Rejji lunged for the girl and she moved so swiftly that he could not follow her motions. When he had reached where she should have been, the girl was a dozen strides away holding her dagger again.

“You keep away from me,” she demanded. “I know how to use this knife if I have to.”

Rejji sighed and slumped next to the ground with his back to the well. What did it matter if she was a thief, he reasoned. There wasn’t anything left in the village to steal. He gazed up at her as she stood watching him. She was a nice looking girl, dressed in animal skins. A little short, he mused, but she appeared to know how to handle herself well enough. Her ears were a little pointy and it gave an alien look to her face, but she really didn’t appear to be a threat to him. Perhaps she could even be a help to him.

“Look,” Rejji pleaded, “put the knife away. Please. I won’t try to harm you.”

“I will be the judge of that,” she stated sternly.

“Well if you plan to kill me,” smiled Rejji, “at least wait until we have buried the villagers. You will help me with that won’t you?”

The girl nodded solemnly and sheathed the knife. Suddenly, she turned to face the road leading out of the village and stared apprehensively.

“Company coming,” she said softly.

Rejji jumped to his feet and followed her gaze.

“It’s Brontos!” he exclaimed. “He isn’t due until tonight. He is a merchant and a friend.”

They watched silently as the small wagon made its way into the village and halted. Brontos was not a young man by any means, but Rejji thought he had aged ten years since his last visit six months ago. The look on Brontos’ face was a mixture of sadness and anger. The old man’s jaw was rigidly set as his head swiveled from side to side to take in all of the carnage. As he got down off the wagon and approached Rejji, he shook his head.

“Did any others survive?” Brontos asked.