Early that morning, while eating breakfast, Lunaria made her decision.

  If they sent scouts, she said quietly, they expect fear. Locked doors. Armed patrols.

  She glanced at the people gathered in the room.

  We give them none.

  So Thatchrun awoke as though nothing was going to happen.

  The town was filled with staged normalcy.

  People swept the roads.

  Some women hung laundry.

  A few stalls opened in the market square.

  And the defenders began their performance.

  Rain stood at the fruit stall, arguing loudly with a farmer over an apple.

  This is robbery, Rain declared. Two silvers for this? It's half worm!

  The farmer leaned closer and whispered, There are no worms.

  I know, Rain muttered back. Project desperation.

  He resumed shouting. I demand worm compensation!

  Across the square, Seraphine sat at a café table reading an upside-down book.

  A villager approached nervously.

  My lady... your book—

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Yes, I know, she said calmly. I am reading it ironically.

  She turned the page upside down with complete composure.

  From the balcony, Lunaria, hanging clothes, tracked a flicker of green in the distant tree line.

  Scouts? Good.

  Tria walked through the square carrying three loaves of bread, looking thoroughly unimpressed with her party's performance.

  A goblin eye blinked from behind a hay cart at the edge of town.

  Tria deliberately tripped over nothing and dropped the bread.

  Rain gasped theatrically. Tragic! Bread casualties! His acting looked terrible.

  What the hell kind of acting is that? Tria muttered.

  Rain leaned toward her. Why do I not look convincing?

  You look like an idiot, Tria replied.

  Perfect. Rain smiled with confidence.

  A goat wandered into the square.

  Rain stared at it.

  Is that part of the plan?

  No, Lunaria called from above, hanging laundry. But adapt.

  Rain grabbed the goat and began speaking to it in a loud voice

  You see, good sir goat, can I interest you in some fruit? It has delicious worms—a good source of protein.

  The goat headbutted him.

  Seraphine pulled her cloak down over her face in embarrassment. I cannot believe this is our tactical approach.

  Tria folded her arms. If the goblins are affected by this stupidity of yours, then I will consider you a genius.

  From the distant hedgerow, a goblin scout crouched low.

  He saw:

  No barricaded doors.

  No people on patrols.

  A man arguing with a goat.

  A girl reading a book.

  A woman hanging some clothes.

  The goblin narrowed his eyes.

  slipped back into the trees.

  He's returning, she said quietly. Lunaria clipped the final clothespin. Good.

  Rain dusted off his pants.

  Please tell me I don't have to argue with this goat again tomorrow.

  Seraphine closed her book properly this time.

  Only if you survive tonight. Tria picked up the bread and walked past him.

  If you die, she added dryly, I'm telling everyone that our summoned familiar was killed by a goat.

  Rain scoffed. Like I said, I can always run very fast.

  Lunaria's expression softened only slightly as she gazed toward the forest.

  They will come in force now, she said.

  Her tone carried certainty.

  And when they do, Tria replied, touching her blade downward with her thumb, we will slaughter them like goats. No offense, Mr. Goat.

  Tell the townspeople to take shelter. We don't want any casualties! Lunaria shouted.