Chapter 2

Cathryn sighed heavily from her perch at the top of one of the tall fir trees which adorned the Lorenberg Ridge as she waited for the hunter to pass under her tree. He was moving slowly, but that was only to be expected – he was carrying a large pack and two carcasses – but even so, she shivered with impatience as he made his way slowly up the path towards Elshaw.

Eventually he reached her tree, and paused to get his breath back, looking around to work out where he was. Cathryn dropped silently from her branch, landing in the centre of the path just in front of the weary hunter. He started, and looked for a way out, but he knew he couldn’t risk going back – the amount of time he had before needing to be home was rapidly waning – and so he had to go on. He dropped his pack and the carcasses behind him and stood facing her.
“Who’re you?” he narrowed his eyes and frowned at her, “I’ve never seen you around here before.”
“It doesn’t matter who I am. I need your help.”
“Help? You just stopped me on the way home to my family, are refusing to tell me who you are and yet you want my help?”
“Umm, yes. Well put.”
“Forget it. I need to get home. Father will be worrying, and I have to get to the butcher before he closes his shop.”
“Ok, ok, I’m Cathryn, all right? Come on, I’ll walk with you. I need to explain.”
“Yes, you do.” Luke hefted his pack back onto his shoulders, and set off at a slow pace, trying to stop the carcasses from sliding off the top. “You’d better start talking, lady; else we’ll run out of time.”
“I’m trying to find my father’s murderer. I think he’s here, and you’re my way in.”
“You’re a bit blunt; still, the answer’s no. There’s too much at stake.”
“Aw, come on! I need your help –“
“You don’t even know my name; and even if you did, I can’t help.”
“What is it then?” She frowned at him.
“Luke.”
“Even if you won’t help me, at least give me a place to stay.” He had stopped and was standing in the middle of the path, glaring at her.
“You want to stay with me, at my home, with my father and three younger siblings. You want to put them at risk for your hare-brained scheme?”
“No! Of course not, Luke, I just need a place to stay for a night, and then I’ll be on my way. I’ll find another way of avenging my father.”
“If it’s just for one night, why not see if Keeps’ inn has room?”
“Are you trying to be funny?”
“No. It was just an idea.”
“Actually, it was quite a good idea. Brilliant – you’re a genius!”
“I...I am?”
“Yes! Of course, why didn’t I think of that?!”
“Think of what?”
“Posing as a guest!”
“Posing? If you stay the night you’ll be a guest.”
“Yes, but a guest who kills a member of the family who runs the establishment isn’t normally recognised as a guest.”
“I suppose...not – hang on; kill a member of the family?” They had started walking again, and Luke cast a nervous glance at the rapidly darkening sky and then at Cathryn.
“I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No, you shouldn’t. I need to get a move-on. The Roma market is due in town next week, and we need to have as much money as possible to trade with them.”
“So if they’re due next week...?”
“I need to sell these carcasses to the butcher.”
“Oh. Can I walk with you into the village? I’ve never been that far before.”
“Fine.” He stared determinedly ahead and sped his plodding pace up.
They walked in silence for three quarters of an hour, before arriving at the first buildings on the outskirts of the village. The noxious fumes from the tanners’ vats drifted across the path, causing Cathryn to balk slightly and cover her nose with her sleeve. Luke was used to the smell – not only had he lived by the tanners all his life, he had also worked there - and in the forge in Elshaw, and also with the fishermen on the Morgan. Over the past four summers he had worked, acquiring skills, and had earned a reputation as an advanced hunter too – he hunted for two of every six weeks during the autumn and winter. All this was necessary, as Luke’s mother had died four years ago.

Luke studied Cathryn out of the corner of his eye. She cut an imposing figure, despite only being about five feet, four inches tall – give or take an inch – and of a very wiry build. Her black hair was cropped short, and her pointed features were brought into sharp relief in the dim light. He thought she might be considered attractive, but compared with some of the girls he had grown up with, some of the girls his age in the village, she was no beauty.

