Chapter 3

William awoke in a daze. He had dreamt of flight, mischief and a dancing woman whose face seemed always to be placed a touch out of his sight. His eyes adjusted to the light as the remnants of the dream faded into the abyss of his mind. The sunrise cast a grayish tone to the forest yet the trees seemed to come alive as the sky lightened. It would be a clouded day like so many that the country bore. William packed his belongings and hiked deeper into the wood.

The humidity burned the air, causing his wineskin to be emptied faster than normally. He wiped his damp neck and stripped off his soaked shirt. The shirt was darkened from sweat, showing two greens instead of its normal one tone. Bugs landed irritatingly on his skin and the strap of his bag rubbed his shoulder sore. Today would be a long day, he was sure of it.

When his journey took him to a river, he rejoiced within himself. The part he came to was deep enough to bathe in and just a reach further it was shallow enough to cross.

He dipped his already damp shirt into the water and massaged the cloth on his neck. The water was remarkably cool in the summer’s heat. He removed his effects and laid in the water, thankful for the reprieve.

Green eyes stared into the sky. Mists of white painted with grey hinted a dismal summer day. The grass tickled the back of the girl’s neck as she lay on the small creek’s shore. She could stay out here forever, even with the dreary weather. Sadly, her paradise would only last for the short week or until she found her intended catch. The flaw in her plan for a perfect retreat was the price she had to pay.

After quenching her thirst in the small rivulet, Evera grabbed her bow and arrows and replaced them on her back. Her night’s rest stole the pain given by the strain and pressure of her everyday life in Morag. She was rejuvenated and ready to start her search. She tied her hair into a long plait and set out.

“Find the man with the engraved charm.” Evera repeated the words of the soothsayer. Though Evera was not a skilled huntress or the most accomplished warrior, she was chosen for the task by the oracle himself. “…A fortnight left to fulfill my task.” She recalled the important parts, hoping for a clue where to start but no hints had come.

She closed her eyes and left the world, letting her soul feel the earth and dig into its energy. She had learned this back in Morag. To feel the right direction, one must let go. Feel the earth for it will lead you.

The earth swayed her body, wind tossing her hair. It drew her to an unseen animal path beside her. Leaves and rocks were trampled under animal tracks left in the hardening mud. The path strayed off to the side, away from the direction she had come the day before.

“And this way I shall go.” The green eyed girl stole into the wood without delay. If she had only two weeks, she needed to begin.

An hour later, Evera came to a much bigger river. She heard the rushing of the waters before she approached a tree that embedded itself on the brook. The water shined like glass into the sky, drawing her attention captivatingly.

She was just about to get a drink when she spied a man washing himself down the river. He was a tall figure with large muscles and what seemed to be bruises along his back. His growing facial hair showed a very rugged person, most likely an Outlaw seeking refuge in the forest. With men like these, there was not much kindness in their hearts.

She cautiously climbed a tree nearest to her and waited for the man to finish. She looked away in respect but listened to the man splashing in the waters.

Evera smiled to herself. This was the first person she has seen since her journey started. Spending years in the dark hidden with her people, she has not known anything of humanity since her childhood. The man she was fascinated by was the first man she has seen in years, yet she hid for safety. The thought of it amused her.

The young woman turned towards the stranger and gasped when she found no man in sight. She looked within the trees and did not find a moving soul. Warily, she jumped down from her hiding place and glanced around one last time before deciding it was safe. Evera let out a sigh of relief. She was alone.

Her hair, which had been growing steadily tangled, was released for her braid to wash the forest grime from her locks. She had removed her bow and arrows from her back when all of a sudden, leathery hand grabbed her mouth.

Evera struggled within the man’s grasp. She kicked and thrashed about but the aggressor was much stronger than she. The muscular arm that held her captive was wrapped around her waist pinning her to the attacker’s bare torso. Breathing became quite difficult with his hand over her mouth, making Evera lightheaded.

“You are going to tell me why you were watching me.” The rugged man that was washing had somehow slipped from view to reciprocate his role from spectacle to observer. He let go his grip upon his victim’s mouth and moved his hand to hold her arms down. Evera quieted her attempts to escape and began to breathe as normally as any panic-stricken person could. “Why were you trailing me?”

“Get off, you brute!” Evera grabbed his wrist and dug her unkempt nails into his skin. The man cried out in pain and the sting caused him to flinch, giving Evera enough time to force herself free. She didn’t run, for numerous reasons, with the most credible being her curiosity. Keeping her back to the stranger, Evera uttered, “I was not following. I was hiding from you.”

The rugged person massaged his wrist and stared at the back of the chestnut brown hair. His confusion was evident, even in the shared silence. Evera turned to glare at the man who, moments before, had been grasping her to the point of pain.

William’s mouth hung open at the sight. The woman who stood in front of him was a breath taking creature. If he had believed in some of the tall tales he had heard from markets-goers, he would have sworn this woman was nothing less than a fallen angel. She was other-worldly beautiful with a thin frame and long arms. Her hair fell down in brown curls hanging to her waist, which curved in so perfectly without the use of any corset. Her eyes were a pair of forest green orbs that seemed almost unnaturally reflective and her baby face cheeks looked as smooth as marble. The woman had even held herself up in a posture that demanded respect by all who crossed her path.

“What is wrong?” Evera questioned. “Is it difficult to understand that a woman, who clearly is vulnerable and alone, would hide from a man who is undoubtedly stronger? I have the right mind to strike the confused look from your face but seeing as it would bring my hand more pain than yourself I will neglect to do so, and not for the fact that you are more powerfully built.” Evera stole a glance at his bare torso. Ashamed of her interest and angered with his arrogance, she took a breath and gazed at the trunk of the withering tree beside her, still waiting for her answer.

“Unnatural.” William whispered. He smiled and chuckled at the stranger. Evera’s brows furrowed from the unintelligible remark.

“Can you tell me the way out of the wood?”

Evera stared straight into his eyes. Something about the eyes seemed familiar, as if she had seen them in a dream. He appeared to be an outlaw yet he had a certain air of kindness to him. Evera was bewildered by the man but would not let any puzzlement be shown, lest she be robbed of the advantage of her hardened exterior. The stranger replied in a strong voice.

“I am headed out myself if you would accompany me. My time in the wood is nearing the end and I believe the hour of change is nigh.” The man pointed west across the river. He strode to pick up his shirt before asking, “How did a woman such as you get lost this far into the forest and survive for this long?”

“It is none of your concern.” Evera fixed her tangled locks and smoothed her dress. “I will, however, follow you to the outskirts. How far a walk is this journey?”

“A day and a half, maybe two days.” Evera’s heart fell. Her amount of time was limited enough as it is and to bear a journey with an unknown stranger is difficult. Dark things could happen in the night, especially when she is a slender woman traveling with such a brutish man. She mustered up her vigor, picked up her hunting weapon and began to walk. Not hearing footsteps follow, she paused then turned to her newfound companion.

“Hurry then. If the walk is that far, I would like to start.”

He shook his head at the girl. She scoffed off his need of feeling superior, like all Human males do. The man found his belongings he had hidden in the brush and hoisted them on his back. Together, they started off into the forest, leaving the river rushing in their wake.