Trees stood like towering sentries, their weapons drawn and darkening the forest floor, colorful drops of green turning to yellow, orange, and red bleeding from the blades. What weak light was able to break through their defenses was quickly swallowed by the dense woods.
Unnerving silence was broken only by the crunch of boots on fallen sticks and the creaking of those weapons when a breeze cut through. The air carried with it the crisp undertones, of an unseasonably early freeze, warning all travelers to find warm shelter or else face the chill that night would bring.
Cerys knew that she and her family were no exception.
“Luvia?” She looked back at her wife.
Luvia looked tired, her gorgeous orange curls were pulled into a lopsided bun atop her head and her soft blue eyes were weighed down by sleepless nights. She clutched her pack, hoisting it higher onto her back and stooping under its weight. A head of pale blonde poked out behind her, like the sun was resting on her shoulder.
“He’s just fallen to sleep,” Luvia said, twisting her neck with a smile to gaze at their son.
Ainsley had tucked his face into the crook of her shoulder. Cerys felt her heart warm despite the dropping temperature. She leaned over to press her lips to the soft skin of his temple. He smelled like sunshine, sweet and warm, the weeks of travel had not tainted him the way it had his mothers.
“We need to make camp soon.” Luvia’s breath caressed Cerys’ cheek, “hopefully we will find a town tomorrow.”
“I would be satisfied with a road, or just the end of this forest.” Cerys huffed.
She pulled back from Ainsley, meeting her wife’s patient, crystal gaze with her muddied, anxious one.
Luvia placed a freckled hand on her arm, the porcelain seemed radiant against the rich darkness of her own.
“We’re together, we’re strong…” Luvia started.
“We’ll find a way.” Cerys finished their mantra and Luvia squeezed her arm.
“I’ll get started on the tent.” Luvia said, “Find us something to eat?”
“Of course.” Cerys kissed her before dropping her bag and venturing into the thicket.
~~
“Damn!” Cerys shouted as her last arrow shattered against a tree, causing the fox she had been stalking to slip into the murky green of the forest floor.
The pain of hunger cramped in her stomach, its nausea-inducing effect mixing with the heavy feelings of failure in a perfect storm that clouded her mind and darkened the world around her.
She screamed in frustration and sent her bow flying into an unsuspecting bush, her agony punching a hole through her chest and squeezing her heart.
Hot tears burned her eyes, and her breaths came out in short, stabbing gasps as she crumpled to the ground, the pressure of self-set expectations pushing her down.
“Idiot.” She forced out.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid stupid stupidstupidstupidstupid!” her shouts bounced off the indifferent trees as the cruel forest absorbed her pain.
They were lost.
She was supposed to be leading them to a better life in a better town with better jobs. Things were supposed to get better.
She hiccupped violently, gritty dirt turning to mud in her mouth as she inhaled.
The ground was cool and wet against her forehead. Her heavy braids fell around her, enclosing her in a shroud of misery, blocking her off from the rest of the world.
I’ll stay here, she told herself.
Luvia is more capable. Ainsley doesn’t deserve to have a disappointment for a mother. They will be better off if I don’t go back. They’ll-
“Whoa there, miss!”
A voice pulled Cerys from her spiral, the shock of hearing another human jolted her upright so quickly that her head spun, and shadows danced on her peripheries.
A lean man emerged from the emerald darkness. His skin showed signs of age and exposure to the elements. His hair was untamed and brushed the tops of his shoulders. A set of lily-pad eyes peered out from the mane.
Despite his dishevelment, his clothes appeared to be clean. Long, beige sleeves and pants protected him from the grabby branches and cooling air, though his feet were left bare.
His eyes sparkled when he smiled, lines webbing from their corners.
Reflexively, Cerys felt her hand drop to the dagger at her hip.
The man’s gaze followed her movement, and he raised his hands in a placating motion.
“No harm, miss. Jus’ heard ya hollerin’. Seemed you was in distress?”
She eyed him warily. “No,” she answered, “only having a bit of a rough go.”
The man gave her a knowing smile, revealing surprisingly white teeth from behind darkened lips.
“Ah, a rough go,” he nodded sagely. “Easy ‘nough to come by round these parts.” He gestured to the all-encompassing woods before extending the hand to her.
“Name’s Lucky.”
Lucky? That was no sort of name she had ever heard.
Keeping one hand on the hilt of her dagger, she grasped his hand firmly, noting the rough callouses scrapping her palm.
“Cerys.” She replied.
He gave her fingers a friendly squeeze.
“Well Cerys, if ya fancy a moments easy goin’ ‘stead o a rough one, home ain’t too far away.”
“Home?” Hope sprung on her face and her soul lightened.
“You mean there’s a town nearby?” She could feel her excitement building. Finally, some good news. A town meant food, beds, and real shelter. They could finally get back on the right path and put their lives back on track.
“Well…” Lucky started. Cerys hope bubble popped.
“Of a sort,” he continued “More a hamlet. If you will.”
Still better than another night on the ground she supposed.
“Plenty of space fer you and yours,” he said. “Soft beds an’ ‘nough food ta go ‘round.”
Cerys’ eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Who said I was with anyone?”
Lucky gestured to her arms where her sleeves had been pushed up, the edges of her binding tattoos poked from beneath the fabric.
“Lucky guess.” He winked.
“Right,” Cerys pulled her sleeves down. “A bed and food do sound lovely,” she hesitated. “We can’t pay, however.”
Lucky waved her words away. “Not a bother. Ain’t no proper-like inn anywho. Jus’ folk willin’ to do their part.”
“If you’re certain?” Cerys pushed.
“Positudily!” He replied.
Cerys smiled and thanked the man. She would get her family out after all.