The Fox Tail Dance, chapter 2 (Patreon)

The wind gently ruffled Losse's white curls. She wore a blue traditional dress and a red-embroidered white blouse. The Kettu took something bright out of a small patterned bag, inhaled the aroma and whispered something into her fist. The bells on her necklace rang in time with her soft words. Losse pressed her hands against her chest and bravely reached the edge of Memorial Hill. Looking down from such a height, one could think that the forest had lost its form and became an endless palette of green, spreading to a misty horizon. She turned around and looked questionably at her father who was standing behind her. He nodded in approval. Losse spread her arms, and the bloom petals scattered from her palms like butterflies. The wind whirled them into a slow dance. Losse held her breath as she watched the bright flashes of grief-flowers swoop down. Bilron came up to her and hugged her shoulders. After such an unpleasant experience as meeting the shaman Elster here, Bilron had forbidden his daughter from traveling to the hill. It was a place he would climb alone and sit by the edge for a long time, reminiscing about his late wife. In honor of Losse's sixteenth birthday, father had allowed her to climb the hill and pay tribute to her mother herself. The petals she released from her hands looked especially picturesque while flying in the wind. As usual, the wind was the girl’s companion.

Today, his daughter turned 20, was it a lot or a little? Bilron fell to thinking but the next moment a thin voice pulled him out of his philosophical thoughts.

“You told me we would have an important conversation after the memorial reception,“ Losse turned to her father, pricking up her eyes.

“Yes,” Bilron sighed heavily, “The horned ones don’t stop their attacks. We must deal with them as soon as possible, as demanded by the chief.”

Losse wrinkled her nose in displeasure.

“Nonsense! The horned ones never attack first. You know it, Pa!”

“There is evidence of their guilt, Losse. I've seen the corpses, other people saw the horned ones and their traces on the scene...”Bilron said, as if trying to convince himself of the rumors first and foremost.

“It proves nothing," his daughter interrupted him. "The hunters were devoured from the inside! Horned creatures only eat grass! “

"Keep your voice down, girl!" Bilron responded sharply. Losse furrowed her brows and lowered her ears. Her tail twitched nervously from side to side.

“Their crimes are too serious, they must be punished. That's what the chief says. All hunters must join the campaign." Bilron clenched his teeth, feeling a pang of disgust at his own rehearsed words. "I'm leaving in the afternoon. I’ll be away for a couple of days.””

Losse kept silent.

“Exile is worse than death. I cannot disobey the chief."

“Leave me, then! '' The fox said through her teeth and defiantly turned away from her father. Bilron took a deep breath and left. Losse sat down on the grass and nestled her face against her knees. An hour passed, maybe two. Time dragged on like a thick mass of molasses. Losse was sitting still deep in thought. Some ideas made her tail sway from side to side, while others made her fluffy ears mournfully droop. Losse never could hide her emotions. Though, who could she hide them from, sitting at the top of the hill? The slow-paced town's life had recently been clouded by a series of tragic events. The forest wasn’t safe anymore. Losse stood up and looked down. Somewhere among the trees there might be... somebody. Was it a beast? The idea made her uncomfortable.

“I have to do something, Vilin. But what can I do?“ She said aloud, and the wind seemed to make the grass rustle in response.

A soft cough came from behind her. The wind died down immediately. Losse jumped up in surprise. She turned around abruptly, saying, “Are you back?” And she froze.

A tall man stood on the path. For a second, she really mistook him for her father but quickly realized she was mistaken. The man was taller and thinner. He wore a short hiking cloak of a deep emerald color. The hood shadow almost completely covered his face. The girl only noticed his clean-shaven chin — so he wasn’t a local.

“Who are you?“ asked Losse with apprehension.

“Oh, I’m sorry for creeping up like that. Didn't mean to frighten you, young Kettu lady!“ He threw back his hood and held out his hands with a conciliatory gesture. Losse looked at the stranger. His hair had a rare blue-black color, and it was obscenely long for a man. He didn’t have animal ears on the top of his head, however, his ears didn’t look like human ones.

“An elf, I guess?“ Losse asked in a less-than-subtle manner, examining her interlocutor.

