Chapter One

The sound of church bells sung through the air waking people from their deep sleep. It was only dawn but at this time, most of the villagers were awake. Many of them were going about their daily jobs, with the farming market bustling with those yelling prices and trying to hassle people for money.

Making my way through the centre of town, I held the fabric of my skirt up slightly in the hope no mud would damage the light grey fabric. If I entered Father's shop with the bottom end damaged or dirty, I'm sure he would surely have a fit. Father had spent a lot of time working on the chief's weapons to obtain this dress. Father had always worked hard to give me the best silks, even when I never wanted them. If I had my way I'd be running around with Matthew and the other boys.

Speaking of the young man, loud cheers and laughter sounded to my left and as I turned to see what was happening, I spotted Matthew with his friends. Each one of them was carrying a vast range of dead animals. Matthew was the son of our best hunter, so naturally, he would follow in his father's footsteps. Watching Matthew place his bow down onto a small wooden table, I wished I could have the privilege to follow in my father's footsteps.

My father wanted me to learn the proper etiquette of a woman and marry into Matthews's family. I didn't want that, for you see when I was very young, my heart began to beat for someone else. He was travelling with his family and only passing through, yet since that day I haven't been able to get him off my mind.

Running into the large field just near the farming village, I watched as a large carriage pulled by a beautiful white horse stopped just outside the village's gates. The door opened and out stepped an older-looking man. He was very tall and built like a rock, and the longer I gazed at him the more I felt scared. He seemed to have this aura about him which seemed to send my heart shaking with fear.

Turning his attention to the carriage, I watched as a beautiful dark-haired woman stepped out. Her navy blue gown flowed down to the ground, making her steps seem graceful and light. Her smile was bright, and she too seemed to express such threatening feelings as the older male.

Jumping out from the carriage in a hurry was a young boy with short black hair. He was wearing a suit just like his father and as he turned and locked eyes with me, I felt a shiver run down my spine. His eyes looked like silver, and as I continued to gaze at him I swore I could see them almost glow.

Swallowing the fear that crept further into my heart, I turned to make my way back to the market stall where my father was selling his weapons. Running and dodging the townspeople, I pushed my way through the small crowd that had gathered around his stall. A lot of the town's men were arming themselves as the yearly festival approached.

Rushing to my father's side I grasped the fabric of his pant leg, before pulling my cheek to rest on his thigh. Listening to Father as he talked to a man, I smiled as he began to discuss the latest dagger he had crafted right from the bone of a deer. The handle was all bone with a beautiful metal artwork woven along with it before a sharp steel blade stood out proudly from the base.

It was lovely, and I remember watching Father spend hours by the fire carving it. Smiling up at him, I listened to him further. A man was arguing about the price but father wasn't going to let the weapon go so easily.

"Surely you understand that asking for one hundred coins is just too much," I spoke a young man.

"I understand your concerns, Sir, but this blade and handle have been carefully carved." Replied father. Picking up the blade Father pointed to the artwork on the handle. "See."

"Sorry, it's just too much."

"I'll take it!" Came a sudden gruff voice. A few of the men standing around the stall glared at the new approaching male. As the male stepped forward, a few of the villagers stepped back almost like they were scared. Gazing up at the new bidder, I shied away behind my father's leg at who was now in front of me.

The man from the carriage was now standing in front of the table. Now that I was close enough to see his face, I noticed a long scar that ran over his left eye and down to his lip. The scar looked like it had hurt, and as his eyes flickered down to me I watched the scar move as he smiled down at me.

"Hello, little lady." He said as he tipped the front of his hat.

Looking down at me, my father gently pulled me out from behind his leg. "Greet him, Annabelle."

Dipping my head so my gaze was on the ground, I whispered, "Good day, sir."

Hearing a small chuckle leave his lips, I watched as the older man's attention moved back to my father. "I will take that blade for three hundred coins."

