Teres stabs the slimy black creature with the two claws of his thumb and pointer. He tugs the last leech away from Ferrin's unconscious body. He places it onto a broad leaf along with the others. He then grabs onto the small wet cloth, which was another piece from the boy's chemise. He dabs it over the bloody spot where the leech had latched itself onto Ferrin. The beast had also previously changed the boy's bandages over the gash on his belly. He had placed a mix of healing herbs within them. The boy was sprawled out over the bedding. His body was entirely limp and cold. And most worrisome his lips were a daunting shade of blue. Teres had, again and again, placed his ear to Ferrin's chest, and thankfully each time heard the slow drumming of his heart. But it was light. Teres had an uneasy feeling. The boy was dying. He had tried to warm him with his body heat, but it wasn't just the cold that was killing him. He had also lost significant amounts of blood.
Teres was beginning to panic. He wasn't sure what else to do. He looks over the boy, and then towards the mouth of the cave. He considered trying something. But it would be a risk to fly with Ferrin. It was still cold out. Beyond that, Teres more than anyone knew the cost of this solution. The beast turns his attention back to the boy. He makes a quick decision before wriggling his arms beneath the boy's knees and around his shoulders. He lifts him, standing to his feet. Teres grasps tightly onto the frail human, starting towards the mouth of the cave. He had to try. He couldn't let him die too...
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Lavender treads lightly down the dirt path, hugging her sides. Something didn't feel right. She couldn't shake it. Her heart was pounding in her ears, and her chest felt heavy. She had felt this once before. Though never this strongly. Lavender recognized the emotion instantly. Ferrin. Ferrin was in trouble. More so than ever before.
When she felt this before, the two were very young. Some of the other village boys had coaxed him into the woods. Notably one of the boys was Hierance. They had teased him. And then one of them, Burkely, the son of a once-wealthy merchant, had progressed things further. He had begun to hit Ferrin and soon brought a knife to his throat. All in "good fun" and "roughhousing" according to Hierance and the others. Lavender at the time had felt the same thing. A sense of dread and worry. She had tracked down her father to find the boys and put a stop to the bullying. That was a long time ago. And yet there was no mistake. She knew Ferrin was in danger. Before it was a dull feeling; But now it was almost crippling.
She walked quickly. It was dark. She had yet to return home from the seamstress. She was avoiding her father, who was most of the time passed out drunk. Though when he was awake he was bitter. He would often cry or slam his fist into the wall, break things, and mutter to himself about the evils of the world. He was suffocatingly bitter. And oftentimes she found herself cleaning up his mess, making sure he ate or putting him to bed. So that night she instead simply walked about the streets. Lavender quickly realized she would have to make a stop at home. There was no more time to wait. It was time that she track down the creature, and find her brother.
Lavender now walked back down the dirt path she had previously. The same one where Ferrin had been dragged off down to his doom. She held an old lantern in hand, though thankfully, the moon also shone brightly that night. She gazes down the moonlit path, clutching onto her ratty old cloak. She shivers as a soft, yet icy breeze ruffled her skirt. She could see her breath before her. Winter was coming nearer no doubt, but the change in weather was sudden. She worried that it may snow prematurely. If that happened more of her people would starve. Or be sacrificed like Ferrin. She could barely imagine herself finding him through several feet of snow either.
She pushes the thought away, focussing again on the path. There ahead was the clearing. She steps out into it, glancing around. She turns her eyes upwards, staring at the treetops in the direction of where she had seen it take him. Lavender starts towards it, crossing the clearing to get a closer look. Upon arriving in front of the grim edge of trees, she squints her eyes. She stares up at the canopy, the moon illuminating just enough for her to see it. Just as she suspected, bark and branches were torn away from where the beast had grasped onto its trunk. No doubt it left many markings more of this sort. She starts past it, looking ahead for more signs. It didn't take her long to spot another gash a few trees away. It was an easy enough path to follow, even for her. Though Lavender realized that there was no dirt trail. The forest floor was thickening. The grass and shrubs were tall, reaching up just barely past her bony hips. The ground below was extremely uneven.
