When Isaak arrived at the front gates that evening for dinner, Kasia ran out to greet him. The guards let him pass, but looked extremely unhappy about it. She heard muttering about the ‘Lord Commander’s daughter getting to break the rules’, but she ignored it.

  Captain Erik, still a ghost of a man watched them both carefully. He scowled at Isaak, but nodded at Kasia. It was clear he didn’t trust the man.

  Whispers about Kasia’s suitor began to spread through the castle like wildfire, following them wherever they went. Kasia ignored those, too.

  “I can’t believe my Tatu? actually gave you permission to come have dinner with me every night. You have no idea how incredible that is! Normally, anyone not affiliated to the knights never makes it past the gates! You should thank him the next time you see him.” Kasia narrowed her eyes as she looked back at Isaak, following her dutifully to the cantina. “I mean that.”

  "Thank him? The last time that I was here I had been kidnapped. I can only imagine what might have happened if you hadn't rescued me."

  Loud coughing mixed with the word, nepotism broke through the chatter inside the cantina. Harold's voice was easily discernible from the crowd.

  Kasia’s face burned, but she didn’t turn. She didn’t want to see the hatred in Harold’s eyes.

  Kasia wasn’t certain if it was better for her to get food for them both, or to bring him into the Cantina with her… Probably best to get him out of sight as quickly as possible. But she also didn’t want to leave him alone…

  Kasia took a deep breath and tugged on his hand, pulling him to stand in line with her. “This is where all of the knights and initiates eat, unless they have a wife or mother here who cooks for them at home.” Kasia explained softly.

  Andrew and Janine popped up beside Kasia like weeds.

  “Well would you look at what the cat dragged in! How on earth did you get past the guards?” Janine crowed.

  “I…negotiated with my Tatu?.... I said I wouldn’t need to sneak out to see Isaak if he would allow him to come to me. So, uh, here he is.”

  “Has the Lord Commander ever allowed someone outside of the knights or their families inside before?” Andrew asked, impressed.

  “Well… there was Blasio’s Ojciec, when he came to negotiate trade routes in Gdansk… so it must happen on occasion. Just not often.” Kasia replied shyly.

  Andrew smiled and shook Isaak’s hand, “Well, welcome to our glorious fortress. What do you think?”

  “I haven’t seen much yet. But so far, ostentatious.”

  Kasia rolled her eyes, “Rude.”

  Janine laughed, “Well, at least he is consistent.”

  They waited in line and got their trays of food.

  “Are you planning to eat here in the Cantina? I doubt the Lord Commander will let you take him to go eat alone in your room.”

  “I was going to take him to the castle, to the Lord Commander’s private rooms… technically I still have a bedroom on that floor. But I was going to go to the family dining room. Tatu? rarely uses it, except for family breakfast on rest day.”

  “Ohh! Can we come? We never get to eat in the castle!” Janine bounced hopefully.

  Kasia smiled, “Sure. It will probably make my Tatu? feel more at ease.” She also knew that her friends would not be at all troubled by her and Isaak kissing as they would likely be doing the very same thing.

  She led them out of the cantina to the castle, up to the upper floors of the castle.

  “Fuck, this is nice. Why do you sleep in the barracks if you have a room in the castle?” Janine asked.

  “Because I want to be a hunter, and hunters sleep in the barracks until they have earned the right to sleep in the castle.” Kasia answered seriously.

  She showed them to the family dining room. The long table, far too large for just four people, stretched out before them. The chairs her father had broken all those months ago had still not been replaced.

  “What’s with the, uh, chairs?” Andrew asked.

  Kasia blew out a breath and sat down, glancing at them stacked against the far wall. “Those are from the day that Tatu? found out I kissed a man and did not know his name…”

  Andrew’s eyes widened in horror as he looked between the chairs and Isaak, “Aren’t you scared that’s going to be you?!”

  Isaak laughed. “Life loses its flavor when death is nowhere near.”

  Andrew considered this, “I…guess? I only joined the knights because of the pay. I’d be more than happy to stay safe and guard the castle… Then again, that didn’t work out well for Bruno or Ivar…”

  Kasia’s heart twinged at the mention of Ivar. “Let’s eat!” She sat down, pushing out the chair next to her for Isaak to sit. Andrew and Janine sat across from them.

