Garland-embellished, wooden pillars were wrapped with twinkling lights throughout the village. Wreathes hung on every shop door, dripping wax candles ran along each rail with sparkling yellow flames, and rustic boardwalks weaved between each dwelling.

The boardwalks bustled with a current of creatures—humans, dwarves, and elves—many with wreaths atop their heads; some of forest branches, others of garland vines. Some had wooden armour or olive-green coats with wood toggles, and an elf passed by with branches fastened to his head like the antlers on Lucas’s reindeer.

“Time for noonday-feast,” Lucas announced as he slipped into the river of bodies. Kaley’s pulse sputtered and she jumped in, trying to keep an eye on his raven-black uniform. But his hand came out and found hers; a warm clutch, even through his gloves.

“How will we find something to eat?” Kaley ducked to avoid a folk’s swinging stick-antler.

“Not to worry, darling.” Lucas latched his staff to the contraption on his back and swivelled around, brushing against coats and capes. His free hand came down to press something into Kaley’s palm. She glanced down at it, and her eyes widened.

“Did you just…”

“I was a child-thief. Purchased straight from a den of ring-hungry bandits,” Lucas bragged.

Kaley held up the gold ring as Lucas turned again, arms and fingers brushing scarves and pockets. “Purchased by who?” She slid the ring into her pocket, but not before Lucas displayed a handful more.

“By a sturdy, wise, cunning folk named Mikal,” he explained, tossing the rings to her one by one. She missed catching the last one and it rolled away.

“Yes, I’ve heard about him. Helen had some good things to say about your old mentor.”

“Well, she’d better have. And he wasn’t just my mentor.” Lucas stopped talking, the sparks leaving his eyes. He turned away, his knuckles grazing a burlap satchel as a richly dressed lady pushed past.

Kaley cleared her throat and decided on a subject change. “It’s wrong to steal. You know that, right?” But she still took the four more rings he passed along.

“Oh, I’m sure the Volumes say a thing or three of that sort. But don’t muddle your buttons over it; I thought you said you were fearless.” His twinkle returned as he nodded toward the crowd, and Kaley slowed.

“Wait, you don’t actually want me to…” She looked at the bustling creatures, at their pockets.

“I dare you, daredevil.” Lucas bit his lower lip through his grin. “Unless you’re not really fearless after all.”

Kaley stopped walking. Her eyes caught a man with a large pocket coming her way. “I’ll rob him,” she decided, nodding.

Lucas’s grin widened. “Excellent.”

Kaley slowed her breathing as the man came by. Just as she lifted her fingers, Lucas stuck out his foot and the man tripped. Kaley found herself catching the folk instead, her eyes as round as saucers.