on the ground, plucks a few mushrooms from the soil and puts them in her basket. There goes my dinner. T

e forest and I watch the woman, with her basket, walk through a grassy field, toward a small hill. I fr

d to know where they’re going, and where

the field of grass and exhale. I h

ust stay here. If anything goes wrong, I don't want anything bad happening to y

and kiss hi

watch Ember run deep into t

lage with market stalls and lots of people. The men wear tunics and breeches, in assorted colours, styles

ids or buns. Some women wear strange head-dresses made of feathers and flowers.

be right, and I don’t want to draw any attention to myself. Cover

in posters, there are small symbols and scribblings on these sheets of paper. I don’t know w

y-sewn brown dress that reaches my ankles, and push my slender arms into the sleeves of an olive-green velvet cloak that touches the ground. I fasten the clas

r heard so many human voices all at once. Old women sit on wooden crates crocheting, and nattering away, while young children run in groups after stray ducks, laug

armour, presumably soldiers, fill wooden crates they are holding with these goods. A soldier shouts loudly for all s

donate half their food to their sovereign. These donations will

me knowing they feel how I feel, not having enough food to eat. I

we have to keep giving it away to the soldiers!’ A mother o

wolves will do if they win, is rip your children apart, limb by limb, and eat them!’ The man shouts back, in r

luctantly put food they have just bought into the crates for

lder who is sitting on a barrel. He smiles, and says ‘not to worry darlin’. To my horror, he is

at the stall-holder is selling. It’s unexpected, when this

ts to churn. I think I’m going to be sick, and so I plant my hand ove

settle. Composed once more, I notice a group of children who are playing

e has long dark-brown hair, brown eyes, she’s in h

first time in my life; it’s odd, and normal, and liberating. I sha

ng okay?’ Sh

ine, thank

her head to th

et,’ she says. I look down at my dirty feet, boots were not something I really thought about when I stole the clothes from the stall. I’ve s

ravelled a fair distance. I don't

l. I didn't realise

hat I’m not homeless, but she quickly g

ly part with a pair of my boots, for you.’ I let her es

into a beautiful, handmade, orna

e is Vivian. These little girls are my sev

a and Grace,’ I say, and smile at the ch

g to tell me your name?’ She asks

a,’

Well, Maia. Let me get some wa

with a round, wooden tub fill

had my feet washed with warm water and

to those in need.’ Vivian says proudly, putting the c

lking into a room, and returning w

kindly. She hands me two small gloves of fabric, th

you not had socks b

ers. She takes the socks from me and covers my feet with them; my feet instant

nd then she holds my right ankle as I push my right foot into t

ow you did that?’

did wha

the small la

how to tie your l

asto

e not had boots before.’

of the laces, undoing them. She shows me three times how to tie the laces, before she tells me to

e. You’ll eat a meal before you’re on your way, won’t you?’ Sh

y much.’ I say, emotio

harder to find good food. I can offer you

.’ I say, relishing the thought

ghtfully, and sing a song to me, while Vi

ul experience, it warms my heart, and makes me reminis

, please. Lunch is

t in two chairs

wl down on the table in front of each of us with a chunk of bread. I w

ask, referring

you not had butter before?’

d, and spreads butter onto one side of it for me. I bite in

e food when Vivi

. I look up; she and the girl

ce covered during mealtimes, especially

nishes me from her house? ‘May I be excused to not remove my hood

a you had a deformity, yes, of course

cond time, I thank Vivian

ome.’ She sighs,

o

nd visit us ag

ter we have hugged one ano

her doorstep, chatting to Vivian, and ey

less and has a deformed face, not

supposed to hear her and the look on

sian sack I have found. No one has seen me. Wanting to learn more about Wellmore Village and its pe

dresses and shawls converse with one another, and I

ight was very unsuccessful I

ever seen, yet has a heart so cold that even his own wolf is frightened o

hance of winning

he remains mateless’ they giggle, a

ome to Ember. I tell Ember about Wellmore a

or food. I'm also worried about this war.’ Comforting me, Emb