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Achesand pains woke me from an unnatural sleep. The metallic burn of blood and smoke invaded my nostrils. Splintered boards rest on top of me, pinning me beneath their scorched weight.

“Bloody hell.” I’d been buried alive.

Memories returned. I’d chased Runa into the burning lodge when part of the wall had fallen on me. Apparently, the chit had left me for dead, consumed with rescuing her precious Yaga. This was the thanks I got for trying to play hero.

Sunlight shone through a crack in the rubble. I struggled to gather my arms beneath me, dragging my weight forward. Pain erupted in my thigh.

“Argh!” I bellowed. Spots swam in my vision. I let my head drop, panting. I trailed my hand down, discovering a piece of debris jutting from my flesh. Just what I needed.

“Hello?” said a squeaky voice. “Is someone there?”

At least it didn’t sound like a soldier.

“Here,” I grunted. “I’m stuck.”

“Hold on.” Footsteps crunched, and the board above me vanished.

For a moment, the sudden light seared my eyeballs, and I flinched, drawing the person in front of me into focus.

A child? The boy’s unruly stock of bright orange hair glowed red in the sunlight. It was the youth from the celebration last night.

“Great. It’s you,” I said, failing to convey any sort of joy. “Do you think you can get me out of here?”

The child eyed my situation and bit his lip. “I will try.”

“Good chap.”

Grunting sounded, and the board resting on my back grew lighter.

“Little more,” he said. “Almost there.”

Wood cracked, jostling my leg, and I dug my nails into my palms to prevent myself from screaming.

“There. That should do it.”

Finally, I managed to crawl out of the wreckage. Once free, I sat on the ground and examined my injured limb. Sticking out of my thigh was a jagged length of timber.

“Outstanding,” I groaned.

The child hunkered down beside me, gesturing to the injury. “You want me to—”

“No,” I was quick to say. “I’ll do it.”

The massive splinter taunted me. This was going to hurt. I hesitated.

“I don’t mind,” the kid offered again.

“I said, I’ve got it.” I gripped the end of the wooden stake. Three short breaths and I yanked. Blood spurted, my flesh tearing.

Agony blazed over my senses. I threw back my head, cursing at the heavens.

Breathing deeply, I opened my eyes to find the boy. Stunned expression on his freckled face, he stared at me.

“What?” I snarled.

“I never heard some of those words.”

I glared at him. “Your parents never swear?”