They walked in silence to the gate where Kala, if this hadn't been her plan, would have balked. There was a wooden wall erected haphazardly around the perimeter- it was sealed by a strong hinged gate. At the moment, it was half open, a sharp eyed man watching them intently. Within the fence, thatched hovels leaned every direction possible. There were no women about, but loud bearded men were swaggering, boasting, and toasting reeking mugs of ale.

The guard waved them through lazily, lecherously checking out Kala's body. To her father the man said "That's a pretty woman you have there. I'd bed that."

"She is only a child." The commander was fluent in English and his tone was dark enough to make the man flinch.

"My apologies Sir," he said. But he didn't take his eyes off Kala. Her father glared until the guard looked away then steered her through. Kala smelled burning fabric, the hand her father had on her shoulder was singeing her cloak.

The looks and comments didn't stop as they travelled through the streets in search of an inn.

"You're a lucky man," a pockmarked man said.

"Look at those eyes," a plain man pointed her out to his friend.

"Her eyes? What is wrong with you," the potbellied man scolded, "Look at her legs."

"How much do they charge for a woman like that?"

"More that you could ever afford."

Most insulting, a balding man with goblin red hair whistled at her. With each man they passed her father's grip tightened and his scowl deepened until Kala was wincing in pain.

"Hey there!" Her father swiveled towards the next offender. "Didn't you know that women shouldn't be outside after sunset?" The newcomer was cleaner than most, with floppy brown hair and earnest eyes.

Kala couldn't help herself, despite a warning glare she used one of the few English words she had mastered. "Why?"

The boy, he couldn't be much more than that, smiled. "Well, I think it's mainly because of those louts." He gestured to the men around him. "But there've been some kidnapping a few villages over- at Hallow Hill." He dropped his voice theatrically, "they say that the girls are taken by goblins as brides, dragged underground, and that they're never seen again."

Kala tensed and her father stood still. He was concentrating, listening, "Goblins? Here?"

"Well it's just a story," the boy remarked sheepishly, "my Ma uses it to keep my little sisters inside and out of trouble."

"Do you know somewhere we can stay?" Kala couldn't believe that her father was asking help from a human boy. Back in the camp he had been a strong advocate for adding a shocking spell-fence to the camp border that would target anything but elves.

"Well this village is too small for an inn, but I'm sure my Ma would let you sleep in front of the fireplace. She sometimes takes in travelers."

"Lead on, and I promise to reward you for your generosity." Her father didn't necessarily give the command absently, but clearly his head was in another realm. Kala knew that he was searching for goblins. His magical specialty was extrasensory perception. He had a strong preventative gift and knew when attacks came well before they did. It was excellent at keeping him safe, but was preoccupied. "Ahh!" Faster than anyone could react a cut purse raced in and, seeing that the commander had no money bags, stabbed him in the stomach.

The boy ran back and grabbed Kala's father around the waste, frantically feeling for blood. "My house isn't much farther, we can tend you there." Together he and Kala supported him to a sturdier than average house.

"Ma?" the boy shouted, "I've got an injured man here! And a girl. They're looking for a place to stay!"

A stocky woman peered out the door with two little girls clinging to her skirts. She eyed the travelers warily, as Kala would do in her position. "Bring them in Peter," she said, "I've got a fresh pot on the fire and I'm a deft hand at stitching."

Kala wasn't comfortable with the situation but, not knowing what else to do, allowed herself to be chivvied inside. At the last moment, she took a last look at the smoke obscured stars and prayed that her father would recover quickly.