The morning began without Orion.
Kael noticed it almost immediately.
By now, he had become familiar with the rhythm of the cottage.
Orion was normally awake before everyone else, and even on hunting days, he rarely left without quietly checking on his family first.
Today, the familiar touch against Kael’s forehead never came.
Instead, when Kael opened his eyes, Elena was already moving around the cottage.
Bundles of dried herbs covered the table.
A small pot of water simmered above the fire while she carefully folded strips of clean cloth and placed them into a woven basket.
Rowan sat nearby with a wooden spoon in one hand, staring suspiciously at the empty chair across from him.
He lasted perhaps thirty seconds.
“Where’s Father?” Elena continued tying one of the bundles.
“He left early.” “Before breakfast?” “Before sunrise.” Rowan’s spoon stopped halfway to his mouth.
That was serious.
In Rowan’s world, almost nothing justified leaving before breakfast.
“Why?” Elena’s hands slowed for only a moment.
“The shepherds found something.” “What?” “We don’t know yet.” Rowan immediately started climbing down from his chair.
“I’ll go see.” “Sit.” He froze.
Elena didn’t raise her voice.
She didn’t need to.
Rowan slowly returned to his chair.
“But Father might need help.” “He has Garrick, Doran, and Finn with him.” Rowan frowned.
“That’s only three people.” “Four, including your father.” “Oh.” He considered this.
“Still.” Elena finally smiled.
“Eat your breakfast, little hunter.” Rowan sighed and returned to his porridge.
Kael watched silently from his cradle.
Elena had deliberately avoided explaining more.
Not because she wanted to hide something.
Because there was nothing useful Rowan could do with worry.
Kael understood.
Whatever had happened…
It was connected to the forest.
…
The outer grazing enclosure lay west of the village, beyond the main palisade but close enough that shepherds could reach it within minutes.
By the time Orion arrived, Garrick was already examining the broken fence.
A shepherd named Bram stood nearby.
His face looked exhausted.
“Three,” Bram said.
“We counted twice.” “Three sheep missing.” Orion crouched beside the damaged fence.
One of the wooden rails had snapped.
Another had been pulled loose.
Finn stood nearby studying the damage.
“Wolves?” “Maybe,” Garrick replied.
Bram pointed toward the grass.
“There was blood here.” Orion followed his finger.
A dark stain marked the wet ground.
Rain from the previous night had washed most of it away, but enough remained.
He studied the broken fence again.
Then the muddy ground beneath it.
Something had entered the enclosure.
Several somethings.
Doran walked along the fence line.
“If wolves got inside, why didn’t they kill more?” That was the question.
A normal pack finding trapped livestock might have slaughtered far more than it could eat.
But only three animals were missing.
Orion moved toward a patch of mud.
Tracks.
Large canine prints.
The same size as those they had found near the northern stream.
Finn noticed them too.
“The pack from yesterday?” “Could be,” Orion said.
He never liked certainty without evidence.
Bram looked toward the forest.
“My family raised those sheep from lambs.” Orion stood.
“We’ll see what we can find.” “I’m coming.” Bram immediately stepped forward.
Garrick shook his head.
“Stay.” “They’re my animals.” “And the rest still need you.” Bram’s jaw tightened.
For a moment, Orion thought he might argue.
Then the shepherd looked toward the remaining flock huddled nervously inside the enclosure.
He lowered his head.
“Bring back whatever you can.” Orion nodded.
“We will.” …
The trail wasn’t difficult to follow.
Not after the rain.
Blood stained several patches of grass, while deep drag marks cut through the soft earth.
The four hunters entered the forest.
Finn walked behind Orion, paying careful attention to everything around them.
Only days earlier, he would have followed the blood.
Now…
He looked beside it.
“There.” Orion stopped.
Finn pointed toward the mud.
“Wolf tracks.” Doran nodded approvingly.
“How many?” Finn crouched.
He counted carefully.
“At least…” He hesitated.
“Five?” Garrick smiled beneath his beard.
“Better.” Finn looked up.
“Better?” “Yesterday you would’ve said mud.” The young hunter laughed quietly.
Orion continued studying the ground.
There were wolf tracks.
But not only wolves.
Farther away…
Boar prints crossed the same area.
Some were old.
Others surprisingly fresh.
A fox had passed through during the night.
