The sound of church bells sung through the air waking people from their deep sleep. It was only dawn but at this time, most of the villagers were awake. Many of them were going about their daily jobs, with the farming market bustling with those yelling prices and trying to hassle people for money.
Making my way through the centre of town, I held the fabric of my skirt up slightly in the hope no mud would damage the light grey fabric. If I entered Father's shop with the bottom end damaged or dirty, I'm sure he would surely have a fit. Father had spent a lot of time working on the chief's weapons to obtain this dress. Father had always worked hard to give me the best silks, even when I never wanted them. If I had my way I'd be running around with Matthew and the other boys.
Speaking of the young man, loud cheers and laughter sounded to my left and as I turned to see what was happening, I spotted Matthew with his friends. Each one of them was carrying a vast range of dead animals. Matthew was the son of our best hunter, so naturally, he would follow in his father's footsteps. Watching Matthew place his bow down onto a small wooden table, I wished I could have the privilege to follow in my father's footsteps.
My father wanted me to learn the proper etiquette of a woman and marry into Matthews's family. I didn't want that, for you see when I was very young, my heart began to beat for someone else. He was travelling with his family and only passing through, yet since that day I haven't been able to get him off my mind.
Running into the large field just near the farming village, I watched as a large carriage pulled by a beautiful white horse stopped just outside the village's gates. The door opened and out stepped an older-looking man. He was very tall and built like a rock, and the longer I gazed at him the more I felt scared. He seemed to have this aura about him which seemed to send my heart shaking with fear.
Turning his attention to the carriage, I watched as a beautiful dark-haired woman stepped out. Her navy blue gown flowed down to the ground, making her steps seem graceful and light. Her smile was bright, and she too seemed to express such threatening feelings as the older male.
Jumping out from the carriage in a hurry was a young boy with short black hair. He was wearing a suit just like his father and as he turned and locked eyes with me, I felt a shiver run down my spine. His eyes looked like silver, and as I continued to gaze at him I swore I could see them almost glow.
Swallowing the fear that crept further into my heart, I turned to make my way back to the market stall where my father was selling his weapons. Running and dodging the townspeople, I pushed my way through the small crowd that had gathered around his stall. A lot of the town's men were arming themselves as the yearly festival approached.
Rushing to my father's side I grasped the fabric of his pant leg, before pulling my cheek to rest on his thigh. Listening to Father as he talked to a man, I smiled as he began to discuss the latest dagger he had crafted right from the bone of a deer. The handle was all bone with a beautiful metal artwork woven along with it before a sharp steel blade stood out proudly from the base.
It was lovely, and I remember watching Father spend hours by the fire carving it. Smiling up at him, I listened to him further. A man was arguing about the price but father wasn't going to let the weapon go so easily.
"Surely you understand that asking for one hundred coins is just too much," I spoke a young man.
"I understand your concerns, Sir, but this blade and handle have been carefully carved." Replied father. Picking up the blade Father pointed to the artwork on the handle. "See."
"Sorry, it's just too much."
"I'll take it!" Came a sudden gruff voice. A few of the men standing around the stall glared at the new approaching male. As the male stepped forward, a few of the villagers stepped back almost like they were scared. Gazing up at the new bidder, I shied away behind my father's leg at who was now in front of me.
The man from the carriage was now standing in front of the table. Now that I was close enough to see his face, I noticed a long scar that ran over his left eye and down to his lip. The scar looked like it had hurt, and as his eyes flickered down to me I watched the scar move as he smiled down at me.
"Hello, little lady." He said as he tipped the front of his hat.
Looking down at me, my father gently pulled me out from behind his leg. "Greet him, Annabelle."
Dipping my head so my gaze was on the ground, I whispered, "Good day, sir."
Hearing a small chuckle leave his lips, I watched as the older man's attention moved back to my father. "I will take that blade for three hundred coins."
Shocked gasps echoed around the stall. That much coin would be enough to last us at least six full moons. Gazing at Father, I noticed he too was shocked. "Isn't that too much, Papa?"
Laughing, the man grabbed the blade from my father before examining it. "You see little one, this one is crafted to perfection with not a hint of misuse. Most craftsmen can't carve a bone this well. Most of them chop it or you can see where their strokes were. This one, you cannot."
Nodding, I turned to look at my father to see he was smiling. "Finally someone notices my work."
Laughing, the man nodded. "Your work is amazing, that is true... So, three hundred coins for the blade."
Nodding, father held out his hand. The man raised his leather-clad one, shaking father's hand with a tight grip. It wasn't till now that I noticed the lady standing beside him, and next to her the young boy that had given me chills.
This close, I could see just how bright his silver eyes burned. As if sensing my gaze on him, the young boy's attention snapped to me. Shocked, a small gasp left my lips before I stepped closer to Father.
