Lost Creek Hollow paratus

silvertongue.

glinting steel in his gut.

and the trial.

"it is done. completed. a woman plagued the creek with tortured animals and attempts at dark magick. i offered my help for her capture. i caught her alone, and found she was with child. and so i kept her hidden, and turned away a swiftcurrent wolf. she escaped. the one i mentioned was injured."

moss.

another knifepoint.

"and so i was accused of aiding this witch. the creek member who was harmed asked that i not be held accountable."

germanicus paused.

"i would have dragged her back to swiftcurrent had my son not told to me that the same witch had tormented him. once." his voice caught. "i wanted to end her myself for it."

a breath, muscles tensing.