A Hunter's Creed Part 3

We laid there, allowing the fantastic spices to seep into our pores. The aroma became even more tempting. I visualized the juices oozing from the meat. Daydreaming about the food finally in my mouth, the swell of the meat on my tongue, the spices, thick gravy drained onto the back of my throat.

Noises. My eyebrows creased. There some shouts and a lot of conflicting noises. It was distant, yet it sounded so close. A commotion was happening. It could be almost like an argument, yet they were so many voices.

"You hear that?" I asked Rowan.

"Hm?"

"Listen. Like a group of people arguing."

I heard the shuffling of Rowan. After a pause, then Rowan said, "Probably just the villagers on their way home getting in an argument about something."

True, but what would they be arguing about? They just occurred, and now they were disputing? It was a sad thing when positivity was so fragile.

I frowned.

We heard Bella's voice from the kitchen. "Guys, it looks like the whole town is gathered around Old Granny's house."

My head shot up when I heard that. Grandma? It could not be, right? Why? She was like a treasured member of the community. Why would they have had problems with her?

I moved toward the kitchen, while Rowan ran out the door to get a closer look. In the kitchen, I looked out the window Bella had been looking out of. She was right, but by the Gods, the whole town seemed to be there.

It was like the village festival changed locations and rounded up right there in Old Granny's yard. My heart raced, trying to make sense heads and tails of this.

Rowan came in and confirmed what we saw.

"What's going on?" I asked with worry. "Is everything okay?" I looked at Rowan. "Could you hear what they were saying?"

He shook his head and looked down.

This was ridiculous. Why would they be there? I had to figure out what this was about and there was only one way to do that. "Oh no, I hope something hasn't happened to Old Granny. I've got to get down there," I said.

Rowan stepped up. "I'll come with you."

"Me too." Bella flicked the gravy filled spoon.

My eyes went over to the food in the cauldron. The steak was cooking nicely and already getting nice and brown.

I wished I could stay, but other priorities came to the fore. My stomach had quieted under the weight of danger that might have befallen Grandma. "Both of you can't come," I said. "Someone's got to make sure the house doesn't burn down."

They both looked at me blankly. I tipped my head toward the meat in the oven. They glanced towards the food. "Oh," Bella said.

Rowan looked between me and Bella. He shrugged, saying. "Why don't we eat first then?"

I frowned. "I can't eat first. Suppose something has happened to Old Granny? And why are the voices so angry?"

"You are right," Rowan said.

Bella nodded and laid down the spoon. "Okay fine. I'll finish up here and I'll meet you guys down there when the food done? I'll bring you some?"

Bringing us the food probably not needed. We could have come back, but I said nothing. "Thanks." I looked at her. My hunger argued with me, but my gut told me something wasn't right as well.

A conflicted fight it was, but I was going to end it.

I pulled and pushed my legs to carry me over there as quickly as I could. Rowan didn't want to leave my side. He saw how tired I was. I dragged myself to continue. Old Granny's house wasn't far, but it felt like it was taking me a lifetime to get there.

"You okay Nils?" Rowan asked. His words travelled through the wind with a strained dissonance. My heart hammered in my chest.

My words struggled to get under the breathing duress. I said, "Yeah. I just need to find out what's happening." Legs burnt with each step and the steps were many and with vigor.

"Hold on. Take a break."

I shook my head. "I can't. We're almost there. She could be in trouble."

"I know, but you look like you're about to pass out. Stop. Breathe."

My legs dropped and froze on the spot. The pain hit me like a wave. I resented pausing at this moment, but I knew he was right. My breaths came out haggled. I felt like the wind was being knocked out of my lungs.

I couldn't see my sister and her husband anywhere either. My vision got hazy and my head felt like it grew in size.

I had to stop to catch my breath for a bit. Rowan ran back to the house to grab me a glass of water and I felt improvement instantly.

I allowed myself to focus for longer then we set off toward Old Granny's house and I will find out what really was going on, that was for sure.