Like an animal in a cage, Garret and Maria were trapped.
But their situation was far worse than that, the dangers of staying here were high but leaving means Violet will be taken away and that is something far worse than death for them.
Maria thought to give away Violet if it meant her safety assured but still, somewhere in her heart she laid all her troubles on the back of Garrett.
Maybe he can solve the problems.
***
Maria 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 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 her 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 had 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 took me out of the room and he whispered, "she might wake up."
I controlled my breaths and followed him, he guided me to the arm chair he made by himself and sat me.
"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 with river water.
He took some chunks and pulled out "the secret blend"
Something he made for me by himself, I don't want the kinds of things he put in that, but it's tasty, we can't afford a fancy wine or champagne for us here, 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 can rely my whole life on.
**
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 a light of a firefly in a dungeon.
Garrett met the chief first thing in the morning, the relief of villagers was like a bloom in winter.
He instructed them to build a fence, dig a safe den that can 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 said, sent 40 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 reserved troop that is equally competent, although I haven't paid them upfront completely I still paid a hefty price and pulled some string for the village.
You know this is not just 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 the Greyhollow has to pay 60% of the left charge, about 30 silvers, I know you can manage that easily.
Lastly, It would be better if 2 guards are always kept close to Maria's home, I selected them by 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 the authority and put a temporary seal of commander on the letter, except for those two they shall follow your words.
Cosmider this a favour for letting Violet stay, and I am being generous, I am not even counting the previous favours I did for village, but with this I hope 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 a 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 wished I hadn't got caught, i would've been a horseman in cavalry by now!"
They all chatted like there was no worry, the man who led the group walked up 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 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 and wore their armour and went out to barricade the village.
For now that is 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 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, they 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 survival need.
It's an addiction." David scoffed at the naive thoughts and wore his sword sheath on his back.
"Take me to Garret, he and I have some unfinished buisness."
**
While David and chief were on the way to meet Garrett, the two gaurds 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 gaurds covered in armour from head to toe only leaving some gap to see, breathe and move.
"We are here because of the personal request of lady Calla, we would be keeping eye on the cottage from now on.
Here is a letter she asked to pass onto 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 have 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 I can put her out of misery of illness.
I have arranged two guards, they are different from others, they're not any 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 worry about the eyes, they're perfect in their job they'll protect you without even alerting anyone...
****
In the bottom of letter, Maria read something she can't stomach the thought of, she folded the letter and put in her aprons 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 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 on 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 black raven with white eyes...
"It has started, the Night approaches."