Chapter 5.
The next morning I woke to the sound of a robin fluttering around in the grass besides me, hunting for some unfortunate worm or beetle. I laid unmoving, taking in the sights and smells of the new day. A cool breeze played across my skin as I watched the robin's pursuit, taking in a deep breath and enjoying the faint scent of wild daises present in the air.
Life was good. No one to wake me at ungodly hours of the morning, no one hurrying me to dress and start on the days work, just me and the birds enjoying the early hours of the misty forest. Pure freedom.
Idly I searched my bundle for a suitable breakfast. The crunch of the ripe apple sounding deafening in the midst of my tranquil surroundings, the juices cool and sweet as they rolled down my chin. I wiped my mouth clean with my sleeve-no need for table manners here-and stood up stretching and letting out a monstrous yawn that frightened away my little feathered friend and continued on my way down the stream bank.
I meandered through the forest following the twists and turns of the mountain brook as it flowed on its winding path. The hours ticked by peacefully. My thoughts drifted through old memories and imagined new ones.
Lost in a daydream, my mind was now in a new and foreign land. Walking though another forest, this one with strange and grand trees with multiple colors all bright and crisp looking, making my way back to my beautiful dream home set near a cliff facing the ocean. The path to the door was lined with smooth little pebbles that gleamed in the sunlight like polished glass. The painted door was open just a crack and inside I could see someone waiting for me. I eased the wooden frame open and found the person waiting for me to be none other than the yellow-eyed man who had haunted my dreams the night before.
My head snapped out of its fantasy world as I heard the sound of thunder rolling somewhere in the distance. Looking up I could see the storm clouds gathering some distance behind me and racing forward at an ever-quickening pace. I shuddered as the first cold gust of wind hit me and hugged my pack close to my side.
The air was filled with the sense of electricity that comes before a powerful storm, yet I felt as if I was aware of something different, something more. After a moment of struggling to name this new sensation I realized it was the bone chilling feeling of being followed. I looked behind me into the ominous trees that seemed to grow darker by the second, but I saw nothing except loose branches that were beginning to thrash about in the wind.
I tried to shrug it off as paranoia, but I couldn't help the feeling of dread from balling up in my stomach as I searched for a place near the water to wait out the storm.
The cold rain stung as it pelted down on me while I stumbled across the slippery stones, the harsh wind whipping my hair in violent patterns, beating across my face and limiting my vision. I quickly gave up hope of finding anyplace that looked even remotely dry, and slumped against the base of a large moss covered pine. Shivering fiercely and looking like a drowned rat, I began to long for the comforts of home.
Oh what I would give to be safe and warm back in my little bed! This morning's perfect dream had suddenly turned into a nightmare.
Maybe they would search for me? No, of course they would search for me. I couldn't be too far from the roads could I? Perhaps they would even bring out the dogs and follow my sent, but I suppose the rain and all the splashing I'd been doing in the stream wouldn't help that. But still, they would find me eventually, all I had to do was wait it out for my rescue.
As the fierce rains turned into a steady drizzle I imagined the looks on their faces if they found me like this, curled up under a tree, sopping wet and over all completely pathetic looking. Papa's features would be stern and disapproving, yet not unkind. Mother would be in hysterics, fussing about how her beautiful daughter was in such a state. Gregor, a smile touched my lips as I thought of the quirky old man, Gregor would be doing his best to stifle his laughter as he helped me up and made me march straight home.
"What were you thinking?" I couldn't help but mumble out loud.
Great. As if the situation wasn't bad already I was now talking to myself like a lunatic. Maybe I did deserve to be laughed at. I wouldn't ever marry Jonathan but there had to have been some better way to avoid the unpleasant situation instead of charging off into the wilderness like an angry five year old. Did I have mush for brains? I had never spent a full night away from home yet I thought I would be fine and dandy traveling alone through a dangerous forest.
Ugh. The rain had let up but I was still soaked and bitterly cold. I checked my bag, the bread was mush, the book looked ruined, and my extra clothes had turned into a pile of wet rags. Ringing the icy water out of my hair and clothing, I picked up my things and returned to the tiny river.