"Why don't you go and play, Annabelle?"
Clapping, the young lady gazed at me with a big smile. "Why don't you show our son around your village, Annabelle?"
Looking up at Father for permission, he nodded with a gentle smile. "Make sure you back when the church bell chimes." Nodding I looked at the boy before heading towards the field.
Our village was only small and most of the people were living outside the square. Father and I lived just inside the fringe of the woods. Out there he could bang as loud as he wanted without people yelling at him.
Walking towards the vast field where the carriage was placed, I turned to see the boy standing a few feet away. His eyes were focused on me, his eyebrows raised slightly.
"Are you going to show me around?"
Frowning, I tilted my head. "How old are you?" almost regretting my words, I couldn't help but feel like an idiot. Sometimes I didn't have a filter. My mind and mouth never worked together. Father would always tell me to think before I speak and that it wasn't ladylike to ask too many questions.
Smirking, the young boy raised his head higher. "I'm ten." He seemed proud of his age.
With a small pout, I nodded. "I'm seven."
"I can tell." Laughing, he moved closer. Holding his hand out to me, I gazed at it for a few seconds before timidly slipping my hand into his. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Gabriel Knoll."
Smiling at the memory, I walked closer to Father's stall. From here I could see him hunched over his table, a middle-aged man gazing at his collection. Jogging up behind Father, I wrapped my arms around his back as I rested my cheek against the muscles of his shoulder.
A small laugh rippled from his chest, as his hands came up to pat mine resting around his waist. "How was class, my love?"
Rolling my eyes I sighed before pulling back. "A lady shall never speak informally in front of an older man, as it is rude and frowned upon," I said in a rather high-pitched voice, causing another laugh to escape father's lips, and a smile to fill my own.
"How have sales been today?" I said. Lately, Father hasn't been able to sell a lot of his work. His mind has been too preoccupied with the upcoming festival.
Sighing, Father turned to me with a small smile. "We have done well today." By 'we' he means him and his trusty hammer. With a shake of my head, I turned to watch the town's people. Everyone was getting ready for the annual moon festival, and the thought alone that it was nearing had my stomach churning.
"Sharlee, wait!" Rushing after my friend, I tried to dodge all the people that had gathered in the clearing. "Wait!" I shouted once more, but she wasn't listening. Today, she would be sent out into the woods as per the tradition.
Every female of age that year was to dress and make their way into the woods. If you were to be chosen, you wouldn't return. Those that returned by daybreak, were to go about their lives.
Shoving one of the villages out of the way, I finally grasped onto her wrist. Turning to me with wide eyes full of anticipation, I noticed she looked happy.
"You're going through with this?" I whispered.
Sighing, she nodded. "I'm of age dummy." Gently pushing my head with her forefinger, she laughed. "I don't have a say. Besides, I'll be back by daybreak."
"Promise me!" I rushed.
Smiling, she nodded. "I promise."
Taking a deep breath at the memory, I dreaded the next week of preparation. The days leading up to the festival would be nothing but trying different clothes and learning the wood's path and way home. Lucky for me, I already knew my way around the woods.
Hitting the scolding metal of the blade with his hammer, I watched as sparks flew around at the contact. Father had been in the shop for the past four hours rambling about someone asking for a sword that had to be unique. I had never seen my father complain about making a weapon, and with each bang of the hammer, I wondered if he was unwilling to craft the blade, to begin with.Confused, I sat in the corner of the shop as I watched sweat bead down his face. Father looked tired as if he hadn't slept in days. Standing from my seated position across the room, I grabbed the pitcher of water. Father hadn't taken a break in the past hour, and I could only assume he would be thirsty.Stepping just behind Father, a small smile filled my lips. How many hours had I spent watching this man work? How many long nights had I heard the sound of the hammer hitting the hot steel of the blades? Sighing at the thought of his hard work, I gently grasped his arm.Jumping slightly, Father turned to me with
Gazing at the male who had spoken, I watched as nearly everyone around the stall seemed to back away as the intruder approached us. Moving my gaze back to the intruder, I now could understand why the others moved. The intruder was tall with muscles poking through his white button-up shirt.Stepping away from Father I moved closer to the edge of the stalls table. Father seemed thrilled about finally selling his weapon, as father hurriedly rushed to prepare the sword. Father seemed almost giddy as he handed the sword over to the intruding male. Observing his movements, I couldn't help but notice how different he looked.His long black hair was tied at the back of his head, his silver eyes scanning the blade sparkled as if stars were shining within them. His skin looked to be kissed by the sun, with small little freckles just barely visible to the naked eye. His eyes held something familiar to them and the more I stared at him, the more I felt at home. The cut on my finger began to throb
