Sylvie's satchel was bursting full within no time.
She began to worry about food. For the last few days all they had eaten was Trout. It was time to eat some real meat, like rabbit, elk, or quail. Sylvie knew they were both growing tired of it.
"Now off to the hunt." She turned her head and spoke to the wolf. "I was thinking, maybe a rabbit or two for tonight. How delightful would that be?" She smiled at the thought.
Hunting rabbits proved to be difficult for Sylvie. She had found a rabbit, but it was elusive. Sylvie grew frustrated with not having the right tools to properly catch it. She looked at the sky, noticing dusk was upon them. She knew she had to get back home.
Tonight, they would go without food. Sylvie didn't like the feeling. Her heart began to race. Her head felt like it was swimming in an abyss of panic. She had fallen asleep and in doing so, put herself in an impossible position.
She knew that now. With the wolf in tow she walked out of the heart of the forest back to her home. She sat down on the porch steps. The feeling of defeat washing over her. Caleb's face came to her mind. He had told her this life would be hard for her, She had never allowed herself to think that thought, and knew in doing so, it could cause her a feeling of overwhelming sadness she didn't dare dwell on.
The truth was when she had been a child she had been secretly in love with Caleb. Sylvie had wished he would ask for her hand someday. That day had come, and never rin a million years had she thought it would. Things had changed over the years for SYlvie. Her mother.
The attack. In the past, Caleb had always seen Sylvie wearing dirty men's attire. Her hair had always been hidden under a cap. Every year she grew more invisible on the island, while Caleb grew into a smart, charming blacksmith. Now he was one of the islan'ds most eligible bachelors. She had overheard how his father got him betrothes to one of the riches debutante's in the village.
How could Sylvie possibly compete with that? She couldn't. So instead of ever admitting those feelings, she shoved them deep down inside of herself and told herself she didn't care for him. He was like a brother to her. She had been so caught up in her own drama she hadn't noticed the feelings were mutual until she did.
When he made the confession she thought he was just being kind. Now that she did know she knew she could never let it happen . She had no real mother ror father. She had no good, upstanding name. She had no dowry. She was nothing.
Sylvie knew her place on this island and in this village. It was not in the arms of Caleb the blacksmith's son.
CALEB
Caleb along with his father, had spent his last four nights in the Smithy forging the weapons the leader had commissioned. They had no trouble acquiring the necessary steel and iron. Amaruq had made sure of that. His father was the fatest and one of the best blacksmith's in the region. His craftmanship was admirable, and known throughout the community. It was 2 am when his father finally allowed him to go to bed.
Caleb had been sweeping away the metal shards as his father walked the flaming red sword over to the four large barrels of water, they kept to cool down the metal. He dipped the blade in, igniting a billow of steam accompanied by a loud sizzling sound.
"Go on to bed, son. You've done well today." His father told him.
Caleb finished his task at hand, placed the broom in a corner by the other cleaning supplies and headed to he door. He was about to open it when he heard his father speak. "I have no idea what Amaruq and his wh*re are up to, son, but tomorrow I need you to keep your eyes and ears open. Report back to me everything that was said."
Caleb's father was not a suspicious person. Hearing him voice his concerns put Caleb on notice. Even though his father wasn't aware of the enormous secret Caleb held. His advice still held true. He turned around and answered his father. "Yes, Sir."
He agreed, and went to bed shortly after, His head had barely touched the pillow before he was up, fed, dressed, and making a muddy trek to the Butcher. This morning the road was nonexsistent. In its place was thick, brown bog mud. Today was turning put o be a hellish day to travel, unless one had a sturdy carriage, and a great pair of boots. THe aftermath of the constant downpour of rain did not thwart the Islanders from their daily tasks.
The streets were still filled. Business carried on like usual Caleb noticed as he passed a potato cart. He also spotted a few wolf posters scattered among the Island vendors. Twenty minutes later, he arrived at the Island butcher shop. It had been established shortly after the owner of the Island constructed the town. It was considered a neutral party. Everyone shopped for choice meats here.
Seconds after Caleb arrived a crimson carriage with gold leaf detailing, came to a halt a few feet in front of him. The footman quickly descended from the bench and opened the carriage door. It was Luna, Sylvie's mother. With help from the footman, she stepped out of the carriage, and walked over to Caleb on the uneven cobblestone sidewalk. Luna was a rare beauty.
He hated to admit he saw the mother-daughter resemblance. Today, she wore a powder blue gown with bell sleeves and a deep sweetheart neckline. Her breasts were once again on display. She wore rouge on her cheeks and lips. Her hair was in a high bun with a single ringlet that rested on her shoulder. Her neck was covered in diamonds, along with her ears and wrists.
Over her exquisite and expensive garments, she wore a gold fur cape with red velvet lining. On her feet were crimson leather boots. Luna was smiling at Caleb. It unsettled him, and made him wonder why she was smiling on such a somber occasion. Caleb himself, had been wrestling with the idea of having to examine human corpses.
His stomach turned and he wanted to bolt everytime he thought about it. The one thing keeping him from running was keeping Sylvie safe from this crazy woman for as long as he could. Caleb knew how much Sylvie loved her mother, and would want her mother to know she was alive, but watching Luna now, and seeing how disingenuine she appeared to be solidified Caleb going through with this plan of allowing Luna to believe that Sylvie had perished in the fire.
Sylvie deserved love. Her mother had always manipulated it for her own greedy motives. No more! Caleb thought.
"Shall we?" He asked her allowed in reference to why they had both come today.
His question melted her overly flirtatious vibes. She seemed somber to him.
"Yes." She replied.
Caleb took her by the hand and escorted into the establishment. It was busy. There was a line that had formed. They decided to follow it. The one led them to the Butcher, not stopping from his task of weighing and unwrapping parchments of meat. He spoke, " State your business."
Caleb cleared his throat and spoke up then, "We are here to identify a body from the fire at wildcats."
The Butcher handed the wrapped meat to a customer who smiled, handed him some coins, and exited the shop. He yelled, "Dimitri!" A few seconds a boy no older than 16 came out from the back.
The Butcher turned around and looked at him, "Come, take over."
The young man nodded his head in agreement, walked behind the counter, put on the blood-stained leather apron, and picked up exactly where the Butcher had left off. The Butcher walked from behind the counter, while wiping his hands on his cloth apron. He then took it off and slung it over his broad shoulder.
Caleb and Luna followed him outside. They were walking behind the shop now in the direction of the old storehouse where they had kept me at refridgerated. The Butcher spoke, "WIldcats was a horrible tragedy. It burned down so fast no one had time to really and save..." He trailed off. "Sorry." He apologized. "If you find your kin please notify the Coroner directly. They will help you with funeral arrangements if needed."
All three stood at the entrance.
"Mind the smell. Cooked flesh can make one gag." The Butcher turned and left them alone.
Caleb didn't need a second telling and quickly packed his nostrils cotton dusted in sulfur. He opened the door. The cool air a long with the stench of death lingered.