Alia and Esha were just getting home from their weekly scheduled foray into the market. To say they lived on the outskirts of the city would be an understatement. More than one passerby had commented that the sisters “lived more in the woods than out”. Their adorable cottage was comfortably nestled by the surrounding trees. Not entirely engulfed, but well beyond the city limits to be sure. Their nearest neighbor was a solitary farmer, a quarter mile away.

  As it stood, the journey to the market took several hours. In the far distance, the grand castle on the hill could be seen gleaming in the sunlight from the front porch. It was quiet and cozy. The trees made for an excellent natural sunshade; in the spring and summer, the little cottage was covered by mottled shadows, never in direct sunlight. And in the winter, when the snow came and the trees lost all their leaves, the canopy doubled as a serviceable snow shield.

  It had not been the sister’s idea to build the cottage so far from the city, it had been their parents. But when they both passed away from a mysterious illness, the sisters found that they couldn't bear to move away from the home they shared with their mother and father. Besides, as Alia had explained to her younger sister, “There’s a garden and orchard mom started that we need to care for”, but the far simpler truth was they couldn't afford a new dwelling, but that was not a subject Alia wanted to burden Esha with.

  Alia had to admit though, that she favored the quiet and stillness of undisturbed nature to the busy hustle and bustle of the city. She'd always been an introvert. People tired her out and being in such a busy area made her anxiety spike to no end. When she did participate in a city fair or festival, mostly to subdue Esha’s pleas, Alia would need several days to decompress.

  "Alia," Esha huffed. "Please, wait up. Come on, sis..." the girl whined.

  Alia paused and glanced over her shoulder, waiting for her little sister to catch up. She was anxious to get back to their little cottage. The sun would set soon and night would swiftly approach shortly after. It was wise to be indoors when it was dark.

  She could just make out the familiar cabin, with its red thatched roof, at the other end of the meadow. It had taken longer than usual to shop for their weekly provisions. Esha was tired from their outing and was walking a bit slower than usual, she had complained of stomach cramps earlier in the day and was dragging her feet.

  "Hurry. It's getting dark. I'll make you some tea to help soothe your stomach as soon as we get home." Alia ushered her sister along the remainder of the way.

  The two stopped short, hearts skipping a beat when a figure rose from their porch steps to greet them. Alia’s muscles tensed, then eased as she recognized who it was. Visitors were few this far out, but there were certain regulars. This guest was a pleasant, but aloof, female wood elf named Myra.

  "Salutations, Alia and Esha," she began courteously. "I do apologize for the late intrusion, but I presumed you would be returning well before the golden hour. You normally arrive well before sunset when you make your weekly trip to the market. Never thee mind, I wondered if perhaps you had some eggs you'd care to barter for?"

  Alia raised her eyebrows quizzically, surprised that Myra would track what day and hour she traveled to town and what time she returned home.

  Alia said nothing of this though, only nodded, "Of course, Myra. I always have plenty to share."

  She kept a dozen laying hens in a small coop in the enclosed garden with the fruit trees. Not only did the chickens provide eggs, but they also ate any insects that were bold enough to venture into the vegetable garden. The chickens laid more than enough eggs for just the two sisters, and so the weekly surplus of eggs were typically sold at the market or traded for other provisions.

  Myra nodded respectfully and followed Alia into the garden in the backyard. Myra offered coins for the eggs but Alia declined stating, "These eggs would go to waste if you didn't take them. No, really," she continued as Myra tried to pay again.

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  "Many thanks, human. You are very honorable for your kind." Alia again raised an eyebrow at the backhanded compliment earning a cheeky grin from Myra. This was about as whimsical as an elf would get. The elf then noticed the younger sister sulking at the dinner table, clutching her stomach.

  She tilted her head, almost studying Esha for a moment, and then turned to Alia and said, "Perhaps the little human would benefit from some herbs to soothe her pains? It is grown by my kin in the fertile soil on the banks of the river in the deep woods and works wonders for elves and little humans who ate too many sweets at the market,” Myra said with a sly wink towards Esha. “Plus, it would make me feel better to offer a fair trade for the eggs. I very much dislike being in debt."

