Lost in the Hills

Chapter 2 (Village)

She walked from the shoveled path that lead out of the forest into the village. She reached into her basket for a small leather pouch with coins inside. She walked further to arrive at the village marketplace. She took out four coins and placed them on the wooden table in front of the man selling bowls and bottles. The man handed her ten small bottles and one medium sized bowl. She walked further into the market and took out three more coins. She gave them to an old woman who was selling various fabrics. The woman gave her a yard of leather and two yards of cotton fabric. She walked further into the market and also bought a wooden hairbrush as well as a very long rope. The sun was setting quickly and the village was becoming dark. She ran out of the marketplace and to the pathway leading to the forest. She immediately went off the path and down an unmarked trail that she knew by heart. She reached the edge of a taller hill and went down the side of it. She went toward a small opening in the hillside where the leaves made a curtain. She went through the wall of leaves and ducked through the small wooden door that led into the hillside. 

She placed her basket on the ground of the small room. It was already dark outside and she knew that she wouldn't have much time to finish. She went to the back corner of the small room and moved a pile of dried up leaves to reveal sewing materials. Half an hour later she had finished a cloak made of the cotton fabric she had bought earlier, as well as a leather bag and two leather bracelets. She took off the flower crown that rested on her head and placed it in her basket. She began to brush her hair with her new comb. There were no knots in her long brown hair so the brush glided through it ever so smoothly. She also placed the brush in her basket. She made her way to the other side of the small space. She knelt down to a lantern that dimly lit the room and picked it up. Next to where the lantern stood were two dresses. She picked up one of the two dresses and put it on. It was a plain white off the shoulder dress with many embroidered details. It had long sleeves that the fabric of which folded over and created drapes and interesting levels. Over the dress she wore a lighter brown corset than the one she had worn before, and she also put on the two leather bracelets. 

She put on a pair of brown boots she had had and knelt down to pick up a scrap piece of leather. She tied up the front two strands of her hair back to the crown of her head and put on the cloak she had just made. She grabbed the leather pouch which contained the coins she used earlier and she fastened it to the belt of her corset. She grabbed the lantern that was beside her basket and headed out the door. 

As she travelled the path back to the village she noticed a stranger walking in front of her. She knelt behind a bush and waited to see his face. She knew all the people in the village, but none of them knew her, at least not in the way they thought. The stranger turned around when he heard the twig snap from beneath her boot. 

"Who is there?" She examined the lad's face but didn't recognize him. She tried to remain silent and very still but he seemed to know where she was. In the dark of night she couldn't be sure, but it appeared that he was looking right at her. 

"Reveal yourself, I mean no harm." She remained in her position, careful to not make a sound. She studied the man. He was wearing a cloak, at the opening of which she noticed the sheath of a knife bound to his belt. She was more cautious now than before. 

"Please show yourself, the woods can be a dangerous place at night if you aren't-"

"Careful!" She ran toward him, grabbed him by the collar, and stole the knife from his sheath. She pushed him toward the tree closest to them and held the knife to his throat.  

"Don't move and stay quiet." She remained where she was, as did he, but she began to look around the forest. She noticed strange noises near them and made eye contact with the lad. She raised a finger to her lips, telling him not to make a sound. There they waited for a few moments.

She looked up at the man, who was frightened and in shock. As she looked up she noticed the pale blue color of his eyes and the wild, brown, unkept hair on his head. 

Suddenly from within the forest emerged three men with torches and stallions. They rode on their horses right past the two, hidden just behind the first tree off the path. As they rode by they said such things as, "I cannot wait to make the princess fall in love with me!" and, "I reckon she's a beautiful lass!" and, "I wonder how rich I will be when I marry her!" 

Finally they had disappeared, and it was only them two in the forest. 

"May I ask the name of my-"

"No. You may not. I know my way around these woods better than anybody. It is ignorant for you to assume that I'm the one needing to be careful." She said bitterly, putting the knife back in its sheath and beginning to walk away.

"No! Come back. I apologize, I just figured that since you were a maiden..."

"What? You thought I was the one who needed help? Just because I'm a girl? You're more ignorant than I suspected." 

"Please pardon my foolishness, I was just looking for the village. Maybe since you know the forest so well you could lead me there?"

"It just so happens you're lucky. This time. I'm heading to the village right now for an event I appear to be late for, so keep up."

They began walking through the trees as opposed to on the path. 

"Excuse me, but why aren't we walking on the path? Surely its the safest route?"

"Like I said, I know the woods best." She closed her eyes and began walking. "Look, theres a stump over there, next to it is a blueberry bush. To the right of that is an oak tree. It has green, red and yellow leaves. At the foot of that oak tree there is a small hole. Sometimes you can see a family of squirrels going in and out. Are you still questioning my credibility?" She opened her eyes again. 

"Its not that. But how do I know you won't lead me to my death?"

"You don't. You'll just have to trust me." 

They continued walking and stopped where the forest met the village. It was very dark and the dim lights of the village lit their way. 

"Don't ever tell a soul you saw me. Don't ever tell a soul you talked to me. And if I ever find out that you did, you better have your final words prepared because I will hunt you down and kill you. Understand?" She said threateningly. 

"Yes, I suppose so. Why is it so important anyways?"

"Its none of your business." She said.

"Where are you off to?"

"Its none of you're business."

"Alright, alright I can take a hint. Thank you for all your help. Its much appreciated." 

"You're welcome. I best be going. And by the way, don't follow me."

"But I never caught your name!"

"And you're never going to." She began to walk away, toward the left side of the village. 

"Well my name's Flynn!" He called after her. "Its been a pleasure meeting you!"

She turned around. "The pleasure is all mine." She gave a sarcastic curtsy and walked away. 

Flynn walked the other direction, thinking about the mysterious girl from the forest.