Torin sat quietly at the kitchen table peeling potatoes while all around him the cooks and maids clamored about preparing the evening meal. Fires burned and pots clanged while the dishes clinked and the chef cursed. It was the same chaos every evening and Torin slipped out the back door as soon as he was finished with his chore. 

Evenings were growing warmer with the coming of spring and the chill of the little garden was not so unpleasant compared to the bustling kitchen. Here next to the main house was where the herbs and flowers were grown. Out past the main buildings were the large gardens with their greenhouses and vast rows of vegetables for feeding the household. 

Birds chirped in the distance as they reacquainted themselves after their winter migrations and Torin kicked at the pebbles on the pathway. He picked up a few smooth stones to skip across the creek that ran through the southwest corner of the property as he made his way down the familiar path. He would surely get a scolding from his Ma for slacking off, but if he was back before the meal was ready the cooks wouldn’t mind. 

The sun was beginning to dip behind the trees when he came upon the creek. He would have to make his way back in the dark, but he knew the path well enough. Torin began to walk quietly hoping to catch a glimpse of a fox or deer that came out of the forest to drink from the creek. He saw them occasionally and one time he had even seen a boar. This time as he came around the bend, Torin saw a small doe stepping cautiously towards the water, ears flicking from side to side in search of threats. 

The boy stopped and watched as she took tentative steps towards the water. As she got to the edge of the water she stopped and let out a low call. Torin was frozen in his hiding spot, peeking through a bramble. When there was no answer to the doe’s call, she stamped a hoof and suddenly Torrin was staring at a beautiful young girl, maybe a few years older than himself. She was dressed in a patchwork dress made up of multiple different animal skins and her hair was braided with carved beads of bone. 

While Torrin remained frozen in surprise, the girl crouched next to the water and began to wash her arms and face. After a long moment, the boy came to his senses and came out of his hiding place, pretending to walk along the path as if he had just arrived. He glanced over in the direction of the girl and saw her frozen in fear. Trying to appear friendly, he raised a hand to give her a small wave. When she didn’t react, he called over to her.
“Hi there.”

She shifted slightly, as if deciding whether or not to run. 

“I’m Torrin,” he tried. “You from ‘round here?”