"SHUT UP!" The first words that roused Englebert out of his hazy sleep. with a few blinks and a gentle groan he looked over. Ymeene was still cuddled in her thick blanket her head tucked under her wing as the almost incoherent yelling continued.
"What in the hell are they fighting about now?" Englebert coughed a little to clear his throat, then staggered out of his bed. He gently patted Ymeene's head with his finger before leaving, then stepped out of the cream colored tent. His calloused fingers gripped the branch of the little yellowing apple tree that hid him from the shouting people out front of the camp. the leafs shielded the fire that snapped and crackled as the Fight seemingly got much more tense. The French African man noticed quite a few more people were peaking out of there tents now, mostly women and a few men all watching the ordeal in the front of the camp.
"Bert!" A sudden hand that gripped his shoulder scared the soul out of Him as he swung his head around to come face to face with Arlotto who covered his mouth before He could make a sound.
"It's those heathens again. the group from the north. Tomb's and the others are trying to keep them in line, but it's getting heated quickly. You should go talk to em Bert. your the most level headed man here." The Italian man glanced back over to where the group of men who shouts were progressively getting louder and more rage filled with each insult thrown.
"Alright thank you." Englebert made his way quickly through the tents that scattered the area. Elina peaked out and waved from Anna's tent with a smile, Anna was watching the fight from behind Elina, twisting her straight black hair on her fingers as she nervously as she did. He nodded at Anna in solidarity to which the Greek woman returned it, but he could still feel the terror in her periwinkle eyes as he continued on.
Englebert made it to the group quickly, bit surveyed the mob of people. Only about 7 men in all this time, most burly and rough looking, dressed in cloaks and angry expressions. the 21 year old man rolled his eyes a rather grim facial expression appearing as he pushed his way into the middle of the crowd.
Most of the men on the peculiar side quickly shushed there taunts when Englebert stepped up. The leader for the Northerners stepped up also, towering over Englebert. Tombs was waiting on the side, his nose bleeding. Micheal and Vincent were holding him back, eyes full of pure fury.
"Good evening gentleman, what seems to be the issue?" Englebert held out his hand to who he believed was the head of the mob, a tall, man that could easily throw anyone who came his way. his black hair shined in the patchy moonlight and his hazel eyes reflected Engelbert's unease.
"I already told y'all once, don't make me repeat myself again. You best be giving us what's ours back boy." The man sneered, his crooked teeth being oddly visible as he took a step froward. Englebert took a step back, hands coming to his chest in a defensive move.
"We dont have anything of yours sir." Bert tried to reason with the man in front of him. air became stiff as the mans face became even more red. If Englebert didn't know better he would have thought this mans head was going to explode. "WE KNOW YOU STOLE FROM MR. ALLEN'S FARM DONT PLAY DUMB BOY!"
"Stop yelling, respect the fact that we have young children and women sleeping!!" Englebert demanded, his foot sinking into the ground as he spoke. He felt his own anger starting to form a little bit as the fire raged on.
"Bert?" Ymeene called after she shifted back into human form. She had another terrible dream this night. This time she was wandering through a horribly fogged over forest, and everytime she glanced upward she could spot a different brother, Nika, Soneto, and Mitakal all frozen in the branches staring at her blank, milky white eyes as numerous crows picked apart their rotting flesh. They all emitted Bloodcurdling screeches as the hawks remained staring down upon there sister, as if they couldn't feel their bodies being torn apart.
"I have to stop these horrid visions..."Ymeene whispered and shook her head as she crawled out of her warm blankets, crawling out and over to Englebert's side of the tent to see if she could wake him to go get a drink with her. He didn't like her going down to the lake alone at night, claiming That it was dangerous.
"Bert?" She called again, her voice hushed as she waited, but received no response back. "Must be outside with all of the yelling people." Ymeene slipped out of her tent. the fire meant to warm up the area raged against the shadows, illuminating the heated debate just on the outskirts of the camp
"Hey!" Anna called, peaking out of her tent. She ushered the woman over, snatching her up quickly into the tents embrace before anyone could see the Hawk.