There were even faint signs of another predator Orion couldn’t immediately identify.
Too many animals were moving through the same territory.
Animals that normally avoided one another.
Doran noticed it as well.
“Boundaries are disappearing.” Garrick grunted.
“Hunger doesn’t care about territory.” They continued.
The deeper they went, the clearer the signs became.
A berry bush stripped almost bare.
Tree roots dug apart.
Bark scratched from fallen logs.
Everywhere they looked, animals had searched for food.
Not casually.
Desperately.
Finn had stopped asking questions.
He was beginning to understand.
The forest wasn’t empty because the animals had vanished.
It was empty because everything was moving.
Searching.
Competing.
Surviving.
…
They found the first sheep near a shallow ravine.
Or what remained of it.
Finn stopped several steps away.
His face tightened.
The carcass had been almost completely stripped.
Very little meat remained.
Even several smaller bones had been cracked open.
Garrick crouched beside it.
He didn’t look disgusted.
Only thoughtful.
“Hungry animals don’t leave much behind.” Doran looked around.
“Wolves ate first.” “Probably.” “Then scavengers.” Orion examined the surrounding tracks.
There were too many overlapping prints to know exactly what had happened.
But the conclusion was obvious.
One kill had attracted several different animals.
Food was scarce enough that nothing had been wasted.
Finn swallowed.
“Is this what happened during the Hungry Season?” Garrick remained crouched.
“It starts like this.” “Doesn’t mean it’ll end the same way.” Orion stood.
“We make sure it doesn’t.” He looked toward Doran.
“Don’t hunt today.” Doran immediately understood.
“Information.” Orion nodded.
“Find where these tracks are coming from.” He turned toward Garrick.
“Check the western ridge.” “I’ll take Finn south.” “We meet here before sunset.” Finn glanced toward the remains of the sheep.
“What about the other two?” Orion looked deeper into the forest.
“If they’re still out here…” “We’ll find them.” …
Several hours passed.
They found no living sheep.
The second carcass lay nearly a mile farther south.
The third was never found.
What mattered more were the tracks.
Wolf.
Boar.
Fox.
Several deer.
Small predators.
Scavengers.
Different species were moving through the same corridors.
The natural boundaries Orion had known for years were beginning to blur.
When the four hunters reunited, Garrick unfolded their map.
Charcoal marks covered far more of it than yesterday.
Nobody needed Elder Tomas’s old stories anymore.
The evidence lay beneath their feet.
Orion folded the map.
“Let’s go home.” Finn looked surprised.
“That’s it?” “For today.” “What do we tell everyone?” Orion glanced toward the direction of the village.
“The truth.” He paused.
“And nothing more.” …
They reached the grazing enclosure shortly before sunset.
Bram was waiting.
He took one look at their faces and understood.
“You found them.” “Two,” Orion answered.
Bram closed his eyes.
A long breath escaped him.
“And the third?” “No.” The shepherd nodded slowly.
He didn’t cry.
He didn’t curse.
He simply looked toward the remaining flock.
For a frontier family, three sheep weren’t just animals.
They were wool.
Milk.
Meat.
Lambs for future seasons.
Part of their livelihood had disappeared in a single night.
Orion placed a hand on Bram’s shoulder.
“Bring them inside.” Bram looked up.
“What?” “All of them.” Orion turned toward the village.
“Every sheep.” “Every goat.” “Every animal we can fit.” “Inside the palisade before dark.” Garrick’s expression became serious.
“Starting tonight?” “Starting now.” For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Bram nodded.
“I’ll get my sons.” Doran was already heading toward the gate.
“I’ll find the carpenter.” Finn looked toward Orion.
“What should I do?” Orion pointed toward the remaining sheep.
“Help Bram.” The young hunter nodded and immediately got to work.
Within minutes, word began spreading through the village.
Not that monsters were coming.
Not that they were under attack.
Only one simple instruction.
Bring the livestock inside.
And once again…
The little mountain village began preparing.
______________ By the time the sun touched the western mountains, the village had become louder than it had been during the festival.
Sheep bleated from every direction.
Goats complained loudly about being moved from familiar enclosures.
Chickens scattered between people’s feet despite having absolutely nothing to do with the situation.
Farmers shouted instructions.
Children ran back and forth carrying whatever their small hands could manage.