After some time, the way along the marked-up trees was beginning to decline downward. Lavender pants, tired. She was exhausted and cold. Nothing would be better than to sit by the hearth wit Ferrin as they often did. The two used to laugh and play together on nights like these. But that wasn't an option. The only thing waiting for her at home was an empty bed, a drunken father, and an even emptier feeling.
Her sides ached from the long walk. She even considered removing the stay from her gown, but undressing would not fare well in the cold. Though the garment was uncomfortable, it did provide some warmth. She realized too that movement helped her stay warm as well. Once she reaches the bottom of the hill the trees had lessened. She stood in a grassy clearing spotted with wildflowers. Lavender turns her gaze to the ground. Clear as day there were large paw prints with deeply engraved talon markings. No doubtedly they belonged to the beast. Lavender starts to follow them, moving the dry grass out of her way of vision.
She peeks towards the ground when suddenly she hears the sound of a light and feminine giggle. Lavender glances up, jolting in a bit of a startled. Afterward came a deeper voice, talking nearby. The blonde girl couldn't quite make out what they were saying, or who was there. She considered blowing out her lantern, nervous to be caught wandering in the woods so late. Her father made it a point to the rest of the adults not to let her. Especially after Ferrin's disappearance. Suddenly the head of a red-haired girl only a bit younger than her popped up out of the nearby greenery. The ginger girl's eyes quickly land on Lavender. She stands, before stumbling back.
The young girl wore nothing but a chemise, and in her arms was what seemed to be the rest of her clothes. It didn't take much longer for the red-headed girl to panic. She turns before running off towards the nearest trees.
"Nalia! Where are you going?" boomed a masculine, yet familiar voice. Next out from the grass emerged Hierance. He turns as he notices the flickering light, only about half-dressed. Lavender's expression falls flat. She rolls her eyes before turning, saying nothing to him and starting off again. Hierance gasps a bit in surprise. He watches as Lavender starts to stomp away. He scrambles to his feet in haste. The teen then starts after her, buckling his belt as he walked.
"Hey, you! Wait up!" He calls. Lavender ignores him, shaking her head and continuing. He starts in a bit of a run, reaching out and grasping her arm.
"Hold on!" He exclaims. Lavender turns, roughly ripping out of his firm grasp.
"Don't touch me!" She snaps. He steps back, his eyes widened at her sudden outburst.
"Well, you wouldn't stop walking away from me!"
"What else would I have done? I don't care to talk with you."
"And I you. I just want to be sure you don't blab to my father about what you just saw."
Lavender narrows her eyes.
"And if I do?" She threatens. Hierance returns the stony gaze. He leans in before showing a smug sort of smirk.
"You're the one out all alone in the woods on a full moon. You were also the one who went out on a hunt night. They'll call you a witch you know. Some already are." He states proudly, folding his arms. Lavender scoffs. She shakes her head, swirling around again.
"Then why did you ask in the first place? It's none of my business who you choose to lay with anyways." She spits as she starts to stomp away again. Hierance frowns.
"It is too. Aren't you meant to be my blushing bride? You aren't so bad when you're dressed." He adds, following after her. She grimaces.
"The idea disgusts me more than you could dream of. Now leave me be."
"Well I am glad we at least agree on that. You're a bit terrifying. I thought you were supposed to be delicate?" He states. She simply ignores him, choosing to take the insult as a compliment. If she wanted anyone to be scared of her it was him. Though she wasn't quite sure why he was. Lately many of Thornwood seemed to be. She turns her eyes to the ground again, seeing another large track. As she searched there was yet another, and just ahead there again. She walks along, coming close to the trees. Lavender glances up, seeing more bark ripped away.
"What in Goddesses name are you doing out here anyways? Are you actually a witch? Is that what you're doing now?" He asks. Lavender shakes her head, rolling her eyes.
"I'm looking for my brother. Now leave me alone." She answers flatly.
"And how do you think you'll find him?" He snickers, clearly doubting Lavender. She points to the top of the trees.
"Would you fly under a lightning storm then? It left a trail."
Hierance looks towards where she was pointing. He again folds his arms "Huh."
