While Orsalya and Johanna had but one task each (to bring good weather and bury the dead respectively), Verka had two: to aid mothers with the delivery of children and to look after orphans who had lost their parents. Compared with the well-known (and exceedingly popular) Lady of the Rain, the Orphan Keeper was a somewhat mysterious figure to the common folk. She would arrive, unbidden but right on time, to act as midwife during a childbirth, before departing as suddenly as she had come. In the same shadowy fashion, she would prowl the villages looking for young orphans to spirit away to her home deep within Heiligtum Forest. Some folk even believed that the Midwife and the Orphan Keeper were two different people, for while many grateful mothers owed their lives to her, the stories that orphans told when they returned as adults were of a darker nature…

*   *   *

Verka’s shabby cottage lay in the middle of a small glade, surrounded by a dozen or so tiny shacks, barely bigger than dog kennels. The children playing outside ranged from toddlers to teens, but the Orphan Keeper herself was nowhere to be seen. Johanna stood behind a tree at the edge of the glade, watching the children and wondering how long she would have to wait before Verka finally made her appearance. Summoning her courage, Johanna walked into the glade and cautiously approached the orphans. Upon seeing her, they began to back away nervously. Johanna smiled and waved, hoping the friendly gesture would calm their nerves.

“Hi, I’m Johanna. Can you tell me where the Orphan Keeper is?”

The orphans all pointed to the cottage in the middle of the glade.

“Thanks,” said Johanna and walked towards the house. The children scurried out of her way as she passed, watching her with suspicion.

She stopped in front of the heavy wooden door, its surface marred by scratches and dark stains. Upon closer inspection, she realized that the dark stains were patches of dried blood. She tried to ignore her growing sense of unease and resolutely raised a hand to knock.

“I wouldn’t,” said a teenage boy standing nearby. “She doesn’t like being disturbed by common folk.”

Johanna paused, seeing the nervous look on the boy’s face.

“The thing is, I’m not common folk,” she explained, “I’m like her.”

The orphans exchanged confused glances but made no reply. Johanna turned back to the door and knocked gently.

“WHAT!?” came a furious shriek from inside, causing Johanna to draw back in shock.

The door swung violently open and a woman leaned out, her impressive stature forcing her to crouch in the low doorway. Under one arm she held a small whimpering girl, struggling against her tight grip.

The woman looked down at Johanna curiously, her scowl softening a little. “You look a little old to come to me, dear.”

“I’m Johanna.”

“And what the hell do you want with me?” the woman snapped.

“I’m one of you now,” Johanna stammered hurriedly, “you know, like the Lady of the Rain?”

Verka smiled in understanding, noticing the shovel that Johanna carried. “Oh, the Angel and all that, huh?”

Johanna nodded vigorously. Verka let go of the struggling girl who immediately ran to one of the tiny sheds and leaped inside. The Orphan Keeper stepped outside the hut and stood to her full height, towering over Johanna. Though her messy hair was pure white she didn’t look older than thirty, garbed in a faded green dress and filthy apron. Around her neck hung a bright silver pendant inset with a ruby stone.

She asked the same question that Orsalya had. “So, what do you do?”

“I’m a gravedigger, I bury the dead to protect them from necromancers,” Johanna replied.

Verka’s eyes lit up with interest. “Make sure to let me know if you come across any orphans. As you know, it is my duty to care for them.” Her smile widened, and she added, “especially one little boy in Bekdorf; his mother has already passed away, so now it’s just his father to go. Lazlo is his name.” She sighed sadly. “He seems so lonely without a mother. As soon as you bury his cursed father, let me know! Hell, you could bring him here yourself! I’d be forever grateful.”

Verka cackled and looked over her flock of cowering charges. “It’s not easy being a mother to so many poor little children, but I manage quite well if I do say so myself.”

Johanna remained silent.

“I do my best to care for them, and they in turn care for me,” Verka went on, with all the joy of a proud mother, “especially little Hans over there.” She indicated a ten-year-old boy curled up on the ground nearby.

“I do love him ever so much,” she said with an affectionate sigh, “such a lovely little boy.”

Feeling sick to her stomach, Johanna made a brusque curtsy to Verka and slowly backed away.

“Well, it’s been nice meeting you, Verka,” she said hurriedly.

“Wait just a moment,” Verka said gently, stepping after her.

Johanna stopped reluctantly as the Orphan Keeper walked up to her and placed her hands to Johanna’s face, feeling her jaw and cheekbones. Johanna tried to recoil but Verka slid a hand round behind her head and held her in place.

“You could do with a bit of meat on your bones,” Verka said thoughtfully, sliding her hand down Johanna’s body, “but I’m sure you would’ve been quite lovely when you were younger.”

She grunted in annoyance and let go of Johanna. “Too old now.”

As soon as she was free Johanna turned and fled, never stopping to look back.

“Nice meeting you too, Johanna!” Verka called after her, smiling in amusement. “Aw, she’s shy.”