"Alright, I think you're ready to move onto moving targets now, Lyvette." Ysgrig announced, capturing the child's attention.
"Really? No more swinging at trees?" She asked, delighted at his decision. Her little blue eyes darted around, observing the smiles on the faces of Kharjo, Ysgrig, and Marcurio. "That's right, kid! We're graduating you to animals." Marcurio grinned, walking over to ruffle the girl's ebony hair. "Like what kind?"
Before Marcurio could answer, Ysgrig spoke up. "Probably wild goats and foxes, or if there are any, maybe some small deer." He suggested. He knew of Lyvette's soft spot for rabbits, and wanted her to feel confident in her newfound skill without hesitating to make a kill. He turned to Kharjo. "Are there any animals around?" He asked.
Kharjo sniffed the air and nodded. "There is a deer nearby. Come. This one is sure of it." Kharjo began to trot towards the scent of the deer, Marcurio, Ysgrig, and Lyvette following close behind. Kharjo's ears twitched as if he heard something. He turned his head and stopped walking.
In the clearing, the sun shone brightly on a small deer. It appeared to be a doe; it had no antlers. Kharjo gestured to the deer, and his friends took notice. Ysgrig got on his knees so he was eye-level with Lyvette. "Alright, this is it. When you make your kill, push your dagger straight through the head, neck, or heart. Keep a tight grip on your dagger so you don't lose it if the deer gets away." Ysgrig instructed. Lyvette nodded and carefully, quietly crept up behind the deer.
The deer turned around when she heard Lyvette approaching and stupidly stayed in place to observe her. Lyvette used the deer's unawareness to her advantage and thrust her dagger through the deer's neck, giving a fierce cry as she forced the blade through the spinal cord. The deer gave a loud shriek and collapsed, dead by the young girl's dagger.
Lyvette retrieved her elven dagger and panted, doubling over to catch her breath, and the sound of clapping soon made its way to her ears. She beamed at the attention and praise she was receiving from her friends. "Excellent work, Lyvette!" Ysgrig cheered. "This one is very proud indeed. You have learned quickly, little one." Kharjo added.
"We can take it back to Miss Keerava. She might want to cook it for dinner." Lyvette suggested. Ysgrig nodded and smiled. "That's a very good idea, Lyvette. I'm sure she'd really appreciate it. Just wait until you tell her that you were the one who killed the deer." He grinned. Lyvette had never felt more accomplished in her life.
Kharjo's ears twitched, and he sniffed the air once more. "I sense something is near." "What is it?" Marcurio asked. "Another deer?" Kharjo shook his head. "No, no, it sounds like—" A loud hiss pierced the once calm clearing, startling everyone. A large frostbite spider scuttled towards the group and leapt into the air. The spider tackled Lyvette, baring his razor-sharp mandibles at the little girl. She screamed, dropping her dagger several feet away. "LYVETTE!" Marcurio and Ysgrig seemed to yell at the same time. The spider quickly brought his mandibles down to sink into the little girl's neck.
Thunk!
Lyvette felt the weight on her body lighten, and she opened her eyes to see the spider beside her, dead. Kharjo pulled his sword from the spider's unmoving body and offered Lyvette his hand. Lyvette took one look at the thick layer of spider gore coated all over her and burst into tears.
Kharjo had carried Lyvette to a stream where she could wash her face and hands. Her dress was soaked with the spider's blood and guts that had oozed onto her when the sword pierced his back. While Lyvette was washing her face, Ysgrig approached Kharjo. "That was some quick thinking back there at the clearing." "No, no. It was nothing." Kharjo smiled. "You saved a girl's life. That's definitely something." Ysgrig grinned. "I am honestly glad I was able to kill the spider in time. I could not imagine living with myself if I had let her die." Kharjo replied, pushing thoughts of Lyvette's death out of his mind.
That night, Keerava had graciously accepted the meat from the deer. She was shocked that Lyvette had made the kill, and gave the girl a wholehearted hug. "You're becoming quite the young lady! Keep it up, and you'll be hunting mammoths one day!" Keerava encouraged the smiling little girl.
Lyvette had changed into a clean dress before she trotted up to bed. She held her doll close and told her all about how she had killed the deer before she was overtaken by sleep. When Ysgrig lay down in his bed that night, he could only pray that Valelia was getting clues to Sarila's whereabouts. He'd lost his sister for ten years, and he didn't want to lose her again for any amount of time.
Ysgrig had slept well that particular night. He dreamt that he'd found Sarila and taken her back to the home with Marcurio, Kharjo, and Lyvette. He dreamt of Mattha and Omir bickering as Caehir and Reea'th trained each other in combat. He dreamt of Sa'etha and Qattindra mixing tonics and poultices. He dreamt of Chalvia and her beautiful face.
He dreamt of Mercer Frey's head rolling away from his lifeless body.
He dreamt that it was he who had sent Mercer to the grave.
