The sound of a brand wakes Karaza. She opens her eyes a slit and looks toward the sound. Two grizzled men are staring into the night while talking.
    “I swear, it’s the end of the world, there are those evil dragons and all these demons wandering around, they give me the creeps.”
    “Of course they creep u out, they’re monsters! I heard that if they catch u they take u to their mines and put u under a spell so that u can’t stop working, no matter how tired u are, u just keep going until u drop. And when the demons find u like that they take u apart and-”
    “That’s enough of that, Aaron, I won’t be able to sleep after hearing stories like that.”
    “Well that’s perfect,” Aaron responds, “Because u got first watch, I’ll check on the girl before I go to sleep.”
    With that, Aaron moves toward Karaza, she scrambles to her feet ready to run.
    “Ah, you’re awake, good. I’m Aaron, and the clod over there is Sven. Come closer to the fire, we don’t bite.”
    Karaza nods and wobbles to the fire. Aaron hands her a bottle and she happily takes a drink. “Thank you. My name is Karaza; would u happen to have some spare food? I’m hungry.”
    “Nothing can be ‘spare’ in this world except misery, but yes, we have a little.” Aaron settles down and passes a small bag to Karaza. “If u need anything else, u can ask Sven. Don’t worry; we’ll take good care of you.”
    Karaza nibbles on some meat from the bag and regards the two men closely. Aaron’s aura had already faded slightly in his sleep, but it was a pleasant yellow. Sven’s was green, but tinged with shades of nervousness and worry. She puts the bag back and examines the scale, its surface glossy and smooth. This, she thought, this is hope, this gem will help me find a way. She felt the presence of a demon, but it was heading the other way, and she did not mention it.