“My name is Daniel Sarto. Yes, you call my people elves." The stranger introduced himself and bowed.

Losse twitched her ear and relaxed, folding her arms across her chest in a businesslike manner. The elf didn't look dangerous. The representatives of his people were rare visitors to Maylud. However, Losse had heard that the elves were famous for their pleasant manners and favorable though a bit cold attitude.

“And what are you doing here, Daniel Sarto?”

“I caught sight of this high hill and decided it could offer an excellent view of the surroundings.“

Losse narrowed her eyes.

“You mean you came here to enjoy the surroundings? Is it the only reason?” She inquired.

“I am looking for my comrade-in-arms. By the way, haven’t you seen him along the way? “ The elf asked calmly.

“I'm not sure, “ Losse came closer, brazenly inspecting the interlocutor. “ Is he an elf too? “

“Believe me, if you saw him, you would immediately know he was a foreigner. “

The Kettu girl shrugged her shoulders.

“May I have a look?“... the traveler pointed towards the cliff.

Losse took a couple of steps back. The elf bowed slightly and walked to the edge of the cliff. He got down on one knee and peered into the forest thicket. Losse thought he looked like an eagle and at the same time like a wild cat in ambush.

“You’re sitting like a gopher by its hole!” snorted the Kettu.

Daniel sighed softly.

“Young Kettu lady, would you like me to walk you home? How far from here do you live?”

Losse ignored the question.

“Do you see anything interesting?”

“Well, I think I can see a deer over there: in the south, right at the watering place.“ Daniel pointed down.

“You're lying! “exclaimed Losse, approaching the elf and peering into the thicket. “One cannot see the stream from here, and deer haven’t been found here for a long time.“

If the elf was surprised by his interlocutor's impudence, he did not show it. “Is there a large wide-branching oak near the stream bend?"

Losse involuntarily raised her eyebrows. However, her face quickly regained its former condescending look.

“I have no idea. Am I supposed to remember every tree in the forest?” She knew she told lies and couldn't help giggling. “Okay elf, you may watch as long as you like. As for me, I’m returning home."

Losse plucked a long blade of grass from some low plant, put it in her mouth and headed for the stairs that served as the only way to descend from the funeral hill.

“As I can see, the locals are not very friendly," Daniel noted with a grin. He didn’t take his eyes away from the forest landscape.

Surprised by the fact that such a patient interlocutor could make such a caustic remark, Losse stopped.

“What do you know about the locals, elf? We always welcome guests cordially and are famous for our hospitality!

“Cordially…” Daniel chuckled, “They didn't even let me enter the town.“

Losse looked at the wanderer and tilted her head in surprise. “What do you mean by ‘didn’t let you enter’?”

“Just what I said. “ The elf got up from his knees and brushed off the top of his boot. “My friend traveled to the forest, and I wanted to find out the situation in the town. We agreed to meet in Maylud in the evening, but they didn't even let me go through the gate. They didn’t even explain the reasons for their refusal“ .

Losse was surprised. What could have changed in the town within a few hours?

“It's strange. Perhaps there is a reason. Within the past month, five hunters have died in the forest."

Daniel frowned.

“They were killed by some animal," continued Losse. "Everyone is nervous now. Five families in our town are demanding decisive action from the mayor.“

“Young Kettu lady, will you tell me more about it?”

“My name is Losse. Don't call me a young Kettu lady, it sounds awful!"

“Nice to meet you, Losse,” The elf bowed politely, “Perhaps it's better for me to walk you home.”

Not knowing how to react to his bow, Losse answered confidently.

“I can travel alone."

“If things like this happen here, I just can’t let you walk alone through the thicket!”

Without allowing Losse to say a word, the elf approached her and took her by the arm.

“And while we descend, you will tell me in more detail what kind of beast you have here.“

Daniel glanced into the kettu's eyes and smiled amiably. Losse's cheeks flushed red and she looked away instantly.

“Well elf, if you are afraid to go down the hill alone, I will accompany you.“

She freed her hand and moved forward in a businesslike manner. The elf chuckled and followed her.