Cult of the Lamb : The Man in the Forest

Chapter 17: Trouble on the Home Front

The next few weeks went by without incident, Lydie ended up staying in the medical tent while Aurelia treated her for the bug that had been circulating throughout the Cult. When she did return, she was every bit as erratic and irritable as she had been while she was sick. Merida had taken to avoiding her sister altogether, choosing to spend her free time in the living room rather than their bedroom. This proved to have other advantages besides fewer conflicts with Lydie. Mainly, it gave her more access to her parents so she could try to rebuild that bond that had been decaying over the last few months. Thankfully, her parents dropped the subject of Fox and Narinder completely, and she hoped that was a good sign. Maybe they finally understood that she could not, and would not, be swayed on how she viewed him. Caxton had kept to his word, and refrained from throwing his usual snide remarks towards her. They were not friends by any means, but there was a mutual respect there that kept things civil. Whether or not Khalyn had decided to change her behavior was unknown, Merida had yet to see her after that conversation between her and her father. That was something she hoped to address sooner rather than later.

It was mid-afternoon on her last night back when Merida left the temple, her staff in hand as she took the short walk to Caxton's cabin. The sky was gray, and by the smell of it, rain would be coming soon. It was Fall, and that meant colder weather, more rain, and the annual harvest. After the harvest would come the harvest ritual. A ritual her mother had started performing when Merida and Lydie were children. When the ritual was performed, the Cult would have a proper feast followed by three days of no tasks. On the third day, there was a festival. Music, food for everyone, wine for the adults, games for the kids. Nykka would come too and bring the little ones from her Cult along with her. It was always a great time, and Merida would definitely be sticking around for it. Kenedra usually visits for the festival, and she already knew she'd want to invite her to come along again.

She knocked on Caxton's cabin door and waited for an answer. She knew he wasn't home, but thought Khalyn should be. When no answer came, she sighed. Trying to locate the rabbit was always difficult. She could have been anywhere, with anyone, doing anything. But, it was important she spoke to Khalyn, so she went on the search despite how frustrating it might be. Her first thought was the Lake. Most of the Cult teens spend their freetime there thanks to its remote location. Khalyn was certainly one of its most frequent visitors. Merida started on the path that would eventually lead her to the Lake. The winding path passed through the center of the Cult where her Mother's massive shrine was located. As always, the shrine required Merida to offer a wide berth as dozens of Followers swarmed around it on their knees, praying in her Mother's name. Beyond the shrine were two large bath houses. One for men, and one for women. Further still, the stone mines and lumber mills. Apparently, back in the Cult's early stages, it was very small. A feeble temple, a rickety wooden shrine, and only sleeping bags for what few Followers Mir̃alai had. Assuming those stories weren't exaggerated, they were so difficult to believe, the Cult had come a long way.

As Merida was passing by the stone mine, she caught sight of Cassius. The white ox was chatting happily with a fellow Follower, it looked as if they were taking a break. Both had their robes off and were wearing their white and red tunics along with their trousers to accommodate their movement. It also aided in relieving some of the heat from the stuffy mine. Merida approached her brother-in-law-to-be and, as she expected, the ox flinched the moment he caught sight of her.

"Oh... Uh, hey, Merida."

"Have you been avoiding me?" She asked, resting her free hand on her hip. With that, Cassius' work buddy abandoned him, mumbling something about 'getting back to it'.

"Avoiding you? No, I... I haven't been avoiding you." He replied with an obviously forced laugh.

"Don't bullshit me." Merida retorted, eyes narrowed. "It has something to do with Lydie, doesn't it?" Cassius swallowed dryly, and stood up with his pickaxe. He sidestepped towards the mine.