  They ate and made pleasant conversation, and when it was over, Kasia showed them to the sitting room where they all piled onto the comfy couches in front of a warm fire.

  “Now this is the life.” Janine yawned and stretched as she rubbed her full belly. It wasn’t long before she and Andrew became dead to the world, lost in kissing.

  Kasia smiled, amused, and turned to Isaak. “Shall we mimic them?”

  “What I still haven’t figured out is how you managed to sneak out all the time.” Isaak smiled slyly, his eyes sharp. He rested his hand on the inside of her knee.

  Kasia climbed onto his lap and straddled him. She nibbled on his lip, then along his jaw. “There are a few secret passages in the castle that not everyone knows about… Though of course once my Tatu? knew I was sneaking out, he knew how I'd been slipping past the guards.” She kissed the corner of his mouth, letting out a soft hum of contentment.

  “So secretive.” He purred as his lips brushed against hers.

  “I heard rumors that a monster had infiltrated the castle.” Ren's calm voice echoed with authority from the doorway.

  Kasia was startled, but did her best to hide it. She gently pulled back from Isaak’s kiss, her eyes lingering on him until the last possible moment. Then she turned, still seated on Isaak’s lap, to greet her Uncle. “Wujek. You remember Isaak. And Andrew and Janine, of course.” she said by way of greeting.

  “Of course. And I’m sure that you remember that the Creators are watching.” Her uncle arched his eyebrows at them.

  “Nah…” Isaak whispered quietly.

  Kasia arched her eyebrows right back, “I do not think the creators will begrudge me a few kisses. Nor should you. I am not doing anything wrong.” she said right back. “We are here, we are chaperoned, and you or my Tatu? could walk in at any time you please, as you have just demonstrated. I think that is more than reasonable.”

  “Katarzyna Najberg, I may indulge you most times, but this behavior is far too scandalous.”

  Kasia jumped to her feet, furious. She marched over to her Uncle because she didn’t want to have this argument in front of Isaak or her friends. “I am a grown woman, Wujek! I don’t need permission to kiss. I am here because my Tatu? fears me coming to harm leaving the castle so often, but there is no rule that prohibits initiates from kissing! So, respectfully, Wujek: No. I am going to kiss my woodsman as much as I please.”

  “You had your legs wrapped around him.” Her Uncle growled, “Your behavior has been quite unbecoming of a lady, or a grown woman. You are more than an initiate. You are our flesh and blood. We do not belong in your life only as hunters.” Ren replied with quiet anger. “Your Ojciec did not permit the woodsman to enter the castle so that you could commit such indiscretions.”

  He straightened, grey eyes hard, “And do not speak to me like that again.”

  Kasia’s eyes filled with hot, angry tears. “Then I’ll leave! I’ll go live somewhere else! I’ll show up for training and leave at the end of the day!”

  Ren refused to raise his voice to her level. “You’ll do no such thing, Katarzyna. The initiates live in the barracks. Do you think that we do this because we want you to be unhappy? You are unwed, you are my bratanica. It is our job as your family to take care of you. To protect you. To provide for you. And none of us want to see you leave.”

  An angry tear slipped free. It only made Kasia more furious. “I think you do this because I’m not allowed to do anything until I’m wed! Until another man has claimed me! Well you know what? I claim myself! I can take care and provide for myself! Can’t you see I’m suffocating inside these walls?! Do you have any idea what it is like to have your every action watched, scrutinized, and judged?! I can’t breathe!”

  “Kasia, calm down.” Ren soothed, “Please, just because you are old enough to be a woman doesn’t mean that you get to do whatever it is that you wish. Choices have consequences, sometimes immediate, sometimes eternal. If you’re feeling suffocated, then perhaps you should think about your choices and desires. They may not be correct.” Ren said calmly. He rested his hand on her shoulder and looked into her teary eyes. “This isn’t about controlling you. It’s protecting you.”

  Kasia didn't meet his eyes. "How much longer until I can take out my rites? I've already taken a year longer than Kornosz and Jacek. Surely it must be soon?" And then I can leave and none of you can tell me what I can or can't do anymore! Kasia thought rebelliously.

