What to do? Tell the truth? Obfuscate in some manner? Cara doubted that saying she’d just appeared in a tomb from another world and been in the company of a long-dead [Knight] who’d breached a magical barrier…was the best way of introducing herself. So she smiled and lied with what the girl had given her.

“Actually, I have lost my horse. No, er, monster attacks. Or undead. I just lost control. It sent me on a wild ride before I ended up in the forest just over there. I must have fallen off because I woke up not knowing where I was. I thought I might be lost so I was…”

She gestured to the rabbit in her arms.

“…foraging. You know?”

“Yes. Miss Cara—you killed that rabbit?”

“That’s right. Lucky shot. Well, I’m good at throwing stones.”

Or I am now. It was amazing what one Skill could do. Imagine if she went back home with this? She could get any part-time job she wanted. Fix a pipe, know how to drive a truck…did it have limits?

Wait, should she lie about who she was? Did that work? If she lied that she was a, uh…[Lady], could she have passed for one? Despite not knowing the customs or history of this place?

The thought was sour to Cara. She’d rather be someone else. A travelling minstrel. Did those exist?

Surely…she focused back on Violetta.

The young woman was nodding, but nervously. Violetta licked her lips as she gazed at Cara.

“You must have just crossed the border, Miss Cara? Are you a [Trader]?”

“No…just a wanderer. Well, an [Actor], really.”

The truth. Was it a good idea to reveal that? Well, it was what Cara knew. They had plays, right? Even if it was just tumbling about or juggling—she could juggle. Just be careful. Not everyone was friendly.

Violetta frowned for a moment, but she nodded. And then she looked apprehensive again. But not because of Cara. Or not just her.

“Miss. Have you…not been to Noelictus before?”

“A few days. Why?”

The young woman was staring at Cara like she was carrying the black death. No—not at her. Violetta pointed.

“That rabbit you killed. Was it ten minutes ago?”

“Less. Why?”

The village-girl hesitated. Then it spilled out of her.

“Did no one tell you at the border? You can’t just kill animals here.”

“Why? Are there poaching laws…?”

Cara felt a sinking in her stomach. That was the last thing she needed. Some [Lord]—but Violetta’s eyes were wide and frightened. She backed up, shaking her head.

“No! The rabbit. You have to take its head off, Miss Cara. Or it will come back. It’s—”

Her eyes went round. And the young woman from Ireland felt something stir in her arms. She looked down and saw a crooked head rise. Two eyes swiveled in their sockets. The rabbit stirred.