Michael

  The three girls became stunned; a sense of disbelief was notable on their faces.

  “You’re joking, right?” Esther asked.

  “Unfortunately, no.”

  “But there haven't been any redmaws in Rodwood for nearly two centuries. They haven't been seen since they were driven out of the northern mountains,” Esther said. She turned her gaze to the wall of mountains rising in the distance.

  “Aren’t we too far from the Thin Sea to find their tracks around here?” Helena asked.

  “There are two counties, besides the Frontier, between us and the Thin Sea. It’s highly unusual that they managed to reach Rodwood undetected. Something doesn’t add up,” Michael said. “Let’s wait for Grandpa and Natalie to give their opinion. They know them better than we do.”

  They fell silent. Despite the sun and its yellow light playing on the water, the atmosphere turned cold and colourless, and the silky sound of the running water became heavy and grating in their heads. The motionless trees about them, belonging to a forest they knew so well and considered a friend and guardian, became alien and treacherous before their eyes. The notion that redmaws were lurking near home dampened the momentary joy the berries had given them.

  Michael understood their concerns. The redmaws had been a plague upon humanity since they arrived on Sayrhma sixteen centuries ago, brought by their masters, the Horshars, from another world, to be used as hunting dogs against human armies and populations. It was the Horshars' third invasion of Sayrhma. They believed that with the redmaws' help, they could finally subdue humanity and become their masters. But once again, they were defeated and banished back to the dark threshold from whence they came. However, they forgot to take their pets back with them, abandoning the redmaws to their fate across the three continents. In these new and unknown lands, the redmaws managed to adapt and thrived, becoming a constant scourge for humans.

  But the world moved on, and so did the humans. They grew smarter, while the redmaws remained confined to their huts of sticks and straw. The armies of each nation gradually drove the invading tribes from their lands to the most inhospitable corners of the planet, where it was hoped that the harsh climate and cruel nature would eventually undermine and exterminate them.

  Julie looked at Michael's abstracted face. "What are you thinking about?"

  “Trouble is coming.”

  “What trouble?”

  “We’ll see.”

  ?"Did you finally find something, Clover?! I can see you lazing around!" Natalia shouted as she walked along the animal trail. Eric was with her. They both stopped when they noticed the field of branches. They thrust their enormous long swords into the ground, dropped their rucksacks, and squatted down to watch Michael’s work.

  After a while, Eric called him: “Son, come here.”

  Michael grabbed the bag of berries and climbed down from the boulder. Helena, Esther, and Julie followed him. Michael offered the bag to his grandfather and aunt before speaking. Their faces lit up when they saw the offering. Eric took it, and Natalia grabbed a handful of berries from it.

  "How many redmaws do you think there are?" Eric asked as he put a handful of berries in his mouth.

  “I’d say at least five,” Michael replied. “It’s the first time I’ve found redmaw’s tracks, so I’m not sure.”

  “Why five?”

  “One of them appears to be wearing sandals.”

  “Only a leader can wear shoes,” Natalia said.

  “Milton taught me that the redmaws always move in groups of five, called hands, which sometimes are led by a Fang,” Michael said. “That's why I think there must be at least one hand nearby.”

  The Fangs were the best and most veteran warriors among the redmaws. They were called Fangs because of the necklace of teeth they wore around their wide necks, made from all the beasts and humans they had hunted and eaten.

  “He taught you well,” Eric said. “Didn’t you find any more tracks?”

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  “I only checked the trail and the riverbank. I imagine there must be more in the surrounding area.”

  “We are too far from their lands for only one hand to have come,” Natalia said.

  “There has to be more,” Eric said. “How old do you think the tracks are?”

  Michael shrugged. “I’m not sure. It could be days, maybe weeks. And by the way, I haven’t found any tracks of drag-wolves. I think they came without them.”

  “They’re probably explorers,” Eric said. “They came here not to hunt humans but to scout the area. They haven’t been here in centuries, so the forest must feel unknown to them.”

  “Do we cancel the search for The Meatball?” Natalia asked.

  Eric sighed. “There’s no other way. We’re already running out of food, and now that we know there are redmaws in the area, I feel like we’re not prepared. We’d better go back.”

  “See, Clover? Your lousy work has cost us the Meatball. You've had us circling around this bloody forest for days with no results. If we don’t find the Meatball, you’ll be the target of my sword.” Natalia pulled his ear, making him yelp. “Where’s my prey, you idiot?”

