She fumbled for the iPhone. And realized—the screen had gone dark sometime in the last few seconds of the song. She’d sung the last part alone. Cara stared down at it, for a moment. Then she looked up.

“Cara. Here.”

Someone offered her a little spoonful of glowing liquid. Cara blinked. Then she saw Violetta with the healing potion.

“I—”

Violetta popped it into her mouth. Cara nearly coughed it out, but she swallowed the potion. And she felt her sore throat vanish in an instant. She perked up.

“Amazing.”

She needed one of those for home. Her sore voice vanished—could it do the same for bruises? Aching bones? Cara felt at her throat as Violetta smiled.

“We don’t have a stamina potion. You should sleep. Is your—magical music thing out of mana?”

“Yes. It’s okay. I can keep singing. Actually, Violetta—I know more songs. And if you used your cello—”

The [Cellist] looked excited. Cara had just had a great idea. They were conferring when they heard an unfamiliar voice.

“Is that your daughter, Idelt? You never told me she was such a brilliant [Singer]! What was that music?

Some Skill?”

A man was riding towards them. The two young women turned and saw a small group of people with weapons. Leading them was a man with leather armor, riding a horse. Cara blinked. Was this the leader of the warriors who’d killed the undead?

Idelt was hurrying after the man. He bowed as he motioned towards Cara and Violetta.

“No, Lord Lantal. We actually had sent word to you about her. This is Miss Cara O’Sullivan. She is a traveller who lost her horse. She was staying with us. It is thanks to her Rethis was able to down the undead. She is a [Singer]. And an [Actor].”

“I see. Excuse me, Miss. That was wonderful music.”

Lord Lantal dismounted from his horse. Cara blinked. Lord Lantal? She saw the other villagers abandoning their jobs to hurry over and bow. She saw the man smile and hold out a hand.

A smile appeared on Cara’s face as Violetta instantly curtsied, looking awed. Cara gave Lantal a sickly grin with her teeth pressed together.

“Hello. Lord Lantal, is it?”

“That’s right. I understand you’ve lost your horse, Miss Cara? I will send word to other villages to look for it, and if you are without coin and provisions, I can escort you to town…”

The [Lord] was tall, athletic, and had a rather handsome profile. Cara hated him instantly.

“Thank you, Lord Lantal. I’m so—honored—you’d take the time to look out for us small folk.”

She spoke around the grimace which you could charitably call a pained smile. The [Lord] paused. But he brushed past her curious statement with a smile.

“It is my duty as Afiele’s [Lord]. I rule these lands and no one must go hungry. Or be left outdoors.”