Kiara used to love Cúvidel. She would press flowers, collect unique rocks or shells, carve wood into objects, or mix paints with plants; they strived to craft the perfect gift for someone. As a young child, she’d leave pretty ribbons as a gift for Bolidac as his spirit traveled the lands and bestowed gifts to those deserving. How much simpler it was to be a child. When the imagination could still be wild.

  Everywhere, the smell of cinnamon, peppermint, and chocolate. The yearly gifts had been distributed from their leaders; some food and a few dolans.

  Any families whose children who remained out of trouble and constantly talked of Bolidac, were given a wooden toy of some kind by the Assemblies. The parents told the children their gifts came from Bolidac to ‘encourage children's path toward the light.’

  Kiara previously shared gratitude for Bolidac’s gifts, but becoming your own has a way of expanding the mind. They’d always been a bit different than everyone else, noticing things suddenly; how families received just one bag, the dolan going straight to debt, and the food hardly lasted a week with most. People saved seeds to extend the food or to trade for something else, but never enough to satisfy. As a Rikevran, they understood why it never seemed sufficient; that’s the point.

  Kiara's love for crafting never faded, however. Despite disenchantment with the state of the Meyat, any opportunity to use their hands brought Kiara greater peace than anything experienced before. Capable of escaping even her mind and becoming part of her project, blissfully ignorant to the others’ bickering when lost in her art.

  This Cúvidel, someone existed to create for again. An evident chatterbox, Leisha spun numerous tales for inspiration toward a welcomed gift. She’d regaled her entire life story; she liked girls in adolescence, her father’s abusive tendencies, and her mother’s seething hatred toward her daughters, though she always seemed to hold back the definitive reason. Leisha even voiced her own self-loathing for not being attracted to men. She spoke of her dream of running away, racing to the edge of the woods and daring herself to run; how the wolf calls beckoned her to join them. She wished she could have but found a pack with the Rikevra and the wolf among ravens. She’d settled into her role flawlessly. The group remained relatively neutral toward her. Though some shared in Kiara’s excitement of having someone to give to on Cúvidel.

  Kiara spent two weeks whittling, sanding, and stringing a miniature wolf totem onto a necklace. She wanted Leisha to remember she found a secure place with the Rikevra.

  Cúvidel being a required holiday, all work ceased. The Ketigaj were solely authorized to profit during Cúvidel, utilizing the supplies and shops of locals for these purposes. There’d be another requirement to watch the play and invest in activities.

  It was always a random retelling of Bolidac’s greatest triumphs and mercy.

  Leisha released a tiny squeal of excitement as the curtains rose for the next play, the story of Lilliana and the first gift of Bolidac.

  I’m getting the athame.

  Ty, please.

  A young girl with raven hair danced on the stage in a long white gown. She sniffed fake flowers and pat stuffed animals. " I love Bolidac and all that his light touches.” A few other kids dressed in towns clothing joined the stage. "Hello everyone! I’m so grateful for this glorious day Bolidac has given us. Isn’t he wonderful?”

  “Awww.” Some members of the crowd cooed.

  Why do they have to make these mandatory? Rin groaned.

  A teenage boy approached the girl and joined hands. “I admire your love for Bolidac and how pure you are, dearest Lilliana. I swear to protect you until my last breath.” He asked.

  “You are gentle with the plants and animals. You shine bright with Bolidac’s love. I would be grateful to have you as my protector.” The girl announced, the two walking across the stage side by side.

  To make sure everyone stays brainwashed. Ty seethed.

  The two were approached by a third teenager with a cloak concealing his identity. “Give me that girl!” He ordered. “Zarkolo demands that I have her! Her purity is too great a threat to his power!”

  Some younger members of the audience gasped.

  The cloaked teen grabbed the girl and escorted her to an unlit corner. The girl began to scream in the shadows. “Deny Bolidac!” The cloaked teen shouted. “Embrace Zarkolo and be mine!”

  “Never!" The Lilliana actress refused. “Bolidac, show this sinner the error of his ways! Please have him allow me to return home!”

  Jayce bit their tongue, dashing Ty's scoff.

  A sun and moon cutout passed twice.

  “Are you ready to deny Bolidac??” The cloaked teen shouted from the dark.

  “Never!” The Lilliana actress cried.

  “Today I’m taking you far away, where Bolidac’s light can never find you!” The cloaked teen announced. “Deny Bolidac, or you will die in the presence of Zarkolo!”

