Chapter IV

RED

It's been a couple of days since my last talk with Theon at the market. I was still waiting for the proper moment to tell my Grams about our quest. It was clear to me that she would completely disapprove of the idea of putting myself in even more danger than usual. I thought about lying, but she would see right through me for sure. Still, that kind of coin would help us settle down for good. We could start anew, live in a bigger house.

I've been doing this all day, checking the snares to fill my basket and daydreaming of the grand prize, a better life. With winter finally here and snow setting everywhere in sight, plants would be scarce to find, we could only rely on meat. Which motivated me to finally have the discussion with grandma when I got home. Besides the prospect of wealth, if we succeeded I would surely be included in the hunter's ranks, earning a name for myself. Maybe even catch Theon's eye and the approval of his father, who was a real master in the field. I blushed at the thought and giggled.

The wolf poleyn fit perfectly on my leg, making a small click-click sound when I walked. The steel shined beautifully in the raise of the sun. I couldn't wait to use it in some real action and gave it a proud look.

The happiness drained from my face instantly, as I heard a slight movement behind the trees. I reached for my blade, every muscle in my body tensing. The feeling of its proximity made me turn in a flash, with my weapon ready to attack. I stopped as soon as I saw Theon's big eyes freezing on the spot, my dagger at an inch from his throat. He quickly lifted his hands.

" Wow, It's just me! Damn you're fast!" he said impressed. I narrowed my eyes frowning.

" Gods Theon! Don't ever sneak up on me like that! I could have killed you!" I relaxed and retreated, putting my blade away. He laughed and took a step closer to me.

" You won't get rid of me that easily" he said, pushing gently a strand of hair from my face. " I'm sorry I startled you. Thought you didn't hear me". My breath hitched, feeling suddenly very hot inside.

" Well, I had a great teacher" I whispered and for a moment we shared an intense look. He then coughed and backed away a little, running his fingers through his hair.

" I wanted to let you know that everything is ready on my end. We can depart at any time." Thoen said. We started down the path together, heading for the village. It was a grey, cold day. I wrapped my cloak tighter around me to warm up.

" I just need a day or two to let my Grams know and gather some supplies. How will we get there?" I asked.

" We will ride on horseback as long as we can, then we sneak through the woods surrounding Wolfhagen. My father has some men infiltrated in the city. They will help us pass unnoticed."

" Are they the ones that spotted the skin changers?" For a moment Theon seemed confused by my question, but he quickly said " Ah.. yes yes" and changed the subject. It felt weird, but I choose not to think about it. As we neared the edge of the forest, we parted ways and I plucked up the courage to talk to my Gran.

***

" Absolutely not!" said Nana with a final, sharp tone in her voice. " This is madness, you are going to get killed!" The fire was flaring in the stove and so was our conversation for the past half an hour. Our dining room felt like a battlefield.

" Grams, we need this! This is our chance to live without worries from now on!" I threw my hands in the air angry that she didn't see things my way. She gave me a cold glare and took a defensive stance.

" Do you think I care more about coin than you?" said grandma with a hurt look in her eyes. Her words made me soften, but I wouldn't give up, stepping closer and putting my hands on her shoulders.

" No, I don't think that. But you have to trust me, I know what I'm doing. Besides, I won't go alone. Theon and his father's men will be there too." I tried to reassure her. She shook her head in disapproval. I sighed, tired of fighting, and added in a determined voice

" I'm a grown-up woman. I can make my own decisions. I want to do this. For us."

Silence fell over the room, tension thick in the air. As there was nothing more to say, I turned my back and went to bed to cool my head.

***

When I woke up the next day, the first thing I noticed was that grandma didn't sleep in her bed. I jumped out of the sheets, feeling the cold floor under my feet, the chills giving me goosebumps and making my nipples hard. It didn't take long to realize that she wasn't home either. I started cursing worried, wondering where she could be. " Maybe she went to the bakery" I thought, trying to be positive for the moment. After I cleaned my face and had a little breakfast, she still didn't show up. " That's it, I'm going to search for her" I told myself and hurried to dress up. When I was about to remove my night shift, I heard the door open and close. I run to the dining room and made a relieved face when I saw Grams with 2 full baskets.

"Damn Nana, you could have left a note. I was so worried. You didn't sleep last night?" I came closer and hugged her. She smiled, looking a bit tired.

" Oh I'm sorry dear, I thought I will be home before you woke. I did a lot of thinking". I looked at the packages on the table and raised an eyebrow.

" What's this?" I asked curiously. She opened the top, revealing lots of food and drinks, wrapped carefully.

" Well, the least I can do is make sure you have all you need in your journey." She said with a resigned voice. That made my heart melt, thinking that even after the fight we had, Grams still helped me prepare.

" I'm sorry for last night" I said looking at the floor ashamed. She stroked my hair gently and smiled.

" Me too Red. Sometimes I forget how much you grew up. " She said and wiped a tear away. " I also have something else for you" said grandma sounding excited. She took a paper-wrapped package from her cloak. I ripped it open quickly with a large childish grin on my face. Inside was a beautiful blood-red cloth, silky to the touch. I gave my grandma a curious look and continued to unfold it. It was a brand new cloak, with a hood and fluffy fur on the inside. The ends split into 2 tails which had silver flowers and branches embroidered on them. I looked at it amazed, my mouth agape.

" Oh my god, Nana, it's so beautiful !!" I squealed like a little girl. " Was this expensive?!"

" Don't you worry about it. I wanted you to have something warm for the road. It's getting colder outside" she said, taking the cloak and putting it on my shoulder. I went quickly and looked in the mirror. It fit perfectly with my fair hair and pale skin.

" I choose it red, as you always dirty it with bloodstains" she laughed and I giggled like crazy. " You like it?"

" I love it!! " I said and threw myself in her arms. " Thank you, Grams, you are the best!" She pinched my cheek and kissed me on the forehead.

" Come, let me brush your hair, it's a total mess!"

While Nana was tending to my long locks, I sat quietly and thought about the following events. For the first time, I will be traveling further than I've ever been before. I'll see new places and have the opportunity to fight for real, side by side with Theon. The excitement made me want to be on the path sooner, rather than later.