"Be careful just strolling about like that! those barbaric men from the north are ruthless vile creatures! They would kill anyone if it meant a little more money in there pockets." Anna spat, glancing back outside. She remained at the front of the tent, a large sword in hand ready to defend Elina and the other kids who snuck into her tent if need be. Ymeene had seen her swordfight against some of the strongest men in camp, and she always came out the victor. There was no doubt the children would be safe with her.
"Wait, so what's happening right now? Who are these men?" Ymeene twirled a strand of her wavy hair in-between her pale fingers as she awaited an answer from Anna.
"They are the men from that little town up north of here, hunters. Biggest and cruelest Arse's around if you ask me. They beat, cheat, steal, and lie." Anna gripped her swords sheath tightly as she turned back around from the entrance. "They make a livin' off us.They will kill any peculiar folk and drag the corpse back to the king."
"Why would they do that? were not hurting them at all!" Ymeene retorted, feeling rather defensive. It reminded her of her family's fights with he harriers. "Useless." She whispered to herself then glanced back up at Anna.
"They make quick money of us. Brutally slaughter us for their own enjoyment. They frequent the area, swoopin up any strays that they can that aren't guarded and torture us. They take turns shooting arrows to try and hit their desired target, then stab em silly. If we are too quick, then they send the dogs to catch up and nab us. They get giddy watching us bleed like fountains on the ground until they finally feel like we have been punished enough, then a final stab to the heart is given, and they take us back to the king to line thier pockets. Sick freaks." She finished her rant, taking a sip of her water and wiping her mouth. "My husband would still be here if it wasn't for them."
"Thats horrible...im so sorry." Ymeene shivered, her mind running through every scenario. "Wait, and Englebert is out with them?!" Ymeene voice became higher as she stuck her head out of the tent. This was the first time she had ever heard her heart pounding painfully in her ears and her mouth go dry and for good reason. There Englebert was center of it all, speaking to who she supposed was the leader
"Yeah, half the men are all out there already-" Anna's lips pursed shut as Ymeene shot out of the tents opening, leaving the group behind as she ran as fast as he legs would take her. She doged several sitting logs and rocks, following the path of mismatched trees that ran throughout the area until she made it to the growing group of men circling eng and the other man. it took s moment to catch her breath, but the shouts were so loud and incoherent, she couldn't make sense of them anyways.
""How about instead of killing one of us for a ransom, we will give you a calf, a hen and a pig You can raise the pig for slaughter, and the calf for milk and meat, the chicken for eggs. We also have some fruits and vegetables we can offer if you just leave us alone! I even have 20 shillings I can offer from just myself." Englebert swallowed taking a deep breath to keep from simply screaming and running away. He wished he could, act like a child running from the monsters within the darkness but the 21 year old knew he couldn't, or it would mean certain death for someone.
"Will that deter you from anything? I know the king pays little for us because we are the "unclean" sort. And if you come from the north you had a long trip here with scarce resources." Englebert finished his little speech. In truth he felt pressure from every side of him, but the leader in front of him seemed to slowly be breaking. His men whispered behind him, glancing at their leader and Englebert at the same time.
"Deal-" The leader started to speak, One hand behind him and the other extending out to shake Englebert's but was suddenly slammed into by someone who knocked him to the ground, missing Englebert by mere inches.
"Englebert remained frozen, his mouth agape but his hand was still held out for a handshake with the leader.
"YMEENE!" Englebert screamed as he finally figured out who it was. He didn't know what he was more terrified of. The man getting hurt or Ymeene getting hurt.
The man screamed in pain as she dug nails into him, tearing his tanned skin open as she bit his shoulder. the other men of the gang watched in horror, more shocked that a woman was the one doing the damage. He tried to shake her off, but it was no use, Ymeene had the skills to stay linked to her prey like it was a field mouse. The man's blood soaked the front of her nightgown and she socked him in the face, and it wasn't until Englebert yanked her long hair in an attempt to get her off the already unconscious man that she finally looked upward at him and stopped inflicting damage.
