The Weaver's Source

Chapter 2

I grinned then looked apprehensive when my magic twisted violently, making my chest ache. He noticed.

"Something's wrong." Otto stated as he ushered me under the gateway to keep me out of the rain.

"Last night, I felt something hunting me." I said nervously.

"And you didn't come and get me?" He demanded.

"It was late, Otto."

"I told you to come get me, no matter what the time is, if you feel danger." Otto said firmly.

I hung my head. "I know."

He sighed and scratched his cheek as best he could underneath his helm. "Go on. Tell me what your magic feels."

"It feels scared, not like the other time I was hunted. I think it's a bigger monster."

"Bigger than a bristled boar?"

"Bigger."

Otto scowled. "I haven't seen anything and I've been on duty since dawn. The night watch had no disturbances last night either."

"I know, which is confusing me. My house was fine. Nothing had been there while I slept." I paused and glanced about the street. "I think the monster is somewhere near the town. My magic grew worse the closer I got."

Otto's scowl grew darker. "I'll start a hunt, see if we can find it. I won't have a monster near this town."

"I can help." I offered.

"No, you need to keep away from the thing. Just keep Gabi close to you when you go home. She can help you if you need it." He propelled me back into the street. "Leave and keep close to friends for now. Don't be on your own."

"I won't." I promised and headed off back into town to seek out my aunt.

I hoped he wouldn't get hurt. The monsters that normally find me aren't too much trouble but people do get hurt in the hunt and fight. A bigger one might be too dangerous, and someone being killed in the defence of me would not make me any more popular than I already am. It was because of Otto, Gabi's family and a few others that I am still living in that house. Nearly the whole town wanted me out and far from them and would've dragged me away if Otto hadn't stepped in.

I wandered through the narrow streets where the houses were tall and squashed against one another in an uncomfortable fashion. I only stopped when I found the place I sought. The small crooked house looked far sadder in the rain. I tapped the door lightly and waited patiently as Ibolya made her way slowly about the house. I smiled happily at the elderly woman, an ancient aunt of my mother's, as she pulled the door open.

"There you are Lyra." Ibolya said and let me walk in.

"Sorry I'm late, aunt. I needed to talk to Otto."

She clicked her tongue. "Another monster?"

"Yes." I said but didn't expand on the fact it was more dangerous than normal. I promised her to keep her informed when danger threatened me to keep her from worrying all the time, but that didn't mean I needed to elaborate the level of danger.

She watched me with a sad expression as I sat in the middle of the floor and began work on the pile of clothes that needed fixing.

"I wish you were not burdened by this." She said softly and slowly settled her well-used chair. "You're a good girl. You don't deserve to be hunted by monsters and hated by people you have barely had a chance to speak to."

I shrugged as nonchalantly as I could, trying to ignore the little jolt of sadness in me. "So far nothing has bothered me too much."

"But you're alone. None of the men will approach you and those that are on your side are too old or married." She sighed sadly. "I don't want you to live alone. I want you to live a life of love and experience something more than friendship and familial bonds."