Aleksandr had told his mother about what he encountered by the river and what happened outside of the cabin. At first, she seemed to smile with amusement at his story while making dinner, but she soon became worried when he described the wolf and how it merely looked at them before running away.

“It was giant, it’s paw as large as my head.” Aleksandr said remembering the wolves striking eyes as mesmerizing as a meadow on a sunny day.

Ila stopped stirring the soup and placed the ladle down on the table. She wiped her hands with her apron before placing them on both of Aleksandr’s shoulders. He could see the fear in her eyes, something unusual coming from his mother. Ila was the bravest person Aleksandr knew. “When you were by the river, you weren’t seen, were you?”

“No, I promise, the only thing I saw were rabbits and elk. Then the trees sprouted those fruits.” Aleksandr said motioning to the pear-shaped fruit on the table.

“You kept your gloves on though, didn’t you son? “Ila said trying to gain control of the situation that was gradually slipping out of her hands. Aleksandr avoided her eyes, and she shook her head in frustration.” Aleks- “

“I’m sorry, okay?! I didn’t mean to, it just happened.” Aleksandr said shaking Ila’s hand off his shoulders.

Ila cupped Aleksandrs face between her hands, tears swelling in her brown eyes. “I’m the one who should be sorry, for making you think your ability is something to be ashamed of. I am just so afraid of something happening to you and I won’t be there to protect you. I love you so much Aleksandr.”

Before Aleksandr could reply the front door swung open and Taryn stepped inside. Isa, who was practicing her crocheting sprang up and ran towards the door with a big smile exclaiming, “Papa’s home! Yay!” Taryn threw his shoes off and tossed his bag on the floor before stooping down to pick up Isa in his arms.

“There’s my girl! And where is my beautiful wife?” Taryn asked. Ila walked over to her husband and daughter greeting Taryn with an embrace. Aleksandr felt a twinge of jealousy at the sight of Taryn so warmly welcoming his mother and Isa. His stepfather made it quite clear early on that he had no intention of raising Aleksandr or Raine as one of his own. It wasn’t even a year after Ila and Taryn married when she had given birth to Isa. Taryn placed his hand on Ila’s stomach before turning to his wife and saying, “How is my soon to be son, getting stronger by the day, I hope?”

“Let’s step out of the doorway, Dinner is almost done. “Ila replied removing his hand from her stomach and planting a kiss on Isa’s forehead before returning to the soup simmering in the kitchen.

The next day Aleksandr and his siblings were forced out of the house. "I don’t want to hear another word of it young man, Raine and Isa are going with you and that’s final!” Ila yelled before closing the door behind her three children. Aleksandr rolled his eyes and kicked the snow on the ground before walking off to the shed to retrieve his weapon. Earlier this morning after Aleksandr finished his chores, Ila told him that she wanted Raine and Isa to go along with him. Despite his protests his mother insisted she wanted the house to herself today and with that they were on their way. This was not the first time Aleksandr’s mother had done something like this.

Once when Aleksandr was five years old, his mother and him were in the cabin, the sun was down and there was a chill in the air. The fire was burning low, Ila was sitting in the rocking chair near the chimney, crocheting a scarf for Aleksandr who was cozily napping on the floor. Suddenly, a great wind slammed the front door wide open causing the fire and all the candles in the house to die out leaving only darkness. Without so much as a word Ila woke Aleksandr up and quickly bundled him up. Aleksandr remembers his mother’s face as she constantly kept her eye on the front door. Like she was waiting for something. Ila led him to the door on the side of the house before kissing him on the forehead and saying. “Run to the village, don’t stop until you get there! I will come to find you, no matter what, do not turn around. Now go!” Aleksandr ran through the forest as fast as his feet could carry him wondering what could have frightened his mother so much.

Aleksandr and his siblings walked along the path leading into the woods. Isa was happily skipping and humming to herself, while Raine slowly trudged behind them. Aleksandr could hear Raine’s stomach grumble.

“I’m hungry, couldn’t we have eaten before she forced us out like that? “Raine asked tightly clenching their stomach. Isa stopped skipping and searched her pocket before placing a half-eaten sugar-coated biscuit in Raine’s hand.

“Here you can have the rest. “Isa simply said with a smile.

“Gee thanks.” Raine bitterly replied.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Hey at least Isa can prepare breakfast for herself, stop whining, and just eat it.” Aleksandr said sometimes wondering why he even bothered. Together, they all climbed up the hill and Isa excitedly jumped up and down.

