4

Ari sat back letting that faithful memory fade as a single tear trailed down her face. From that night forward she had been a loner, sticking to the woods for safety. She'd hit a few settlements after the fire but every time she came near a man her skin crawled. She found herself starring at anyone who held a jar for a long time. It took several years for her to get over the shock and decide she would fight back. She would hunt and trade the skins and meat in for money, or items. the coin could be used for lodging when the weather was not kind, but most of the time she used it for necessities.

She recalled a rather large buck shed taken down and got her most prize possession, Keke- her horse. She was a fine animal. tall, lean with muscles that roped her body. Her chocolate-colored eyes matched her base hair, and her mane and tale looked like the blackest velvet. She was a smart beast for sure. Always knew where Ari was and would find her, protect her. So many nights they slept out under the stars. Ari liked to think Keke had adopted her in some sense. She smiled as she ran her hand through Keke's dark mane. "Hey girl, want to see if they got any treats?" She neighed in response. Ari led her down among the people looking for a food vender grocery store for her purchase. About center of the little settlement sat a rundown building with several people sitting out on its front porch. She tied Keke loosely to the pole and stepped on the wooden porch. Her leather moccasins making no sounds as she did so. The men on the porch nodded respect to her but continued on with their game of chess. She entered the building and at first was shocked when a young woman in a brown tea shirt, and dirty looking jeans, complete with moccasin boots greeted her. It took her a moment to realize she was looking at herself. It had been a long while since she had done so. Her heart hurt because in the briefest of moment she thought her mother stood before her. Her hair long blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her blue eyes looked like running waters just like her mother's. Her facial structure even looked like hers, plump lips and sun kissed skin. She was lean and fit despite the scarcity of foo. She made sure to always find nutrients and practiced protecting herself.

"I keep it up so I can see who gets up on my steps." a grandmotherly voice sounded from behind a large red counter. The woman was barely able to reach the counter it seemed; her skin weathered from the sun. Her long white hair was in two braids that ran on both sides of her head. Beads of turquoise were braided into them. Her eyes however appeared milky. "Forgive me mother but I am not sure you are seeing much these days." she huffed with amusement, “My dear I see more than you do." her smile was kind. Ari doubted that. " I am looking for some fresh supplies before heading out. Looking for some salt, dried fruit, and if you have any apples that would be great." the woman shuffled from around the counter. "Let me see here," she began pulling a leather pouch and wood scope up and pouring salt from the wooden barrel. " I have some dried fruit and meats on the far wall. Help yourself." She nodded in the direction of the far wall. When she filled the sack she shuffled back to a room behind the counter, one that did not appear to be for customers. Ari kept notice of where the old woman went and how far she was to the door. Ari had filled two medium size pouches full of the food and placed them not eh counter. The woman returned with a basket full of potatoes, onions, a tomato, what appeared to be carrots, and a few apples! Ari's mouth felt open. "How much?" the old woman's gaze fell on Ari and it felt as if the woman could see into her soul. "For you dear 5 pelts." Ari counter offered, "3, and 2 birds.' The woman smiled, "Deal."

When Ari retrieved the pelts and birds from Keke's saddle, she noticed the sun had gone behind some dark clouds. Looks like she'll need to stay the night after all. She gathered her items. and had turned to leave, "Wait child. Take this. The spirits say you will need it." the woman all but spun Ari around and put something shiny in her basket. " You will need to see like me." she smiled before turning not saying another word. Confused Ari just left the building, Crazy woman. * She thought.

Ari secured a room at the local tavern for the night. She had stayed near the woods the last two nights, but the darkening clouds promised a nasty evening and she truly did not feel like finding a cave tonight. Keke was put away in the adjacent stables after she had been watered, brushed down and given fresh hay. As promised Ari gave Keke an apple to enjoy when he left. The tavern was not briming with many, but it was not empty this night either. Some of the beer medians serviced several men, and there was a small group playing cards by the fire. Ari choose to take a seat in the corner of the room where she could see all who entered. An older woman of 40 approached her. She had far too much make up on . Her blush was heavy making her look like two cherries had been smeared on her, the red she had on her lips was slightly smeared, and Ari was sure she was one breath away from her tits busting out of her corset. "What'll be hunnie?" she pouted her lips and swayed her chest in Ari's line of sight. Ari waved her hand dismissively, " I aint a Samer, just give me the evenings' meal and a tall beer please." the women seemed to take no offense, nodding as she quickly turns to get the order. The storm had fallen upon the little town. thunder was rocking the building and rain began to pelt the few glass windows there were. Ari was thankful to not be in the woods tonight with nature in her mood. The woman returned soon after with a brown piece of bread, a wooden spoon, a wooden bowl filled with some kind of vegetable soup and a tall glass of amber colored beer. "Let me know if you need anythang else. The name is Clare." She said with a twang.

Ari nodded her thanks and began eating. Even though the food did not appear to be worth much it was rather good. The bread was not so much as it was very dry and hard, maybe made very early the day before. As she enjoyed her meal she listened to teh various conversations taking place. The only one of real interest was the bar tender and the old trapper. "I tell you I seen's it with my own eye! They just got up and walked off. Its a demon out there makin good folk his puppets. Mark my words these lands aint safe." a older man with a missing eye told the bar tender. The bar tender pretended to be interested in what the man was saying- more so so he'd keep buying drinks. "I saw Him once,yes sirs I did." he took a long gulp from his glass. "Did you now? And lived to tell the tale old man?" the bar tender joked.

"He was a pretty fellow. With long talons. Yep like knives they were." gulp of beer. " Me and my mens was rounding up cattle you see. I was down by the river bathing when he came on us. I didn't see him attackin, hell I barely heard the guys drop. It was the cattle that told me somethin was wrong. I'd turned bare assed naked as a new babe. I stole a peak through the high grass and thats when I sees him. He must've heard me and began moving my way. I backed my ass up to the river and got back in. I prayed he won't gonna find me. I hide in the tall grass growing out the water. Got me some damn bugs on me that night!" he chuckled darkly," But when he got to the water yous sees, he aint got no image!" he raspd. The bar tender kept cleaning his glasses and the old man just stopped talking remembering his night. Ari returned to her meal. She took a second helping and another round of the amber colored beer this time nothing more interesting to listen to..

When she had filled her belly, she paid the woman her coin and went to retire. She'd hoped the storm would've finished by now, but it was still going strong. I guess mother nature is gonna sing me to bed tonight. she sighed to herself. She'd grabbed one of the many candles that lit the establishment to light her way up the stairs. Giggles from one of the girls came from one of the upper rooms. She kept walking to the far side of the hall. Her room was a small space with a single mattress fit for one with a metal bed frame. The mattress was filled with some feathers of a bird, or they had stuffed it hay. Either way it felt deceit enough. She'd brought her own blankets to sleep on, as most of these places did not keep clean linen unless you had extra money. Even then that was not always a guarantee. She had a nightstand that was a wooden barrel, closed tight. A simple folding chair sat in the corner there for her to place her things on. She closed the heavy wooden door latching the little metal latch. It'd keep the close closed but if you really wanted to get into, the latch would not truly stop you. There was one window to this small room, it over saw the stables and street below. She glanced once at the stables to make sure there was nothing out of place before blowing her candle out. She climbed into her creaky bed which felt like heaven compared to her typical bed of ground.