Avery stood in the corner of the church observing the reactions from the background with a frown forming on her simple face.
Her mother was busy in the center of the villagers voicing her opinions wanting to join in with the council on their thoughts trying to act like she was an active person in this community making the red head roll her eyes.
She sighed at the people arguing over the whole situation making her slightly shake her head with the feeling of disappointment spreading through her body. She didn't enjoy the hunt in any form, but part of her believed there was corrupted ways entering the council not caused by the seer. Only Avery seemed to have absolute faith in how the Skies worked and always obediently followed the guidance given.
The redhead scoffed at another wild remark by a councilman wile walking out of the door looking at the small town she had watched change so much in the last couple years.
"Have they already started to shame me?" Came an older voice making Avery look over her left shoulder.
Madam Clarice was leaning against the brick building holding her cane in front of her while tapping her fingers on the stick. Avery smiled at the seer who always sensed her presence knowing the woman wasn't too far from all of the commotion.
She suspected the old woman would be outside the church waiting to make her grand entrance.
"I don't know what they are thinking." Avery sighed. "Randel's fascination with Sophia has turned very dark. But him attacking her in order to claim the girl will only anger the gods."
"And do you think I'm corrupt Avery? Many are going to say I am."
Smiling Avery chuckled at the words spoken. "I'm afraid I'll never suspect you of being corrupt Madam, but I have always thought you were a bit insane. You're still close to the gods in my opinion however. Maybe we should all be a little crazy. Maybe living in this world would be easier…" Avery hummed while she joined the seer leaning against the building as a breeze hit her face slightly.
"Hmmm. How long have you known about Randel's obsession?" Clarice asked curious at how long the red head knew.
"It's not hard to figure out! I'm surprised that he's allowing his desires to mess with the codes of the skies. He really is changing for the worst." Avery laughed wondering how no one else could see how the councilman was abusing his power.
Clarice softly smiled listening to how Avery could decider things so easily. She was an observant girl who often didn't speak her mind. She stayed closer to the sidelines always watching almost like a seer.
"You never got back to me about our last discussion Clarice." Avery said snapping the old woman out of her daze.
"Hmmmm. I went and prayed to the skies about you becoming a seer as you asked."
"And?" Avery pressed feeling anxious about what the gods would say.
"I'm afraid that they have other plans for you my child. It is not in your future to become like me. I did tell the gods how I thought you'd be an excellent replacement however." Clarice said with a hint of a smile.
Avery let out a disappointed scoff. She had rejected marriage proposals due to the want of being something better in the village. She was a kind soul and rare making Clarice eager to take her as an apprentice, but the skies were strict instructing the seer that Avery would have a different path. Avery had a dream of being the next seer since she was a young child, yet it seemed like she didn't have the future she thought could help the people in the village.
"I should probably walk inside at some point." The seer mumbled with a small frown forming almost ready to push herself off the wall.
"Or," Avery interjected placing her body next to the seer leaning against the church walls. "We can both enjoy being outside a bit longer without being surrounded by all those annoying beings."
The seer seemed pleased with the words spoken from Avery since she didn't move from her spot knowing that this might be the last moment of serenity she would ever have.
The two woman sat in silence listening to the soft breeze making music through some of the trees and bushes that were outside the church building trying to think of anything besides the awful rumors now being spread throughout the village.
Meanwhile in the church room, the arguments continued.
"Why would you say the seer is corrupted?" Another woman asked standing close to Mr. Spein. Sophia wondered if this was perhaps his wife which made the girl feel pity for the two.
"It seems she takes walks in the woods under some sort of protection. We all know the laws which are strict, so why is she allowed to enter without being harmed?" Randel questioned back which made Sophia look back up toward him with wide eyes. She felt horror within herself for what she accidentally told the man.
Some whispered hearing that Clarice could freely walk in the Wolfmen domain.
Sophia however felt anger rise within her knowing the council used her information against the seer. She glared directly toward Randel who saw her unhappy expression. Tilting his head, Randel knew the beautiful girl might think she was the reason behind the seer's demise. But he quickly gave her a wink hoping to charm her into being a good girl.
"There are other reasons I feel like the women is not fit for her position. She is often seen talking to herself and speaking in some language that does not exist."
"Well she's blind! Maybe she thinks she is speaking to someone!" Another villager argued trying to defend the woman called of the gods to guide them.
"He's right, she has become worst with age…" some mumbled agreeing with Randel about the sanity of Clarice. "I saw her speaking to a wall the other day."
"Perhaps she speaking to the gods?" Someone offered not liking to offend the wise woman who they sincerely believed to be the chosen.
Randel scoffed at the suggestion looking to the fellow councilmen.
"That's pushing it. Don't you think sir?" Randel questioned the man who put his head down feeling ashamed by his suggestion.
"So we should allow our daughters to be fed to the wolves?!" The other man in black said walking near Randel. "Haven't we had enough of this tradition? Being victims to the Wolfmen is not something we should endure anymore!"
"She is the only one who has pushed the tradition." Another councilman added. "I mean, who here can say they wish for the picking and hunt to continue?"
Silence filled the room and Sophia could sense everyone agreeing on one thing.
They wanted the hunt to end.
As many were processing the words spoken, Randel's father came forward with a calm demeanor while having a frown formed upon his face.
"It seems it is time to perhaps end the hunting season altogether. Clarice has done things we have to question. Even if she isn't in some arrangement with the wolves, she is demonstrating signs of going mad. Maybe she wasn't trying to make things worse for the village, but she certainly isn't making things better."