“I must go for a walk,” Anya blurted out.
“Alright, would you like me to go with you?” her husband asked.
“No, no, thank you. I need to think, and I don’t want any distractions,” the matron insisted.
Outside the house, the air felt cool, offering her a moment of comfort.
“What is this feeling of dread?” remarked Anya as she wandered down the lane.
Autumn had come early this year, and everyone was hurrying to bring in the harvest. Anya had volunteered to make basket lunches for the field hands. She had not thought of anything else over the last few days.
“I don’t understand why the evening feels so hollow,” mumbled the woman.
Reaching Mason’s Point. Anya began the slow descent toward the village when a single raven flew past.
“One for sorrow,” said the matron.
Her eyes followed the bird as it headed toward the northern forest.
“One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret never to be told,” said Anya as she watched the bird fade into the distance.
Anya’s eyes widened as a single word formed in her mind. “Albert,” cried the matron.
The woman turned and retraced her steps with haste.
“We must go to my home,” pronounced the woman as she burst into the room.
Gojeck almost fell out of his chair. “What?” stuttered the man.
Anya explained that they needed to get to the northern forest as soon as possible.
“Why?” asked Gojeck.
“Albert, it’s my brother Albert. I fear he’s at death’s door. I must see him before he goes,” insisted the woman.
Gojeck snuffed the candles and grabbed his hat. “We’ll take Malik’s draft horse, it’s the closest,” said her husband as he followed Anya out the door.
A short while later, Malik lifted Anya behind Gojeck and the two dashed away.
“May the fates guide you,” said Malik as he watched his friends fade into the distance.
Anya caught a glimpse of a hooded figure streaking across the evening sky. “Hold on, Albert, I’m coming,” Anya whispered to her brother.
Now, only the Fates knew whether she would see her brother alive.
Folksburywoods 
Leave a comment