Shocked gasps echoed around the stall. That much coin would be enough to last us at least six full moons. Gazing at Father, I noticed he too was shocked. "Isn't that too much, Papa?"

Laughing, the man grabbed the blade from my father before examining it. "You see little one, this one is crafted to perfection with not a hint of misuse. Most craftsmen can't carve a bone this well. Most of them chop it or you can see where their strokes were. This one, you cannot."

Nodding, I turned to look at my father to see he was smiling. "Finally someone notices my work."

Laughing, the man nodded. "Your work is amazing, that is true... So, three hundred coins for the blade."

Nodding, father held out his hand. The man raised his leather-clad one, shaking father's hand with a tight grip. It wasn't till now that I noticed the lady standing beside him, and next to her the young boy that had given me chills.

This close, I could see just how bright his silver eyes burned. As if sensing my gaze on him, the young boy's attention snapped to me. Shocked, a small gasp left my lips before I stepped closer to Father.

"Why don't you go and play, Annabelle?"

Clapping, the young lady gazed at me with a big smile. "Why don't you show our son around your village, Annabelle?"

Looking up at Father for permission, he nodded with a gentle smile. "Make sure you back when the church bell chimes." Nodding I looked at the boy before heading towards the field.

Our village was only small and most of the people were living outside the square. Father and I lived just inside the fringe of the woods. Out there he could bang as loud as he wanted without people yelling at him.

Walking towards the vast field where the carriage was placed, I turned to see the boy standing a few feet away. His eyes were focused on me, his eyebrows raised slightly.

"Are you going to show me around?"

Frowning, I tilted my head. "How old are you?" almost regretting my words, I couldn't help but feel like an idiot. Sometimes I didn't have a filter. My mind and mouth never worked together. Father would always tell me to think before I speak and that it wasn't ladylike to ask too many questions.

Smirking, the young boy raised his head higher. "I'm ten." He seemed proud of his age.

With a small pout, I nodded. "I'm seven."

"I can tell." Laughing, he moved closer. Holding his hand out to me, I gazed at it for a few seconds before timidly slipping my hand into his. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Gabriel Knoll."

Smiling at the memory, I walked closer to Father's stall. From here I could see him hunched over his table, a middle-aged man gazing at his collection. Jogging up behind Father, I wrapped my arms around his back as I rested my cheek against the muscles of his shoulder.

A small laugh rippled from his chest, as his hands came up to pat mine resting around his waist. "How was class, my love?"

Rolling my eyes I sighed before pulling back. "A lady shall never speak informally in front of an older man, as it is rude and frowned upon," I said in a rather high-pitched voice, causing another laugh to escape father's lips, and a smile to fill my own.

"How have sales been today?" I said. Lately, Father hasn't been able to sell a lot of his work. His mind has been too preoccupied with the upcoming festival.

Sighing, Father turned to me with a small smile. "We have done well today." By 'we' he means him and his trusty hammer. With a shake of my head, I turned to watch the town's people. Everyone was getting ready for the annual moon festival, and the thought alone that it was nearing had my stomach churning.

"Sharlee, wait!" Rushing after my friend, I tried to dodge all the people that had gathered in the clearing. "Wait!" I shouted once more, but she wasn't listening. Today, she would be sent out into the woods as per the tradition.

Every female of age that year was to dress and make their way into the woods. If you were to be chosen, you wouldn't return. Those that returned by daybreak, were to go about their lives.

Shoving one of the villages out of the way, I finally grasped onto her wrist. Turning to me with wide eyes full of anticipation, I noticed she looked happy.

"You're going through with this?" I whispered.

Sighing, she nodded. "I'm of age dummy." Gently pushing my head with her forefinger, she laughed. "I don't have a say. Besides, I'll be back by daybreak."

"Promise me!" I rushed.

Smiling, she nodded. "I promise."

Taking a deep breath at the memory, I dreaded the next week of preparation. The days leading up to the festival would be nothing but trying different clothes and learning the wood's path and way home. Lucky for me, I already knew my way around the woods.