The Huntress and The Devil.

Chapter 3

Faith crept out of her bedchamber, a cloth concealing the lit lantern in her hands. The slit of light peaking out from the fabric provided just enough illumination to navigate the dark hall. It wasn't that she was confined to her chamber every evening, she simply resented having to answer to the many members of the household who questioned her every outing. During her years boarding at the nunnery, she had indeed been confined to chambers after dark. The Mother Superior had locked each of the girl's doors after blowing out their candles, convinced that girls would too easily lead each other astray. Now that she had completed her schooling and returned home, she was determined to enjoy what freedom she could. Her brothers, by privilege of birth, had no such concerns. They were given leave to roam the castle as they saw fit, without having to answer to anyone. Faith had done her best to match them, committing to her studies and learning all she could about the running of the castle, but it was for nought. She would be destined to marry a wealthy lord to strengthen her family's standing. Her brothers would go on to be wealthy lords and take a wife of their choosing. Were she born a boy; she would have made a fine lord. But that had not been God's plan and she contented herself with her lot.

The labyrinthian tunnels beneath the castle stretched out in all directions. No sign posts or markings marred their blank stone walls. The damp air frosted in front of her as she breathed, making her way, subterraneously, to the kennels. Her father would not tell her precisely what had happened, only that it was not safe for her to visit there anymore. She had gathered, from the whispers of the servants, that something grizzly had transpired, such that a new kennel master was needed. Disobedience was her greatest sin and yet, her father had never explicitly forbidden her from visiting the kennels. His wording had been vague.

"It's no place for a young woman," he had said. So, she wasn't truly disobeying him, just submitting to a difference of opinion. She figured God would forgive her curiosity. The tunnel entrance opened in the forest to the right of the stables, ten meters into the tree line. She shivered as she exited into the night. She removed the cloth from the lantern to better guide her way, providing a welcome light to the forest and keeping its shadows at bay. Nevertheless, she exited the tree line as fast as she could, strolling across to the wall that surrounded the stables. The stable complex was vast, housing both livestock, hounds, and the tall dovecot within its borders. Faith walked around the perimeter, keeping an eye out for others. Curiosity was gnawing at her, what horrors could possibly hide in the kennels? She had watched the last kennel master birthing a litter of pups two years prior, he had shown her the teats at which the young would nurse. She watched, transfixed, as each pup slipped from its mother, covered in the silky web of its birth. All of the litter had survived, for which the kennel master was pleased. He had said they would make great boar hunters. Faith couldn't reconcile the image of the vulnerable pups with the bloody rumours she had heard. She slipped through the gate, into the vast yard of the stables. It was vacant, save for the horses that whinnied in surprise at her sudden appearance. She trod across the sodden ground, breathing in the pungent smell of the livestock around her. As she approached the gate to the kennels she paused and listened. She could hear the quiet whine of a younger dog, and the reply of an older one scolding it. The scent of meat and viscera drifted past her and she shuddered, suddenly unsure whether she wanted to see. Suddenly, from behind her, she heard a low snarl. She froze, her blood running cold. She braced herself, certain she was about to endure a painful bite, but it never came. After a moment her feet unlocked themselves and she turned to face the hound. Standing over her was a tall woman, her jet-black hair tied in a high bun. She had no lantern and Faith wondered how she had been able to find her way in the dark. In her hand was a thick leather leash, attached to the enormous hound at her side. Her eyes narrowed and her voice was cool as she spoke.

"What are you doing?"

"Forgive me, Mistress, I-I simply took a wrong turn." Faith said, struggling to conjure an excuse.

"Ah," the woman said quaintly, "I see,"

"If it please you, I will be off," Faith said, hurrying to leave.

"Wait," the woman said, in a tone that commanded the girl to pause.

"Come here child," she beckoned with a finger. Faith looked to the hound at her side, it was staring at her with a bloodlust that made her skin crawl.

"Madam?" she asked.

"Do not be so shy child, he will not harm you, come hither," the woman said, in a smooth voice. Her eyes fixed on Faith, peering down at her as though weighing the sum of her whole. Faith felt strangely drawn to her, made curious by her commanding presence. She stepped cautiously forward until she was just in front of the kennel gate. The woman gestured with an open palm and Faith obeyed, stepping inside the yard. The hounds were silent, sitting in their corners, heads resting on their large paws. The scent of the meat was stronger here, as though it was stirred into the very earth at her feet. The smaller hound, which had been whining earlier, fell silent and watched her closely. The woman stood behind her, hovering over her shoulder. She placed a firm hand on each of Faith's shoulders and spoke.

"You are drawn to them?" she asked.

"No madam, I was just... curious." Faith said, her voice shaking. She shouldn't be here; she should be in her chamber. It was foolish of her to sneak out tonight. The woman's face was beside hers; she could feel the heat of her skin on her own cheek.

"I see, and are you curious about a great many things?" Faith felt like she was locked in place, unable to move. She knew not how to answer the woman, only that she should.

"I, I'm not sure what you mean, Madam," she stuttered.

The woman gave a rich laugh that sent a flurry down Faith's spine. "Sweet girl, would you like to meet them?"

"N-no Madam, Father said I'm not to go near them. He- he said it's not safe." Faith was shaking now, the hands on her shoulders were firm, she doubted she could break free if she tried.

"Very well," the woman said, "Run along." She released her grip and Faith tore out of the kennel as fast as she could. She rushed through the tree line and flung the trap door open, disappearing into the tunnel. She didn't dare glance behind her until she was nearly at the castle. Her heart was racing and her soul was uneasy. Whether it was the hounds or the woman, there had been evil in that place. Faith's flesh had felt threatened, though the woman hadn't said anything that gave her pause to feel that way. She shook her head, ridding herself of the thought, and entered the castle.