Jessom Williams is married to Nettie Williams and father to their son, Rike and two daughters, Tess, and Bip. He is a trapper and is often gone for days or weeks at a time. He is an abusive alcoholic who frequently beats his wife earning the hatred of his son. Rike asks bast to 'get rid' of him forever though doesn't want Bast to kill him. Bast tells Rike they can make a charm to keep him away and sets Rike off on a task that will take him away for the day. Bast and Rike finish the 'charm' and Rike is left unaware of the other events.