18

She smiled brightly at the generous amount he gave her.

"Many thanks,and good day to you." He told her and left.

The next place he visited was the Apothecary. He had to refill his medical kit. The Apothecary was on the opposite side of the marketplace. He began to walk in that direction, when he heard his name being called.

"Caleb !"

He looked in the direction it was being called. He turned around and saw it was another childhood friend named Tobias. Tobias was a tall, lanky brunette with broad shoulders and skinny legs. He was not considered as handsome as Caleb.

"Tobias, what are you doing here? Did your mother send you here on a fruitless errand as well?" He quipped once his friend was within earshot of him.

Tobias chuckled and playfully rolled his eyes, "Not today. Today are my own errands." He told him.

They were approaching the Apothecary tent.

"Did you see the wolf posters?" Tobias asked.

Caleb knew he had to act normal or he would arouse suspicion. " How could one not. This island gets crazier and crazier by the minute, doesn't it?"

Tobias chuckled at his jaded statement, he continued, "They expect us to believe after hundreds of years wolves are back, and they are bloodthirsty. It's all absurd." He said as they entered the apothecary.

"Absurd indeed," Tobias rallied and agreed with him.

Caleb and his friend Tobias had concluded their shopping and were leaving the apothecary when Caleb noticed the women of the market place whispering and pointing.

"Evil harlot!" One spat.

"Slut!" Blurted another.

"God will give her a plague!" An elder exclaimed for all within earshot to hear.

His gaze scanned the area to see who had everyone in such an uproar. It was Slyvie's mother, Luna. 

Ever since she had become among the flavored courtesans people despised her even more. THey didn't seem to care that she had been forced into her current profession because of one of their own. She survived. The truth was that Caleb did not care for Luna because, even before her rise within the brothel, she had always been a terrible mother to Sylvie. 

Even before the attack, the community had noticed Luna's propensity to leave little Sylvie home alone and unattended to. She was also often put in dangerous situations because of her lack of motherly instinct with Sylvie. At a young age Caleb had witnessed it with his own eyes, and because of that, he had sworn eternal friendship with little Sylvie. He tried to protect her as much as he could. Looking at her mother now, who was quite a beauty by anyone's standards.

Luna wore a pale red empire waist gown with flounce sleeves, made from pink chiffon. Her sheer red cape seemed to gently rest on her shoulders and perfectly done hair. Her breasts sat high on her chest and looked as if they would fall out of the bodice of the gown. Caleb was disgusted at the deliberate alteration to the dress. His friend Tobias however, was already becoming enticed. 

Tobias licked his parched lips and spoke to Caleb, "I-Is she looking at us?" He asked. 

Caleb had done well all these years to avoid Sylvie's mother, but alas, she was here at the Market smiling at him. She began walking over to the pair. Once she was within earshot she spoke, "Good day, Sirs." 

Caleb said nothing. 

Luna dazzled Tobias with her smile.

"Good day, my lady." Tobias greeted her warmly, he elbowed Caleb then, "Caleb, my friend. Dont' be rude. Say hello to the beautiful lady."

"I see no lady here." Caleb responded coldly.

Tobias' eyes nearly bugged out his head at his friends rude remark. "Caleb!"

"It is quite alright." Luna interjected into the scolding. "I deserve that, I suppose." She smiled sadly. Luna looked at Tobias then, already knowing he was like putty in her hands. "Will you let me and your friend talk in private? I just need a small amount of his time."

Tobias gaze went from her to his friend. Caleb nodded his head, signaling that was fine. 

"I must be on my way. My friend, it is always a pleasure." He slapped Caleb on the back and left them.

Caleb was alone with Luna. Gone was that dazzling smiled she had used on his friend. In its place was she wore her sadness on full display. Caleb wasn't heartless. He began to feel badly for being so harsh to her. 

"Please, forgive my rudeness." He spoke with sincerity in his voice.

"Oh, what? No. I deserve it. I am not a nice woman. Lately, I have come to see that I have not been the best mother to my oly child, my Sylvie." She pulled a satin hankerchief from the inside of her left glove and began dabbing at the corners of her dry eyes.

Caleb realized his assumption had been correct. Luna was unaware that Sylvie had made it out of the fire and was alive. As upset as Caleb was with the love of his life, he would never sell her out to the likes of her mother, after all, it was her turn to feel what her daughter had all those years worrying about Luna. He thought it was almost justice. 

Luna continued, "You were her only friend. I-I know I must have seemed like a monster to you. I allowed her to live on the streets like a beggar."

Caleb was aware their conversation was drawing attention. People were watching them. He was also aware that Luna did not care. 

"How you raised your daughter is none of my affair. if that is all-" He tried to go.

She evaded his escape and stood directly in front of his path. She placed a hand on his forearm. Desperation was etched on her face, laced in her smooth voice. "After the fire, the men removed the rubble and found bodies..."She trailed off as if the next thing she had to say would make her sick. Caleb watched as her eyes misted with real tears now.

"What does any of this have to do with me?" He asked. 

"Well, I was hoping you assist me in identifying the bodies the men were able to salvage. Since no one can locate Bouvier, they have put me in charge. It would bring me peace to be able to bury my child. may not have been able to protect her in life, and do right by her while she was living, but I can do that now." She explained.

"Why me?" Caleb asked her. 

 "Sylvie was always fond of you. I think she would want it that way. She would tell me all about how clever you are, and how skilled you are with medicine and herbs."

Caleb's heart slightly warmed at Luna's description of Sylvie. Hearing her mother talk about him in that way made him feel a twinge of guilt. He wanted to say 'no'. Caleb was best left out of their family drama, but seeing the determined look on Luna's face he knew she would not take 'no' for an answer. 

"let me speak to my father. After, I will send word."

Luna smiled through unshed tears. She clasped both of his hands to her bosom in gratitude. 

"Thank you!" 

Caleb quickly moved his hand away, making sure not to blush when he did. her gesture was overly excited. Caleb turned around and walked away leaving her staring at his back as he exited the marketplace and quickly made his way back home. When he arrived, he noticed Amaruq's men were loitering. Caleb despised them. They caused more trouble than good. 

The big one deserved what he got, was how Caleb saw it. He attacked Sylvie. God only knows how bad it would have gotten had the wolf not saved her. The trio of Lycans turned to see him. Caleb didn't see their leader, and made the logical assumption he was inside of the smithy. 

Caleb's eyes adjusted to the dim lighting . He walked further inside and saw both Amaruq and his father conversing. He wasn't within listening range, so he could not hear what was being said. Caleb along with the Island dwellers knew Amaruq and Luna were a couple. Caleb couldn't help but wonder if him speaking with Luna and Amaruq speaking with his father was not a coincidence.

Caleb felt it in his gut. 

A few minutes passed as he watched the two men speak in hushed tones. Amaruq handed his father a medium-sized coin purse, shook his hand, turned on his heels. Before exiting Caleb caught the leaders attention. 

Amaruq spoke to him then. "Hello, young blacksmith. I hope your trip to the market was eventful." He smirked at Caleb and Caleb knew then that none of this was a coincidence. It was a plan set in motion. Amaruq sauntered past him and exited out of the smithy.

Caleb walked over to his father, who was now opening the coin purse. Caleb caught a glimpse of what was inside. Gold.