  “Hopefully soon. Perhaps we can start discussing it after this beast has been slaughtered.” Ren’s voice softened further, “I care about you, Kasia. I want you to be safe. Not just when hunting monsters.”

  Kasia stared at Ren's shoulder when she spoke to him, "And it is a rule that initiates must live in the barracks?"

  “You know that it is. You can’t possibly be planning on moving in with this man?” Ren’s patience was beginning to waver.

  Kasia hissed in irritation. "Am I allowed to sit next to him, or is that too vulgar as well?"

  “Yes, of course you can.” Ren replied politely, choosing to ignore her anger.

  Kasia turned on her heel and went to sit next to Isaak. She leaned her head on his shoulder and folded her arms across her chest. Her eyes continued to leak.

  Andrew and Janine looked extremely uncomfortable, perhaps regretting asking to come along. They kept looking between Kasia and her uncle, who was still standing in the doorway.

  Kasia acted as though he were no longer there.

  "I'm sorry, Isaak. I know that…well if I feel this way, and it's my home, I can only imagine how you must be feeling… I…" I would understand if you don't want to be treated like a teenager when you're well into your thirties or forties, or however fucking old you are.

  "If I couldn't so much as kiss you for a year… would you still want to come see me?" She whispered.

  “You think I’d ever go without kissing you?” He whispered back. “They can’t be everywhere. I’ll just have to ravish you harder when we get the chance.”

  Kasia relaxed and her chest filled with warmth. "Thank you. I'm sorry for… all of this." She sat up and leaned her forehead against his, closing her eyes. "Next Ren is going to say that touching foreheads is a whoredom." Her lips tugged into a smile.

  “Oh? Would you like me to?” Ren called playfully.

  Kasia snorted. Isaak's reassurance calmed much of her anger and panic. "No thank you, Wujek."

  Now that the tension had dissipated, Andrew and Janine excused themselves, wishing Kasia, Isaak, and the Lieutenant General a good night.

  "Would you like to join us, Wujek, or do you enjoy lurking in doorways?" Kasia taunted her uncle with affection.

  "It's probably time for him to go. You have training in the morning. He's welcome to stay the night. But it's doubtful that we'll let him back out of the dungeon in the morning." Ren grinned.

  Kasia pouted, but didn't feel like fighting with her uncle anymore tonight. "Very well, Wujek. I'll walk him to the gate."

  She tugged on Isaak's hand and led him back out of the castle. "I'm sorry." She apologized for the hundredth time, "I would leave tonight if I wasn't so close to reaching knighthood. I don't want to throw away what I've worked and trained so hard for over the past eleven years just because I can't wait a few more months to share your bed. Please say you understand?" She looked up at him pleadingly.

  “I do understand having an incomplete goal.” His eyes burned with an intensity that surprised her, “I don’t intend to go anywhere soon.”

  Kasia smiled gratefully. She pulled him between two buildings, out of sight in the dark, and kissed him with fervor.

  Then they resumed their walk back to the front gate. "So I'll see you for dinner tomorrow?"

  “Of course. I still need a tour.”

  Kasia beamed. "I would love that.".

  At the front gate Kasia gave Isaak a very chaste kiss goodbye, then returned to her room. It was much easier having Isaak come to her. She would actually get a decent night's sleep for once. Her eyes closed and she dreamed about her handsome woodsman and all the improper things she wanted to do to him.

  The next night, Kasia gave Isaak a tour, as promised.

  She actually knew a great deal about the history of the castle, having grown up in it. What she hadn't learned from her family she'd found in books. Her favorite subject had always been the castle's secret passages. It was the closest to real magic Kasia would ever get, sorcery being forbidden by the Church of Light.

  Kasia didn't understand why the creators would care if someone could shoot flames from their hands– wouldn't that be creation? But, apparently it was blasphemy to seek godlike power for yourself. It was too much like what the destroyer had done, stealing the Lady of Light so he could create through her.

  “Ostentatious. Are you sure that your Ojciec isn’t pretending to be king?” Isaak drawled as he pushed her into one of the alcoves of the hallway. “Does hunting monsters pay that well?”

