Captured Grace

Chapter {4} - M e n a c e

At last, Elowen desperately ploughed at my scrawny arm as we hurled our fragile frames through the beastly clawing of the wind and hauled ourselves through the shuttering oak doorway of our cottage. The thunderous boom of the frigid wood impacting with the pillars seemed to startle Sybella as a clashing of pots and pans sounded from the kitchen.

Noticeably, my fathers remarkable green eyes dart over to where our tiny frames shivered, scanning our bodies for any signs of harm. I could sense him suck in a deep breath before exhaling greatly at the reassurance of our safety. Then, gentle tapping of feet bolted out from the direction of the kitchen and into the hallway to the room where we all stood in tranquility. Utter silence filling the atmosphere surrounding us.

Sybella, too, scooted her fierce eyes over our well-beings before grasping us both harshly by our elbows and forcefully yanking us into a tremendously powerful embrace. Her breathing hitched, her heart rapidly pounding against her chest and radiating through my own as she nursed her head on Elowen's shoulder. After tearing her limbs from our skin, she cupped my high cheek bones in her palms and analysed my pupils with concern, resting her forehead against my own passionately.

A sudden fit of laughter roared in the room, Sybella clutching her stomach in delight as she finally decided to create some space between our figures. We both followed, returning her hysterics with our own. Our father only beamed a wide grin, not quite understanding the sudden fuss.

"I was beginning to worry that the rabbit stew was going to be called off for tonight, and I must say, I was rather looking forward to it."

Sybella cooed to me, a tinge of sarcasm presented within her tone and her expression painted of fake disappointment. I only scurried my eyes upwards at the remark, rolling my eyes carelessly as I elegantly waved my hand towards Elowen and the stolen basket of herbs. She shoved the threaded object into my palms with great force, resulting in a few of the herbs to swiftly fly up, prancing around in the air and onto the wooden flooring below me.

Growling ferociously, I furrowed my eyebrows at her mocking figure. Either she was clueless, or utterly careless as these herbs not only are our only fortune, but also almost cost us our lives. And yet here she is, allowing them to drift around all over the place as if they were of no value? Such vain.

Sybella took a careful note of the reckless act, prodding her bitterly in her ribs and squinting her pale green eyes at Elowen's very own cold, senseless eyes, almost like a threat. The affordable yet dazzling circular steel displayed on her finger glimmered, reflecting the pure light of the flames from beneath the fireplace, complimenting her elegant and slim hand. Her engagement ring. Though it was not that of a wealthy and excessively expensive ring, it was certainly beautiful. Glee pricked my eyes slightly, though it was not long before the traces of joy erased from my mind.

Shaking my head, I lazily trailed my eyes to watch Elowen slump down into a withstanding chair by the dining table, opposite our father. Next was Sybella, confidently taking a seat right besides him as she comfortingly positioned her hand on top of his too-thin one. Smoothly, I swooped up my feet and directed them towards the fireplace where the meat sizzled within the pot above the flaring heat.

Grasping a handful of wooden bowls, I set them orderly before me and scooped up the fairly substantial meat chunks, combined with an exceptional, thick sauce and potato dices. Lastly, I pinched at the herbs waiting within the basket and sprinkled them delicately over the mouth-watering stew. Steam arose and filled every inch of the room, causing my taste buds to tremble and yearn for the food. Gripping each bowl cautiously, I steadily balanced them while striding along to the dining table, Sybella and Elowen's eyes glued to the substance within them. I set down my fathers first, knowing that if I did not, he would have soon rejected it.