Kilynn Part 5

It is amazing what even a decent night's sleep can do for creativity. My head is so much clearer today and when I sat down to write without the distractions of children and their homework the words flowed easily. I was able to write quite a bit and there is more waiting to be written once I sort out some details but I am much happier with things today than I was yesterday.

I had planned to do a Galavant recap today but Kilynn wanted to be heard and chunks of the broadcast were missing from the DVR, so no recap this week. If you missed it, you missed Weird Al as a singing monk and Ricky Gervais as Xanax, who provided an interesting "potion" to King Richard. There are parts of me that really wish Galavant was a season long series but most of me is glad it's only four weeks. I think that's the perfect length for a show like this. I'll be sad to see it end but I'll enjoy the laughs I got from it.

And now, here is the next installment of Kilynn's story. Perhaps one of these days I'll actually come up with a title for it. :-) For those that don't want to go back and reread, Kilynn has learned that her mother was taken by The Hunt and that her father blames her for it.

Behind her, Ryl and Herry voiced their protest as their father’s accusation. But Kilynn held up her hand and silenced them with a simple, “No.” Still looking at her father she continued, “He’s correct. This is my fault. I was the one who argued with Mother and Father this morning. I was the one who fled the house, and left the safety of the town walls. I was the one who fell asleep in the woods on tonight of all nights.” She turned to face her brothers. “And I was the one who put both of you in danger, looking for me at the town wall.”

“But Kilynn –“ Herry began but Kilynn cut him off.

“Herry, do you really think Mother would stay home when she thought one of us was in danger? And this time it was three of us, for you two were obviously waiting for me at the wall.” Herry looked away from her gaze, knowing she was right. This was all her fault, and she had to make it right.

“Father,” she said, turning back towards him but her next words died on her tongue. The sadness and anger in her father’s eyes was more than she could stand. She could tell he was furious with her as well as heartbroken over the loss of his wife. Kilynn didn't know what to say to make things better. Perhaps there wasn't anything to say. Father and daughter stood staring at each other, without speaking until Kilynn couldn't take it anymore. Without a word she turned and fled from the town square, the tears once again flowing down her face.

Behind her in the distance she could hear Ryl and Herry calling her name but she ignored them. She ran as fast as she could, turning randomly down streets, determined to leave her brothers and her father’s sadness behind. When their voices faded Kilynn stopped to wipe away the tears and catch her breath. Looking around, she realized she wasn't far from the very town gates where her brothers had rescued her. She needed to get out of the town walls and away from the mess she had made.

Kilynn walked the rest of the way to the gates, stopping at the fountain just inside for a quick drink of water. Now that The Hunt had passed the smaller night gate was open. She nodded in greeting to the guard on duty then passed through the gate. Once out of the gate, she began walked left along the wall, suddenly remembering the horse she had left in her mad climb up the ladder. Her horse wasn't there, but she found her leather sack on the ground. She wasn't surprised she had dropped it with all the chaos that had been doing on around her. Opening the sack she found her small lantern, its candle askew in the holder. She straightened the candle and lit it with the flint she kept in her sack. With the candle’s soft glow to guide her, Kilynn began the mile-long walk down the road and into the woods.

The woods were filled with the quiet sounds of night creatures and it soothed Kilynn’s nerves to know that things were back to normal. Using her lantern to guide her, she made her way through the woods and back to the pond where she had earlier fallen asleep. She dropped down onto the soft moss at the pond’s edge and buried her face in her hands, taking deep breaths to try to control the sobbing that was bubbling up in her chest.

Kilynn was so focused on trying not to cry she didn't hear the quiet footsteps behind her until a soft, velvety nose touched her shoulder, letting out a nicker of greeting. Kilynn raised her head from her hands to see her horse, Tom, standing next to her. Her dear, sweet horse had somehow survived The Hunt! She hugged his head as the sobs overwhelmed her yet again.

“Oh Tom, my mother is dead! But you managed to survive,” she whispered in the horse’s ear. Tom nuzzled her cheek, trying to comfort her.

“She’s not dead, dearest, just taken.”

Kilynn leapt to her feet, spinning in a circle to see who was in the glade with her. The light from the candle was too weak for Kilynn to see more than a few feet away. “Who’s there?” she called.

“Why dearest, don’t you recognize the voice of your own grandmother?” the voice called as a tiny, black-haired woman stepped into the circle of light from the lantern. Kilynn let out a squeal of joy and threw herself into her grandmother’s arms. Even at 18 years old, Kilynn still loved her grandmother’s hugs. They made her feel safe and happy, as if nothing in the world could harm her again. Her grandmother drew her in close and allowed her to sob into her shoulder. Although she didn’t visit much, Kilynn’s grandmother always seemed to know when one of her grandchildren was in need and came to their aid. Kilynn was grateful for her grandmother’s arms around her, comforting her.

“Now dearest, time to get those tears under control. As I said, your mother is not dead. Yes, she was taken by The Hunt but they did not take her to kill her. Oh no, they have other plans for your mother.” Kilynn leaned back a bit and looked at her grandmother’s face. Although it was wrinkled with age, she was still beautiful, her blue eyes were still bright and lively and her hair was still black, without a touch of gray. At times people had thought she was Vanyssa’s older sister and not her mother.

“What are you talking about, Grandmother? Everyone knows The Hunt kills their victims. Mother isn't alive anymore.”

“Yes, child, she is and that is why I am here. Come, let us sit here and talk. But first,” Grandmother paused and looked out into the woods. “Come out, boys. I know you’re there. You might as well come give your grandmother a hug and then sit with us while I tell my story.” Ryl and Herry stepped out of the woods looking rather sheepish. Somehow Kilynn was not surprised that they had managed to follow her. She smiled as first Ryl then Herry hugged their grandmother tightly.

The four of them settled comfortably on the ground by the pond. Tom walked over to nuzzle Grandmother’s shoulder. She reached into a basket that Kilynn swore wasn’t there a minute before and pulled out an apple. Tom delicately took the apple with his teeth and walked away, crunching happily. Grandmother reached into the basket and pulled out three more apples as well as some cheese, bread, and flasks of sweet berry juice. The triplets began to eat quietly while their Grandmother began her tale.

“What do you children know of The Hunt?” she asked.

Ryl stopped chewing and answered, “The Hunt is full of monsters and demons. They come down from the mountains once a month, on the night of the new moon, to feast upon any unfortunate souls they happen across.”

“Any why do they do this? Why only once a month? Why not every night?” Grandmother asked, looking at each child in turn. The three shook their heads, unable to answer that question. “And when did The Hunt start?” she continued.

“There has always been The Hunt, for as long as anyone can remember,”Herry answered. At that, Grandmother laughed.

“I can remember quite a long time, children, and I remember a time without The Hunt.” At that, Kilynn and her brothers exclaimed in surprise. A time without The Hunt? That seemed like a fairy tale to Kilynn. Grandmother laughed again at the surprised look on their faces.

“I see your mother and father have chosen not to tell you the truth about The Hunt. I am not surprised that your father would keep this a secret. He is not one for tales of old and strange legends. But your mother, I raised her better than that. Well, I shall have to have a word or two with her when she returns. And don’t look at me like that, she will return,” Grandmother said, silencing their protests. “I will tell you the truth about The Hunt.”