Ice Wolf

An Unlikely Friend (7)

I've got to get out of here!

I jump up and nearly fall over with all the blood rushing from my head. Gavin reaches out and steadies me. His eyes seem to search me. I find myself caught in his gaze, unable to break away.

A deep growling to our left causes me to glance that way. Senara is crouched in an aggressive posture, growling at Gavin. He turns towards Senara and bends down, talking to her in a soothing voice. She almost immediately calms down and runs over to greet him.

I begin scamper over to Triumph, but Gavin catches my sleeve to stop me.

"I don't mean to pry, miss, but what are you doing out here? You're the girl I saw in Sheerville a few weeks ago, aren't you?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"I- I don't know what you're talking about." I hastily mumble and break away from his grasp. I begin to pack up my small camp, but Gavin continues to question me.

"Now, what would a girl like you be doing out here in the middle of nowhere?" He seems to be asking the question to himself more than to me.

"I don't believe that's any of your business," I say, I bit irritated.

"Forgive me," he politely replies, "but I do insist you come to our steading for the morning meal."

I stop packing and think. It would certainly be disastrous to reveal myself to a bunch of strangers. Strangers who would ask questions. But Gavin... I feel like I can trust him. I sigh.

"I would love to, but I am currently in a... Difficult situation. It would just simply not do to show myself. Perhaps we can compromise?" I give him a pleading smile.

"Gladly, miss. Although, I do have one condition." He replies with a smile.

"And what might that be?"

"That you would give me your name."

"It's..." I pause and think. For now, it would be best to keep my origins and identity to myself. "Katalyn. But you can call me Kate."

He seems to accept the name and gives a nod. "I'll be right back. Don't you go anywhere, now." He jogs into a thicket of trees and disappears.

I normally would pack up and go, but my growling stomach reminds me that food is running low. And I would much rather be given food than have to steal it.

I begin to reorganize camp, and realize how grateful I am that Gavin didn't notice the chicken in the cage.  I would've been ashamed and... Oh who knows what Gavin would do! His guest stealing his chickens.

I quickly hide the cage behind a shrub and hope the hen keeps quiet.

A few minutes later, Gavin returns with a basket.

"Thank you," I gratefully thank him as he hands me a tin plate overflowing with food.

"So, mysterious Miss Kate, what brings you to this part of Brimwood Forest?" Gavin begins the questioning again.

"I'm... Just traveling. Headed north."

He nods slowly. "Anything of importance you're headed for, or leaving behind?"

Tears begin to well up, stinging my eyes and threatening to spill over. I try to speak, but the words seem stuck in my throat. So I just nod and fight to hold back the tears from pouring out.

Gavin seems to realize that this isn't exactly a comfortable subject for me, so he quickly changes the subject.
"So, how is Senara doing? She looks better from when I last saw her."