CHAPTER ONE

The winter fast approached.

The leaves fell from their branches as the cold dug deep and the atmosphere turned from its usual glow of energy to a shallow dim light. It's always the hardest season to bare in the village. A time where food ran a little short and the people preferred to stay inside with their warm hearth and furs, than freeze uncomfortably outside.

Rubbing my chilled hands together, I hurried with the basket of vegetables I'd bought from the market. The dirt roads of the village are hardly active during the late afternoon, when the cold is starting to peak at its harshest. Glancing at the lit wooden pikes that lined the sides of the road, I often loved to watch as the flames flickered tauntingly. There were times I wished I were in its place; warm and dancing.

Walking along the road, the dirt crunched beneath my shoes and I couldn't help but catch the sound of hushed voices. Looking up, I realised I'm not far from the council tent. Slowing my pace, I know I should be moving on and minding my own business. However, my curiosity peaked with the sound of their bickering. Bad happening rarely ever occurred inside the village, except for when the wraith came, but it's been many years since the last attack.

We've done nothing but live in peace and harmony.

Quickly glancing around, there's no one else here. Pursing my lips, I ducked over to the tent and hid in the shadows. Surely it couldn't hurt to listen for a short while. Pressing my ear up against the tent wall, at first I didn't understand what they're all talking about, but it didn't take me long to catch on.

"They're awake. They're coming. It's only a matter of time!" one man yelled.

"That may be, or perhaps not. Who's to say they will return to the village? Who's to say they remember we exist? It's been years since the last culling" replied another. I recognised his voice as being that of our Chieftain, Gerick. Grown an old man with white hair and a hobble on his left leg, he's governed this village since I was a child and he's done well to protect us; to push us forward.

"We can't take the chance. We need to leave"

"Leave where?" this voice belonged to my Father "To the mountains? We'll be sending our people to their deaths. Winter is fast approaching. If we leave now we risk not having enough food to see our people through the season"

"I'd rather die of hunger than be fed upon by the wraith"

All voices in the tent went silent and I took this time to step back, not wanting to hear anymore. The mention of their name sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn't help the flashbacks that came. The sound of the wraith as they descended from the sky to take our people. The carnage they left behind once it was all over.

My heart skipped a beat as I glanced up at the sky, the last light fading with every second. Skimming the area, I made sure no one could see me before hurrying along. Rushing back toward the hut, I quickly went inside.

Immediate I was welcomed with the surround of warmth and the smell of bubbling stew. Mother stood not far away stirring the pot before she turned to look at me "Your back. That took longer than expected"

"I'm sorry. We started talking" I said while placing the basket on the table.

Gida, my younger sister sat on the fur rug in front of the fire place, a book in hand "She means she was talking to Merit"

My brows knitted together at the mention of the Chieftains son. For a little girl of twelve summers, Gida can be quite annoying when it comes to details "Keep your nose in your books Gida" I replied with a snap, not that I could be one to talk. I was just eavesdropping myself.

"Enough" scolded Mother "The both of you, start setting the table. Your father will be home shortly"

Sighing, I grabbed the things I need to start setting out the cutlery and mats. Sitting down at my usual spot beside my sister, Father stepped into the hut not long after. A small gust of cool air brushed against my rosy cheeks.

Father stood tall and strong, with a short beard and peppering hair. Gida and him are much alike in both appearance and personality, while I took after our Mother; with her long brown strands and doe eyes.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, my eyes shifted away from my Father. I feared that if I were to look at him right now he might know what I did. It's not allowed for non-council members to listen in on meetings and we never asked either. They're private for a reason and if we need to know then the Chieftain will surely tell us – only, I'm not so sure anymore.

This is different.

Eating our dinner in relevant silence, the wooden spoons scraped along the bowls and nothing more until we finished. Gida helped Mother with the washing up while I went to lay on my bed. A thin cloth type material draped down in the hut to section off the living area to the bedrooms. With us all sleeping in the same hut, there's no real walls to divide us and so this is all we have to maintain privacy. It's like this in most homes in order to keep the warmth and cool during the seasons.

Lying down, I stared up at the roof until I saw a shadow linger from my peripheral "Irina" spoke my Father as he came to stand by my bed. Sitting up, he moved his way next to me and I could see the tension in his freckled forehead. I feared he might have known or someone had seen me listening in, but it wasn't.

"With winter coming, we'll have to work harder to get us all through the season. I only ask that you keep a close eye on your Mother and especially your sister. I don't want Gida getting into trouble now she's old enough to join"

"Of course" I replied before asking "Is something wrong Father?"

He paused and I wondered if he would tell me, between the both of us, as to what we already know. Instead he placed a gentle kiss to my forehead "No. Nothing is wrong" he sighed before giving me a hesitant smile "Just promise me you'll look after each other"

"Yes, I promise"

Getting up from my beside me, my stomach churned with uneasiness. I can understand my Fathers caution in wanting me to look after Gida. This will be her first winter harvest and it can be dangerous working in the cold, especially when you're so young. But we all manage to get by, we've done it for years. However, Fathers words held another meaning; a possible warning for the danger that we might face.

Listening to the sound of laughter and giggles through the cloth, I heard my Mother and Gida as they cleaned. The happy sound did nothing to ease the feeling inside of me. It might have even made it worse. Turning away, I tried to block out the sound as I got dressed for bed. Nestling down in the cot I shared with Gida, I pulled the fur blanket tight to my neck.

I could hardly sleep.

Even when everyone else had retired for the night and there were no lights or noises, just the sound of sleep and the wind, I couldn't manage to shut my mind. My eyes ached and I felt dull when the next morning approached. The roosters crowed from down the road and I was quick to get up for the day ahead.

Getting dressed, I went into the kitchen to see Mother making oats for breakfast "You're awake early"

"I couldn't sleep"

"What's troubling you" she asked with a frown. Making my way over, she took my hands in her own "Aren't you well?"

"No, it's not that. I'm fine" I replied with a shake of my head. I had to come up with a lie "I'm only worried about Gida. I want to make sure she's ready"

Letting go of my hands, Mother poured us both a bowl of oats and we sat at the table to eat "I'm sure your sister will be fine. I trust you to look after her, and she isn't alone. There's other's her age beginning their first harvest"

"You're right" I nodded, but I didn't truly believe the words I spoke "Everything will be fine"