Falling Feathers Book I - Rogue Without Fear

Chapter XIII

>>> Soren Hawthorne <<<
    "All my animals are here." Antony said as he finished counting his cattle. "All the sheep, the chicken, the goats, and the cows are all here!" He observed in awe. Peter and I smiled to each other. We were all pleasantly surprised at all of Antony's animals being present.
    "Well, congrats." Peter exclaimed, patting Antony on the shoulder.  Antony frowned.
    "This isn't right. Something must've happened last night and that's why I haven't lost any animals," he muttered. He began recounting his chickens. "It's always a bloody chicken. Always the chickens. And that time that I thought I lost one, when I sent Soren out looking and he came back with that girl, Scarlet? You'll never believe what I found." Antony murmured craftily. I looked at Peter. I remembered that night, he had lost one of his chickens and it was never found.
    "Found some chicken feathers on Chase's cloak, during the full moon before this. And the day after, I was missing a chicken. What do you rekon Chase stole one of my chickens that night, when I sent Soren searching for it? Maybe Chase been stealing my chickens. No, not stealing them. Chase been eating my chickens!" Antony went on, his voice rising with excitement. "We've all seen him hanging around with all the rest of 'em! He could be one of them too!" I looked at Peter again, and he began stroking his beard.
    "I don't know, Antony. Chase's always seemed a good fellow to me," he grumbled.
    "He's a very respectable character." I added. Antony grunted.
    "Next full moon, I'll set a trap. And whoever or whatever has been stealing and killing and eating my animals, I'll have 'em," he growled. We stood in silence for a few moments.
    "I should head back to the inn." I interrupted the silence. Peter and Antony both nodded.
    "I should be back at the Hog. I'm sure Alys is waiting." Peter added. We waved to Antony and left.
    "Scarlet's been out all night. I haven't seen her at all since she left yesterday." I commented to Peter. "You think she's gone and gotten herself into more trouble?" Peter asked suggestively. I shrugged.
    "I don't know. I'm fearing for the worst, but I'm hoping it won't happen." Peter grunted. We walked in silence after that back to the Lumbering Bear and the Drunken Hog. Once at the inn, I opened the door.
    Before I could go in, someone else was trying to come out. It was the last of the wounded townsfolk. Once he made his way out the door, I went in. Autumn was still nowhere to be seen. The inn lobby was now completely empty. The only area with people were the rooms. I went up the stairs, and began walking towards Autumn's room. I couldn't hear anyone. Her door was closed, but slightly ajar. It wasn't enough for me to see anything, but I knew that wasn't how I left the door. I'd left the door closed before I went to Antony's farm. I nudged open the door, and saw Autumn. She was turned around, away from me. She was pulling on her cape, as if she was preparing to leave.
    "Going somewhere?" I asked. She turned to face me.
    "Yes, to see a friend. They told me to meet them at the bridge."
    "Mind if I come with?" I inquired. She seemed slightly uncomfortable at my request.
    "I really don't think that's necessary, but I appreciate -"
    "I insist!" I smiled. I would know the truth at last.
    "Well then I suppose I can't refuse." She smiled back. "If you'll excuse me, it appears to almost be noon. I'll meet you downstairs, and we can walk to the bridge together?" I nodded, and walked out of her room.  If she's lying to me, I'll find out why. With all her actions lately, I'm not so sure if I'm concerned about loosing her. I'm starting to think she might be out to get me. I went into my bedroom, and looked in my mirror. If she shows any reason for me to be suspicious, I'll bring it up with the town, and if she's really something to fear, I'll see that treacherous lying witch hang from the neck until dead. I grimaced at the thought of her dying, but swallowed hard and pushed my remorse and fear away. In the end of the day, times were dangerous. I couldn't afford risking my safety for hers, especially if she was a traitor.

