Falling Feathers Book I - Rogue Without Fear

Chapter I

>>> Autumn Rose <<<
Slowly, I woke up. Everything was hazy, nothing was clear. When my eyes began to focus, I noticed that I was in a room lying down on a soft bed. The wooden walls were worn and stained. There was a window across from me, and a wooden dresser left of it. The door, also marked with age, had a brass turning knob. There was a bedside table with a small candle burning on it, and on the wall to my right a mirror hung, reflecting my surroundings back to me. It was a pretty room, and very cozy. It almost reminded me of home. Home.
Suddenly, I remembered where I last thought I was. I was lost in the woods, under a tree. How did I get here? A wave of panic came over my body. What am I doing here? Who brought me here? I sat for a moment, thinking it over. Calm down, there's no use in panicking. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Someone must have found me. If they left me in a room with a bed I doubt they want trouble, I figured, my nerves slowly calming down. But why would they rescue me? A part of me still wasn't sure if I was safer here, or in the woods. I sat up in the bed, and looked out the window. It was sunny, orange and red leaves were drifting in the gentle breeze. How long was I asleep? Where am I?  I slumped back down in the bed. I guess I'll have to wait.
Not long after, the door opened. I sat up, and turned around to see who had entered. A tall gentleman came into the room. He was young, maybe about my age, 19. He had dirty blonde hair, and gentle blue eyes. His white shirt was wrinkled and stained with dirt. It's sleeves were short, surprising to me considering the colder weather. He wore jeans, ripping at the knees and other places below.  Wet mud stained the denim. He was wearing brown boots, also covered in mud. His hands were in his pockets, and his left hand was moving. It was like he was playing with something in there. He closed the door silently behind him, and turned to me.
"I've got a lot I want to ask you, miss." The gentleman began. "But I think I'll start by asking your name." My name? Of course he wants my name. I was afraid to share my real name, what if I wasn't safe?  What if this man was one of the strange people I saw at the village?  My eyes went over him again, and I determined he looked too kind to be one of those monsters.
His eyebrows raised suggestively, undoubtedly because of my lack for words.  Time seemed like it was slowing down. I needed to say something, but what would I say?
"Scarlet," I hastily exclaimed the first name that came to my mind: my mother's.
"Well, Scarlet, I am Soren Hawethorne. If you'll pardon me for asking, what were you doing wandering in the woods?" The man, Soren, introduced. Once again I was at a loss for a reply. I felt like a cornered mouse. Every time I escaped from one trap I ran right into another. I thought about my village, burning, burning... My mother's screams echoed in my ears. I stammered furiously. Soren waited patiently, his gaze not changing at all. The dead corpse of a child flashed into my head. I shut my eyes hard, as if shutting my eyes would shut out the image. Soren seemed so peaceful, calm, and relaxed. Meanwhile, I was in a panic.
"M-My village was burned, I ran into the woods and got lost. Now I'm here, I don't know why -"
"Miss Scarlet, please calm down a bit." Soren's eyes searched me, then he continued. "I can tell from what you've already told me that you've had quite an adventure. Please start from the beginning. Take your time, if you need." I looked at him, slightly surprised by his seemingly never ending calmness and kindness. He was neither frowning nor smiling, and he looked friendly, yet stern. If he's the one who rescued me, he probably has about as many questions for me as I him. I took a deep breath, and collected myself. Feeling slightly calmer, I began from the beginning.
"There were raiders, with wolf tattoos, and they burned my village to the ground. I was the only survivor. I watched my parents die and then I fled to the woods, where I got lost." I began.
"I'm sorry," Soren murmured in a low voice. "How long were you in the woods?"
"It'll be fine," I replied. "I was only there for one night, and - where am I?" I asked my first question, not sure if I would get an answer or more questions.
"Ah, how rude of me. Welcome to the Lumbering Bear, miss Scarlet! You are in Shepherd's Rest, our quaint and small town, where everyone knows everyone." Soren smiled pleasantly, then looked out the window. "We've got some strange folk, but they tend to mind themselves," he added.
For a moment, the reality of the situation struck me.  Everyone I'd ever known was dead.  I was in a strange town, with strange new people.  Yet, as grim and bleak as my situation seemed, here in front of me stood this glimmer of hope, Soren.  Of the recent misfortunes I had suffered from, there was one who showed me kindness.  He's probably the one who rescued me from the woods, I realized.  Soren went on for a bit more, talking about Shepherd's Rest, but I was too lost in thought to listen.  I sat and thought about how I'd make myself a new life.  While Soren talked, I simply nodded and listened. It almost felt like it was too much.
"I found you in the woods, and knew I couldn't just leave you to die like that. So I took you back here, and gave you a room for the night. I'm not sure if you want to stay or leave, I was hoping you would stay." I suppose that answers how and why I got here.
"Why?" I asked, suspiciously. "Why do you want me to stay?" Soren's generosity, while appreciated, was not something I had expected. "I'm grateful for your kindness, Mr. Hawethorne. But I'm not sure if I could ever grow to call this place my home."
"Please, call me Soren. There is no need for for formalities in my inn. I was hoping you would stay and help me with my work. It's hard to manage, all on my own." Soren replied, still smiling. "I know that it'll be hard for you, to adapt to all the changes. But I'm sure that in time, you could come to be rather comfortable with it." I looked him over, still slightly nervous.
"What about your parents?" I inquired. "Don't you have parents?"
"My ma died from cholera when I was fourteen. My pa was a gambler, he left me when I was seventeen. He's the one who built this inn, taught me everything I know about it. Since then, I've been living here on my own, tending the the strangers who pass through Shepherd's Rest." his answer was quiet, almost a whisper. Suddenly feeling guilty, I realized that Soren had struggled a bit too. His parents have been out of his life for at least two years, five in the case of his mother. He's probably lonely.
"I don't know ... It's a kind offer, but I think I'll find my own place, somewhere in town." I replied quietly, looking at my feet.  Soren frowned slightly. I could tell he liked me, and he really wanted me to stay, but I wasn't sure I was safe here. It's all so much bigger than the village, I thought to myself. I looked out the window at the town. People were walking in the street, and I could see a tavern, just across the way. I squinted to see the sign, so I could identify it's name. The Drunken Hog, I observed. Interesting name for a tavern. The Drunken Hog, and the Lumbering Bear. I looked away from the window to Soren.