Iain and Hamish? What would they gain by trying to turn the Selkies here away from their god?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think they cared much about their own proposal anyway. Remember? The murders started before the bishop sent them officially to Harren. My guess would be, they had found a suitable hunting ground here, for whatever reason, they started to kill their own kind anyway, and used this opportunity to create an alibi. Especially, Iain appears conniving enough to me to have come up with this plan.¡±

    ¡°And this sits well with you? You¡¯re willing to leave this place to the mercy of those two?¡±

    ¡°No¡±, Rosomil answered stern. ¡°If I could, I would behead them and let Alistair live.¡±

    ¡°Then do just that¡±, Lodwin insisted to his surprise. ¡°They¡¯re not human after all. Nothing would be lost.¡±

    ¡°True, but the bishop makes it clear in his letter that he doesn¡¯t believe them to be behind the murders and that he wants them to continue the experiment¡±, he replied, bitter. ¡°If I were to kill either one or both, I would be exiled from the Order. That¡¯s the whole problem, Lod. My hands are tied.¡±

    ¡°Damn it!¡±, Lodwin shouted and kicked sand into the water. ¡°What is the bishop even thinking? By letting them continue to roam freely, he betrays all our Lord stands for! That¡¯s blasphemy!¡±

    ¡°I have the feeling there¡¯s more to it than he let on¡±, he replied, deep in thought. ¡°He must¡¯ve a reason for acting the way he does. A reason that needs to be investigated and brought to the forefront, but I guess I¡¯ll never get the chance to do so. I doubt our Order would allow me to, even if I were to present the Grandmaster the letter and explain my reasoning.¡±

    ¡°What good does our Order do, when we can¡¯t investigate our own?¡±, asked Lodwin tense. ¡°How can we say we follow the teachings of Christ, if we allow murderers and their enablers to roam free and the innocent to be killed?¡±

    Rosomil didn¡¯t answer.

    The only sound left for some time was the gentle rush of the waves.

    ¡°Lodwin?¡±, Rosomil addressed his friend silently.

    ¡°Yes, Rosomil?¡±, Lodwin asked, just as silent.

    ¡°I might be asking too much, but¡­¡±, he continued, and regarded him with great determination. ¡°Let us make a change. We¡¯re unable to make a difference considering what happened here, but in the future, let¡¯s take care that something like this won¡¯t happen again under our watch.¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯t asking too much¡±, Lodwin replied with a warm smile. ¡°We just need to convince the others of our little group.¡±

    ¡°Which will take some work.¡±

    ¡°I do think both of us will convince them in no time.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps, but let us first return to the village. Tomorrow will be a sad day.¡±

    Lodwin nodded and went with him back towards Harren.

 Chapter 21 - Hoist by his own Petard

    At some point someone had brought him something to eat. Who it had been, Alistair didn¡¯t remember. He didn¡¯t even know what had been brought to him, as he never as much as glanced at the plate despite it resting right beside him. All he could do was sit and wait. Wait for the morning. Wait for his end.

    A sudden movement caught his attention. Slow, he looked up and saw someone approach. A few seconds later, the dark figure emerged into the light of his lamp and revealed themself as Hamish.

    Immediately he was wide awake and felt pure hatred boiling up to the forefront.

    ¡°You?!¡±, he hissed. ¡°Get yourself gone!¡±

    ¡°Or what?¡±, Hamish asked with a malicious grin. ¡°You¡¯re caged like an animal. There¡¯s nothing you can do to me. Even if you plead with your executioner and point at me during your execution, no one will believe you.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if the people of Harren believe me¡±, he growled. ¡°I just wish you dead!¡±

    ¡°And how would you manage that? You did beat me up pretty badly, but I still got your girl''s heart to be freed from this damnable curse and healed up in the process. To be reduced to an insane, bumbling animal around every new moon¡­ I only regret not seeing you suffer the same next new moon, as you failed your bet with Sedna.¡±

    ¡°And what would know about Sedna?¡±

    ¡°More than you think. That damnable witch¡­¡±

    Hamish trailed off and looked down at his feet. There was some regret within him, but Alistair doubted that it was any regret towards the people he killed with his brother. Angry, he slammed his hands against the bars of the cell and felt the door slightly opening. Luckily, it was heavy enough to move not by much, so Hamish, startled by the sudden motion, didn¡¯t notice.