Yet beneath all the noise…
There was no panic.
Only urgency.
The villagers had received a simple instruction.
Bring the livestock inside the palisade before sunset.
So that was exactly what they did.
The western gate remained open as flock after flock entered.
Temporary enclosures were being constructed wherever space could be found.
The carpenter directed several teenagers as they drove wooden posts into the ground.
“Another one there!” “Not that close!” “If you leave that gap, every goat in the village will be eating someone’s laundry by morning!” A young man hurriedly repositioned the post.
Nearby, two farmers argued over where to store several barrels of grain now that one storage shed was being converted into a temporary shelter for sheep.
“We can move them into mine.” “Your roof leaks.” “It leaked.” “I repaired it.” “You said that last winter.” “And then it leaked.” “Exactly.” Despite the argument, both men were already carrying the barrels together.
Kael watched everything from Elena’s arms.
Only yesterday…
The village had seemed prepared.
The fences had been repaired.
Weapons sharpened.
Medicine stored.
Watch posts strengthened.
Yet preparation never truly ended.
Every new piece of information required another adjustment.
Kael found himself thinking about Orion.
His father hadn’t waited until something attacked the village.
Three sheep had disappeared.
That alone had been enough.
There was no pride involved.
No belief that the hunters could simply kill whatever came.
Orion had seen the situation change…
So he changed with it.
Kael liked that.
Perhaps more than strength itself.
…
“I’ve got it!” Kael recognized the voice immediately.
Rowan emerged from behind a hay cart.
Or at least…
Kael assumed it was Rowan.
He couldn’t actually see him.
A massive bundle of hay seemed to be walking across the village square on two tiny legs.
The bundle swayed dangerously from side to side.
“Rowan?” Elena stared.
“I’m helping!” His voice came from somewhere inside the hay.
“Where are you?” “Here!” “That doesn’t answer the question.” “I’m behind the hay.” Elena pressed her lips together, clearly trying not to laugh.
“Put some down.” “I can carry it.” “Rowan—” “I’m strong!” The walking haystack continued forward.
One step.
Two.
Three.
Then— Thump.
The bundle walked directly into the newly constructed fence.
For one perfectly silent moment…
Nothing happened.
Then Rowan disappeared.
The entire pile collapsed around him.
Only his boots remained visible.
Several nearby villagers froze.
Then a muffled voice emerged from beneath the hay.
“The fence attacked first.” The carpenter burst into laughter.
Within seconds, half the people nearby joined him.
Even Orion, standing near the western gate, covered his mouth as his shoulders shook.
Elena handed Kael to Aunt Mira before walking over.
She pulled away several handfuls of hay until Rowan’s head appeared.
Straw covered his hair.
One piece rested across his nose.
“Are you hurt?” “No.” “Are you sure?” Rowan nodded seriously.
“I blocked the attack.” Elena finally lost the battle against her smile.
“Very heroic.” “I know.” She helped him stand before brushing hay from his clothes.
The elderly carpenter approached and handed Rowan a much smaller bundle.
“Here.” “This one is especially important.” Rowan immediately accepted it.
“Where does it go?” “Inside the sheep enclosure.” Rowan marched away proudly.
The carpenter watched him leave before quietly muttering, “At least now he’ll be able to see the fence.” Kael’s tiny mouth twitched.
Danger might have been moving closer.
But somehow…
Rowan remained Rowan.
Kael was grateful for that.
…
Bram sat alone beside his enclosure.
Most of the sheep had already been moved inside.
Only a few remained as his sons checked the outer pasture one final time.
The shepherd held a worn leather collar between his hands.
Elena approached quietly.
“You should come inside soon.” Bram nodded.
“In a moment.” She sat beside him.
For a while…
Neither spoke.
Eventually Bram looked down at the collar.
“My youngest named that one.” Elena listened.
“Cloud.” “Because her wool was almost completely white.” A tired smile crossed his face.
“Not very creative.” “Children don’t need to be.” “No.” His smile disappeared.
“She was supposed to have lambs next spring.” Elena didn’t tell him that it was only a sheep.
She didn’t remind him that nobody had died.
She didn’t say they could replace it.
Instead…
She simply remained beside him.
After several minutes Bram sighed.
“Three animals shouldn’t bother me this much.” “They were yours.” Elena’s answer was simple.
