Like an animal in a cage, Garrett and Maria were trapped.
But their situation was far worse than that. The dangers of staying here were high, but leaving meant Violet would be taken away, and that was something far worse than death for them.
Maria thought to give away Violet if it meant her safety was assured, but still, somewhere in her heart, she laid all her troubles on the back of Garrett.
Maybe he could solve the problems.
---
Maria's POV
"What should I do?" I walked back to the cottage and sat close to Violet, rubbing her cold forehead.
"Can't we just run away? Should I give her to Calla? But she can't care for her in the capital while working. She said before that she had to give her to a church where all the ailing kids live.
Every child that lives is just surviving; all they give them is food and shelter in exchange for praying all day and night. If the illness is like hers, they might confine her..."
The tears started slipping down my face. I couldn't even imagine sending her to such a place. Isn't this illness enough punishment for her?
A punishment for a sin that she never even committed!
The tears didn't stop, my breath was slipping from my lungs, and then Garrett opened the door.
He looked at me and then rubbed Violet's forehead.
He didn't say anything, just took my hand and led me out of the room, and he whispered, "She might wake up."
I controlled my breaths and followed him. He guided me to the armchair he made by himself and sat me down.
"Are you cold?" he asked. He turned his face away and walked to the kitchen.
He hammered and broke a chunk of ice and froze it with river water.
He took some chunks and pulled out "the secret blend."
Something he made for me by himself. I don't want to know the kinds of things he put in that, but it's tasty. We can't afford fancy wine or champagne here, and his secret blend never let that wish arise.
"Garrett... I..." I rubbed my hands and looked at his broad back when he let out a grumpy sigh.
"Don't think too much. I know better than anyone else that you would cut your flesh to feed Violet. I will never question your love for her, and even if it's unreasonable or something that might hurt,
whatever you ask...
It's all for Violet's sake." He stirred the glass and placed one down for me.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to keep you and her safe. I won't let them put even a scratch on my family." He took a sip and rubbed my shoulder.
I held his hand, which felt like a support I could rely on my whole life.
**
To keep my family safe—Garrett said to himself, looking at the door where his everything was dreaming.
Morning came, but compared to the cold, it was like the light of a firefly in a dungeon.
Garrett met the chief first thing in the morning. The relief of the villagers was like a bloom in winter.
He instructed them to build a fence, dig a safe den that could last them for a whole month,
to store food and prepare to fight.
And thus, gears started turning.
In a week, the help arrived.
Calla, as she said, sent forty guards from the capital.
"Welcome! We are glad you came!" the chief welcomed them.
He brought food and guided them to the village hall—small but enough to fit a hundred men.
"You all can stay here! I don't know how to thank you!" The chief shook the hand of the guard that stood in front of all of them.
He looked at the chief and pulled out a letter.
"Here's how you can thank us..." He gave it to the chief along with his men and entered the hall.
The letter was from Calla.
---
To the Chief of Greyhollow,
Taking up your request, I've sent some guards.
They are a reserved troop that is equally competent. Although I haven't paid them upfront completely, I still paid a hefty price and pulled some strings for the village.
You know this is not just a favour; I did all of this for my daughter and Maria. I hope you can make sure that they are well taken care of.
Most importantly, Greyhollow has to pay 60% of the remaining charge, about thirty silvers. I know you can manage that easily.
Lastly, it would be better if two guards are always kept close to Maria's home. I selected them myself.
You don't need to worry about them nor put worries on them—just let them do what they are told. I've given you authority and put a temporary seal of commander on the letter. Except for those two, they shall follow your words.
Consider this a favour for letting Violet stay, and I am being generous. I am not even counting the previous favours I did for the village, but with this, I hope the village will make sure to keep my little treasure safe.
From,
Calla
A small suggestion—don't make them angry.
---
The chief read the letter and let out a sigh. He clicked his tongue and turned his back to the guards.
"Alright, men! I am the chief of the village and will be the commander for you, as written in the letter. Here is the seal of approval in the letter.
I hope you can work hard and follow my words to keep the village safe!" The chief spoke with his chest puffed up.
When he looked at the guards, they all looked—unbothered.
"If only we could use the gate! That journey was hell!"
"Yeah, the gate is reserved for high class. You can come here from the capital within half a day with a gate and earth dragon carriage from the town."
"Oh man! I wish I hadn't got caught; I would've been a horseman in the cavalry by now!"
They all chatted like there was no worry. The man who led the group walked up to the chief and extended his hand.
"They're not bound by the law. It's nothing but a fancy doodle for them." He took the letter and shoved it in his coat.
"The letter was only for you to get the money ready. I'll be taking over from here. You can call me David."
The man turned his back on the chief and shouted an order. The men packed up, wore their armour, and went out to barricade the village.
For now, that was their work.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a scar on his left eye. He had a light stubble and short grey hair.
From the build, he was very muscular and intimidating.
"Also, chief, I heard someone named Garrett lived here." He raised his brow. "Where can I find him now?"
"He is currently teaching the young men of our village to handle the weapons. The older ones are too proud to ask how to fight a monster," the chief scoffed.
"It is the ego of man. They often think everything in this world is just an animal that'll run when attacked.
But monsters are far more different than prey and predators. They don't wait for the prey to come close or anywhere near them.
They'll find it and kill them. They'll devour what they prefer and move on to find the next prey. For them, hunting isn't a game or a survival need—
it's an addiction." David scoffed at the naïve thoughts and wore his sword sheath on his back.
"Take me to Garrett. He and I have some unfinished business."
**
While David and the chief were on the way to meet Garrett, the two guards made their way to the cottage.
When they reached the door, they looked at each other and knocked.
"Coming!" Maria spoke and opened the door.
She looked at the two guards covered in armour from head to toe, leaving only some gaps to see, breathe, and move.
"We are here because of the personal request of Lady Calla. We will be keeping an eye on the cottage from now on.
Here is a letter she asked to pass on to you."
Maria was confused. She took the letter and started reading.
---
Dear Maria,
I hope you're well and taking care of my little Violet. I hope she is well too. Ever since I heard about the Winterbeasts, I just can't put my heart at ease no matter what.
Look at my misery—I can neither take Violet somewhere else, nor can I put her out of the misery of illness.
I have arranged two guards. They are different from others; they're not just guards, but they're from the Dukedom of Ebraith.
They're far better than any guard I can send there. They'll protect Violet from any danger that is coming.
You don't need to worry about their eyes. They're perfect in their job—they'll protect you without even alerting anyone.
---
At the bottom of the letter, Maria read something she couldn't stomach the thought of. She folded the letter and put it in her apron's pocket.
When she looked up, the guards were gone, and she hurried inside.
Meanwhile, Violet was looking outside the window again.
She breathed on the glass and drew on the steam—her and some other children playing.
"No one is playing today," she murmured...
While she was drawing, suddenly her heart was pierced with sharp pain. She dropped to the floor, and the sound fetched Maria.
She rushed to Violet and saw her shivering and convulsing.
"What happened to Violet! Baby, say something! Baby!"
As she tried to wake Violet up, she saw her hands freezing slowly from nails to fingers. It wasn't winter but something else.
Looking at them from afar, there was a black raven with white eyes.
"It has started. The Night approaches."