    ¡°What are you even trying to accomplish here?¡±, Alistair asked the priest. ¡°Are you just here to taunt me? To relish in your victory?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡±, he replied without any hint of decency or hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m here to goat a bit and do my intended role. After all, the rest of this village doesn¡¯t know anything and the knights have no solid evidence to make any sensible case. So I was sent to you to give you the final rites, allow you to confess your sins and leave this earth free of burden. The usual stuff expected of a priest.¡±

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    ¡°I do not wish to talk to you any further¡±, Alistair replied after taking a deep breath. ¡°Go! Leave me be!¡±

    ¡°As you wish¡±, Hamish said and shrugged.

    To Alistair¡¯s surprise, he immediately turned around and walked away. Tired, Alistair sighed, but before he could do anything else, Hamish turned back towards him and walked once more up to the cell door.

    ¡°I forgot to tell you¡±, he began with a smarmy expression on his haggard face. ¡°Your girl¡¯s heart tasted the best.¡±

    Hearing this did something to him. With more force than he thought possible, Alistair rammed the cell door open and knocked Hamish over. Stunned, on the ground, the priest pressed his hands against his bleeding nose and let out a pained groan. Alistair didn¡¯t hesitate and jumped him.

    The fist fight that followed was a blur.

    Still, Hamish was clearly more experienced in such altercations and managed to push him off. Alistair rolled over the ground and hid a stump of wood with his back. For a moment, the air was knocked from his lungs. Stunned, he barely noticed Hamish jumping him and closing his hands around his throat.

    Panicked and barely aware of his surroundings, Alistair threw his hands around, hoping to get a hold of anything to knock the priest off. As his vision blurred, his fingers closed almost out of their own accord around a wooden shaft. With a last contingent of strength left to him, he slammed whatever it was against Hamish. Immediately, the priest let go of him and screamed out in pain. At the same time, Alistair felt something wet and warm spill on his face. Purely on instinct, he licked over his lips as he got up and regretted it.

    The taste of the blood made something monstrous screech within him, while he could hear Sedna¡¯s malicious laugher.

    ¡°Kill him!¡±, she nagged him on. ¡°Kill him and eat his heart!¡±

    Groaning, Alistair tried to force her out of his head, but it was no use. She continued to laugh and even mock him. Goading him into become like Hamish.

    A pained whisper caught his attention.

    Slow, he looked from the bloody axe still in his hand to Hamish on the ground. The priest breathed labored and pressed his right Hand against the deep wound on his left, Alistair had caused with the axe. The smell of blood was pungent and much more intense than Alistair remembered being able to smell. It made him grind his teeth while the taste still lingered on his tongue.

    With reluctant steps, he approached the priest and raised the axe. That moment, Hamish looked up with a pleading expression, so unlike his usual self it made his face appear like a stranger¡¯s.

    ¡°I¡­ I can see it¡±, he wheezed. ¡°She¡¯s talking to you¡­ nagging you¡­¡±

    ¡°Kill him and feast upon in his blood!¡±, she said inside Alistair¡¯s mind, as if to underline his words.

    ¡°Y-you don¡¯t have to listen!¡±, Hamish replied panicked and backed away despite the clear difficulty of it. ¡°I¡­ I can help you! I can teach you to deal with¡­ with her!¡±

    ¡°The nerve¡­¡±, growled Alistair. ¡°The nerve to offer me help when you killed the love of my life and doomed me to this!¡±

    Without hesitation, he hacked at Hamish with the axe. Yet, the priest proved still too nimble despite his wound and avoided the blow by a hair''s width. With fear-driven speed, he scrambled to feet and ran. Alistair, having nothing left to lose, followed.

 Chapter 22 - Its Over

    Rosomil felt a certain apprehension well up within him the closer they came to the village. Upon entering the perimeter of the first houses he could hear someone shout for help. He and Lodwin looked at each other for a second and then, without hesitation, drew their swords and ran towards the shouts.

    Rosomil wasn¡¯t in the least surprised when he saw Alistair standing above Hamish with a bloody axe in his hands. The priest crawled wounded across the ground and pleaded for his life as the fisher-boy walked calmly towards him.

    ¡°Drop your weapon and back down!¡±, shouted Rosomil as they were close enough and turned for a second to Lodwin. ¡°Go and fetch the others!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Captain¡±, Lodwin replied and headed towards the inn.