They headed further into the village – the lamp-lighter was just going about his rounds, lighting the gas lamps on street corners and above shop signs – towards Keeps’ Inn. Luke’s destination, the butchers, was opposite the inn, and just as they arrived outside, Mat, the butcher, stepped through the door.
“Mat! Wait! I have two deer for you!” Luke shouted in sheer desperation, “please, delay your quaffing for a quarter hour and take the blasted things off me!” He smiled thinly and dropped his pack, fumbling with the knots tying the carcasses to the top. The butcher waited patiently, holding the door ajar with his foot, and preceded Luke into the shop. He hopped behind the counter and took the limp carcasses from him.
“A fine catch here, Luke. How fares the hunting this season?”
“Not well, I’m afraid, Mat. The wet spring and hot summer has let the woods grow wild – they fight against the stalker badly. I was lucky to get these two – I got them in the last half-hour of hunting today.”
“So late? You’d best hurry home with this money, lad. I hear all is not well – not to worry you, of course – but word is young Emily’s come down with something.”
“What? I need to pay a quick visit to Keeps’, but then I’ll go straight home – thanks, Mat.” Luke took the handful of silver and bronze coins the butcher was offering, and turned to leave. “I’ll be back in six weeks with the next lot.” Mat always gave generously to Luke and his family – he knew how little money was to be had at any time of the year. And so it had been for the past four years.
“You do that, lad. Stay safe, won’t you?”
“Aye; and you.” Luke hurried out of the door, and caught Cathryn by the elbow, catching up his pack with his free hand. “Come on if you’re staying at Keeps’ – I can get you in, but then I have to go home.” Cathryn looked at his face, taut with worry.
“What’s happened?”
“Apparently my baby sister’s ill.”
“I’m sure she’ll pull through.”
“Hmm.” He pushed the door open, and they stepped into the humid atmosphere of the pub. Leading Cathryn to the bar, he peered towards the fire, in search of Griffin, the village healer. To his relief, Griffin’s immense beard was to be seen wagging as he regaled the pub’s occupants with stories.
“Kyra!” Luke called along the bar to the slender daughter of the publican. She turned and flashed a smile at him, indicating she would be along in a minute. He admired her long auburn curls and narrow waist for a second, then whisked around and squeezed over to where Griffin was talking, by the fire.

Wincing as the heat being belched out by the wood fire touched his numb features, Luke tapped Griffin on the shoulder.
“Sorry, sorry, I don’t want to intrude – Griffin, have you been called out to the mill while I’ve been away?” Luke’s pale and worried face was lent a healthy glow from the burning branches. Griffin looked up.
“Nay, lad. Why?”
“Mat told me Emily’s ill.”
“Young Emily? I hadn’t heard that. I’ll come with you when you leave, lad, better to be safe than sorry, eh? You pop back to your business, and fetch me when you leave.”
“Thank you, Griffin. I don’t know what father’d do...”
“Don’t worry so, lad. I’ll see her right.” Clasping Griffin on the shoulder, Luke turned and headed back to the bar. On his arrival, Kyra handed the serving towel back to her mother, and came over.
“What can I get you, Luke?” He leant on the bar, inclining his head towards her.
“You know I can’t drink, Kyra, but my...ah...friend – well, acquaintance really – needs a room for the night. I don’t suppose you have one free?”
“We do, yes; a single room?”
“Yes – look, I’ve got to go home...” he tailed off looking miserable.
“What’s wrong, Luke?” Kyra leant across the bar and placed her hand on his.
“Emily. Mat told me she’s ill – I’m taking Griffin up to the mill to check her over.”
“Oh, Luke...I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“I hope so – it’d tear father apart to lose another of his girls.” Kyra hummed in sympathy, and then looked at Cathryn.
“So this room’s for you then, is it?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Do you need breakfast too?”
“No, thanks. I’ll have to be on my way early – I have someone waiting for me at home.”
“Oh, right. Okay.” Reaching into one of the cubby holes lining the wall behind her, Kyra produced a key on a wooden tag. “If you head up the stairs, yours is the fifth room on the right. Do you want to pay now or in the morning?”
“I’ll pay now, if that’s all right.”
“Ten shillings please.” While Cathryn fussed in the pouch slung at her waist for the money, Kyra and Luke started talking quietly about everything and nothing. She startled them by loudly dropping the correct money onto the bar beside them. “Oh! Um, just to let you know, two shillings of that is a guarantee against damage to furniture – you can claim it back tomorrow if you want -” started Kyra, but was interrupted as Cathryn started towards the stairs.
“It’s fine – keep it. See you, Luke.”
“Oh, bye, Cathryn. Um...Kyra, I have to go. I’ll be in again. Tomorrow, probably.”
“I’ll see you soon, Luke.” They clasped hands across the bar, and then Luke turned and got the attention of Griffin, who begged himself free of his listeners, picked up his scuffed leather bag and joined him at the door.