The Wood

The Butcher and The Mob

By the next morning, I was able to move around easily with the homemade crutch, and Gavril said that we were going to go visit the village, called Madus, because he needed some things. The other, unspoken reason was to hopefully dispel any rumors of me being anything but human, because, as he put it, the village folk would "come up hill with blade and fire if left to tell their stories". As we walked down the hill, he explained that we would be going to the the stores to trade his large collection of skins, plants and meats for various supplies and services. We reached the large pine wall and the massive wooden gate soon, his home set on a hill only a short walk from the town border. When we reached the gate, he looked at me meaningfully.

"Act normal, not do anything strange. We not want to giving any reason for fear to people." I nodded, and he clapped me on the shoulder. "Thank you, Mátyás." The gate was open, and we pushed our way through easily. As we walked through the town, many people waved to Gavril, saying what I could only assume were greetings. However, many more shied away, staring fearfully at me. I just looked straight ahead, pretending not to notice, nodding to the people greeting Gavril. Many of them nodded back, though some looked at me strangely. As we made it into the heart of the town, more and more people filled the streets. More and more eyes turned to Gavril and I, and I started feeling uneasy. He must have noticed, because he pointed to a large wooden building and whispered. "Don't worry, we're almost there." I just followed closely behind him, trying to ignore the staring. We walked into the building, and were greeted by a large black haired man with a large beard, large nose and hairy arms. He greeted Gavril warmly, clapping him on the shoulder and laughing.

"Gavril! Buna! Cu ce te pot ajuta, prietene?" His tone was friendly.

"I need twenty-five arrows, I will give you four fox furs and a few prime cuts of venison."

"Fair trade, let me find my arrows." The man turned to me. "

Hello, boy. You're the one I've heard so much about." I sat, unsure of what to say, and he turned back to Gavril. "

What's wrong with him? He is deaf, or just plain stupid?"

"He does not speak much." Gavril responded softly. The man nodded thoughtfully.

"What is he? Bulgarian?"

"He is Hungarian." Gavril said, and the man nodded his head, his expression softening.

"Like Ana."

"Yes" Gavril said sadly. "Like" The room went silent as the man walked off.

"Should I have responded?" I asked, feeling regretful.

"No boy, you were good. No worry." The man returned with a bundle of thin wooden shafts, and dropped it on the floor at Gavril's feet.

"I'll make a deal, Gavril. If you tell me the story of this boy devil, I will give you arrows for free." The bearded man looked smug as he spoke, and I could hear the foreboding tone his words carried.

"Well, Serghie, I tell you. I was out to bait the fox traps, and as I came back down the path, I found the poor thing broken and bleeding on pass, moaning and bruised. I never like the idea of ​​feeding those damned wolves, so I brought him back here." As Gavril spoke, the man's smugness faded, until his forehead was creased with lines. I just watched silently, unsure of what to think.

"God. You said Hungarian? Is he from Kegreye?" The man asked after a long pause.

"I do not know. The boy has no memory, or so he says. I'm afraid for him, Serghei, you know how scared all the folk are. I must stop this. Please, if you hear someone talking about it, tell them what you saw, that he is not what you all call him." Gavril voice had a tone of pleading in it. The bearded man nodded solemnly.