Chapter 4 - The Fish and The Cabin.

Alice sat down in a rock next to the river as she placed her fishing rod between two smaller rocks to lock it in place, its been already two days, she didnt know where she was and she knew this lake wasnt anywhere near her home, her village... Her family.

A fish bit the lure.

In the last days she noticed how easy it was to fish in this lake, it was the only thing keeping her alive, besides the hollow tree she had been using as a place to guard herself from the cold and predators.

She didnt have her crossbow so she couldnt risk her life trying to fight the wolf packs that often passed by at night, she only hoped to hear Aloide's voice one day, being near a friendly werewolf could solve many of her problems.

Another fish goes to the bucket.

What if her brother never came looking for her? What if the whole village got slaughtered and she couldnt be there to fight? Was there anything she couldve actually done...?

She couldnt help but think of all the people she probably would never see again, her father, Alistair, her uncle, her whole family, her friends... Did she have any friends at all? She was always in the library or climbing trees at the borders of the village...

Another fish bites the lure.

Was Maud her friend? She had only spoken with her three times, but she had trusted Alice enough to show her the secret room in the library... And she was... Really nice.

The book came to her mind.

Why was her last name in the book? Did her father hide things from her? Was it what actually happened to... Her mother?

«i hate being alone with my thoughts»

— you got plenty of fish there girl — a strange voice said from behind her.

When she turned around, she saw a man, she recognized his clothes, his accent, everything about him, it was one of the men from the clan that attacked her home.

— you could say that — she replied in a cold tone.

— mind sharing one or two? My men and i are camping not far from here and we are starving. You seem to have a lot of luck with that rod — he said with a smirk

«once im armed i will kill each one of you bastards, thanks for letting me know about your location...»

— sure, grab a few, ill catch more. — she said quickly.

The man grabbed three fishes and put them in the bag hanging from his shoulder.

— you look pretty young to be around all alone, kid. — the man's voice turned slightly lower as he knelt down next to her, maybe a bit too close.

— im old enough to do whatever i want, do you have a problem? — her voice turned aggressive from one moment to the other.

The man raised his hands and backed off.

— well well, you got an attitude, we'll see how it goes for you later. — he started walking away — thanks for the fish. —

She just nodded and turned her head back towards the lake, she shouldve kept her tone down.

But then, another voice sounded behind Alice, a voice that this time, she could perfectly recognize, she instantly turned around.

— Alice? — said Maud from behind a tree — i thought you had... Stayed in the village. —

Alice ran up to her and hugged her instantly, it was comforting to see at least someone survived.

— for the gods, how did you find me? — her grip got tight around her — i thought you had stayed too.

— no, my mother told me to go, and i started walking through the forest for the last few days, im so happy i found someone... —

— my father did the same... — Alice slowly pulled away — sorry, d- did i hurt you? — she said embarrassed, letting go of her.

— no no, dont worry — Maud replied with a small, tender giggle, full of hope at the newfound company. — your hands are strong...

Alice's cheeks turned slightly pink as she slowly made her way back to the bucket full of fish, as she picked up her fishing rod, there was another fish in the lure.

— lets go cook these, im guessing youre pretty hungry, Maud... — she started walking holding her stuff — follow me, but be quiet, there's men from that clan camping around, i wish i could... — she looked down — i wish i could kill them —

Maud put her hand on her shoulder.

— once we go back to the village, im sure the leaders will plan a defensive attack, dont worry... — she kept her hand on Alice's shoulder for a second before letting go.

Alice just nodded and kept walking.

They arrived at the hollow tree by the time the sun started to hide behind the distant mountains, it was dark, but they managed to collect a few branches to make a fire, luckily enough, Alice had always packed a pocket Stone Lighter.

They sat next to the fire as the fishes cooked, in pure silence except for the creeping sounds of the night, the wood burning into coal and the distant sounds of the creatures from the forest.

— did you see any... Hunter... When you were running away? — Alice asked hoping to hear about her brother or father

— no, i didnt, sorry... — Maud made a small pause before speaking up again — youre talking about your family?

Alice noded and looked down to the fire.

— i hope theyre okay...

Her mind went back to her house burning to ashes, did her father even have a chance to escape?