Lavender sighs heavily, entering back into the thick trees and out of the clearing. She carefully steps over a root and then another, keeping her eyes glues to the canopy. Hierance was at her heels.
"Well, I s'pose you're right about that. Though you aren't that smart you know. You're just lucky it's a full moon now. Makes sense why you left now." He rambles. Lavender continues to again ignore him. She frowns as over his voice she heard something else faintly. She stops, raising her hand.
"Shhh!" She exclaims loudly as she listens. The sound of rushing water was near. Were they close to the River of Lost?
"What, have you never heard a river before?" He asks in a muse. She turns to him, glaring.
"No actually... I haven't. Now head back home will you? I don't know why you're following me." She states before continuing onward. Hierance shows a puzzled expression.
"Have you never left Thornwood?"
"Well that's obvious isn't it?"
"But the River isn't even that far! You've never seen it?"
"I said that already." She snips back irritably. Lavender continues to follow the trees, the roaring sound of the river was growing louder the closer she got. Hierance halts, staring at Lavender's back. He stood shocked. He though quickly again begins after her, catching up quickly.
"Well that's a shame, isn't it. It's very pretty really. Though treacherous."
"I'm aware."
"Oh, that's right... Your mother, she died from the falls didn't she?"
He said this so casually. there was no gentle air in his voice. Just a blunt and flat question.
Lavender stops in her tracks. She turns towards him, glaring. Her cheeks now were ablaze with a tint of red fury.
"It's none of your business. And what I'm doing now isn't either. Now for the love of Goddess leave me be! Run back home to your Pop and tell him I'm a witch for all I care. Just go!" She finally snaps, raising her voice. Hierance eyes her, his expression emotionless and unchanging. He seemed almost bored if anything.
"Are you done yet?" He asks plainly. Lavender grunts in aggravation.
"Why are you following me? What are you getting from this?" She hisses. He chuckles, raising his chin in the air a bit.
"Entertainment I suppose. I'm excited to see how you plan to get across the River of Lost you see. Or how you plan to waltz into the Lair of the Beast and take your brother, who let's be honest, is most likely nothing but a pile of bones picked clean off. Even if you waited for the beast to leave it would be a terrible idea. Do you think it won't smell you? The thing can sense blood from miles away." He states smugly. Lavender purses her lips. Her gaze was burning with rage. She puffs up a bit.
"Of course I know all that. But at least I'm actually making an effort. If I die, I'll die." She assures, her tone low and cold. He snickers.
"You're a bit stupid, aren't you? A pretty face doesn't make a madwoman any less mad." He jeers. That was it. Lavender could barely contain her anger. She clenches her fist. Her knuckles begin to turn white. Hierance continues to flash a condescending smile. She suddenly drops the lantern before reaching into her skirt pocket. She draws out a small knife before bringing it up to the other's throat. The maneuver was quick and without hesitation. She grasps onto his shirt collar, stepping closer as she presses the bade down a bit, ever so slightly slicing into Hierance's throat.
"Call me stupid or crazy again and I will kill you. Do you understand me? Or do I have to make myself a bit clearer?" She spits. Her entire face was crimson with rage. Her features were sharp with menace. He widens his eyes, stepping back and raising his hands. He glances down at the blade and then her again. He had a fearful expression. The man suddenly however reaches down, grabbing the handle of a large sword that rested in his holster. She glances down just as he begins to unsheathe it. Lavender plunges the dagger down, swiping it against the back of the man's hand. He hollers out in pain, backing up and stumbling onto his backside. She stands, watching as he grasps onto his now bloodies hand from the forest floor.
"You bitch! I could get you hung for that!" He screams. She rolls her eyes.
"Then go. Tell your daddy about what I did. I couldn't care less." She sneers before reaching and grabbing a hold of the lantern. The flame clung desperately onto life. She lifts it again, looking to the trees. Hierance sat aghast, watching as she turned back towards the trees. He huffs.
"Go get yourself killed then. I was going to help you! I doubt your brothers alive. But you think I agree with what my father did?" He calls out at her in a whine. She shakes her head continuing.
"I don't need your help." She claims as she again starts to walk off, leaving him behind laying in the dirt.