“Where did you find this document?” I asked.

“I came across it when searching for information in the northern lands that border the Kobalos territories. They make a study of their ancient enemy and keep their own archives. This is the most succinct and useful description of the Kobalos and their practices that I have ever encountered. It is a good place to start; we can add to it as we learn more.”

I noted that she had said “we” rather than “I.” It seemed that she took for granted that I would be joining her in her enterprise.

I picked up the envelope, but Grimalkin shook her head. “There will be time enough to study that later. Let us go and see this creature’s lair.”

I didn’t bother to take my staff. With Grimalkin by my side, I knew I wouldn’t need it. Instead I collected a spade from the lean-to and carried it resting against my shoulder.

As we walked, I told her in more detail what had happened: how three County girls had died, how Jenny had told me of the beast’s whereabouts. Then how, after we had been taken prisoner, I’d run back to get the sword and returned in time to save her. But I didn’t mention taking Jenny on as my apprentice or that she’d fled from the haunted house at Horshaw. It wasn’t relevant to the business at hand.

At last we reached the huge oak tree. We heard the flies before we saw them. And there were even more inside the trunk—big buzzing bluebottles, most of them crawling upon the dead body of the beast; the face was already writhing with maggots. The stench was so appalling we had to cover our noses with our hands.

Grimalkin muttered something under her breath, and the buzzing ceased. I heard the ping of flies falling to the floor, slain by her magic. Then she brushed the dead flies and maggots off the creature’s face and stared at it for a long time.

“What do you think I should do if I encounter another of these creatures?” I said, interrupting the silence. “If I captured one alive, could it be contained within a pit like a witch?”

“It would be safe enough if you cut out its tongue and stitched its lips together for good measure,” said the witch assassin, “but my advice to you is never to take such a chance. Kill it at the first opportunity. These creatures have powerful magic—some, such as shifting size, are innate and do not even require a dark spell. They can breathe into your face and render you unconscious or take away your will.”

“As I know, to my cost,” I said ruefully.

“This is a rare and special type of Kobalos mage—a haizda,” Grimalkin continued. “I met one when I traveled north. I suspect this creature is only young, hardly past its novitiate, the early stage of its training. But never underestimate them. They are very dangerous. The one I met called itself Slither and was a formidable warrior. You would not have slain it so easily. In fact, I doubt you would have survived such an encounter.”