“Ooh, let’s go to the village!” Isa said.

“Let’s not. “Raine and Aleksandr replied in unison exchanging a glance between each other.

“Why don’t we go back to the river and see if there is any more of those fruits from yesterday? “Aleksandr suggested. Isa and Raine nodded in agreement and the siblings made their way to the river.

Ila was outside of the cabin attending the chicken coop. She was carefully tossing the feed to the ground as the chickens clucked around her. Taryn had long since left for work and she had sent her children all on an outing. Her talk with Aleksandr last night had raised worries that she had thought she had put to bed long ago. She told him to never remove his gloves, yet he did, thus the will of a child. Ila could not blame Aleksandr because she was the exact same when she was his age. wild and not willing to listen to reason. Ila shook her head. “If only Aleksandr knew of the dangers of this world and the role, he plays in it all.”

“Excuse me? Are you the lady of this lovely abode? “A voice asked, and Ila turned to see an old woman standing near the cabin. The woman had dark curls with streaks of gray running throughout their hair. She had dark wrinkled skin and brown eyes. Ila couldn’t help but think she must have been a great beauty back in the day. Ila sleeked down her long straight hair and smoothened out her dress before greeting her visitor.

“Why yes I am, my name is Ila, who are you?” Ila replied.

“Ila, what a pretty name. I am just a lonely old widow in search of comfort. Won’t you spare me some of your time?” The old woman asked to Ila with a pleading look that she could not ignore.

“Of course, happy to oblige, why don’t we head inside, and I’ll make us some tea?” Ila replied.

“My, my well aren’t you generous, I would just love some tea. “The old woman said.

The two women made their way inside the cabin and Ila filled the kettle with water before placing it above the chimney fire. She offered a seat to the older woman at the table. The old woman spotted the fruit Aleksandr had brought home and asked, “Where did you find such fresh fruit during this time of year?”

Ila smiled setting down the saucer, “My son Aleksandr, when he was out hunting in the forest.”

“A hunter? Why I imagine his father must be quite proud.” The old woman remarked.

“His father is…not around. “Ila said placing down the teapot on the table.

“I’m sorry to hear that, do you have any sugar? “The old woman asked nonchalantly to Ila.

Ila shook her head, “I’m afraid only honey at the moment.”

“No problem at all. Is Aleksandr your only child? “The old woman questioned.

“He is my oldest, what about you, do you have any children? “Ila asked.

The woman’s hand grasped the teacup. “I have four, Two sons and two daughters. Why don’t you tell me about your other children? “The old woman sniffled.

“What’s there to tell? Aleksandr is my oldest, followed by Raine and my youngest Isa.” Ila commented. She placed her hands on her stomach feeling a kick coming from inside.

“And Isa your daughter, is she your husband’s child?” The old woman asked taking a small sip of the tea.

Ila looked at the old woman before nodding, “Yes, but how did you know that I was married?”

“Oh No matter, well I’m afraid I must get going. Long road ahead of me, you see. “The old woman said standing up from her seat at the table.

“So soon? You haven’t even finished your tea.” Ila said

“Yes, I must be on my way to Avalorn. Thank you so much for the tea and the company.” The woman answered walking to the front door.

“I’m happy to help, May the goddess Vitalani guide you on your journey.” Ila said, opening the door. Before leaving the old woman opened her cloak and pulled out a bouquet of radiant flowers.

“As a token of my thanks please accept these flowers. ruby roses from the Ember desert. They represent prosperity and fertility. “The old woman said with a wink to Ila.

“There beautiful, thank you.” Ila remarked accepting the gift and wishing farewell to her visitor who walked north towards the snowy mountains. “What a peculiar woman.” Ila thought. She placed the flowers into a vase and set it on the table next to the fruit. She sat back down and took a drink from her tea. The flavor of the root left a bitter taste on her tongue.

The sun was beginning to set, and her children would soon be home. Ila cast a glance at the flowers in admiration. The ruby rose had a thorny green stem and luscious white petals with a red center. Ila reached her hand out to touch the petal thinking of how she couldn’t wait to show Isa when she got back. Her hand touched the petal, and a strange sap covered her fingers. The sap smelled of cinnamon and the scent made Ila feel lightheaded. She walked over to the basin to wash off the sap, clumsily stumbling across the room knocking into various furniture. Before Ila reached the basin, however, she could feel the blood rush to her head and collapsed to the ground with a loud Thud.