Chapter 1
Moonlight fell sharply through the trees, cutting through the branches at odd angles and falling on your cloaked figure in sharp relief. You pulled your cloak tighter to your bosom, looking this way and that as you listened to the sounds of the night, owls and nocturnal birds calling to one another. Crickets chirped, playing their song for the cool night air.
Your skirts snagging on the loose twigs that had fallen during the day and gathered along the path. Still, this way and that you turned your head, looking for signs of trouble. You knew of the stories, people warned you again and again, but this was the only place you knew of to collect the necessary moonleaf you so desperately needed for your patients suffering from the shivers.
The path wound around a large oak and turned into a clearing, a flurry of bats squeaking and flapping their leathery wings flew off into the night, covering up the moon for a brief moment before vanishing from view.
You smiled up at them, shielding your eyes at the giant orb in the sky. It was so bright it nearly hurt to look at.
Inhaling gently, you looked around. The short grassy expanse of the clearing waved like the ripples of the river back at home and you smiled, taking in the sights. The moonleaf flowers shimmered in their patches, sporadically blooming here and there each glimmering in full bloom now that the moon was high in the sky.
Your shoes made soft steps as you walked towards the patches and knelt down, reaching to pluck just a few petals, the necessary amounts you needed to heal the sick before reaching and placing them into your bag, looped firmly over your shoulder and dangling at your waist.
Slowly hairs rose on the back of your neck and you had the strangest feeling you were being watched. You snapped your neck back and glanced over your shoulder, nothing.
Slowly breathing out, you turned forward and let out a strangled gasp when you saw someone standing a half dozen meters in front of you. You fell back, landing on your rear and scrambling back a short distance as you struggled to compose yourself.
‘Who are you?’ You tried to call out with all the confidence you could muster. Not a lot.
The man looked down at you curiously, his black cloak flapping in the soft breeze. He tilted his head, long raven locks waving freely from his shoulders as he stepped forward, pausing when he sensed how frightened you were. 'I did not expect to see someone out here.’
Slowly you brushed yourself off and pulled yourself to your feet. 'Yes, well,’ You told him your name, 'I’m gathering herbs for the sick. I’m a healer in… it doesn’t matter, I told you my business tell me yours.’
The man nodded, mulling over your name. 'I am just out for a walk.’
'At this time of night?’
'Aren’t you curious?’ The man smirked at you.
'This place is supposed to be dangerous.’ You replied.
'And yet you’re here, unaccompanied.’ The man reached behind his back, and you guessed he was gripping one wrist with his other hand. Or at least very much hoped, rather than reaching for a weapon of some sort.
You narrowed your eyes at him, watching him warily, clutching your bag closer to your chest. You yourself were unarmed. Standing your ground, you looked back at him defiantly. 'I have every right to be here, it is the only place where the moonleaves grow that I have found. They don’t replant well and I can’t get them to survive in my garden, so I’m forced to come out here every so often to replenish my stock.’
'Well if there are dangerous strangers out here, that seems awfully courageous of you.’ The man eyed you curiously, though he seemed almost amused, like he was teasing you.
Ignoring his potential jab, you replied, 'I do what I must. No one should die from the shivers, so I will heal to the best I can.’
The man nodded slowly, 'That is admirable.’
You smiled, 'I like to think it is the right thing to do.’
'I am Loki.’ The man, Loki, finally introduced himself.
Your smile widened, 'A pleasure to meet you.’
'And you as well, pet.’
You quirked your mouth ruefully, raising your eyebrow. 'So… Loki, you’re really just out for a stroll at midnight in the dangerous woods?’
Loki glanced towards the moon then towards the woods in the opposite direction you had come. You used his seeming distraction as an opportunity to gaze over his billowy white shirt with a black vest, accented with greens and golds. It was hard to make out any real details in the otherwise dim light but his black cloak had a green interior and you hazarded a guess that it was made of silk. The outfit was finished with black trousers and black knee high boots. Very elegant and far more expensive than the common folk you were used to working with.
Loki slowly looked back at you, smiling thinly lips pressed together, careful not to show his teeth. 'It’s a lovely night, no?’
You felt a blush creep up your neck. 'It is, but it seems awfully foolish to just…’
Loki chuckled, interrupting you. 'I appreciate your concern. Do not fret.’ He held up his hand. 'How do you intend to get back safely?’
You blinked, 'I collect my herbs and I walk back as always…’ You began slowly, turning your head and looking at him distrustfully. Your heart began to pick up its pace.
Loki nodded, 'Of course, how else?’
You laughed nervously and smiled, slowly backing away. You felt dizzy as you nodded, mouth dry. Something about this man intrigued and frightened you. Ancient fears set off in the pit of your stomach and yet, you longed to know him. You didn’t break eye contact as you backed away to the old oak that marked the beginning of the path.
For Loki’s part, he watched you like a hawk, gazing down at you almost lazily. How could he stare at you so intensely yet seemingly uncaring? Such polar opposites and such extremes.
You felt your back hit the tree and clenched your teeth to stop yourself crying out instead forcing a soft laugh as you slowly slid your back across it, turning until you broke eye contact with Loki.
Running at almost a dead sprint, you didn’t stop until your legs could barely carry you, trembling and shaking until you were forced to walk the rest of the way. Body trembling and weak, you limped the last mile to the city, waking the night guards and seeking entrance. Muttering an excuse about frightening yourself by a large dog or something to explain the scratches of the tree branches and your wind whipped hair from your mad dash, you finally stumbled back to your home. Trembling still, you set your bag down and promised to tend to the moonleaves tomorrow, before crawling into bed and falling asleep with dreams filled with that mysterious man.