  “I can only die by Bolidac’s will!” The Lilliana actress spat.

  Children dressed as Ketigaj rushed into the shadows, led by the teen pretending to be the betrothed.

  It's not much longer. Jayce scolded them. Just stop, please.

  “Get him!” The betrothed actor shouted.

  They pretended to slay the cloaked, leaving him lying on the stage as the betrothed actor.

  Fuuuuuuck ooooooooffffff. I hate this story. It's bullshit. Lilliana was a girl who asked for help running away when she was supposed to be married off to a guy in his forties. Nahara showed us the documents. Lilliana was Rikevran. Ty spat.

  The fire was dimmed as the stage emptied. Shadows could be seen placing a bed.

  Please, Ty. It's almost over. Jayce sighed.

  The light exposed the Liliana actress laying asleep in the bed. A prop door standing in the center of the stage.

  A figure in all gold entered the stage and approached the door, leaving a wooden doll.

  “Thank you for never giving up your beliefs. From this day forth, gifts in the same fashion, shall be rewarded to all faithful children in Meyat.” He said.

  Lilliana was killed in a Lustration right after her rescue. They knew what she had done...she was just a ten-year-old girl who didn't want to marry someone older than her father. Ty muttered. Nothing will ever get better as long as they can spread their lies.

  “Don't you just love that story?” Leisha happily sipped her hot chocolate as they exited. The dry air provided an instant nip, subtle wind with spitting snow.

  “I’ll tell you a good story later.” Ty momentarily seized control. She spent three dolan on that drink. She wished to return to the Inn.

  We’re about to go live in the forest, let her enjoy a hot drink. Rin attempted empathy.

  Can we get desserts? Zara tried manipulation with their sweet tooth.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  You’ve already gotten us to buy three different desserts. Jayce exasperatedly objected. No more.

  “Oh wow!” Leisha exclaimed.

  They paused before the town’s Cúvidel tree, at least fifteen feet high and decorated with tinsel, handcrafted ornaments, and lanterns. The snow settled, reflecting the lantern light into shimmering gold around the tree.

  Kiara stared at the dazzling display, recalling the joy from childhood, hanging a new stocking every year, meticulously placing each ornament on a bushy pine, their grandmother whimsically griping about the falling needles. The cats tore the tree apart yearly but loved mending the mess. The house always smelled like spice and winter; despite having little, they never felt without.

  Why couldn’t things have just stayed that way?

  Give her our gift. Rin encouraged. Make it fun again.

  “Hey Shay,” Kiara bestowed their gift. “Merry Cúvidel.”

  Leisha’s olive eyes lit with excitement. “OOOOOH KITA!” She yanked them into a hug. “A wolf!” She happily wore it. “Thank you!”

  “I’m glad you like it.” Kiara chuckled.

  “I got you something, too.” Leisha beamed. “But I left it at the shack.”

  “Okay.” Kiara nodded. “Let’s go eat.”

  They savored the ham, fluffy mashed potatoes, and buttered rolls. Though Leisha bore a smile, her mind appeared to wander. Kiara assumed they knew the reason. They accidentally uncovered Leisha’s hidden bag of toys but felt unsure how to address them without causing her emotional distress. No Rikevran knew when, or if, returning home became an achievable goal. Those who cared for the ones left might die without ever gazing upon them again. How many Cúvidel’s will she have to make up?

  “I’m so glad we don’t have to pay.” Leisha devoured her plate. “And I love your hot chocolate.”

  Pretty strong this year. Rin implied concern over Leyhsa’s apparent intoxication. Rikevrans did a wonderful job.

  Kiara sloshed the chocolate at the bottom of their cup. Moderate enough. Chocolate is definitely worth it, though, and the peppermint basically hides the alcohol. They gulped down the last of the drink. Better than the piss water in the free stuff.

  Just don’t

  Don’t get too vulnerable blah blah blah. Ty mocked. I’ll kill anyone who even tries to hurt us.

  Will you protect Leisha, too? Zara hinted at uncertainty.

  I am Rikevran. I protect anyone who needs it. Ty replied.

  Leisha grasped onto them for stability. She giggled and stumbled through the snow. Kiara and Rin welcomed her close embrace. Leisha practically fell into the Inn, merrily giggling a song to Kiara.

  She’s still full of hope. Kiara solemnly sighed.

  This Meyat will destroy her too. Ty cynically opined.

