The next few days, I stayed with Zoë and her father. I could barely keep the girl away-she always looked at me in wonder and, to be honest, I wished her to leave me alone. She was pretty, yes- and easily flustered, especially if I complimented her- but her constant presence was overbearing.
The gypsy clan held little love for me other than Zoë and her father and another boy- a warrior named Artan.
I joined Artan on his morning hunt. I was learning to use a bow because my ax- well, it was only good for battles, not hunting. Artan brought his slim finger to his lips and pointed in front of us. I saw where he was pointing. There was a doe not too far out. I fumbled for an arrow out of my quiver with shaking hands and knocked it. When the doe was a bit closer, I let the arrow fly and it hit the tree with a thud making the deer run.
"Sorry," I mumbled.
I looked to see Artan trying not to laugh and I sighed.
"My skill never lay in a bow."
"I can see why. Was your mind on something besides on your target?"
"No."
He laughed. "Sure seems like it. What of Zoë?"
I got up, pulling the arrow from the tree.
"What of her?" I asked, baffled.
"She's stricken by you."
I rolled my eyes. "It's because I'm different is all."
Artan laughed. "You don't like her?"
I sighed. "I've only been here a few days, Artan. I ... I don't know how long I will be welcome here. I'm also … well, I'm not right for her."
He clapped me on the shoulder. "They said you are welcome here as long as you want."
"I'm bad luck," I whispered. "To stay here is not good for your group."
He chuckled. "You never know, Jaspen."
I followed him as quietly as I could, but I wasn't used to stealth or the heaviness of my new boots and he kept periodically looking back and giving me a quick scowl and putting his index finger to his lips. I would mouth "Sorry." After about the fifth time he did this, I motioned I was going to go back to camp, but he shook his head. I forgot that they had a mountain lion in the area- or something big that had killed one of the babes a few days back.
Finally, he saw a deer. Instead of me taking a shot, he did this time and we followed her blood trail for a while before we came up on her.
"Help me carry her back," he said.
"Sure," I said, helping him heft the weight.
When we arrived back, I helped him take the doe back to his tentative wife. She didn't know what to make of me yet. Artan said she just feared me- she knew what my kind was capable of and didn't know what to make of me yet. I gave her a shy smile and she nodded her head.
"Thanks for the help," she said.
"Aye. Anytime," I said, looking down. "See you, Artan."
With that I stalked off towards Zoë's wagon. Halfway there she caught up to me.
"Jaspen!" she said excitedly.
"Hey," I said with a forced smile.
"How was the hunt?"
I pulled a feather I'd found out of my pocket and handed it to her. She smiled flushing like she usually did.
"Thank you!"
"Anytime."
She ran her fingers over it, smiling from ear to ear. It was slightly contagious- making me smile more than just my grim smile.