  “Leave him alone, Natalia,” Eric ordered, pulling her ear.

  “??Why!?” Natalia cried and let go of Michael's ear, yet Eric kept pulling hers. “Ouch, ouch, it hurts, Dad.”

  “It’s not his fault we haven’t found The Meatball, so leave him be,” Eric said, finally letting her go.

  "And what makes you think that?” Natalia said while rubbing her ear. “I bet he's furious ‘cause we have him punished. That's why he's wasting our time."

  “It could be,” Eric said thoughtfully.

  “Of course not. I’ve done everything I was asked and much more,” Michael said, upset. He had done a professional job so far, despite the limited information he was given and the constant complaints from Natalia and Eric. It was their stupid game of not telling anything that had sabotaged the search.

  "It's his fault Agnes is angry with all of us," Helena said, looking at Michael with her hands on her hips. "If he doesn't confess and tell us where he was last week, Agnes will take her anger out on all of us. I won't be eating porridge for a week ‘cause of him."

  “As soon as we get home, Mom will start harassing us again,” Esther said. “You should tell her, Michael. You know she won’t stop.”

  Julie nodded. “We are doomed.”

  “See how you’ve got us all in a bind, Clover? Why don’t you talk and tell us where you were these three days you were missing? Don’t be afraid or ashamed; no one’s going to judge you.” Natalia grabbed his shoulder and showed him a wide, mischievous smile. “Come on, talk. Let everyone hear you.”

  Michael looked at her and the others. He shook his head. “It’s a private matter,” he said coldly.

  “Bah!” Natalia pushed him away. “See, Dad? He wants to screw us all. Let’s double the punishment by locking him in his room for a month, or until he confesses.”

  “Leave him alone. When he wants to talk, he’ll tell us where he was,” Eric said.

  “Tell that to Agnes and see what she says,” Natalia snorted. “I assure you, he wasn’t up to any good. Maybe he was involved in some other nonsense, like his affair with Denis.”

  The secret plan Michael had devised for Denis turned out not to be so secret after all. The night Michael and Denis agreed to start their escape, Natalia caught Michael sneaking out of the house. He had no choice but to confess what had happened between Denis and Luke, and Michael’s plan to help Denis flee Rodford. Natalia agreed to let him continue with the plan, but on the condition that she accompany him. And since she now knew everything, it was obvious that the whole family would know as well. Michael thought his grandfather would be angry with him, but he acted as if nothing had happened, though that didn't stop Natalia from punishing him.

  “You’ve got two punishments in a row, Michael: your trip with Denis, and last week’s disappearance. You haven’t paid me for either yet. I hope you don’t go for a third.” Natalia threatened him.

  Michael looked at Esther and Helena, then at Natalia. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “You have no idea,” Natalia replied with a big smile.

  “That’s enough,” Eric ordered. “Let’s stop wasting time and go back. Agnes and Elsa must be worried about us.”

  “And what about The Meatball?” Natalia asked.

  “We’ll leave that for another time. The beast will soon be hungry, so it will have to come out of hiding. We also need to inform David and the villagers about the redmaws.”

  “No, Dad, you can’t say anything!” Natalia said, alarmed.

  "Why not?

  “If you tell David, he’ll notify his regiment, and his regiment will notify the Rangers. The Rangers will come, and you can be sure, with our bloody luck, they’ll find the Meatball before we do. They won’t recognise what kind of animal it is, so they’ll ask the Beast Hunters of Idnus for help, and those maggots will come and steal our prey. We cannot allow that.”

  “Shit,” Eric said, rubbing his jaw. “You’re right.”

  “The Beast Hunters? Does Idnus know what that thing is, too?” Michael asked.

  “Of course, son. It’s a magical beast from the upper worlds. Why do you think Emma told David to come to my house immediately to talk to me about the bodies? She knew I’d be interested in killing the thing myself.”

  “So she always knew what it was… unbelievable.” Michael smiled at his teacher’s mischievousness. “And are you finally going to tell me what that thing is?”

  “Ask Emma. She’ll explain it better,” Eric said. “It’s a shame, though. I wanted it to be a surprise for all of you. Your first intruder. Well, maybe there’s still a chance. Who knows? Go, and get your things; we’re going home. Let’s try to pick up the pace and cover as much as we can before nightfall.”