i'll get to it

Eve’s steps remained measured, unhurried even as she echoed, “A Librarian… here.” Whether the statement was skepticism in the concept or doubt in her coterie, the Captain was irritated either way.

“Yes.” They had laid eyes and hand on the Wandering Trader themselves, so the news of a Villager in the Nether was less of a shock. Not to mention, they’d found and retained the Librarian as well…

though they had no Enchantments to show for it.

You bluff often?

Something began to crawl up Cap’s spine, like black widow legs and black-dyed claws.

After receiving news of Eve’s return, Cap had sent the Vindicators ahead. Firelight flickered on the wall across from the open doorway leading into Wirt’s workspace. It had doubled as the Librarian’s holding cell of late, keeping close to anything one might need to enchant. The closer they drew, the worse the feeling got.

Crossing the threshold, Eve ignored her Vindicators snapping to attention. “… Ha. Haha.” Head tilting, she finally smiled.

Slow, tension bristling along shoulders, Cap turned to stare at the Villager.

“This… is the ‘Librarian’?”

Those words alone were enough to drive home just how badly they had all fucked up. The Vindicators kept their eyes straight ahead, though Vici felt the tell-tale prickle of sweat.

Stepping through the doorway, excitement stirring in her chest, Eve reveled in the panic threatening behind the Villager’s eyes. “Honestly…” Passing the Illagers, she ignored Cap falling into lockstep, though she didn’t miss the rage emanating from behind her. “I can’t tell who the biggest idiot in this room is.”

Ask her on any day and she would say it was the one following her; not because it was true, but because it would sting Captain the most out of them all.

In truth, though, falling for a nitwit’s lie was only the second most foolish thing she could think of.

For a nitwit to try lying at all? Ah, now that was an entirely new breed of stupidity.

She stopped short of where the Villager had backed into a table. The brewing stand bubbled idly, reducing something or other to useful components— more than could be said of the one using it.

“Bring me the witch.” Wirt would have seen through this façade in a heartbeat… which meant there was yet another fool to punish.

Chin jerking toward the doorway, Veni locked eyes with Vidi in silent command. The second Vindicator rose improbably straighter, then stalked out of the room.

Panic mounting, Nil shot a desperate look at the departing Illager. Wirt had no idea Eve was back—!

“I presume you would like to retake some of your dignity, Captain.” Eve didn’t tear her gaze from Nil, squinting with pleasure like a cat. Despite the insult, Cap’s jaw set tight, eyes pinning the Villager in place. “Go on then, nitwit…” Eyes darting between them, Nil shrank back against the table, fingers digging into the woodgrain. “Run.”

***

The nether wart garden didn’t require extensive upkeep or attention, happy as a clam with dark and damp. Still Wirt liked to check in on it, someplace quiet far away from the raiders.

And, to be honest, someplace away from Nil. Spending time with the Villager was leaps and bounds ahead of the Illagers, but… still, there was a sense of guilt that tinted every interaction. Nil was a prisoner, and Wirt was doing nothing whatsoever to change that.

Even after seeing the damage wrought by the raid, Wirt stayed by them. If only by necessity, the Raiders protected their witch. And Wirt needed protecting here.

Collar snagging taut against windpipe, Wirt choked all the way up off the ground. Vidi raised the witch to eye level, which left Wirt’s feet kicking in the air, and glared venomously. “Eve wants to see you…”

Wirt’s gut dropped. Oh.

Oh no.

***

Everyone in that room knew there was nowhere for Nil to run. Still, none of them moved; watching, waiting, patient, knowing.

Knowing that the prey heart of a Villager would never have the nerve to hold out against their natural predators. Still Nil held firm, as long as possible, until the tremors became visible, and the sheer effort to bite down panic was too much.

Nil bolted.

The flag that the Raiders had adorned their so-called Librarian with, flapping out behind, was pierced by a diamond bit and pinned to the wall. It swept Nil’s feet off the ground, and before the flag could be divested, Cap seized both it and the Villager’s signature green tunic in one fist.

Hostility and menace radiated from the captain, and Nil sagged against the wall. Cap ripped the diamond spear from the wall, spinning it one-handed to nudge the tip beneath Nil’s chin.

Eve watched with relish. As much as Cap wouldn’t mind killing the Villager and depriving her of this precious ingredient…

Make a fool of me…

At the moment, more keenly than a distaste for their Evoker—

Cap wanted this Villager to hurt.

She would step in, inevitably, if only to ensure there was no accidents.