"What are you doing?!" Engelbert yelped, dragging her off of him with force, tossing her a little bit as to gain some distance between her an the man. The normal men dragged there leader away, throwing him up on a horse and leaving as fast as the came, horrified. How had such a demure looking woman practically destroy their leader in one brawl?
"I was protecting you." Ymeene looked up. her face was caked in dirt and blood from the leader, but her golden eyes still shimmered like there was nothing wrong. Englebert felt the coldness radiating from her soul as she stood up, brushing the dust off her now bloody nightgown.. she had quite a few scrapes and cuts, but nothing that a few bandages and time couldn't fix.
"Englebert" Tombs was face to face with Englebert who took quite a few steps back. Ymeene looked up at him also, but continued picking at her nails, trying to procure them from the first and grime.
"What does she have to say for herself? She just ruined a possibly large peace deal." Tombs kept a beet red, straight face, but Englebert could see the urge he had to kick Ymeene.
"Just-"
"Just shush Tombs. I don't owe you an answer." Ymeene sighed then stood up, dusting her nightgown off and then turning around on her heels, walking away as if no one could care about her departure less. Many of the men around gasped, whispers following soon after. Englebert stood wide eyed, as did Tombs.
"She didn't mean it-"
"I want her held at trial tommrrow evening to answer for herself " Tombs growled, his hands shaking with anger. If it was a man he simply would have strangled them on spot, but sense she was a woman, He knew he couldn't get away with it.
Englebert felt his blood run cold, as if it had started to ice over in his viens.Would Tombs kill her? Does he have the power to kill her or Exile her? "He does have the power with the other councilmen." Englebert chewed the side of his lip she he kept his head down as he stormed away from the crowd. "Where did she go anyway? She went in the wrong direction to be headed back to the tent..." He asked himself.
Englebert kept walking, kicking the few random branches he spotted every so often. The glow of the fire wained slowly as he walked farther out, but Englebert didn't notice as he was lost within his own thoughts. "Why did she do that?" Was the biggest thought overall. Englebert felt his own anger rising. "Everything was going so well! then she had to do that and now..." He snapped out loud for the first time, gritting his teeth as a little brown rabbit darted out of his path and into the thick bushes.
"This is all bullshit." He shook his head, almost losing it as he kept walking, but his steps pounded into he first harder and harder as his anger rose.
"Where the hell is she?" He had reached the forest edge by now. loose pine and oak branches obscured his view form the pathway. Eng thought about turning back, giving her time to simply cool down, and come back on her own, but he felt unwilling. "I need an explanation."
After another 20 minute hike through the rugged forest and 2 run in's with some rather feisty racoons, he finally reached a little clearing in the forest as if a giant plucked all the trees up from it. Uneven moonlight lit the little spot, rocks dotting the tiny area along the stream. A soft whimpering weep just faint enough was able to be heard as Englebert stood on the rim. It made him jump slightly, as it was oddly animalistic, but humanlike at the same time.
"Ymeene?' Englebert called, dipping around an apple tree. In the dim light he could see someone lying on the ground, holding something up above their head that was resting on a smooth rock. A few more tense steps out, Englebert held his breath in a slight panic as the figure moved, but didn't turn to look back at him.
"I know it's you." a familiar voice called out. Englebert felt his posture relax as he walked up to Ymeene, sitting down beside her silently snd watching the gentle brook carry fallen leaves down the bank. It was nearing October and the warm days had started to fade, which spelled Hell for the camp. Each Fall meant an even more bitter winter was on its way to steal lives of anyone caught in the cold.
After about 5 minutes of watching the stream with her, Englebert finally took a look down at where Ymeene laid. Her hair was askew across the grass, dandelions peeking through her long locks. The dandelion fuzz clung to her hair and eyelashes like snow, making her golden eyes standout amongst the colorless fuzzies as they remained fixated on the steam, her mouth shut tight.
