“I haven’t eaten sheatfish before.â€? She said to him. “Are they good eating?â€? she asked.

“Bah! Excellent eating!â€? answered Gereon as if he had been insulted by such a question. Sheatfish are considered a delicacy by the mountain people.

“You practice the dark magic. I can feel it all over,â€? Moondust said. “My Grandfather, Roln, knew the skills of candle making. But he is dead now.â€? She sat down beside the man and began petting his dog. It licked her hand lazily, opening just one eye. Although she swore she had never seen this man before, there was something familiar about him. She sensed that she could trust this simple looking old man who seemed out of place in a dangerous land like the perimeter. She grabbed the spare fishing pole Gereon offered.

“Gereon, where is your bait?â€? Moondust said. She held the pole in his direction as the hook came dangerously close to his nose.