I felt warmer than usual. It was as if someone had wrapped me in a thick winter blanket, and if I focused hard enough, I could have sworn I felt hands caressing my arms. As the hands ran down the length of my arms, the warmth grew as small tiny little tingles were left in its wake. The small tingles filled my body with a nerve's warmth, something I hadn't felt before, and just as I began to welcome more of it, the hands left.The sound of a persistent knock had me stirring from my slumber. As my eyes focused on the wood ceiling of our hut, I swear I could still feel the ghost-like touches on my arms. Sighing, I moved towards the door. Opening my bedroom door, I was shocked to see father standing on the other side with a wide grin on his face. Honestly, the look he was giving me screamed fake.Gazing behind Father, I spotted the town's Chief and a lady holding a white dress. With a frown, I spoke, "Can I help you?"Chuckling rather loudly, Father pushed his way into my room causing me
As I made my way towards the centre of town, many of the town children began to rush towards the forest's tree line. Most of the children seemed excited about the festivities that would be taking place tonight. If only they understood what it meant to be chosen. Nearing the forest, I was shocked to see everyone had already begun to celebrate. People in wolf skin paraded around a large bonfire in the centre of the field, while others drank and spoke loudly. Everyone looked to be having a good time.As I allowed myself to watch the people around me, I noticed a group of people sitting off to the side with frowns on their faces. Matthew and his friends looked on in disapproval of tonight's event, as a few of the young men in the group held their bows. Moving my gaze to Matthew, I couldn't help but notice the angry look on his face, and as I slowly approached him, I watched the features change to one of love. With a small wave, I moved closer.Bowing to the other men, I smiled. "Are you j
As I opened my eyes I found bright silver eyes gazing down at me. The man in front of me was so close, and I feared if I moved our lips would touch. Carefully taking in a breath, I couldn't help but notice how nice he smelt. He smelt of vanilla and rain. Gazing over his facial features I took in how sharp his jaw was, and how his skin seemed to be cleared of any blemishes apart from a small scar near his lips. Continuing my observation, recognition hit me like a sharp blade to the chest. Eyes wide, I took a small step back from him. As if he could read my thoughts, the man in front of me smirked. Not only was he the same man who purchased Father's sword a few days ago, but standing in front of me was the one person I had longed to see for so many years. "My precious little Anna." He whispered."My precious Anna." A sixteen-year-old Gabriel whispered."Gabriel?" I whispered. Although standing in front of me in the flesh, I didn't want to believe it was him. The Gabriel I knew left wi
I felt warmer than I normally would. It was as if I was cocooned in the finest of silks that were trying desperately to lull me back to sleep. My eyes and body refused to awaken in the fear I'd leave the warmth I was in. Beginning to wake from the warmth surrounding me, birds singing and light voices entered the darkness. listening to the sound of the birds, I found myself thinking about yesterday. I could remember standing in line and getting my crescent moon mark, before leaving into the forest with the other girls. I could see myself walking through the darkness before two silver eyes appeared in my vision. I remembered the eyes belonging to a beast, yet I wasn't afraid of him, for this beast was no threat to me. Gabriel...Slowly opening my eyes to the brightness of my room, I took in deep breaths to soothe my beating heart. I know I had fallen in the forest last night, yet here I lay, safely tucked into my blankets at home. "What?" I whispered, confused. Frowning, I quickly rem
"Sharlee!" Rushing toward her family, I felt hope bloom in my chest. I could see them crowding around something, and I could only hope it was my dear friend. Perhaps she had collapsed from the long night once she left the fringe of the forest, or maybe Sharlee was just so happy to be home she couldn't stand. Pushing my way through the small crowd that had begun to gather, I could now hear the cheers.They were congratulating her family, but why? Women were hugging her mother, as men clapped her father on the back. Coming to a halt beside her mother, I noticed she was holding the small white silk jacket she had given Sharlee before the beginning of the ceremony. As I gazed at the white silk item in her mother's arms, I felt my stomach drop. She had been chosen by the beasts in the forest. My close friend, who I'd never been apart from, was now gone.Gently placing a hand on her mother's shoulder to grab her attention, she moved her head in my direction with a broad smile. Her red tear-
Running towards the hut I could hear my father screaming, as loud crashes and banging sounded from behind the closed door. Coming to a stop by the door, I found my hand hovering over the wooden handle. It shook with each cry that fell from my father's lips. Taking a shaky breath, I clasped my hand around the wood, only to be pulled away. Turning to the person who now held my own in a vice-like grip, Gabriel stood before me with a blank look on his face."Come." He said before tugging me away. Giving my hand a reassuring squeeze, he pulled me away from the sound of my father's screams and the sound of banging.The sounds felt as if they were following me the further away I got from the hut. I hadn't seen my father in three days, not since he went to a neighbouring village to sell a few of his weapons. I hadn't known of his return until I overheard a few people talking about him. They said father had rushed in with his horse, Scraps, before jumping off and running towards the house. The