Thinking clearly now that I wasn't in a dismal state of self-pity, I had to weigh my options. If I went north I could maybe find my way back home. I missed my cozy little cottage so bad but what would I do when I got there? I couldn't go back to my parents or they would surely find a way to stop me from leaving again. There was no one in my village that could help me; even Gregor would side with Papa on this matter. The only option left was for me to keep heading south in hopes that I would run into another town soon. If all went well maybe I could find someone who would be willing to help me, or at least stay at an inn for a few nights where I could earn my keep.
Wearily I let out a sigh. I knew I was being optimistic again but what other choice did I have? I set out south once more.
I tried to stay in the sunlight as much as possible in an attempt to dry off, but the forest mist didn't help at all and I was still drenched when the sun began to set. At least my hair was dry…partially.
Finding two sticks I rubbed them together trying to make sparks for a fire, but the attempt was laughable since everything around me was just as wet as I was. What was it Papa had always done to start a flame in weather like this? I couldn't remember for the life of me. I should have paid more attention to the old man instead of tuning him out for the comfort of my daydreams.
After a few more unsuccessful attempts I gave up and learned against a cracked and weathered bolder to watch the sun finish setting behind the mountains.
It grew dark surprisingly fast and my feeling of paranoia returned with a vengeance. I swore there was something out there lurking in the darkness but I couldn't here a sound.
"Hello? Are you looking for me?"
My only response was silence. I sat there watching the shadows around me as the minutes slowly inched by but there was nothing.
Then suddenly my heart skipped a beat as a group of branches not far from me began to rustle and I could hear something big making it's way to the water. Fear flowed throughout my veins and I sat sill as a statue frozen in terror. I took in a silent breath and held it, not daring to make a sound, and prayed that I wouldn't die out here alone.
What ever it was came closer, almost visible now in the darkness. The old farmwives back home had told tales of monstrous creatures that walked the dark forest and ate lost men and innocent children, but I had never given them a second thought, always thinking they were meant to scare children from wandering off alone. Suddenly they seemed much more believable.
The rapid thumping in my chest reached uncontrollable speeds. Any second now I would see it, any second now I coul-
It was a stag. I let out and audible breath of relief. The monster I had so feared was none other than a poor beast that was just on its way to drink from the stream.
Without a sound I watched the graceful creature take in its surroundings. Realizing I was no threat it bent to lap up the cool pure water. I couldn't help but to admire the beautiful creature with its big antlers and gentle ways.
Then its head snapped up, sniffed the air twice, and sprinted out into the darkness running like it was being chased by death itself.
The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. The deer had been aware of my presence; it was not I that had scared it off. The uncontrollable fear returned as I sat there trying my best to blend in with the darkness and wishing I was anywhere but here.
Then to give real meaning to my fright, a sound came from somewhere north along the current. A sound that sounded dauntingly like footsteps. This time I did not cry out. Whoever it was my instincts told me it would be better if they didn't find me.
The footsteps, I could tell for certain they were footsteps now, came closer heading directly toward me. My whole body tensed, ready to leap from my hiding place and make a mad dash for my life if need be.
The figure moved closer; almost cautiously, almost unsure, but still undeviating from the path leading straight towards me. I could make out the shape of a man, tall and lean. Then he stopped in his tacks and stood as if listening to the sounds of the night.
Silence.
Then the man swore with a voice harsh yet pure at the same time. The strangest sound I had ever heard. In an instant he was gone, leaving so fast that I was uncertain if he had really been there in the first place.
I slumped back against the bolder, tired and trying to ease the tension in my muscles all the fear had created, and just closed my eyes focusing on slowing my breathing. Then I heard it. The sound of thunder yet there were no clouds in sight. I almost felt like laughing. Could this night possibly get any worse? What now?
I looked around the tree's as the sound grew louder and more recognizable.
Horses? Who would be out riding this time of night? The hoof beats grew louder; maybe it was a search party.
Their bodies flew past me in a blur and whirled around with the call of their leader.
"Halt! Look at this." All five of them turned to face me.
"What is this?"
"A woman."
"A child"
They were not the search party I had expected. I stared at those who had found me in wonder. These creatures had the sleek legs and torso of the finest thoroughbred but where the beasts neck should be the body blended seamlessly with the upper body of a man.
The leader stepped forward, his muscles rippling and his coat dark and shinning, matching perfectly the hair on top of the most beautiful face I had ever seen. He looked at me with an amused smile, lowering his arm as if to offer me assistance from where I lay cowering, and when he spoke his voice was gentle.
"Do not be afraid my friend, I am Ramuel."
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