  "So rude. I happen to like it." Kasia giggled conspiratorially, wrapping her arms around his waist, "And yes, it pays very well. Not many are willing to risk their lives in such a dangerous profession… my Tatu? and Wujeks might make it seem otherwise, but I'd say only a quarter of hunters ever die of old age. Perhaps less. A Knight Hunter can be as wealthy as he likes, taking on contracts. Slaying a griffin, for example, pays three hundred gold. Entire towns scrape together their funds, or beseech their liege lord to pay for a Knight hunter to come and rid their province of a beast. But, such large contracts are few and far between. Most are for smaller things, twenty gold for a goblin, maybe sixty if it’s a nest.

  “This,” Kasia gestured around the castle, “This is all funded by the church of light. We are the only ones trained and capable of defeating the destroyer’s spawn, thus, they make certain that anyone who gives their life to this service is well cared for when they are home, as well as their families. The ability to give your family a comfortable life is a powerful draw for people to join."

  Isaak pinned Kasia to the wall with his body, eyes gazing down at her.

  “Well, now you've seen everything.” Kasia spoke breathlessly.

  Isaak brought his lips close to hers and brushed hers lightly, “But you haven’t shown me everything.” And with a mischievous grin, let her go and backed away without a kiss.

  Kasia made a small outraged sound and huffed.

  “How did you ever sneak out of here?”

  Kasia narrowed her eyes, amused, “I already told you. There’s quite a few passages throughout the castle. Come on, let’s go grab food from the Cantina.” She waved him to follow her as she began to head back to the main floor and outside the castle proper.

  “Really? You’re going to taunt me with secret passages and then drag me off somewhere that I’ve been? I like adventure, remember?” Deftly he grabbed her waist, spun her several times, then with a dip kissed her. “Let's have an adventure.”

  Kasia accepted his kiss, laughing at his enthusiasm, “Well I would like to eat tonight. But no, I will not be showing you the secret passages. It would compromise the castle’s security. If it was found out that I had shown them to you, my Tatu? would have no choice except to throw me out of the knights.”

  “Are you going to tell him? I sure won’t”

  Kasia chuckled again, then shook her head, “I'll offer you a deal— You marry me, and I will show you all of them as a wedding present. Family is allowed to know where they are.” she raised her eyebrow in challenge.

  “I don’t want to talk about that.” Isaak replied seriously. “I’m sorry.”

  Hurt lanced through her, “I was only joking. I didn’t… realize how upsetting the idea of marrying me is.”

  She didn’t want to talk about this either. She waved her hand at him dismissively, “Whatever. Let’s just get food.”

  "That sounds lovely."

  Kasia turned curtly and headed in the direction of the exit, not bothering to see if Isaak followed.

  Leaving the castle, she heard Isaak behind her, "I'm sorry. It's not what you think."

  Kasia sighed and slowed her pace to match his, lacing her fingers through his. "I sure hope it's not.”

  She hesitated a breath and then blurted, “Just so you know, I'd run away and marry you the moment you asked. You don't have to say anything…I just want you to know how I feel."

  Isaak the corners of Isaak's eyes crinkled with warm affection, "You're sweet. Why don't we skip dinner and find someplace private?" His hand squeezed hers.

  Kasia's stomach rumbled loudly. She clapped her hands over it, "Shush!" Looking back up at Isaak, "My stomach says dinner is non negotiable."

  Isaak groaned in defeat. “Fine. Dinner it is.”

  "Why can't we do both? Grab food and then try and find some privacy? If you can actually manage to find somewhere no one will disturb us, I'll even let you eat your dinner off my chest." Kasia purred suggestively.

  Isaak looked intrigued. “You’re just saying that to get me to come eat…Or are you excited by the idea? Are you coming further out of your shell, huntress?”

  Kasia narrowed her eyes mischievously, "I'll never tell!" And she ran off to the Cantina laughing as Isaak gave chase.

  She slowed to a walk just outside and Isaak caught up to her, grabbing her around the waist and biting her shoulder.

  Kasia started to let out a joyful laugh, but it died in her throat when she looked up and saw Harold glaring at her. She could read the thoughts going through his mind like it was an open book.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  She looked away from Harold quickly, unable to bear the condemnation in his stare. She wanted to ask him how he was…how his mother was coping with Wojciek's loss…but she couldn't. He would hate her more if she did.

  Harold continued to glower at her but didn’t say anything.

  “Damn. Popular aren’t you?”

