A Welcome Surprise
1053 Words
But as dusk fell, I noticed something that would almost certainly have gone unnoticed in daylight. A faint glow of fire flared up from deep within the thicket, and just above it, rising above the foliage, a thin wisp of white smoke drifted.
I didn't hesitate for long; my stomach decided for me. I crept quietly closer and peered from behind a branch to assess the situation. Behind the bush, I spotted just one male figure. That was a relief. Someone was sitting by the fire. The man initially leaned towards the fire, but suddenly changed his mind and froze, tensing up. It was as if he'd started listening intently to his surroundings. Blimey, had he actually heard me?
But I wasn't in any hurry to show myself. Instead, I studied the man intently. He was wearing a dark coat. He had broad shoulders and dark hair that fell just below his shoulder blades and was tied back in a ponytail. His hood was thrown back. And I would have run away, headed off in the other direction through the mud, even buried myself in it, just to avoid falling into the clutches of my enemies. Who knows, perhaps he'd been sent after me!? But he... didn't move and made no attempt to attack me. This convinced me that this man was harmless, and I decided to show myself. I crept quietly through the bushes and emerged from behind them.
"Are you just going to stand there in silence until morning, or are you actually going to introduce yourself?" the man muttered, without turning to face me.
"What about you? Are you going to burn the whole dinner, or just the bottom half?" I replied, referring to the almost charred piece of meat on his skewer. Oh, the smell of it! I can barely stop myself from moaning with pleasure!
At last he turned his head and looked straight at me. He did so with a certain air of authority — not too intrusive, but clearly taking in every little detail with his eyes. From my tangled hair to the mud on my feet. He looked me up and down, and in his gaze I saw astonishment. Well, no wonder!
"You're dressed... rather unusually for a walk in the woods," he said, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly, though his eyes remained completely serious. Or rather... there were faint glimmers of laughter in them. What a rascal!
"Thank you. I did my best: I chose the most comfortable outfit for the woods."
He snorted briefly and gestured to a free spot on the log.
Before I'd even taken a step towards the log, I froze, because I realised that... he looked familiar. I frowned, trying to get a better look at him. I'd seen those green eyes somewhere before. But not like this — not by a campfire, not in the woods. Ah... That's it! I'd bumped into them on a city street when my forehead had hit the metal buckle on his coat. Is this the same man? Or am I just starting to imagine things... I'd thought about him a few times, and here he was, sitting right in front of me. Maybe I was hallucinating?
"What's your name?" I asked, sitting down on a log and watching as he deftly turned over a fresh piece of meat and held it up to the flame at just the right moment.
"Deir Vigvil," he replied curtly, glancing at me briefly from under his eyelashes. 'And what's your name, runaway?'
"Why 'runaway' straight away?" I flinched, but when I saw the amusement in his eyes, I realised he was taking it in his stride: "My name's Leah," I replied, a little flustered, nodding slightly. "Just Leah."
"So you're not from round here, then?"
"How did you...? Where did you get that from?"
But the man didn't reply, continuing to focus all his attention on dinner. He pushed the burnt piece of meat away from me, and I realised that he was now frying a second piece especially for me. In any case, it would be better if he fried it for me; otherwise, I can't vouch for myself or my hunger!
"So where were you running from on this lovely evening, and where are you off to?" He looked at me with a slight smile and winked, as if he'd figured something out but had decided not to embarrass me with his guesses.
"Lovely?" I looked at him in surprise and pointed meaningfully at the sky and the wet trees all around us. He smiled wryly and nodded in agreement, then fixed me with a serious, intense gaze, making it clear he was ready to listen. I looked away and replied with some difficulty: "Well, sort of... I've come from a very unpleasant place. And I'm heading into the woods. I had plans, but it seems I've lost my way. Could you tell me which way to go to reach the nearest town or village?"
"Well, would you look at that... You're in luck: I happen to be heading to the village."
☆─── ✦ ───☆
"So you're saying your whole clan lives here, in these mountains? I've never been to visit werewolves before." I gave a nervous giggle, as I'd never actually been to visit werewolves at all. And Deir had admitted that he belonged to their kind. I lacked the tact to ask exactly what kind of beast he turns into. Besides, I'm afraid everyone here knows, and he'd think I was completely mad.
"Actually, it's only a three-hour walk from here to the village, no more. But you look as though you're about to collapse from exhaustion, so I suggest we have a proper supper, get some rest and wait until dawn."
"My feet ache from exhaustion," I sighed blissfully, stretching and massaging my feet. "I'd love to rest, but it's a bit scary in the woods at night."
"Don't worry about that; I'll take care of everything. After all, I'm a werewolf — don't you believe in my strength and magic?" Deir gave me a cheeky smile, stood up resolutely, stretched, and began to survey the surroundings.
"I suppose I do. Well, I'm putting my life in your hands," I chuckled. "Deir, there's something I wanted to tell you..."
- Writer