"You wanna speak first?" the 21 year old asked. It remained eerily silent, a sign for him to take his turn first.
"Why did you do that?" he removed his head, setting it next to him and reclining back on the rock.
"Because..." Ymeene trailed off as she sat up, but her eyes remained adverted as she picked a dandelion, admiring the beauty of it then letting it fall out of her palm.
"That's not an answer. You gotta explain Ymeene. That's a part of being human that no one likes." Englebert couldn't figure out where his anger went. it was rather odd. He was so angry storming up here, but yet he could muster any words of malice to throw at her.
"Ymeene?" He asked after another 30 seconds of silence, looking over at her. She was frozen, her eyes filled with tears that dripped down her pale cheeks.
"what is happening?" the Goshawk remained frozen almost to terrified to move. "Why are my eyes dripping?"
"It's called Crying, its normal. you can relax." Englebert commented. ymeene was still tense, but didn't remain frozen. Why are you crying?" He asked, wiping away a few tears with his sleeve.
"I don't know...Its never happened before.." Ymeene whispered. tried wiping them away also. Along with the tears, her throat felt tense and tight, and her head had started to pound. She hated it. It made her feel weak and powerless, but the Goshawk didn't know why.
"Well, I can tell something is bothering you." Englebert didn't give her. a moment to interject. "I have never seen you snap like that. I'm not gonna lie" He leaned back. "You scared me." He tried to lighten the mood a little. it felt foreign to be serious and stern with her. He always put that face on for other people, but not her, She was the one he came to for relief from being serious.
"I'm sorry." She felt the tears coming on again. Ymeene swiped a thin stick up and threw it into the brook, watching it float away down the stream and out of sight.
"Why did you feel the need to do that?" Englebert put his head back on right, adjusting it as he turned to her. the wind pulled her hair away from her body, revealing her shiver and scar
"It reminded me of something, something I don't want to ever experience again." Ymeene took a shallow breath, images of her brothers flashing through her mind, laying scattered across the forest floor while animals scavenged them. The woman brought her head down to her knees, trying to make it go away.
"Well, I have found, the best way for me to get something off of my chest is to talk to someone about it.." Englebert said.
"There's nothing on your chest except a shirt though?"
"what?" Englebert asked, then it clicked " No, no it's a figure of speech. It means discuss your feelings. just, forget about it do you want to talk about What your feeling?" it might make you feel better. If you don't want to, hey that's okay. I'll be here when your ready."
"I don't know how to put it into words. I just saw him come on to you, and Anna said he would kill you easy." Ymeene laid back against the rock and looked upward towards the stars. "I guess I just don't want what happened to my brothers to happen to you." She wiped another tears away.
"Oh..."Eng felt tempted to ask about what happened to them. "I didn't know you have any brothers." He swallowed a little unnerved but interested nonetheless.
"I did. 4 of them, but only one remains now, Flori. He left after we were attacked the third time. He found a mate and he is probably somewhere warm, far away. He never enjoyed the cold weather here." She felt a bittersweet smile come on as she remembered him all cuddled up between her and her other brothers, complaining about how cold it was.
"If you dont mind me asking,-"
"killed by harriers. She Glanced towards him, eyes full of anger. "They were invaded out Territory, stole our food and then they killed my brothers and mother." Ymeene whispered as she grabbed a wad of dandelions in her hand, gripping them as tightly as she could. Eng could see the blood rushing into her face. after a few moments, she let her grip on the dandelion's lessen.
"If I was stronger, they wouldn't have died!" Ymeene shouted, then threw the dandelions and shut her eyes as more tears fell.
"Ymeene thats not your fault!" Englebert wrapped his arms around her. She didn't pull away as he expected her too, but she rather fell into it, softly weeping on his shoulder. "Its not your fault." He ran his calloused hand down her back, his tunic she was wearing as a nightgown now covered in blood and dirt front he nights events.