  Kasia scarcely heard Isaak speak. "G-goodnight Harold." She whispered. Kasia grabbed Isaak's hand and pulled him through the doors to the Cantina. Her heart was beating fast. Harold would really never forgive her… and it hurt.

  They stood in the line to get their food.

  “Oh, Katarzyna. Your father is waiting for you to join him for dinner.” It was Bruno’s widow who spoke to her as she served food.

  "Oh!" Kasia exclaimed with surprise. "Thank you, I'll go right away."

  She took Isaak's hand and they left the food line and headed back to the castle. "This is odd. We don't normally eat together during the week. Maybe he wants to try getting to know you more." Kaisa said hopefully. She doubted it. But she could hope.

  They reached the family dining room on the third floor of the castle.

  "Kasia! My love!" Her father welcomed warmly.

  Kasia released Isaak's hand to go to her father and hug him. "Tatu?!" She responded with enthusiasm.

  "Woodman." Her father growled over her head, still embracing her

  "Lord Commander." Kasia turned her head in time to see Isaak curtsy with a mocking smile.

  "No! No! Don't either of you fucking start!" Kasia shoved away from her father and wagged a finger threateningly at the two of them. She waited a moment so they would both know she was serious, then turned back to her father, "You wanted to have dinner with us?"

  It was a question.

  "Of course. I feel haven't spent enough time with my daughter of late. Please join me. I think that your Wujek plans to join us as well."

  This really surprised Kasia. They were always too busy to have dinner with her during the week. That was the whole reason they had family day. Kasia was suspicious, but she hid it.

  "Well thank you. I always appreciate being able to spend more time with you."

  She sat down in the chair across from her father and pushed the chair next to her out, inviting Isaak to sit beside her.

  "Ren tells me that you've been doing well in training." Jon ignored Isaak. Or simply focused on Kasia.

  Kasia also looked surprised at this, "Really? I'm fairly certain I've vomited more days than I haven't. Wujek has been rather brutal. Hopefully that means I'll be ready to take out my rites soon. I am so tired of being an initiate!" Kasia kicked her feet back and forth under the table like a hyper child. "How is everything with the knights? Has there been…discontent after what happened with Wojciek?" Kasia wasn't entirely certain she wanted to know the answer.

  “Should there be?” Her father questioned her. “Though Harold has made his displeasure quite known.”

  Kasia shifted uncomfortably, "I was thinking of Harold…"

  “What does it matter? You two never liked each other.”

  Kasia's face fell, "True…but he's never hated me like this before."

  “What happened to Wojciek isn’t your fault, dziecka. You need to get over it. I banished him. He’s lucky I didn’t behead him.”

  Kasia stared down, counting the grains in the table as she continued shifting in her seat. She slid her hand into Isaak’s. “Yes, Tatu?. Um… so where is the food? I was promised dinner!” She needed a change of topic.

  “In a moment. It’s on its way. When did you become so impatient? Can’t wait to leave the initiates? You love your training. And now you’re arguing with your Wujek?”

  Kasia’s eyes widened, Ahh! So that’s what this is about! Ren, you tattle-tale!

  “I loved training as a child, but it’s grown… well, ever since I turned eighteen and didn’t take my rites out like my brothers… it’s just felt like one long, continuous reminder of how I’ll never be as good as them.” Kasia shrugged dismissively, “And I fought with Ren because I was angry. When I snuck out, I had privacy. Now I can barely kiss Isaak without Ren clucking at me like a mother hen.”

  Jon laughed, "You did always take more after your brats than your siostra. I was wondering when your rebellion would appear. But please remember, we love you.”

  “Well, at least he does.” Nathan smirked as he strutted into the room. It was always there, that cocky gait of his, even when there was no one to impress.

  Kasia glared across the room at her Uncle Nathan, “So rude, Wujek. Always so rude.” But then she smiled, and much of her tension eased. She had been expecting a lecture. Her father finding her rebellion funny, while slightly infuriating, was far better than him being cross with her.

  Kasia returned her gaze to her father, “I love you too… I still can’t wait to travel like my brats. France, England… All of those places might as well be places from a storybook to me since I’ve never left Gdansk. Well, I suppose there was that time we went to visit Wujek Augystn in Koszalin, but that hardly counts.”

