She frowned, as something had changed in the village just past the edge of the hillock. More lights had been turned on in more windows, maybe? It was brighter, that was for damn sure. So bright that its light had doused some of the stars painting the sky above it. Almost like the buildings themselves were the source of the light, almost like they were…

Burning.

The realization only tore through her after her natural instincts had arrived at the same conclusion, such that she was already on her feet and running, abandoning her pack and blanket as she sprinted toward Slough.

The city was a wall of fire.

Flames shot from roofs, licking at the night sky.

Those buildings that had so far been unscathed were quickly lit as the flames traveled from structure to structure. Which one was Ludo in? She hoped he’d gotten so drunk one of the barkeepers had had the good sense to toss him out on his arse. Maybe when the blaze started, he was wandering the streets aimlessly, looking to pick a fight.

But what if he was inside one of those buildings?

That thought sent fresh adrenaline to Bryony’s limbs, and she pushed herself faster and faster, finally reaching the edge of the town, stopping briefly at a watering trough meant for horses to splash water on her shirt before lifting it over her mouth and nose.

And then, eyes burning, she ran into the smoke- and flame-filled town.

Smoke blinded her, but she blinked through it, trying to stay low as she searched for any sign of him. Or anyone she could ask about him. The streets were empty, not a single person spilling from the enflamed buildings. Had no one managed to escape? Were they all trapped inside their fiery tombs? Was an entire town of people about to be burned to death? A darker question occurred to her:

Who had set the fires? Was it him?

She whirled about, still searching for any signs of movement. A roof collapsed in a shower of sparks and a gout of flame. She retreated, only to be almost knocked senseless by a burning chunk of timber as a wall behind her shattered. “Father!” she screamed as she was thrown back.

A spark hit her trousers and they ignited, searing pain shooting through a leg she no longer had, and then she was her again: The Girl She Never Wanted to be Again. That scared, frightened girl in the midst of an inferno.

“Father!” she screamed once more, and then he was there, not her father but Ludo, scooping her up and pressing her to his chest. She sobbed into him, arms encircling his neck. The world bounced and bobbed and shifted for a while before everything went still and silent.

“You’re alright,” Ludo said. “Bryony, you’re alright. You’re safe.”