I scarcely hear him, though I keep my face still and nod reflexively in acknowledgement. When I laughed I had tossed my head back and looked directly into Deputy Hollow's face, and I caught a glimpse of... flame? My first instinct is dismissal, and not that long ago I would have simply written it off as a trick of the light (in the shade of a tall building?), or of fatigue.

These days there's very little certainty to be had. Hell, I can't even be sure what I can safely doubt anymore. Some days ago in the trackless wilderness between far-flung settlements I had a nocturnal encounter with a force I could neither rationalize nor deny. Even now the thought of it pimples my neck with gooseflesh. And if I don't even know what it was, how can I possibly know what it represents?

I must tread carefully, for now. I am not in possession of all the facts. And perhaps it really was just an illusion. But I will be watching. All things become clear, in time.

"If you've got money from further out, Market's Saturday an' ya can see what people'll take. Or maybe see 'bout tradin' at the Carnivale."

"Carnivale?" I say, careful to keep my tone casual, as before. I feign an interest in the faces of passersby, to avoid looking at the deputy. "How delightful. I've run into one in years past, on my travels. Wonder if it's the same one?"

I do look at him then, since to avoid his gaze suddenly would be conspicuous. Flash my teeth in a smile. "Quite a town you've got here, Deputy. Not sure I've seen anything quite like it."