  “Eh, overrated. Monsters, now that’s fun stuff.” Nathan leaned back, putting his booted feet on the table.

  “Nathan, feet down.” Ren’s smooth voice glided over the table as he entered the room.

  The food followed close behind.

  "All of you?" This was suspicious. So fucking suspicious. Kasia was certain she and Isaak had walked into a trap. Her hand holding Isaak's beneath the table squeezed tighter.

  Kasia forced a wide smile onto her face, "You all missed me that much? I'm touched."

  “Of course. You look nervous, corka. Is everything okay?” Her father's answering smile was wide and teasing.

  Kasia leaned back in her chair, "I don't know what you're talking about, Tatu?. I'm just stunned I get to see you all when it's not even family day."

  Jon's smile disappeared, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be neglectful."

  Isaak let out a soft chuckle, "Oh, I see. You're blaming yourself for my relationship with Kasia."

  Jon glowered at Isaak, but it appeared that Isaak had guessed correctly. This surprised Kasia. Her father thought the only reason she was with Isaak was because he hadn't been spending enough time with her?

  Kasia reached across the table to take her father's hand, "You don't need to be sorry, Tatu?. I understand that you are the Lord Commander and have a lot of responsibilities. I see you far more than Janine sees her step-father."

  Janine's father would leave on missions, sometimes for as long as a year or more. He had met Janine's mother on a hunt in a neighboring country. Jagna's village had been attacked by a griffon that had grown territorial during mating season. Jagna's first husband and sons had all been killed by the beasts, and only she and her infant daughter had survived.

  Modlisz Lewondowski saw them and knew she had no way to provide for her and her daughter. He knew knights' families would be cared for their whole lives. He had no wife and had never planned to marry, and felt moved to help them. He asked Jagna to marry him, and explained he had no expectations of her as a wife. He just wanted to help.

  Jagna accepted and left with him. In the past eighteen years the two had come to love each other, and he saw Janine as his own daughter in every way. But he still left on long hunts, just as before, and it worked well because Jagna enjoyed the time to herself as much as she loved when he was home. But Janine had very scattered memories of her birth father, and Kasia did not envy her for it.

  Jon sighed. “You shouldn’t be suspicious when your father invites you to dinner. I’m sorry.”

  Kasia gave him a guilty smile, "It's only because Isaak is here. All of your meetings with him tend to end in violence."

  “He deserves some violence.” Her father grumbled. “And…” he continued reluctantly, “he is part of why you two are here.”

  "Oh so you didn't invite me just to spend time with me?" Kasia folded her arms and raised her eyebrow, her smile crooked. "And you wonder why I'm suspicious. Very well, let's hear it."

  “I would have invited you regardless! I am simply glad that he is here-” Her father replied.

  This earned a dubious look from Kasia.

  Jon continued, “-So that I can tell him this in person: Tomorrow night is the full moon. I do not want you to join Kasia for dinner. Stay at the inn.”

  That was fair, and to be expected. Kasia nodded, "Understood, Tatu?."

  All three of her family members were taken by surprise. “That easily?”

  "It's the full moon. I don't want your minds to be focused on anything except the hunt." Unhappiness pooled in her gut. Was this a last meal, then? Did her father want to have dinner with her one last time just in case? But no, her father and his brothers were the three legendary hunters. If anyone could kill this creature, surely it would be them. Still, she couldn't help the question that slipped past her lips, "Are you nervous?"

  “Yes.” Her father replied honestly.

  “Why?” Nathan interjected. “It’s us. The beast doesn’t stand a chance.”

  “I haven’t left Kasia behind in a very long time.”

  Kasia tightened her grip on her father's hand. Her eyes stung. For some reason she didn't want to share this intimate moment with Isaak. She worried he would make fun of them; force their armor back up with barbed words.

  "Then you will all have dinner with me tomorrow night as well." Kasia said firmly.

  “Don’t worry, sir— Should you fall, then I will take care of Kasia.” Isaak couldn’t help himself. He wrapped his arm around Kasia’s shoulders.

  Jon’s face immediately turned red as he attempted to control himself.

  “Son of a bitch!” Nathan yelled as he exploded from his seat. “I could use the warm-up!”

