“We should start heading back,” her father stated, staring up through the canopy of green and gold leaves to assess the height of the sun. The shadows were long and the birds were about to start their evening chorus.
Launi nodded, agreeing that it time to head home. She rummaged through the bag at her feet, pulling out a small leather pouch. Depositing the herbs she held in her other hand into the pouch and tying the strings, Launi returned it to her bag. She lifted the sack, heavy with three days-worth of herbs, water, and supplies, and slung it across her back. Her father had done the same and the two of them walked back to the path and started the trek back to their village.
Launi was a girl of average height and build. She had black hair that curled in tight ringlets. She did her best to tame it, but it had a mind of its own. Her eyes were light brown and shone brightly. Her skin was a rich, dark brown and without any noticeable imperfections. She was seventeen now and felt that she had come a good way through her maidenhood. The curve of her hips had become a little more pronounced and her breasts were nearly fully formed. She was naturally curious and very energetic. It was agreed by all in the village that Launi not only beautiful but intelligent as well.
Her father was tall, lean and middle aged. He was the village healer, meaning he was also part of the village council. Being kind, wise and patient, Darthax was, what many considered, the ideal healer. He always treated everyone respectfully and equally, regardless of age or status. Darthax had begun training his daughter in the art of healing from the moment she could sit still enough to learn.
The trees around them rustled in the occasional breeze. The path was well worn and easy to follow. It was one of the two main ways into the village (the other being the road). Darthax and Launi used it often when they set off in search of herbs to replenish their supply.
After an hour or so of walking, they began to enter the part of the forest that was used to support the village. There were large manmade clearings scattered around; grazing areas for livestock. As they grew closer to the village, the forest began to thin out and the clearings became larger. Everything looked normal, but Launi had a strange feeling. Something wasn’t right but she couldn’t figure out what was bothering her.
When she was able to make out the outer buildings of their village, it struck her. She hadn’t seen anyone. It wasn’t even dark, but there was no one out in the clearings. Not a single person. She hadn’t even seen the occasional animal grazing. There was no one besides her and Darthax out in the forest.
“Father, where is everyone?” she asked, trying to keep the alarm from her tone.
He gave her a long look and looked back at the quickly approaching village. “I’m not sure. It seems odd that everyone would be in at this time of day.”
“Do you think something happened?” she wondered, the strange feeling morphing into fear.
“I’m not sure. I truly hope not, but let’s take a side way in just to be safe.” Darthax walked off the path to the left and started to circle a large perimeter around the village. Launi followed close behind, absentmindedly holding tight to the necklace around her neck.
When they approached the first buildings, Darthax motioned for his daughter to be quiet. She obeyed. Together they crept as quietly as they could between the buildings.
They knew the instant they reached the main area that something terrible had happened while they had been away.
All around them, their fellow villagers lay scattered on the ground.
You definitely have my attention with this beginning and it touches my heart due to the Native American theme.
I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Your story grab me and pulled me right into the the characters and setting.
I’m glad 🙂 thank you for stopping by!
❤️
Is there any way this lovely short story be fleshed out into a full one? The cliffhanger at the end left me feeling a little sad ?
It is going to be a series! Check in every week or so for a new one!
Awesome, can’t wait to see how it goes ?
This is so good you it got really tense near the end when you weren’t sure what was going to happen to them. Are all the villagers dead then? or are you doing a follow up?
Thanks! It’s a series, so stop by every week or so for the next installment
Ok I will can’t wait to see what happens 🙂
It’s should be a good adventure 🙂
I just read part 2 so I had to find part 1! I’m loving the suspense in your writing.
Thank you so much! And thank you for reading!