Qurrah’s reaction was a mixture of shock and curiosity as he watched her cut the flesh of her arm. The movements of her dagger were not random. She turned the blade this way and that, forming separate runes. She showed no sign of pain or pleasure. The girl seemed completely apathetic to her mutilations as her bright blood dripped into the fountain, staining the water scarlet.

The half-orc glanced around, realizing he had been staring. He was intrigued by how the few people passing by showed no surprise at what the girl did. A few frowned as they went on their way, but most ignored her. Qurrah walked away, then turned about, resting his back against a small shop facing the fountain. His curiosity awakened, he patiently waited. For what, he did not know.

As time passed, and more and more people filled the center, the girl ceased her cutting. She raised her arm to the sky, turning it so she could better see the runes she had carved. A smile creased her face, and she giggled. She put the dagger into her pocket, not caring her sleeve and dress were soaked with her own blood.

The girl hopped down, turned to the fountain, and splashed the statue king. Qurrah’s stomach twisted as she drank the waters. A man swore at her as he walked past, but this only elicited another giggle as faint red water dripped down her lips and neck.

“Staring at Tess, eh?” asked a voice behind Qurrah. The half-orc glanced back at a powder-covered baker standing next to him. Both watched as she left the fountain and traveled south, drops of blood trickling off the end of her fingers.

“Is that her name?” Qurrah asked.

“Tessanna, actually. Tess rolls off the tongue easier. I take it you’ve never seen her before?”

“No, I have not,” Qurrah said.

“She’s a weird one,” the baker said. “Guards keep telling her to stop, but she keeps on, anyway. She scares me, and I’m not too easily spooked, if you know what I’m saying.”