Red Within The Forest

Chapter Six: The Plea Of A Lady

Clinks of mugs filled with ale and shouts of joy danced across a crowded tavern. A small group of four individuals were being celebrated and cheered. One of the men held up a wooden mug, "Let us feast and celebrate until the sun shines into tomorrow for our victory!" he announced. The other three laughed at the man's statement and watched as he chugged down his drink. A female server came up to him with another filled-up mug and he gave her a dashing wink.

 The woman looked away bashfully and strolled away. The other man rolled his eyes at his friend's antics, "I swear Anton...you'll never change will ya?" he asked teasingly. Anton laughed boisterously and sat back down. He grinned, "What? I can't help it when I see a beautifully attractive young lady." he shrugs. His blue eyes followed another young female passing by, his grin grew. He chuckled and gave another mug to his friend, "Come Gawen." He encouraged. Anton glanced over to the bartender, "Another round of drinks for us if you will!" he exclaimed.

Gawen shook his head once more and glanced over to the female next to him. Her mug was still full to the brim. His left arm was draped around her waist, "Corvina...I noticed you haven't taken a sip...is everything okay?" he whispered in the woman's ear. The female nodded, "Just a bit tired is all. That and I'm not really in much of a mood to get drunk right now." she admitted to him. He brushed away some dark blonde curls from her face and pressed his lips against her right temple. 

His dark eyes glanced over to the youngest member of the group, "Nia." he called out. The younger woman snapped out of her trace. Her eyes glanced up at the male, and she gave him a sheepish grin, "Sorry Gawen...just...it's nothing." she mumbled. Gawen and Corvina shared a look with one another. Corvina gently placed a hand on Nia, "Obviously it's not nothing. You know you can tell your brother and me if anything is troubling you, right?" she told her.

Nia nodded, "It's about our recent monster hunt...just the whole thing. I still can't believe the father would do such a thing to his own children and wife." she said. Gawen felt his stomach twist as Corvina's throat clenched. It was true. This had to have been the most challenging hunt they'd done in almost three years. The father was willing to sacrifice his own children and wife to the monster in hopes of being seen as a hero by trapping them, making it seem like he had no involvement. Even though they managed to save the wife and one of the children, they couldn't save the eldest. The older child used themselves as bait so that the hunters could kill the monster. The father just ran off once he realized what he had done. No one knows where he disappeared to but they knew that karma will come to him one day. It always does. Nia was taking the death of the child the hardest because she created a bond with them. But now...even when she tried to get to the kid in time, it still wasn't enough. Now it's not to say this was the first time where they've lost people before because of these monsters but it still impacted everyone in the group differently. Especially if it involved a child.

Nia took in a deep breath, "I'll be fine. I promise." she told the two. Corvina smiles and gives her hand a reassuring squeeze. Gawen stared at his sister. He knew how she was. Say one thing but not meaning it. She's always had to be the more stronger one...didn't she? His train of thought immediately cut off from someone calling out to them. He and Corvina turned their bodies around to see a young woman. Her long dark hair was in a low ponytail and her green eyes held one of weary. She swallowed, "Um...are you four by chance the monster hunters people within this tavern are referring to?" she questioned. 

Her hands were tightened around her satchel. She shifted in her standing spot as her eyes bore into theirs. Anton saw the sight of the woman and stood up quickly. He strolled his way over to her, "And may we have the pleasure of knowing your name miss?" he flirtatiously slurred. The woman's cheeks reddened from him gently kissing her knuckles. Gawen shook his head and stood with Corvina. Corvina tugged Anton back from the collar of his tunic, "Behave." she lightly scolded. The woman gave them a nervous smile, "Oh, it's okay! I'm kind of used to it..." she mumbled. The female peered at them, "My name is Lieve. I traveled from my village in order to find help." she told them.