Changing of the Seasons

Chapter: 2

She felt like she was being sentenced to death as she walked solemnly through the cobblestone streets of her village. She wished something would strike her down so she wouldn’t have to deal with that bastard today. It was early in the morning and the sun was still trying to creep its way up the mountain to give them light. For now she was guided by the numerous torches that lit their streets.

She passed by the little market in the square setting up and noticed an odd looking man sitting off to the side. He almost seemed to be observing the villagers bustling about with morbid curiosity in his eyes. No one really seemed to pay attention to him and he almost looked a little lonely…

“Hello sir.”

She greeted him as she approached him. Usually she didn’t like bothering with human interaction but he seemed a little different. She liked the curious look in his eyes.

“Do you mind me asking why you are sitting here?”

A mischievous look crossed his face and he threw his hands up in the air.

“My dear lady why is it that no one lets me sit where I please. I wander from village to village looking for the perfect place to sit and alas no one seems to let me! What is a man to do in this day and age where he can’t sit for no reason?! It’s madness I tell you! Madness!”

Her mouth dropped open a little bit and she felt slightly offended. He was teasing her about her proper way of speaking. That much was for sure. She ground her teeth and snorted. She turned her head away and crossed her arms. That was rather rude of him.

“Aww miss I’m sorry. I did not mean to put you off. I was just joking with you.”

He really did sound sincere in his apology. She took a second glance at him and sat down on the seat next to him.

“It’s fine.”

She sighed and looked him in the eyes. They were deep blue with flecks of gold around the iris. His beard was slightly scruffy and shortish. He had dark brown hair that was cropped. Very odd for this part of the mountain. Most men here kept all of their hair long and didn’t bother shaving or keeping anything somewhat neat, like this man.

“No its not. I just don’t like it when young women talk like that to me. I feel like they are stuck up and superficial. Like they judge everything based on looks.”

He tilted his head up at the sky and breathed heavily.

“Then you are in the wrong village sir.”

She chuckled and nudged him a little with her elbow.

“Almost every girl here is like that. It can’t be helped. I feel like I’m stuck in the throwback of the old times here. Where everything from nature is feared and women were used for breeding and a status symbol.”

Her eyes grew sad at her last statement. It was so awful but true. She felt like her village and the surrounding villages would never grow out of the mindset of the old times. Full of fear and traditions that were now outdated and asinine. The man nodded in agreement and folded his arms over his chest as well. His raggedy cloak was actually made with bear hide and lined with rabbit fur as she looked closer. In fact…most of his clothing was made of high quality skins and furs that had been worn soft and comfortable.

“Sir, was is your name and where do you come from. You really don’t look like you come from around these parts, and I’m pretty sure I would have recognized you if you lived here.”

He shifted a little bit and his eyes flickered from side to side as if he were afraid that they were being watched. She could tell he felt nervous and scared and that her question put all his defenses up.

“My name is…”

He hesitated. He looked as if he wanted to leap up from his seat and run as fast as he possibly could away from here.

“It’s Toma.”

He finally said after a long minute of hesitating. She wasn’t sure if it was his real name or not but she would take it for now.

“And I don’t really come from anywhere. I go wherever my feet take me.”

Her heart fluttered. A vagabond? A person who travelled to wherever they pleased and lived outdoors with nature? The way she wanted to live? Jealousy boiled through her veins. What she would give to have this man’s life. It was almost a dream.

The sun had finally risen, and unfortunately, she had to go back to her home to get ready for that bastard that wanted to marry her so bad. She got up with a look of dread on her face and held her hand out to shake Toma’s hand. He took her hand and smiled.

“Do I get to know your name or are you just going to leave me to wonder?”

This brought a smile to her sullen expression.

“My name is Enoka. And a word of advice. Don’t tell people here about you living in the forests. They will burn you as a witch. It’s a horrid way to go.”

He nodded and let go of her hand. Enoka walked away. If only she could have stayed a little while longer.

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