Elina

After I knocked Elina unconscious, I tied her up with gransia handcuffs and loaded her onto the bed of corn. I didn't bother to gag her. Even if she began chanting a spell, the gransia handcuffs would prevent her magic from leaking out.

I sat at the front of the cart, reins in my hands, glancing behind me every now and then to make sure she stayed where she was. I considered putting her up next to me, but the seat was too small for two people. And sitting next to a witch was even more unpleasant of an idea than having one behind me. So I kept her with the corn.

A few hours later, I heard a groan behind me. Rustling movements. Confused movements.

I stopped the horse and looked back.

"You're finally awake," I said.

She had her face buried in the corn and seemed to have trouble breathing.

Oh right, I forgot. I threw her face first into the corn.

With a twist, she managed to turn around.

She eyed me, her silver eyes hinting at annoyance. She raised her hands and saw the shackles. She pulled and tore at them. A flash of panic on her face.

I said, "Those are gransia handcuffs. If they were normal handcuffs, you'd be able to melt them with magic, but this special blend of metal feeds on your magic. You won't have any power left to cast a spell."

Elina lowered her hands. Her face still a blank.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked.

"To Merkelborough."

"Why?"

"There's someone who wants you."

"Who?"

"Someone from the Church of Deliverance."

"And what does she want from me?"

"It's a priest, a man, not a woman. And I don't know. But he wants you alive."

She stared at me, processing my answers, then let out a sigh. She lay down on the bed of corn.

She said, "Well, congratulations on succeeding, hmm? Capturing a witch alive isn't easy. But to deal such a savage blow to a lady without hesitation, you must have a heart of gold."

I said nothing. She seemed to have a way with words. Maybe I should've gagged her.

"Hmmm? No response? You're not the talkative type? Or maybe you've been alone for so long you've forgotten how to talk to a woman?"

I glanced back. At her. Two lakes of silver. Magic whirling in them, glowing like embers, ready to kill me the moment the handcuffs came off.

I said, "You're not a woman."

Elina sat up. She smiled slightly. I couldn't tell what kind of smile it was.

She said, "I assume you know my name."

"You are Elina."

"And what's your name?"

I said nothing.

"Salem. My name is Salem."

"And how long until we reach Merkelborough, Salem?"

"Ten days."

Elina lied down. She breathed in. She breathed out. She was at ease.