«should i even care?»

— im sure theyre fine, Alice — Maud said suddenly

Alice looked up at her, her gaze softening as she let out a sigh.

— i wouldnt be so sure about that — she replied coldly, trying to hide her true emotions.

Silence.

— i know of a small village not so far from here — Maud started — my family is from there and we moved to Eldermoore because the library of there burned down, and its the family job... — she looked up to Alice — we can go there, it could be safe...

Alice looked at her for a moment before looking away.

— i cant go, i need to do something first — her hands gripped the grass tightly in contained anger.

Maud sighed, but nodded and looked away too.

— ill go to sleep... — then she looked around confused — wait, where do you sleep?

— inside that tree over the — she pointed to the hollow tree.

Maud walked up to it and got inside, Alice stared at the tree's hole she had dissapeared into for a few seconds and then looked up to the sky, without the light of the torches and lanterns, the sky was filled with stars she had never seen before.

«i could get used to this»

Bu the next morning when alice woke up, Maud was already nowhere to be seen.

«oh, well, not even a goodbye...» she thought, looking dissapointed

— that might have been my fault — a familiar, rough voice said from behind her.

As Alice turned around, she saw Aloide.

— Aloide! — she said running up to her

Aloide showed a face that in some way reasembled a smile and looked down at Alice.

— Your little friend ran away when she saw me walking around, i followed her, she got to a village, she's safe.

Alice sighed in relief and sat down in the snow.

— i was scared she was taken while i slept...

— i was watching over you two, nothing wouldve touched a single hair of her.

Alice looked up at her in confusion.

— you... You were watching us the whole time...? — she made a pause as she thought of something — did you sed what happened to my village?

Aloide just nodded.

— why didnt you do something?! — Alice stood up — you couldve killed all of those men in seconds!

— do you expect me to protect the people who have hunted me for ages? So far, youve been the only human who's showed kindness... Besides... — Aloide looked away

Alice turned around, grabbed her bag and packed the remaining fishes.

— you couldve at least helped me then.

She started to walk away towards the distant hills, Aloide stood still for a moment before walking up to her.

— where are you going? — she asked as softly as she could.

— anywhere away from you, if you want to keep watching over me, then do, but dont talk to me.

— what happened to your people isnt my fault, and even if i tried to help, those men would have injured me badly. Do you just think in your own good, child?

Alice stopped walking for a moment.

— just go away Aloide.

And then kept walking.

After a while, she got to the top of the nearest hill, she had never been so far of her home before, she had expected beautiful landscapes, but all she saw there was... A vast sea of grass and snow.

She looked back to see if Aloide had followed her, and to her eyes, she probably hadnt, but Alice knew she was probably hiding somewhere near.

She looked back at the plains and spotted something that to her memory, wasnt there before.

A cabin in the middle of the flatlands, the chimney was letting out a dark stream of smoke and the lights were on.

«i dont have anywhere else to go...» she thought «... What's the worst thing that could happen?»

Eventually, she stood right infront of the cabin's door.

As she lifted her hand to knock, the door opened suddenly.

— come in. — said a raspy voice from inside.

As Alice walked into the place, the door closed behind her with a loud sound, making her startled.

She took in her enviorement, the wood of the walls was dark, with several creepy paintings hanging from them.

Candles in small tables softly lit up her way up to the living room, where an old lady was standing right infront of a window.

In the room there was only a small bed in the corner and a table with two chairs in the center, everything had a scent of plants and roots, mixed with mud and death.

— sit down. — the lady commanded.

Alice did as she was told to, her hunger and cold blinding her sense of danger.

In the table there were different kinds of bottles, strange liquids in bowls and weird roots and plants she had never seen before, but right infront of her seat, a steak with potatoes in a shining silver plate, and next to it, a fork and a knife.

The lady turned around and sat down infront of her, her face hidden by the shadows of the room.

Alice looked up at her.

— thank you, madam. M- may i... ask for you name...? — Alice asked with food already on her mouth.

The lady moved her head up slightly, the candles now softly lit up her wrinkly face as she smiled, her eyes reminded Alice of someone.

— of course, dear — she started — my name is Aveline, Aveline Clairvaux.