>>> Autumn Rose <<<
    Soren walked out of my room and closed the door. I stood frozen. He'll know. He'll find out! I can't loose him now. I bit my lip. It's hopeless. He'll follow me and see the stranger and know. I hoped Soren would understand. I prayed. I needed a new plan fast, and I didn't have time to think of one now. I probably won't need to cover my head. My cape should be sufficient.  I finished tying my dark grey cape, then looked in the mirror and fit it comfortably.  I'll have to think while I walk. I figured. I opened the door and slowly went down the stairs.  If I knock Soren out, he'll really know something is up, I figured as I got to the bottom of the stairs.  What can I do, what can I do?  In that moment it seemed that there was nothing I could do.
    Soren, who was already waiting, opened the door.  I smiled, said thank you, and went out. Maybe they won't come, I can call it an accident and misunderstanding and say they were coming tomorrow.  Then Soren will leave and I'll follow him and figure something else out.  I remembered the path. The ash tree behind the inn, the leaves, the ladder, I knew exactly where to go. It wasn't that complicated.
I thought back to last night.  The strange feelings, the emotions.  I can't remember any of it.  I just remember feeling wild.  It was thrilling.  For once I felt like there were no boundaries.  No social standards to meet, no one to be afraid of.  I was surrounded by people like me.  Creatures like me, I corrected myself. Remember how hesitant you were about joining, I thought.  You could have missed out on all this fun.  The wildness of being a werewolf, the security of having friends, people who have my back.  For a brief moment, I was almost grateful for becoming a werewolf.  It's still dangerous, I quickly remembered.  It's a secret I have to keep.  I can't let anyone know.  Not Soren, not Peter, no one.
    Soren and I walked in silence on the path bridge, the only noise was the wind in the trees and the birds tweeting to each other. After a while, Soren distracted me from my plotting and thoughts.
    "What's your friend's name?" Soren asked. I thought quickly.
    "His name is ah..." I thought. "It just slipped my mind. Apologies, now I'm thinking about my parents' names!" I stammered, hoping it would buy me more time. It almost did.
    "Then what are your parents' names?" Soren went on.
    "Well my mother was Scarlet, and my father was Artemis," I told Soren hesitantly.
    "And that's why you introduced yourself as Scarlet. Because it was your mother's name." Soren thought out loud. I nodded. "What a coincidence. You know, in Shepherd's Rest, about a hundred years ago, there were rumours of a Scarlet and Artemis in Shepherd's Rest.  Apparently, they were two of the town's founders." Soren commented.  A century is a long time. They can't be my parents, but it certainly is a strange coincidence that my parents had the same names as them, I thought to myself. The bridge was just up ahead, and no one was there. I looked nervously to Soren, then back to the bridge. Soren was looking ahead, his eyes darting about looking for someone.
    "No one's here. Where's your friend?" He asked.
    "They're coming, they'll be here in just a minute." I assured Soren. We waited for a few moments. I was starting to panic. No one was coming, and both Soren and I were expecting someone. I was starting to wish that they would show up. If no one came, it wouldn't save me, Soren wouldn't leave.
    Just then, Peter came trotting up. When he reached us, he was panting. He looked exhausted.
    "There you are Soren!" Peter exclaimed. Soren turned around, and looked at Peter with a bewildered look on his face. Peter panted some more.
    "What?" Soren finally spoke.
    "There's an old man, he came into my bar.  He's delusional, I swear...  Claims to know you, he wants to speak to you."
    Soren seemed annoyed, but I couldn't be sure.  "I came with Scarlet to meet one of her friends."
    "Oh, how kind of you!  Soren, I suspect you might want to come back and resolve this.  It seems to me Miss Scarlet made it here alright,"  Peter urged.
    "I do, I will I will.  I just don't want to leave until Scarlet's friend arrives." Soren replied. Peter shrugged.
    "Well I don't see why not," Peter smiled pleasantly. Bad. Very bad. From waiting with one person, now I had to wait with two people. I knew that at this point there was nothing I could do but wait.  Just then, a figure came towards all of us on the bridge. That's him, I recognized instantly. It's over. Soren looked to me. I knew I had to be pale, or at least something to give away my fright.
    "Is that them?" Soren asked. I nodded hesitantly.
    "That's them."
    "Then I think that Peter and I can leave now.  Peter," Soren invited. Peter grunted, and started walking. Soren took a step, then turned to face me.  "Autumn," he said quietly before walking away. I sighed with relief. He's leaving. When Soren and the stranger passed eachother, Soren paused. He turned his head and whispered something that I couldn't hear. Then Soren smiled, and walked on.  My senses were all completely normal. If they had've been changing I might have had a chance of hearing. I supposed the stranger wouldn't want to tell me, maybe they would.  Either way, somehow, everything had worked out. What an odd coincidence. I'll take what I can get.