Ravenna Hawthorne looked over her shoulder. She had just left the cottage she shared with her grandmother, Anne. She walked down her path to the forest, where she had been countless times to gather herbs and plants for their infirmary. The young girl continued on the trail, her long black hair flowing gently in the breeze.
Ravenna was a twenty-one-year-old woman practicing medicine, planning to take over the infirmary her family had run for generations. They were healers and well respected in the small village of Canden. Villagers, young and old, have been treated by Ravenna's family for all ailments, from minor wounds to the significant Sickness that had wiped out a third of the village when it swept through Canden a decade ago. The Sickness had spared Ravenna's grandmother and herself but had claimed both of her parents. The villagers had thrown a great gathering to honor Ravenna's grandmother for being the one to determine the cure for the Sickness, and little Ravenna had been both proud of her family and torn that she had lost her parents.
The wind rustled the trees, and two ravens appeared. Ravenna smiled. Her mother had named her after the ravens she loved so much. Ravenna reached into the pocket of her dress and offered the ravens a snack. The ravens knew her and eagerly approached. Almost affectionately, the birds fluttered their wings against Ravenna's cheek and disappeared, leaving a single black feather behind.
Down by the stream, the young woman stooped to fill her basket with the plants that lined the bank. She peered into the water, and her light brown eyes looked back. They shimmered nearly golden in the sunlight that peeked through the gaps in the trees. A fish splashed water at her, rippling the reflection as Ravenna giggled. Ravenna stood and brushed her hair off her shoulders. She filled her basket with yarrow, wormwood, and dandelion. The pockets of her apron were filled with pennyroyal and rosehips. The young woman sang as she gathered, unaware she was not alone.
Once Ravenna had an overflowing basket and apron, she returned to the Hawthorne family cottage. The old building was made of stone and had a fairytale look. Ravenna loved the cottage she shared with her grandmother and the occasional villager who required their care.
The thick wooden door to her home creaked open, and Ravenna called out for her grandmother. The older woman appeared, carrying a kettle and a smile. Age had carved its story on her face, her greyed hair in a smart bun at the top of her neck. Her grandmother, Anne, set down the kettle and asked how her granddaughter had gathered supplies for their infirmary. Ravenna emptied her basket and apron into the clay pots lining their walls.
Her task complete, Ravenna gathered a pair of teacups for herself and her grandmother. She handed Anne her favorite blue cup decorated with little angels. Ravenna kept the other, a cup with the same design - the only difference being one of the little angels was upside down as if it was falling. Anne poured the tea for herself and Ravenna.
"How was your trip to the forest, dear?"
"I was still unable to get elderberries, but everything else on the list was plentiful," Ravenna told Anne.
Anne was pleased; her granddaughter was learning the family business well. Someone needed to take over to help Canden when Anne was gone, and with the Sickness taking her son and his wife, it was more crucial than ever that Ravenna learn the healer trade.
"One of the villagers told me there would be some extra merchants in the market today, if you are interested in going. They are supposed to have come in from Eravia, they may have some fascinating wares that we cannot normally purchase."
After checking on the young man staying in the family cottage and applying fresh bandages to his wounds, Ravenna decided to go to the village center, her interest piqued by her grandmother's news of new merchants. The young woman changed into a deep blue dress with a fitted bodice. Her grandmother had begun putting pressure on her to dress modestly but in an intriguing manner, as she was at the age to be married.
Ravenna had no interest in getting married- she just wanted to work as a healer for Canden and live a simple life. Several suitors had come to the infirmary with fake illnesses to get attention from Ravenna, but she saw through their guise and let Anne take care of them. She was uninterested in these men, who were willing to lie to gain her affection. If a man were to catch her interest, he would have to know that her work was essential to her, and Ravenna wanted to continue to be the Canden healer and a second wife. But no men in the village would ever agree to her ideals for her life, so she continued to deny suitors.
Ravenna entered the small village center. The Canden fountain stood proudly in the middle, and stalls ringed the circular clearing of buildings.
"Ravenna!" cried the textile saleswoman, Teresa, waving at her friend. She was heavily pregnant with her second child and was hopeful that Ravenna would agree to take care of her again, as she had during the delivery of her son. Ravenna went to Teresa's shop and picked up the small child playing with leaves in front of his mother's stall.
"How are you feeling, Teresa?," asked Ravenna, bouncing her friend's son on her hip.
"Oh, I wish the baby would come already. I haven't slept in what feels like a week! My husband has been helpful though. He attempted to make dinner for the family last night. Luckily we all enjoy burnt potatoes!" Teresa smiled, but her eyes looked weary. "Will your family infirmary be open to helping with this child? You made everything so easy last time."
Ravenna tousled the minor child's golden hair and pinched his tiny cheeks. "Of course. We have had things prepared for three days. Grandmother spent a week weaving the baby basket for your new arrival to go home in."
Teresa looked visibly relieved. She had been suffering from a lack of sleep, plus caring for her home and family. It was a great relief for the woman to know she would be cared for herself.
"Your family must have been sent by the Ruler Himself. I couldn't imagine doing this without you!" Teresa embraced Ravenna, her swollen stomach slightly in the way.
A few other Canden villagers stopped and talked to Ravenna and asked about various things ailing them. Grateful, each villager passed Ravenna a silver coin for her help. She used the money to buy a few supplies for her home and began to head home when one of her more persistent suitors stopped and grabbed her shoulder. Stunned, Ravenna stopped walking as she let out a small yelp.
"Miss Hawthorne, where are you going unattended at this hour?," exclaimed Peter Jones. He was a man in his mid-thirties pursuing Ravenna since she was eighteen. His money was apparent in his appearance; he was well-dressed, and wealth had expanded his waistline. His dull brown hair was combed flat against his head, and his mouth was too wide for his face. Peter was very frog-like in his appearance but very predator-like in his speech.
Ravenna sighed and wriggled her way out of Peter's grasp. "Mr Jones, you know I am capable of taking care of myself. And the sun hasn't even set yet."
"I don't suppose you are willing to take me up on a dinner offer tomorrow night, are you?," persisted Peter, the previous rejections not dampening his efforts. Ravenna felt her stomach tighten. Going without food was preferable to her than going to dinner with Peter.
"My apologies, Mr Jones, I have promised Grandmother to make medicines for the infirmary. We cannot risk the health and lives of Canden villagers over a dinner, unfortunately". Ravenna wished the man would leave her alone. There were many whispers around the village of how Mr. Jones had poorly treated his first wife and beat her into submission. A sixteen-year-old Ravenna treated the poor woman before succumbing to the injuries that Ravenna suspected her husband had caused.
And the looming man watching Ravenna from the shadows would not allow Peter Jones to mistreat her like he had hurt his first wife.
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Peter Jones spotted the feminine figure of the woman he had been attempting to court for years. His eyes traced the curves of Ravenna's body, his appetite growing as he fantasized. Stepping toward his prey, Peter reached out and grabbed Ravenna.
The young woman wriggled free from his grasp as she again rejected him. He pretended to be irritated by this, but he loved the chase. Peter glanced toward the shadows of a building, feigning hurt by the woman's words. He thought he saw things when a pair of ice-blue eyes stared back from the darkness.
Peter huffed. "I will have my day, Ravenna!" He headed out of the village center toward his carriage. He was one of the wealthier villagers who lived outside of Canden, between Canden and Graenwood. Ravenna, being poorer, began to walk home as the sun started to dip lower in the sky.
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Author's Note: Ravenna (Rah-VEN-nuh)