  Ren shot up and sat Nathan back down with a powerful shove to his shoulders, “Don’t give the bastard the satisfaction.”

  "Isaak." Kasia's words were like ice. "I think it's time for you to go."

  “It was only a joke! I’m sure that he’ll be fine. Besides, it’ll give him more motivation.”

  Jon could be heard muttering under his breath, Damn right it does.

  Kasia whipped to face him, "Do you really think joking about my Tatu? dying the night before he is to face what killed Bruno and Ivar is funny?! Do you see anyone here laughing?!" Her eyes watered, "Most of the time, I love that all the world is a joke to you…but not right now. Right now you are being cruel."

  “Like when your father had me dragged from my room for breakfast?” Isaak scoffed. He pointed at Nathan. “Or the constant threats from your Wujek? Yes, everything is a big joke.”

  Kasia rubbed her face with her hands. How did he always manage to make himself sound like the victim?!

  The food had finally arrived and Kasia was grateful for the distraction. She immediately loaded her plate with stewed plums, braised elk, and mashed potatoes. She elected not to respond to Isaak, and stuffed her mouth instead, keeping her eyes firmly on her plate.

  The rest of dinner passed in stilted silence. Her father and her uncles occasionally tried to start conversations with her. Kasia responded amiably, but the tension between her and Isaak was thick.

  "I'll see you all for dinner tomorrow night. No exceptions!" Kasia barked by way of farewell to her father and uncles. She rose to walk Isaak back to the front gate.

  Kasia waited until they were out of earshot, "I don't know why the lot of you can't get along. You're right about my Wujek's threats…but my Tatu? has been trying."

  “I suppose that you want me to apologize.”

  "All I want is to be able to spend time with all the men I love in peace." She slid her hand into his.

  “I’ll do my best. But your family is the most fun that I have had in a very long time.” His smile was impish.

  Kasia sighed in exasperation and moved to hug Isaak around the waist. "Just shut up and kiss me you insufferable beast."

  “Fine, if you insist.” He growled playfully as he picked her up into the air and kissed her.

  Kasia squealed joyfully and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

  When he put her down, they finished their walk to the front gates. "I'll see you again on my next rest day. On the beach, I believe your note said?"

  "Don't be late. And be sure to lose your babysitter."

  Kasia made a face and rolled her eyes, "I'll do my best."

  The next day, tensions were high, as were spirits. Everyone was feeling a conflicted mixture of fear and hope. Fear of the werewolf, and hope because the greatest hunters in the land were setting out to face it.

  For Kasia, the feelings were mostly fear and anxiety. It wasn't that she doubted her family's skill, she just couldn't seem to stop her mind from conjuring images of her father cut in half like the Frenchman, Guy. Of her Uncle Nathan mutilated past recognition like Bruno. Her Uncle Ren with a gaping hole in his chest where his heart had been torn out.

  Ren seemed to sense this and ended training early. Kasia went straight to him after, "Can I stay with you, Wujek Nathan, and Tatu? until you have to go?"

  Ren looked sadly at Kasia. “I’m sorry, bratanica, but no. We need to prepare. Each hunter has different rituals when preparing for a hunt, but very common among all of us is the need to do it alone. Or in this case, me and my brats together. It may sound harsh, but until tomorrow’s sun rises, we are the only people in the world.”

  Kasia looked devastated, "Not even dinner?"

  “How about breakfast after we return?”

  Kasia trembled with fear and sorrow, "That's why I wanted to have dinner with all of you tonight! I told you about it last night! I wanted to be with you all just in case…" Tears slipped from her eyes. She knew she wasn't being helpful. She knew her fear and sadness would only mess with their heads and shake their confidence. "Right then. Tomorrow." She forced a smile on her face, even though tears were dribbling down her cheeks. She wanted to rage at him. To punish him, all of them, for how she felt. It was their fault she loved them, worried for them.

  But she knew she would regret it. So instead she threw her arms around him, squeezing her uncle as tightly as she could. "This will be easy for the three of you. The werewolf doesn't stand a chance, right?"

  “Of course. We will bring back the largest fur rug that you’ve ever seen.” Her uncle smiled at her and held her close. “I’m sorry. You’ll understand after your rites.”

  "Which will be soon. Very soon. Perhaps after breakfast." Kasia smiled crookedly.

