I hit the wooden floor of the longhouse with a hard thud, the impact jarring through my ribs. Around me, six village watchmen stand in a loose formation, hands resting on their hatchets and blades.

  The hall is crowded, villagers packed in close. Most look annoyed at having been dragged from their beds, but a few wear expressions of interest, eager to see how this unfolds… much like I am.

  At the head of the room, seated in his high-backed chair of finely carved oak, is Headman Yusef. He leans forward slightly, fingers impatiently tapping the wooden armrests, as he waits for me to get to my knees.

  “By the authority of Mistvale and the will of Lumina, we gather tonight to judge Seven for his crimes,” he announces, his voice carrying through the longhouse. “He stands accused of violating sacred law and bringing ruin to our village. We will determine his guilt… and his punishment.”

  A murmur ripples through the crowd, some nodding in agreement, others glancing between each other uncertainly.

  Sacred law. I don’t like the sound of that.

  Podrick steps forward, his face red with fury, his thick fingers clenched into fists. "I seen it myself! He led that beast straight to my farm! It tore my horse apart, near got me and my whole family! If we don’t act now, who’s to say what devilry he’ll bring next?!"

  I push myself to my feet, glaring at the pudgy bastard. "Other than save your fat hide? Did you already forget who pulled the spider from you? Who killed it?!"

  Yusef slams his palm against the armrest of his chair, the crack silencing us and the murmuring crowd.

  “Enough.” His gaze sweeps to Podrick. “There was more to your claim, was there not?”

  Podrick nods, continuing. "Aye. After he struck the beast down, I seen him meddlin’ with its carcass! No doubt dabblin’ in the same vile sorcery that brought the damned thing down upon me!"

  Yusef’s eyes shift to me. “You have been accused. Speak, Seven. Choose your words wisely, Lady Lumina watches.”

  I step forward, furious. "I saved that fool's life! He'd be nothing but a pile of rotting flesh right now if I hadn't stepped in! And this is the thanks I get? Accusations and threats?"

  Podrick scowls, his face red with fury. "Saved me? You led the beast right to my door! Let it rip through my horse! Near got me killed!"

  I wave him off dismissively. “It followed me! I ran, same as any man would.”

  The villagers whisper amongst themselves. I can see it, the doubt, the suspicion, I never really cared about my reputation here. But right now... some goodwill would do me a world of good.

  Yusef leans forward in his chair, his fingers drumming against the wood. "And yet, after it was dead, you lingered. You toyed with its corpse. Several of my watchmen saw this too. Why?"

  My mind races. I need to be careful. "I was making sure it was dead," I lie smoothly. "It already surprised us. I wasn’t about to take any chances."

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  Yusef watches me closely, weighing my words. I can’t tell if he believes me. But then-

  “Lies!” Podrick barks, stepping forward. “I seen it with me own eyes! He weren’t checkin’ to see if it was dead, he were doin’ something to it! Dabblin’ in things no good man should!”

  He turns to the crowd, voice rising. “Ain’t it just like his aunt? Always foolin’ with foul things! He learned her craft, mark my words!”

  Another murmur runs through the hall, this time sharper. Suspicion. Fear. They may have taken Rose’s medicines when they needed them, but that never stopped the rumors, the suspicion.

  Ungrateful fucking idiots. They don’t realize how lucky they were that it was Rose here, and not Zaenith.

  “Wait!” A voice cuts through the whispers.

  Emily.

  She pushes through the gathered villagers, her dark hair falling over her shoulders as she strides to my side. “This isn’t right! Seven’s not a sorcerer. He’s hated his aunt’s craft since he was a boy!”

  She’s right, for the most part. When I first arrived at Mistvale I despised alchemy and everything to do with it. In time though as I grew older, Rose convinced me to learn. She died before she could pass on her more advanced skills, but I know some basics. Not that I’m in a hurry to mention that.

  “Aye, it’s true,” another voice chimes in. Alfred, the tanner. “I seen him and Mistress Rose argue plenty over it. He wanted nothing to do with her ways.”

  Yes... that's right. Finally, my whining has brought about some good.

  The crowd stirs, uncertain. But Podrick is relentless.

  “Lies! I seen it with my own eyes! He were meddlin’ with that corpse, I swear it!” He bellows, jabbing a finger at me. “Maybe he ain’t followin’ his aunt’s craft... but maybe that’s 'cause he’s dabblin’ in somethin’ far darker.” His voice lowers, almost to a whisper. “Just look at those red eyes of his. Even his aunt didn’ have nothin’ like that….”

  Yusef cuts in before I can defend myself. “There is another issue. Our huntsman investigated the tracks of that creature and you who it chased, all still fresh in the snow. They led to the forbidden crypt. Do you deny this Seven?”

  My stomach turns cold.

  Fuck.

  “....Aye, I might have passed the crypt. But I did not enter it.” I curse inwardly, even I wouldn’t buy these lies. I feel the noose tightening around my neck with each second that passes.

  Yusef chuckles to himself, shaking his head. “Let me tell you what I think happened, young Seven.” He stands, approaching me. “I think you went down into that crypt, looking for something of value. But what you found was that thing. It followed you out, and you led it to Podrick’s farm.“

  Dammit. He got it exactly.

  Yusef continues “After all, your sordid history with looting is well known.”

  The gathered villagers nod, their unease hardening into certainty.

  Shit. Rob one corpse and everyone thinks you’re a damned looter. I knew getting caught would fuck me sooner or later, but this...

  “Yes,” Yusef continues. “It seems this is the case. And as you know, entering the crypt is a violation of Mistvale law. A serious one.” He pauses, thinking. “However…. the claim of black magic lacks proof. And so, I will not condemn you to the pyre.”

  Relief and no small amount of appreciation fills my heart.

  Maybe old Yusef isn’t so bad after all. I thought he hated me.

  “However, the death of Podricks horse, the endangerment of his family and this village, and the breaking of Mistvale law by entering the forbidden crypt…” He turns, looking me dead in the eyes. ”Crimes all and they demand justice.”

  His voice lowers, solemn now, final.

  “Come the dawn, Seven will hang.”

  A hush falls over the hall. My heart sinks.

  That bastard.

  Yusef turns away. “Lock him in the barn. At sunrise, he will answer for his crimes.”

  The watchmen seize me, wrenching my arms behind my back. I snarl, struggling, but the feeling of their steel on my skin gives me pause.

  “No! Seven!” Emily shouts, rushing forward, only to be shoved back by one of the guards.

  “Get away girl!” the man warns. “His fate is decided.”

  I give Emily an apologetic look as I’m hauled out into the freezing night. Tears stream down her face as she stares after me.

  Yusef follows behind, his voice low as he leans in.

  “Just between us,” he murmurs, too softly for the others to hear. “You and that blasphemous aunt of yours were always a stain on this village. It is a shame you will not burn, but a hanging will do just fine.”

  He steps back, smirking as the watchmen haul me away.

  “Come on then,” one mutters. “It’ll all be over soon.”