Eve’s steps remained measured, unhurried even as she echoed, “A Librarian… here.” Whether the statement was skepticism in the concept or doubt in her coterie, the Captain was irritated either way.

“Yes.” They had laid eyes and hand on the Wandering Trader themselves, so the news of a Villager in the Nether was less of a shock. Not to mention, they’d found and retained the Librarian as well…

though they had no Enchantments to show for it.

You bluff often?

Something began to crawl up Cap’s spine, like black widow legs and black-dyed claws.

After receiving news of Eve’s return, Cap had sent the Vindicators ahead. Firelight flickered on the wall across from the open doorway leading into Wirt’s workspace. It had doubled as the Librarian’s holding cell of late, keeping close to anything one might need to enchant. The closer they drew, the worse the feeling got.

Crossing the threshold, Eve ignored her Vindicators snapping to attention. “… Ha. Haha.” Head tilting, she finally smiled.

Slow, tension bristling along shoulders, Cap turned to stare at the Villager.

“This… is the ‘Librarian’?”

Those words alone were enough to drive home just how badly they had all fucked up. The Vindicators kept their eyes straight ahead, though Vici felt the tell-tale prickle of sweat.

Stepping through the doorway, excitement stirring in her chest, Eve reveled in the panic threatening behind the Villager’s eyes. “Honestly…” Passing the Illagers, she ignored Cap falling into lockstep, though she didn’t miss the rage emanating from behind her. “I can’t tell who the biggest idiot in this room is.”

Ask her on any day and she would say it was the one following her; not because it was true, but because it would sting Captain the most out of them all.

In truth, though, falling for a nitwit’s lie was only the second most foolish thing she could think of.

For a nitwit to try lying at all? Ah, now that was an entirely new breed of stupidity.

She stopped short of where the Villager had backed into a table. The brewing stand bubbled idly, reducing something or other to useful components— more than could be said of the one using it.

“Bring me the witch.” Wirt would have seen through this façade in a heartbeat… which meant there was yet another fool to punish.

Chin jerking toward the doorway, Veni locked eyes with Vidi in silent command. The second Vindicator rose improbably straighter, then stalked out of the room.

Panic mounting, Nil shot a desperate look at the departing Illager. Wirt had no idea Eve was back—!

“I presume you would like to retake some of your dignity, Captain.” Eve didn’t tear her gaze from Nil, squinting with pleasure like a cat. Despite the insult, Cap’s jaw set tight, eyes pinning the Villager in place. “Go on then, nitwit…” Eyes darting between them, Nil shrank back against the table, fingers digging into the woodgrain. “Run.”

***

The nether wart garden didn’t require extensive upkeep or attention, happy as a clam with dark and damp. Still Wirt liked to check in on it, someplace quiet far away from the raiders.

And, to be honest, someplace away from Nil. Spending time with the Villager was leaps and bounds ahead of the Illagers, but… still, there was a sense of guilt that tinted every interaction. Nil was a prisoner, and Wirt was doing nothing whatsoever to change that.

Even after seeing the damage wrought by the raid, Wirt stayed by them. If only by necessity, the Raiders protected their witch. And Wirt needed protecting here.

Collar snagging taut against windpipe, Wirt choked all the way up off the ground. Vidi raised the witch to eye level, which left Wirt’s feet kicking in the air, and glared venomously. “Eve wants to see you…”

Wirt’s gut dropped. Oh.

Oh no.

***

Everyone in that room knew there was nowhere for Nil to run. Still, none of them moved; watching, waiting, patient, knowing.

Knowing that the prey heart of a Villager would never have the nerve to hold out against their natural predators. Still Nil held firm, as long as possible, until the tremors became visible, and the sheer effort to bite down panic was too much.

Nil bolted.

The flag that the Raiders had adorned their so-called Librarian with, flapping out behind, was pierced by a diamond bit and pinned to the wall. It swept Nil’s feet off the ground, and before the flag could be divested, Cap seized both it and the Villager’s signature green tunic in one fist.

Hostility and menace radiated from the captain, and Nil sagged against the wall. Cap ripped the diamond spear from the wall, spinning it one-handed to nudge the tip beneath Nil’s chin.

Eve watched with relish. As much as Cap wouldn’t mind killing the Villager and depriving her of this precious ingredient…

Make a fool of me…

At the moment, more keenly than a distaste for their Evoker—

Cap wanted this Villager to hurt.

She would step in, inevitably, if only to ensure there was no accidents.