"I just want to protect you. That man had that knife behind his back and I just couldn't take it! I didn't know he had good intentions, the way they were talking it didn't seem like it." She gripped the clothing of his nightshirt as his eyes went wide.
"Wait hold on he had a unsheathed knife behind him?!" Englebert pulled away quickly, His brown eyes full of fear as he fixed his green cloak.
"Yeah? I thought you knew, and were justing playing it cool like you typically do. He looked like he was ready to stab you when you went to shake his hand, thats why I jumped on him. I also heard the back two men talking about how they were going to raid the camp once he killed you. I have really sharp hearing." Ymeene shrugged.
"Oh..." Englebert felt at a loss on what to say. "You really did save my life. Thank you..." He hugged her again even tighter. "I shouldn't doubt you as much as I do sometimes.." The 21 year old sighed, then noticed a bunch of feathers lying in the ground. "Are those yours?" He asked, swiping one off the ground.
"And one feather is, the rest are my brothers. I always kept them with me for luck." She picked up a white and brown one, smiling a little bit. "So tiny." She stood up. englebert watched her shift back into a Goshawk. the man had seen in her hawk form quite a bit, but every time Bert did, he found something new to admire. Ymeene hoped over to Him, swiping her baby feather with beak and hold it to her side. the baby feather was a very tiny, mottled white-ish brown, while her current feathers now were a shiny grey. she set the baby feather down, then reached over and plucked out a tail feather that was about ready to fall out, then set it in Englebert's lap.
"What's this for? doesn't that hurt?" Englebert asked, admiring the long feather, then shutting his eyes to give her privacy to put her clothing on
"Not really. It was going to fall out anyways, it's moulting season. And its for you, to remember me by like I remember my brothers by. Consider it a good luck charm, or whatever those things are called." She smiled. "Thank you talking to me. Getting it off my chest. It did help with how I am feeling." She yawned. "You can remember me by that feather when I get thrown out of the camp for what I just did." the woman shrugged, standing up and offering a hand down to him.
"Dont worry, ill take care of it. I can explain to the councilmen what happened, Some of them are somewhat level headed and competent." You do have to apologize for mouthing off to Tombs though, Even if he deserves it. Once you apologize and I explain the real situation, hopefully everything will be okay."
"of course I will." she commented, stretching her arms out.
"You most likely just prevented the whole camp from a very dark ending."He held the feather gently in between his fingers. "Your so smart. I can't wait to see what you do in life." Englebert smiled as the newborn dawn cracked the darkness that shrouded the forest.
"I hope its something good." Ymeene leaned against her friend as they walked. She had only slept for about an 35 minutes when he left, and was definitely feeling it now.
"Tired?" He asked. the woman nodded, but her body tensed as Englebert stepped away from her, almost making her fall.
"What are you doing?" Ymeene asked as he crouched beside her.
"Get on and wrap your arms around my neck. Its called pitching, basically it's me carrying you on my back." Englebert said. Ymeene did as he said with hesitation, her nails digging into his shoulder in a weak attempt to cling to him as he lifted her up with ease.
"See-" Englebert started, but stopped as his head fell off from having Ymeene's arms clamped around his neck to hold onto him. It rolled a few feet ahead, almost colliding with a rock.
"... Did that hurt?" Ymeene asked, sliding off back the ground, awaiting Her friend to get himself back in order.
"Yeah, little bit, but nothin a good nap cannot fix." Englebert grabbed his head and put it back on.
"hmm. how about..." He readjusted his cloak.
"Transform into a hawk and you can sit in my hood for the walk back. that way my head will remain on, and you can get some sleep." Englebert watched her transform. It was a little scary, having a hawk the size of a small toddler on your shoulder for the first time, but Ymeene was extremely gentle as she stepped into his hood, cuddling her head into her wing as the sun broke the horizon, glinting through the colorful trees.
"Good night." Englebert started to walk humming gently to himself as he walked down the path in the crisp morning air.
