"That's an interesting idea…" Sophia said stepping back after hearing the seer looking at her cautiously. She was definitely one to change her personality too quickly making Sophia consider maybe she was losing her mind. Clarice was wise, but there was as possibility the woman was crazy?
It wasn't that Sophia minded the seer holding her chin, but the girl's eyes were drawn to under the arm of Clarice where a large dagger resided. And Sophia was pretty sure she didn't see that before they entered the woods.
She carefully backed away watching the woman's movements curious as to why she would bring a weapon if she had sanctuary in the woods. Was the crazy woman lying?
Clarice chuckled in a knowing way when she felt the distance between them. It seemed that the seer really could understand what went through the minds of the villagers without seeing anything.
"Is something bothering you child?" She pressed with her usually teasing tone.
Sophia didn't answer at first feeling a nervous sweat appear on the backside of her neck. She never felt unsafe with the seer, but she felt the need to be cautious. "Madam, what is that behind your left arm?"
Clarice stayed still for a moment making Sophia believe she didn't speak loud enough for the woman to hear. As the girl was about to repeat her question, Clarice pulled the dagger from under her cloak holding it with both hands.
"Does it scare you for me to hold this Sophia? Are you frightened?"
Clarice started to play with the knife between her fingers giving Sophia a chance to inspect the beautiful weapon with her eyes.
It had many different gems decorating the top with a gold bar. Her eyes study it memorizing the design and skill that went into making such a creation. Although a weapon, Sophia saw beauty within the metal. Even though it might be the weapon to kill her and leave her in the woods today, she thought it was worthy of it.
"I'm surprised you're nervous around me with a knife. I obviously can't see. How can I possibly be a threat with this weapon?" she teased making Sophia gulp not liking the jokes.
In fact, Sophia knew for certain Clarice was a threat with a weapon. The seer was way too aware of her surroundings.
"Take it." Clarice instructed holding the knife out for the girl to grab.
Hesitating for a moment, Sophia stepped up to the seer reaching for the knife slowly. At first hold, the dagger seemed heavy, but adjusting her hand around the handle, it seemed to be a perfect fit with her hand. She then moved it around like the seer had earlier.
"You will be taking this with you on the hunt Sophia. It's best you become accustomed to it."
Sophia whipped her head. "That's against the rules! We only enter the woods with the clothes we wear."
"Hmmm…That's weird. I don't remember that. I guess my memory is fading. Maybe I am becoming mad." Clarice responded making Sophia know that the seer was serious about her taking the weapon. And Sophia also realized Clarice was fully aware of Randel's ideas of her becoming too crazy.
"Why are you giving it to me today and not the same night of the full moon?" She asked thinking to how Clarice refused for her to wear the red hood gifted to her at the marketplace until the night of the hunt.
"Because I need you to use it today. I told you humans have a distinct smell to the creatures of the woods. And he will be searching for you the entire night until sunrise using his sense of smell."
Sophia nodded still not knowing what the seer needed her to do.
"You need to slice your arm and leave traces of blood for the beast to find tonight. I want him to become memorized with your scent driving him crazy until the actual night comes."
Sophia looked at the seer with wide eyes with her mouth agaped.
"Why should I do that? Doesn't that give him better access to find me?" She demanded with a little bit of fear within rising. "You said you would be manipulating their gifts, but you seem to be giving them more of an advantage."
"Sophia my dear, do you trust me? Because if you do not, then this training is utterly useless and you might as well go home." Clarice sighed annoyed with how much the girl was arguing over the small action she required.
Sophia looked at the knife breathing slowly. The seer was suppose to guide the chosens while preparing for the hunt, but this seemed to contradicting to the goal of survival.
Looking back at the blind woman, Sophia decided to trust her instincts. Although the woman was a bit mad, something inside her urged her that Clarice was her ally.
"Yes madam. I trust you. Please forgive me."
"Very well, slice the side of your arm and allow the blood to drip upon the ground. I can smell that the wolfman has been present recently, and I have a feeling he will visit once more since he has found something entertaining."
The black hair girl paused curious on what the seer meant, but she chose to ignore it.
Sophia gently pushed the knife against her clear beautiful skin not wanting to damage herself in the process. But she knew she would need to cut her deeply in order for a good amount of blood to leave her arm. The pain made her flinch, but she kept her eyes closed trying to finish the request the seer asked. She was concentrating clenching her jaw and left fist.
She finished quickly looking at her bleeding left arm where a scar would be visible from her shoulder to elbow.
Blood began to ooze out of her body making her feel bile rise in her throat. Holding back the urge to puke, Sophia watched her warm blood spread in the wooded area.
"Perfect. He will now know what your scent is."
"How will he know it's me?" Sophia asked still watching the blood drip.
"The chosen has a connection with the beast when they are picked. Once he smells the blood, he will immediately recognize it to be you." Clarice began to say softly before adding, "I would love to see his face knowing you gave him some bait. You are a little tease Sophia."
Sophia went red at the words, but nodded as she sliced the bottom of her dress. She then used the cloth to wrap and bandage her fragile arm. Hopefully she could put a long sleeve dress on before her mother noticed anything.
"Now, Hand me back the dagger. You will have it once again on the night of the hunt." Clarice said to Sophia holding out her hand.
Sophia handed the knife back to the seer where the woman quickly covered it once again under her clothing making her appear to be a poor defenseless villager.
"Now let's leave the woods and discuss the rest of our plan. I fear it's getting too late and I don't want others to be worried I had you out in the forest too long. Councilman Randel is already talking that council about my sanity."
Sophia laughed loudly which made even Clarice shocked.
"Well you did ask me to cut myself so the creature could find me." Sophia remarked to herself in a sarcastic manner walking next to Clarice who started to guide the way back to the village using her cane. "The man might actually win his case."
"Yes. I'd appreciate if you don't mention that to anyone. It will definitely help with his case." The seer grumbled annoyed with how the councilmen tried so hard to control the ways of the skies. It was no secret no one in the village liked her, but Randel perhaps had a hatred that ran deep.
"My lips are sealed!" Sophia chuckled with the blind woman as they approached the home of their people.