Chapter:Four - Halfway to Newarre (The Name of the Wind)

Let me tell you what to do. Dig a pit that’s ten by two. Ash and elm and rowan too—

Devan Lochees heads towards Newarre on foot since his horse had been stolen by deserters days before. As he is walking along the road he sees a light flickering through the trees. Devan abandons the road, heading towards the light thinking that it was the light of a farm. Instead, he finds a man (later identified as Kote) dressed in a peculiar fashion, bundled as if it were winter instead of a mild autumn night. Devan approaches Kote who jumps to his feet holding a sword in his hands. Kote does not identify himself but tells Devan that demons are in the forest. As Kote is asking Devan if he has any extra clothes he can wear as padding, they are interrupted when a swarm of demons, disguised as black spiders, enters the campsite. One of the creatures attacks Devan, who falls and hits his head on the stone wall behind him.

Devan awakens later to find Kote sitting nearby, his heavy cloak barely clinging to his body. Kote explains that he had accidentally broken Devan's ribs in an effort to get the demon off him, then asks Devan to help him in burning and burying the bodies. Devan laughs and references a children's song that describes the process before falling unconscious once again. Kote checks to see if Devan will awaken again, but when he doesn't, Kote begins to dig.

Characters

• [[Devan Lochees]]
• [[Kote]]

Creatures

• Demons in the shape of big, black spiders (the scrael)

Referenced

• [[Abbott's Ford]]
• [[Rannish]]
• [[Newarre]]