    Alistair looked up for a moment. Regret was painted clearly on his face. Regret, pain, and something else. He suddenly shook his head as if denying something or someone. His hand with the axe trembled and for a moment, he seemed about to step away. But instead of dropping the axe, he slammed it into Hamish, killing him. Without hesitation, he pulled it free and ran with it towards Rosomil.

    He reacted immediately and deflected the first haphazard blow of the fisher-boy. But Alistair didn¡¯t back down. He turned and again aimed for Rosomil¡¯s neck and shoulders. However, it was clear he didn¡¯t really intend to kill or even hurt him.

    Rosomil tried to offer him the same curtesy, but the moment Alistair noticed what he tried to do, he put more effort into his attacks. Rosomil realized his true intentions and accepted his decision, despite it being like a cold spike in his heart. With a smooth movement, he pushed past Alistair¡¯s lackluster defense and plunged his blade into his heart.

    The fisher-boy gasped involuntary for air and dropped the axe as he slumped against Rosomil.

    ¡°S-sorry¡­ for forcing¡­ your hand¡±, Alistair pushed through gritted teeth.

    ¡°I promised you as fast and as painless a death I could manage, didn¡¯t I?¡±, he replied dejected.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ Thank¡­ You¡­¡±, he breathed with a faint smile and fell limp.

    Rosomil lowered him gently to the ground and pulled his blade from his chest. Then he kneeled beside him, making sure he was gone.

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    ¡°Rosomil? Are you alright?¡±, asked Lodwin worried as he arrived with the others of their group, Aswald and the mayor in tow.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡±, he replied and placed Alistair¡¯s hands on the boy¡¯s chest after closing his half lidded eyes.

    At that moment also the first villagers appeared in their nightgowns and long robes with lamps and candles in their hands. Upon seeing what had happened, they started to whisper in shock and disbelief.

    ¡°Hamish!¡±, called out Iain and pushed past some of the villagers. ¡°By the Lord! No!¡±

    Rosomil watched him run up to his brother and fall down on his knees next to him. Despite the circumstance, he couldn¡¯t help but consider this action to be purely theatrical.

    ¡°It¡¯s over now, isn''t it?¡±, asked the mayor with tears running down his weathered cheeks. ¡°It was really him¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±, Rosomil replied and stood up.

    The blood on his coat seemed wrong. The corpse of Alistair at his feet too. All of this felt like he was dropped into someone else¡¯s nightmare with no way to escape himself.

    ¡°You! All of you!¡±, shouted Iain and headed towards them. ¡°The Order of the Crimson Hand is supposed to prevent unnecessary deaths! What a waste of skin all of you are!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for your loss, but some things are unavoidable¡±, said Aswald and stepped between him and Rosomil before he was too close. ¡°And while the murders will certainly now stop, we still have to investigate how the boy managed to get out of his cell. I¡¯ll personally take care of this and warp all of it up. Once this is done, we¡¯ll be gone and inform the Bishop.¡±

    Rosomil felt a tingling sensation and subtly glanced towards Aswald. While barely noticeable, he could feel his master use a calming spell on the priest. Iain immediately backed down as expected and looked somewhat forlorn over to the body of his brother. While much more honest an expression than his first outburst of grieve, there was still an unfitting aura of relief about him not explainable by the spell.

    ¡°Lodwin, you and the others will help the mayor and Father Iain with the dead¡±, ordered Aswald and pointed at the bodies.

    ¡°What about me?¡±, asked Rosomil while they did as ordered.

    ¡°You come with me¡±, he replied and moved towards the inn, expecting him to follow him along without a second thought.

    Rosomil made one step but noticed that he still held his sword. While already drying, the blood still dropped from the tip. For a moment, purely out of reflex, he was about to take a strip from Alistair¡¯s clothes to clean the blade before sheathing it. But the second he was about to reach down, he stopped and looked at the fisher-boy¡¯s serine face. A barely noticeable smile was left on Alistair¡¯s lips, which made him look like he was just sleeping.

    ¡°Rosomil?¡±, asked Aswald right next to him and made him flinch.

    ¡°I need to clean my sword¡±, he remarked monotonous.

    ¡°Then do so and follow me¡±, said Aswald in a warm fatherly manner, and placed a hand on Rosomil¡¯s shoulder.

    Rosomil nodded and used his own scapular to wipe the blood away, much to Aswald¡¯s clearly visible displeasure. Yet, his master remained silent on the topic and simply headed again towards the inn.