“You’re allowed to be upset.” Bram stared at the collar.
Then nodded.
Sometimes…
Healing required no herbs at all.
…
As evening approached, another problem became obvious.
The shepherd’s family had lost more than three animals.
They had lost future wool.
Future milk.
Future lambs.
A farmer named Harlan was the first to speak.
“I’ve got more grain than we’ll use before harvest.” Bram immediately shook his head.
“We don’t need charity.” “It isn’t charity.” Harlan crossed his arms.
“You helped repair my roof last winter.” Bram opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Another farmer joined them.
“I can spare goat milk.” The baker called from across the square.
“I’ll take less wool this season.” Someone else added, “We’ll divide whatever’s missing.” Bram looked around.
“You don’t have to do that.” Aunt Mira tapped her cane against the ground.
“Of course we don’t.” The old woman smiled.
“That’s why it matters.” Bram lowered his head.
For several seconds…
He couldn’t answer.
Kael watched from Elena’s arms.
There it was again.
The strange strength of these ordinary people.
Nobody here could split mountains.
Nobody commanded armies.
They didn’t possess legendary bloodlines or treasures.
But when one person lost something…
Everyone carried a little of the burden.
Kael had known civilizations with greater technology.
He had known creatures with terrifying power.
Yet somehow…
This tiny village understood something both had forgotten.
Survival was easier when nobody survived alone.
…
The last livestock passed through the gate before darkness fully settled.
Orion personally checked the enclosure before heading toward Elder Tomas’s home.
Garrick accompanied him.
The elder was waiting.
Orion spread the map across the table.
More charcoal marks covered it now.
Tomas studied them silently.
Finally, he asked, “How long?” Orion knew what he meant.
He didn’t pretend to have an answer.
“Could be days.” He pointed toward the western forest.
“Could be weeks.” His finger moved toward the village.
“But they’re getting closer.” Tomas nodded slowly.
“Then we adjust.” He looked toward Garrick.
“Double the night watch.” “Already planned.” “No livestock outside after sunset.” Orion nodded.
“And children?” Tomas remained quiet for a moment.
“Nearby fields only.” “With adults.” “No forest trails.” “No river beyond the southern marker.” It wasn’t a decision he enjoyed.
But leadership wasn’t always about making people happy.
Sometimes it meant disappointing them while they were still alive to complain.
…
Rowan complained immediately.
“But the stream isn’t dangerous!” Orion sat across from him at the dinner table.
“The stream isn’t.” “Then why can’t I go?” “Because the forest beside it might be.” Rowan frowned.
“Is the forest dangerous now?” Orion considered his answer carefully.
He could have frightened him.
He could have lied.
Instead, he chose the truth.
“The forest was always dangerous.” Rowan’s expression changed.
“But we went there before.” “Because we respected it.” Orion leaned forward.
“Being careful doesn’t mean you’re afraid.” “It means you understand that some things deserve caution.” Rowan stared at his wooden practice spear.
“So…” “I shouldn’t be scared?” “No.” “Should I be careful?” “Always.” The boy thought about this.
Then nodded.
“Okay.” Kael watched from his cradle.
Another lesson.
Another small piece of his father that would remain with him.
…
Much later, the cottage became quiet.
Rowan slept.
Elena rested beside Kael.
Orion wasn’t there.
Tonight was his turn on watch.
The moon hung high above the palisade.
Orion stood upon the western platform while the village slept behind him.
Below, the newly moved livestock shifted restlessly.
A sheep bleated.
Then another.
One of the village dogs suddenly raised its head.
A low growl escaped its throat.
Another dog joined it.
Then another.
All facing the forest.
Orion’s hand moved toward his bow.
He waited.
Nothing emerged.
No attack came.
Only darkness waited beyond the palisade.
After nearly a minute…
The dogs slowly relaxed.
Orion did not.
…
At sunrise, he walked beyond the western gate.
The night’s damp earth preserved everything.
He found the tracks almost immediately.
Wolf prints.
Several.
They had approached from the trees.
Stopped roughly fifty paces from the palisade.
Circled.
Then returned to the forest.
Garrick approached quietly from behind.
He saw the prints.
“How close?” Orion remained crouched for several seconds.
Then he looked toward the wooden walls protecting his sleeping family.
“Closer than yesterday.” End of Chapter 13.