The night sky was brightly lit, tonight. We sat out in the Western Gardens, Alice and I, just talking and enjoying the night. The Spook was out, taking care of a Boggart. Said he could handle it alone, nothing to worry about. But I don't know how true that was.

It had only been a month since the Fiend was summoned into the County. It had only been a month since the witch clans at Pendle gathered to summon it. It was bound to their will for two days. Thankfully, Mam's room, back at the farm, was a refuge against the Dark. The Spook told me to run and wait the two days out there. So I did, and when the time was finally over, the Spook told me that I should be safe for the time.

But, now, I can't help but wonder how true that is. It's like he's still trying to protect me. But, if what he said is true, then I'm only in as much danger as everyone else is, not more! I couldn't help but be annoyed by this.

At this thought, I must have sighed slightly or something, because Alice looked over, frowning. "Something the matter, Tom?"

I shook my head. "It's nothing…" Before any other questions could be asked, I tried to change the topic. "Hey, Alice-" I was cut off.

"I can tell when you're lying, Tom. What's the matter? Ain't right, keeping secrets like this. I can tell something's the matter."

I only sighed, looking down slightly. After a few moments of a pause, I said, "I just get the feeling I'm being kept away from everything because of what happened with the Fiend. I don't often go further than the Gardens anymore. I haven't gone on a task with my master since we got back from Pendle. I'm tired of just sitting around. If I'm still being protected, why? If the Fiend's no longer bound to the witches, why would it focus entirely on just one child? Wouldn't it aim for larger areas to cause its mischief? Shouldn't I be out there helping rather than being kept hidden away in this one, small area of the County? It's just frustrating…"

By the time I finished and looked up, Alice was frowning again. "Old Gregory isn't keeping you from fear, that. I think he just truly sees it as nothing and wants you to have time to rest and train. The two of you will have your hands full. With the Dark gaining strength and all. You'll need the training. Especially if you still can't beat a friend in a simple sparring match." She slyly grinned to that before laughing, softly.

I sighed slightly, but couldn't help but laugh a bit, as well. "Fair enough…"

"Speaking of which…" She tapped my arm slightly before she continued, "Ain't had a proper sparring match since we got back from Pendle, have we? Let's start that first thing tomorrow. Old Gregory shouldn't be back for a few more days, and you'll have time for your studies and Latin."

I smiled slightly. It had been a while since anything normal had been done. "Alright. First thing tomorrow, then. But, I plan to win this time!"

Alice grinned upon hearing that. "Like the last few times, that? Oh, I'm sure you'll win," she replied, mockingly. We both laughed.

Alice gripped my hand before using her other hand to point towards the sky. "The sky, it's beautiful," she whispered. "So many stars… Makes me wonder, that… " She looked towards me before continuing. "Tom, you ever wonder why they're there? How they began?"

I looked more than a bit surprised to that. To be honest, before she mentioned it I never gave it much thought. "I don't really know…" I began, "Do you have any idea?"

Alice just shrugged slightly. "Don't know. Bony Lizzie never gave much thought to the sky. Thought more about her bone magic, she did. That and potions. And didn't see much about it in those books Old Gregory has me copy." She paused slightly, looking up at the sky before continuing, "But the sky… It looks like so much freedom… Couldn't imagine a life without it. Being trapped in a box, it'd be."

I couldn't help but nod. She looked down toward me again, smiling. "But we don't need to worry about that, do we? One of the better things about this world, that is. Ain't be right if it wasn't."

I smiled slightly in return, nodding as I replied with, "Yeah…"