Chapter 14: Unfettered and Free
Garren led the party back out to the village yard, the silent Sally clinging to Wulfgar as they emerged from Helga's hut. Packs and gear were once again slung across their shoulders, the weight a tangible reminder of the journey ahead. Their breath formed thin wisps in the night chill. Fires that had recently filled the space with boisterous light now lay cold and silent.
Adrianne and Stefan remained hovering not far off, but otherwise the villagers had retreated out of sight, leaving behind a desolate landscape bathed in moonlight. In the dim glow, Dover could be seen dragging himself up onto the bench Katalin had knocked him off earlier, his eyes filled with silent menace as he tracked their movements.
"We should leave this place," Katalin snapped, her voice tinged with simmering disgust. "The woods hold no more darkness than the company here."
But Garren shook his head cautiously as he peered towards the dark perimeter of trees. "Too risky to travel the forest trail blind. Best wait for first light."
Their debate was interrupted as Sally abruptly let go of Wulfgar and turned to stand before Garren. Silently, she extended her small hand to him, frustration evident as she attempted unsuccessfully to wiggle an iron band off her finger. She held it closer so he could see - a very plain ring he somehow never noticed her wearing.
Understanding dawned as her efforts failed and she pleadingly looked up to meet his eyes. "Do you...want this removed, child?" Garren inquired gently.
At her rapid nodding, he delicately slid the band off, taken aback when she firmly took it from his palm and marched towards Dover before anyone could react.
Katalin and Wulfgar exchanged an uneasy look before trailing cautiously after Sally, hands resting on weapon hilts.
Sally stopped directly in front of Dover's perch. For a long minute he just stared at the proffered ring resting in her tiny open palm. Finally with a grunt, he reached out and took it, turning it over in his fingers. Then, as Sally turned and walked away, an eerie, stuttering laugh suddenly burst from his lips, interspersed with winces and grunts of pain. The sound raised the hairs on the back of Katalin's neck...
Katalin ushered Sally back to the safety of Wulfgar's side after the odd exchange, her heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and determination. Dover's eerie laughter continued echoing across the empty yard, sending shivers down her spine.
"We're leaving this place," Katalin declared, her voice firm despite the unsettled look in her eyes, which never left Dover's menacing figure.
"Yes, it's time," Wulfgar agreed, his expression grim as he moved protectively to shield Sally from her father's jarring hysterics which gradually grew quiet.
Just then Adrianne and Stefan cautiously approached the group. Adrianne held out a small bundle of clothes, a small cloak, and a threadbare blanket - Sally's meager belongings.
"It's not much, but I packed what I could find," she offered apologetically as Sally hugged her fiercely in thanks. Adrianne leaned back holding Sally, "You feel chilled to the bone child. Here, put your cloak on."
She carefully draped the garment across Sally's shoulders, fastening it securely beneath her chin. Finally, Adrianne turned to Katalin, worry plain across her face. "Please keep Sally safe," she implored earnestly.
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As Adrianne begged Katalin to keep Sally safe, Stefan shuffled closer, his expression wrought with remorse. "Please, I'm sorry... about everything. Can I help?" he asked, casting a hopeful glance between Garren and Wulfgar.
Wulfgar met the young man's repentant eyes with a nod. "You know the nearby woods well enough to guide us somewhere to camp beyond the village perimeter?"
Stefan's eyes brightened. "I can show you a place!"
Adrianne stepped forward to join them, but Stefan gently gripped her shoulders, meeting her determined eyes. "No Adri, stay here. I won't be but an hour or so. Go...be with your mother. I think she needs you."
With determined resolve, Stefan led them towards the looming tree line, his steps steady and purposeful. Wulfgar followed close, still holding Sally's hand, her trust unwavering. Sally did not look back even once. At the edge of the forest, Katalin and Rollo paused together, scanning their surroundings before following the others."
----
About an hour later, as the dense woods gave way to a small moonlit clearing dotted with rocks and stumps, Stefan paused, his gaze searching the surroundings. "Will this do?" he asked, turning to Wulfgar.
Wulfgar surveyed the space, he nodded. "It's well-suited."
Turning back to Sally, Stefan slowly knelt until they were eye level. There were no words exchanged, only a long, tender embrace. Pulling back slightly, Stefan raised one arm dramatically, his face contorted with a mixture of sadness and fondness. In a hoarse whisper, he uttered, "App-le," before leaning in to press a kiss to Sally's cheek.
Sally managed a smile, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Stefan straightened slowly, his gaze lingering on Sally for a moment longer before he turned and strode purposefully toward the tree line, disappearing into the shadows without a backwards glance. The group stood in silence, watching his departure until he was swallowed by the darkness of the forest.
----
Katalin lay awake, her gaze fixed on the twinkling stars above, unable to quiet her restless mind enough for sleep. The moon hung low, casting a silver glow over the quiet campsite. In the distance, an owl's mournful hoot echoed through the trees, a haunting melody against the backdrop of Sally's gentle slumber beside her on the shared bedroll. She anticipated Garren's imminent arrival to wake her and relieve him for watch duty.
She found herself reflecting on all that had transpired to lead her to this lonely forest vigil. The memories were like looking into a broken mirror - falling to fever dreams and pain after the heart-wrenching loss of her father, the confrontation with Laszlo, the relentless pursuit through one wilderness camp after another, then the bridge and the villages dark secret. It felt to Katalin as if she hadn't stopped moving since tragedy upended everything stable and familiar.
And now here she kept watch over another lost girl, determined to shield Sally from a world that no longer made sense. She felt like a moth battering itself against a lamp, fleeing from demons real and imagined. Would sanctuary ever be within reach? With a solemn resolve, Katalin silently vowed to herself -- she would do anything she could, make any sacrifice to protect her companions and little Sally.
----
As the first light of dawn began to break, the forest remained cloaked in shadow, with only faint hints of pale golden light filtering down through the dense canopy. Katalin rose from her bedding, wakefulness her companion all night. While Garren, who had been on last watch, stirred the others to wake and prepare, she began setting out provisions of torvgras. Katalin noted that her mother's gift bag was now half empty.
As the team collected gear, Wulfgar approached Rollo who stood with his arms outstretched, expecting to be bound as he had been since giving his parole at the crossroads. But instead of leather cords, Wulfgar held out Rollo's crossbow and stood waiting. Rollo hesitated for a moment, surprised by the unexpected offering. As if reading Rollo's befuddlement, Wulfgar spoke softly, "These woods hold dangers, be they man or beast. We must all play our part."
Wulfgar then took Rollo's own shield from where it had been tied to his pack while Katalin carried the other that had once belonged to Charlie. Garren had Charlie's old longsword strapped to his back, glinting in the morning sun. Nodding to the group when ready, Garren set off towards the South, the rest fanning out behind him.