  “I made you this.” Leisha sloppily handed them a wooden rose. Its petals were delicately painted a deep blue with silver trims. “You said you’d like roses if they were blue.” Leisha giggled. “So I made you one. Do you like it?”

  A smile brightened their face. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

  Soft, sweet with a bite of liquor. A quick peck, followed by drunken boisterous laughter.

  This is why I hate drinking. Jayce groaned.

  It’s fine. Rin happily sighed. May I please reciprocate?

  She’s drunk. Ty asserted. She probably didn’t even mean it, and she definitely won’t remember.

  “Get some sleep.” They assisted Leisha to her bed and tucked her in. “Tomorrow, we prepare for the Lustration rescue.”

  *

  Regardless of continued success, nerves thwarted any attempts to sleep.

  I’m going to make sure everything’s packed.

  We should also recheck the traps, just in case.

  There’s plenty of trails for Leisha. Did we remember to mark them all? Don’t want her lost in case we’re separated.

  They had packed, triple-checked traps, and surveyed the area several times the night before. Perfection was their strived-for ideal; even the slightest misstep could lead to a possible demise.

  Anxiety distorted their perception of time, playing scenarios of the coming night in their head, an infinite amount by sunrise. Everything thoroughly prepared typically produced a comforted mind, though they remained restless and unable to sleep even after the sun had risen.

  This being Leisha’s first direct rescue, they assigned her the most straightforward role, but her refusal and withdrawal were an unending option. Several fresh Rikevra arrived unprepared to employ any means of justice; plenty struggled to take life to save it.

  “My head.” Leisha grasped her forehead.

  “Fun night.” Kiara chuckled. “Ya ready for tonight?”

  “Did you sleep at all?” Leisha lazily rose.

  “I’ll rest after the shipment arrives.” Kiara sighed.

  “Will they bring enough for everyone?” Leisha stretched. “It’s going to be really cold in the mountains.”

  “That’s why we’ve saved half of what we made from the last few weeks. Nahara will have more.” Kiara rechecked their bag. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

  “I have to be.” Leisha sighed, flashing a smile. “You gave me an easy job, after all.” Her eyes fell to the wooden rose Kiara fastened into a bracelet. “I gave it to you.” She radiated joy.

  “Last night a blur?” Kiara cheerfully tilted their head.

  “The drinks were too good.” Leisha began packing.

  A quickened tap caught their attention. Unaccompanied, a bag lay amongst the snow. Kiara effortlessly sorted through the cloaks and blankets.

  “When will the cart arrive?” Leisha struggled, strapping her bag shut.

  “It’ll be with the crops. They’ll have harvested everything and prepared it for the journey.” Kiara grunted, shoving blankets into a bag.

  “Is this in case we get separated?”

  “We’ll be fine, but yes.”

  “Are you going to kill the guard?” Leisha’s eyes expressed uncertainty, and her voice nervously broke.

  “Only if I have to.” Kiara tried to sound reassuring.

  Some reveled in the slaughter, not all of them, and in all honesty, bloodshed never quenched their pain. The fleeting enjoyment induced by adrenaline steadily faded, and it never returned the people they lost or repaired their obliterated sanity. Nonetheless, those monsters enjoyed taking even children from their homes, torturing them, and killing them. None of them ever stopped or looked away; monsters like that lived on borrowed time, in their opinion.

  “What about their families?” Leisha trembled.

  “They’re fine without them.” Kiara disputed. “The things those people do; we’re doing their families a favor. Hey, I think I might try to get some sleep.” They lacked the effort to debate morals with someone who hadn’t seen the worst of the Ketigaj.

  “If there’s anything in town you wanna do or buy, this is your last chance. Wake me when it’s time.”

  Leisha remained silent but departed shortly after. Exhaustion pulled them to sleep.

  Falling snow.

  Darkness.

  Panic

  Red rain.

  “Kiara, it’s time.”

  Kiara gasped, trembling. “Fucking nightmare.”

  Didn’t feel like a dream. Rin’s voice trembled.

  It’s fine. Jayce tried calming them.

  Fear flooded Leisha’s olive eyes. “You okay?”

  Everything’s gonna be okay. Kiara forced them up. “Fine. Ya ready? You know, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. You can just go to the rendezvous in the mountains. Nahara would understand.”

  “I’m ready.” Leisha nodded, though her voice resonated with slight reluctance.

  “Alright, let’s get started.”