  Esha flushed self-consciously, "how did you know I ate-"

  Myra smiled kindly. "Your posture and gestures leave little to assumption. Also, you have some chocolate in your hair,” she said wryly.

  Esha reddened further and quickly grabbed at the flakes of chocolate that had long ago melted into her dark curls. The blush made the small modicum of freckles on her cheeks stand out. She mumbled something about warming up some water and quickly ducked into the adjacent room, still plucking at a strand of her black hair.

  Myra looked at Alia questioningly, not understanding the younger girl's behavior.

  Alia smirked and shrugged, explaining as she packed up the eggs, "Teenage girls sure are a mystery, even to us other humans, embarrassed by the oddest things that they will give no heed to in a few short years.”

  The elf's ears drooped slightly, and she looked as if she felt guilty, "I meant no harm. I did not mean to shame her for eating an abundance of sweets. Perhaps I should apologize."

  Alia waved it off and patted Myra’s back comfortingly, "It really isn't necessary. You said nothing wrong. But maybe those herbs would do Esha and me both some good after such a long and tiring day. And we can call it an even trade for the eggs, deal?" She asked as she handed Myra a small basket with a dozen eggs nestled inside.

  Myra accepted the basket, pleased with the deal, and nodded her agreement. She rummaged around in a small pack on her waist and eventually produced a parcel wrapped in a large leaf. "The dried herb mixture inside should be boiled along with the water rather than placed in after. When at max efficacy, the water should turn a dark maroon color. My thanks, Alia. I shall call upon you again soon I imagine. Give Esha my farewell...along with my humble apologies."

  Alia walked Myra out to her horse which had been waiting patiently by the outer edge of the forest. She waved goodbye and watched as the wood elf gracefully leapt onto her mount landing as softly as a grasshopper. Myra half-turned in the saddle and gave the human woman a concerned glance, "It may not be my place to pry, human, but might I offer some advice?" When Alia nodded, she continued, "Try varying your schedule throughout the week. It is concerningly easy to keep track of your movements, your comings and goings. You may also wish to procure a hound of some stature. I think it wise, just as an extra precaution. Dogs give warning when strangers are lurking about, especially when those strangers prowl too close to your abode."

  Alia felt a chill run up her spine, "have you seen some unsavory folks around here? That's odd. Should I be worried?"

  Myra looked visibly uneasy. "Nothing that my kin can be certain of. Anomalies in the deep wood…” she trailed off, looking towards the forest before she continued, “animals are acting strange as if spooked by an unknown predator. I will tell you no lie, there have been reported sightings of two or more strange beings traveling through."

  "Strange beings? Do your people think they are...dangerous?" Alia swallowed nervously as she glanced around the darkening woods. She suddenly felt isolated as her eyes wandered towards the farm of the closest other human, a quarter of a mile away.

  Myra gestured towards the woods and repeated, "Keep vigil. And think about acquiring a dog to protect yourself and your young human. You should be safe enough among fellow humans. Rakshasas are few in number these days, they do not wish to catch the ire of mankind again. I must take my leave now, Alia. Until we meet again."

  She watched the elf every so gently spur the sides of the horse and the two were swallowed up by the dense thicket before too long. Myra's words rang in Alia’s ears, and she felt a sense of foreboding as she continued to mull over the elf’s warning.

  Rakshasas? Why now?

  The wicked shapeshifters had not been seen in decades. These days they merely lived in tales told to little children to scare them straight. Stories of those demons had been told and then exaggerated before being passed down from long ago. Many even questioned the old tales as folklore and doubted rakshasas ever existed. And now for two or three to be wandering around here was unnerving, at best.

  Alia had heard stories and read tales of these creatures, and by all accounts what she'd heard rakshasas were a group to avoid at all costs. She bit her bottom lip and chewed it gingerly for a moment, an old nervous tic from her childhood. She gave the deepening woods one last doubtful glance. With that, she quickly turned on her heel and marched into her home, locking the doors and windows and checking them twice before going to bed.