Cult of the Lamb : The Man in the Forest

Chapter 5: Hostage

Merida gripped her staff in one hand, and knocked on the door. Nothing. She knocked again, louder this time. Still nothing. As she raised her hand to knock a third time, the door cracked open. Not enough for either party to see each other, but enough for his voice to carry through.

"Who are you, why are you bothering me?"

"Oh, hello." She greeted him awkwardly. "I am Merida." When she spoke her name, the door opened, and he stepped into view. There he was, the three eyed black cat she had been warned about since she was a little girl. He was hardly taller than Merida was, and looked every bit as harmless as he did two months ago. He growled, scowling at her under what little light illuminated him.

"You're going to get me killed. Be gone." He spoke bitterly. "You have no business being here." He tried to shut the door but she stuck her staff in the crack, stopping him.

"No, wait...!"

"What?!" He hissed, "Have I not made myself clear? If Mir̃alai realizes you are here, I will be slaughtered!" He tried to shut the door a second time, but she forced it open with a strong push.

"Don't you want to meet your daughter?!" She huffed. Narinder stopped resisting, and stared at her. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Why would you bring Kenedra to me...?"

"Because she wants to meet you too, and Nykka won't let her."

"Surely your parents have warned you about me."

"Yes, they have. But I saw you two months ago. I know you wanted to meet her, and I saw you cry." Narinder glared.

"You have other motives. What is it then? To frame me, have me killed?"

"No, nothing." Merida insisted, "I want to do this for Kenedra, she is my best friend. She only wants to meet you, then we will be on our way."

"'We'? You mean to say she is already here?"

"Maybe..." Merida sighed.

"Send her away." He said to Merida's surprise.

"What...?"

"Send her away." Narinder repeated with a growl. "Nykka is not cruel for keeping us apart, I am corrupt. If I had my way, she and Kenedra would both be dead. Along with you, your sister, and your parents. I do not deserve to know her."

"Wh- Then why did you try to meet her two months ago?"

"I do not have to explain myself to you. It was a mistake to try, that is all you need to know. I will not risk another moment speaking to you." Just as Narinder began to close the door, Kenedra spoke up from behind them.

"Father...?" Merida whipped around to see Kenedra had come out of hiding. She was standing less than ten feet from the porch, her hands clasped nervously. Khalyn had emerged too, but she remained far back in the treeline. Narinder had frozen, all the anger vanished from his expression. He looked almost mournful as he looked upon her.

"No, you cannot be here." He breathed. It happened in a matter of moments. Narinder stepped back in an attempt to retreat into his home. But, he wasn't able to make it far. Kenedra had rushed up onto the porch and put her arms around him in a tight hug, burying her face into his chest. Narinder was shocked, with an unmistakable hint of fear. "You have to leave." He muttered, tears welling in his eyes. She shook her head.

"No... N- Not yet." She sniffled, gripping his robes tight. Narinder finally gave in, hugging his daughter close. Merida sighed in relief and stepped back to give the two a bit of space. She looked back at Khalyn and motioned her forward. The rabbit nodded silently and approached, stepping up onto the porch. Kenedra pulled away enough to speak to him properly, but still clutched his robes as if he would disappear at any moment. "Why did you try to kill my Mother?" Narinder shook his head.