On the outskirts of the village lies a cherry-wood cabin within a cave, home to a Witch who specializes in healing enchantments. The village lord does not approve of her, but because her knowledge sometimes outpaces that of his own enchanters, he permits her to stay.
One of his sons, a Raid Captain, is grievously injured during a battle and finds that his wounds cannot be treated by the typical Evokers his father employs, and seeks out the healing Witch instead, against his better judgement. He finds the talkative and cheerful Witch annoying, but her magic eases his agony, so he tolerates it. Over time, as he returns for her help again and again, he finds that there is more to her than meets the eye, and the two grow closer. Eventually, they develop real feelings for each other.
Their closeness motivates the Witch to reveal her secret—her proficiency in healing magic is tied to her necromancy magic. Unfortunately this secret is discovered by the village lord, and when his son is busy on a patrol far from his love, the lord orders the witch to be executed for her crimes against the laws of enchantment. the raid captain returns to find her dead—but not for long, as he watches in rapt horror and awe as she re-animates herself and stumbles towards him.
"I told you...I'd be prepared for when this would...happen...!"
That night—the same night the Evoker and the Captain leave with the child—the Illager and the revived Witch flee into the wilderness. The Illager would do anything for her. Anything. Even when she begins to have certain cravings that demand his sword and a terrified victim. She's saved him before; should he not do the same for her?