Lost Beneath the Tide

The Old Cottage

{Darius P.O.V.}

The Journey home was hard, leaving Pa behind like that. Gazing up at the stars I find the constellations my Mother and I called our own 'Ursa' the two bears. Grasping some comfort at the thought of her watching over me.

*Sigh*

The Mule pulls up to the cottage, grabbing the lantern I jump from the cart to open the door. "There's a good lad" patting his neck then leading him to his stall. Once he was rubbed down I fetch the oats and hay, refilling the water trough. "I wonder if Pa's okay?" The Mule brays awaiting his meal, snapping me back to Earth. "I'm coming lad" setting the bucket down.

A month has passed and my Father has yet to return. I've attempted to head back to Kingstown a few times to go search for him but thought better of it. He will return to me, he has to.

Mr Fairweather took pity on me after watching me mope around the well. Helping do odd jobs around their farm, take cattle to pasture, clean stables, fetch water, shear sheep etc. Even learned how to care better for myself by cooking, mending material and sharpening tools thanks to Mrs Fairweather.

Three months have past and still no sign of Father. It's mid September now, Mr Fairweathers Grandson Kyle has been visiting this past week. With the cold weather now setting in, preparations need to be made on the farm in time for Winter. Kyle is only 2 years older than myself, taller and stronger. We used to race down at the river when we were little, until his family moved away to live a better life. At least he visits from time to time, giving me some company.

"Wanna hand with fixing up that cottage mate?" Kyle asks while hammering a post in the ground.

"With what?" I scoff

"Look around you lad, we have a whole forest, grab an axe and the saw. Let's get to fixing!" His eyes shine with excitement while grinning expectantly.

*Sigh*

"Okay" Guess there's no harm in it I thought.

Thankfully it didn't take too long to fix the old cottage up. At least now there won't be anymore leaks or drafts getting in. Chopping, sizing and hammering all that wood though sapped away all my energy, I slept a whole day. How Kyle does it beats me.

October has arrived and with it the first frost. Waking before dawn to help out in the fields, breaking up ice so the animals can drink from their troughs. Mr Fairweather can be heard whistling over the hill, Max and Molly barking as they herd the sheep and goats into pasture.

"Shall I fetch the cattle Mr Fairweather?" I ask while running for the gate.

"Aye grab the cane will you?" He hollers back.

Rummaging around the barnhouse for the cattle cane, Mrs Fairweather startles me.

"Is that you in there Darius?" She calls from the doorway.

Calming down from my heart leaping into my throat "You scared me Dorothy! Yes it's Darius, where's the cattle cane?"

She chuckles "Sorry sweetie, its somewhere on the wall last I checked. You got time to talk to an old woman?"

"What's wrong Dorothy?" I ask hesitantly.

"It's about your father Darius, I believe that with how long it's been since you left him that day in Kingstown he won't be coming back. You're very welcome to continue assisting us on the Farm and earn your keep, we want to help you as much as we can until you're 18." Mrs Fairweather requests.

"Thank you! I really do appreciate everything you and Old Jack have done for me. I believe he is still alive though and I will search for him come my 18th Birthday!" Tears threaten to stain my cheeks, I bite my tongue to hold back. I'll soon be a man! I need to act like it!

"Sweetie it's alright, there's no rush to pack up and go once you become a man. My husband surely appreciates having a spare set of hands around here in his old age".

Smiling despite my solemn face, I kiss her cheek, grab the cane and head to the field.

The ground is covered in snow, the fields a Winter wonderland. Trees powdered in white dust as the skies grey and heavy waiting to fall once again. It's now late December, the fire crackles at my feet as I toss another log on. Grateful for Mrs Fairweather gifting me this warm jacket made from sheepskin, with a knitted pair of gloves, hat and scarf to keep me warm. Poking the fire I set the soup pot on the stand to heat. Max and Molly lay either side of me keeping me company. I decided a few months ago to move into the main house from the barn. I gave The Mule over to Mr Fairweather for better keeping and sold off the remainder of the goods and cart to Gloria, she gave me a fair price though I feel it was bought out of sympathy. At least she makes a decent living running the Inn with weary travellers on their way to Kingstown. I pour my soup and drink, hot liquid fills my belly as my cheeks flush pink. I grab a book to read in the candlelight 'Tales of a Fearless Knight'.

I startle awake to the low deep growls coming from the sheepdogs. Wolves howl in the distance, staring out the window into the endless darkness. Must be the middle of the night I thought to myself. Stroking Max and Molly to calm them, I grab a few blankets and head back to the straw filled bed, both dogs curling up ontop of me.

"The Wolves must be down from the mountains!" I hear Benny's voice from Fairweather Farm.

"Bloody nuisances" Old Jack spits through gritted teeth.

"They'll be after the chickens, mark my words!" Dorothy warns the men.

I walk closer "Are you going to kill them?" I ask.

"No good it'll do boy, bastards will come regardless!" Old Jack snarls.

" Hopefully they'll stay on the other side of the river, the fences Darius and Kyle fixed up should hold them off" Mrs Fairweather attempts so soothe her husband.

They continue arguing over what to do.

Well f**k.

I don't mind killing an animal when hunting to survive but the talk of wiping out a whole pack of wolves just to save their livestock just sounds beyond cruel.

"What if we set bait lures? They show signs, any signs of wandering over the river, we hunt a buck down and leave a meat trail away from the farms?" I offer the idea.

Benny looks at me wide eyed scratching his bearded chin pondering the idea for a moment "That could work".

So that's what we done, the next day we found paw prints in the lower field. Benny and I manage to shoot down a large enough buck, getting his hunting knife out Benny began cutting. I tie string around each bit of meat, leaving a half mile trail between each piece. They'll follow this for sure and we won't have to hurt them, I chuffed.

My plan had worked and we found no more trace of the wolves near the farm weeks later. Mr Fairweather thought best to continue burning torches along the fence line for extra measure, at least until spring.