Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 19

In the early morning hours, before the sun had even begun to rise and the moon still hung high in the sky, Augusto's restless energy filled the air like a predator stalking its prey. He shook his brother Anthony awake, urgency slicing through the stillness of dawn.

"Get up, Anthony! We're going hunting!" Augusto's voice was sharp, his eyes gleaming with a fervor that made Anthony's stomach churn.

"Must we? It's still dark out, and we have plenty of food already," Anthony grumbled, pulling the covers over his head in a futile attempt to block out his brother's enthusiasm.

"Enough with the excuses! The traps won't check themselves. Now get moving!" Augusto snapped, impatience radiating from him.

With a resigned sigh, Anthony swung his legs over the side of the bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He knew better than to argue with Augusto when he was in this mood. The thrill of the hunt coursed through his brother's veins like wildfire, and Anthony felt like a reluctant participant in his fervor.

As they made their way through the woods, the chill of the morning air nipped at Anthony's skin. He trudged behind Augusto, who moved with the grace of a hulking bear, eager to track down their next meal. The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant calls of awakening birds, but all Anthony could focus on was the weight of his brother's expectations.

"Why do we have to get up so early?" he muttered under his breath, kicking at a stray stone. "It's not like the game is going anywhere."

Augusto shot him a fierce glare. "If we don't hunt now, we'll miss our chance. The best time to catch them is before the sun rises. Now check the traps!"

With an eye roll, Anthony trudged off toward the nearby river where the traps were set. He grumbled to himself, wishing he could be anywhere but here. The thought of the warm bed he had left behind lingered in his mind like a ghost, but duty called.

As he approached the riverbank, the soft sound of water flowing over stones caught his attention. He glanced down, expecting to see the familiar sight of the traps, but instead froze, his breath hitching in his throat.

Before him, illuminated by the gentle glow of moonlight, was Vagatha. She was bathing in the river, her raven-black hair cascading around her shoulders like a dark waterfall. The water glistened against her olive skin, and for a moment, Anthony was utterly mesmerized by her beauty. It was as if the world around him faded away, leaving only her ethereal presence.

But as quickly as the spell was cast, Anthony's instincts kicked in. He averted his eyes, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. He had stumbled upon something so intimate, so private, that he felt like an intruder in that sacred moment. Panic surged through him, and he turned to leave, desperate to escape the scene he had unwittingly interrupted.

Just then, Augusto, who had been trailing behind, caught a glimpse of Vagatha. His eyes widened with excitement, and a sly grin spread across his face. "Look at that, Anthony! What a sight!" he exclaimed, stepping forward as if to get a better view.

"Oh, come on, Augusto! Don't be a creep!" Anthony exclaimed, attempting to block his brother's line of sight.

"What a piece of work," Augusto said, unabashedly ogling.

"Look at something else! Have some decency!" Anthony climbed onto Augusto's back, covering his eyes with his hands.

"What are you doing? Get your hands off me!" Augusto protested.

"Stop being a creep!" Anthony shot back.

"Oh, you're such a wimp!" Augusto retorted.

"Does the story of Artemis and Actaeon mean anything to you? You never spy on a woman bathing in the woods! You have no idea what she could do to you!" Anthony warned, his voice filled with urgency.