  “We’ll see.” Ren chuckled.

  —--------------------------------------------------

  Jon, Ren, and Nathan each made their way into the kitchen for a very early dinner. They would need their energy, but it would also be deadly for them to be sluggish. Each had submitted a large custom order to the kitchen. Once laden with their order they made their way to the throne room. Guards posted at each entrance would ensure their privacy.

  “Really Ren, fish?” Nathan scrunched his face at his brother’s dinner. “Eat something manly!”

  “I’ll outlive you yet, brother.” Ren replied.

  “You’d be happy if fish was your last meal? I couldn’t be. Especially if I could choose this fresh venison.”

  “Whatever, ‘big man’.”

  “Kasia will need some attention when this is over.” Ren said softly. “She’s upset that she didn’t get to spend today with us.”

  “It’s not easy for me either, brat.” Jon said. His heart hurt at the thought of Kasia’s rejection.

  The hours before a hunt were sacred. Soldiers often spent their last hours with family, trying to spend as much time as possible with their loved ones. …To say their final goodbyes. Hunters, however, didn’t say goodbye. They spent the hours before a hunt preparing to emerge victorious. A hunt wasn’t a war. It wasn't a battle; it was a duel.

  The brother’s banter began to slow as they ate. By the time they had finished eating there was silence–

  –That was promptly disturbed by a loud belch.

  “Really Nathan?”

  Jon laughed. “You never change.”

  Each brother found a comfortable spot to sit. They closed their eyes and began focusing on their breathing. With each breath they began to focus on their body. Slowly they made their mind consciously aware of every limb and every muscle.

  They replayed previous hunts in their mind. They remembered attacks and the body movements of the creatures that they had hunted in the past. They thought of their own reactions. Sometimes the battle replayed exactly how they remembered it. Sometimes they modified it with lessons that they had learned in the time that had passed since.

  Last, they began to imagine the fight to come. A large werewolf, fast, something familiar but more than they expected.

  Jon imagined a brawl with the creature. He thought of trading blows back and forth with Darla in hand. In his mind, each blow was calculated, tactical, and planned.

  Nathan rushed in quickly, his senses heightened by adrenaline. He attacked quickly and often. Every twitch from the werewolf he reacted to. He stayed on his toes and never stopped moving.

  Ren was quiet. He snuck up on the werewolf from downwind. He watched the creature as it hunted him and his brothers. Silently he loaded his crossbows with silver arrows. Slowly he laid several readied weapons on the ground beside him. He took a deep breath and held it. The first bolt was released. He quickly fired the others as the werewolf reeled in pain.

  In each of their mind’s eye, they saw the monster’s death.

  Kasia crept through one of the castle's numerous secret passages to one that had a tiny slatted window from which she could spy on the throne room. When she slid the panel open to spy on her father and uncles, she found that the viewing window had been blocked by something. A note was stuck to the screen.

  Nice try, Kasia.

  -R

  Swearing under her breath, Kasia left the passages and went to go kick dirt while she waited with the other knights to see the Lord Commander and his Generals off.

  —-----------------------------------

  There was not the same fanfare as the three brothers left the castle. Just about every hunter was annoyed that they wouldn’t get to go out for revenge. And many were still nervous from the events of the month prior.

  Nathan was excited for the night’s events. Swords hung at his waist and on his back. Several daggers could be seen as well. Several were likely hidden.

  Jon was focused. He carried only Darla, a bastard sword nearly twice as large as normal.

  And Ren was cautious. He carried a large crossbow in his hands. Some smaller ones could be seen hanging off of his person. And a single sword strapped to his back.

  Three bloodhounds strode beside them. Gorgeous pure blooded beasts that, from the day they had been born, were trained to run down monsters. Their noses were unparalleled in the land. Their frames were perfect for chasing down the opponent. Each had sired dozens of litters in hopes that the next generation would be superior. And each followed a hunter, one eye ahead, one on their master waiting for orders.

  Each was ready to complete the mission. They stepped out of the front gate together. No spawn of the destroyer would stand a chance.

  The three legendary hunters walked in silence as they distanced themselves from the castle. The fight would be far from here. Kasia was inside the castle. Along with their brothers in arms. They must be safe tonight.

  Before they had left their 'meditation' chambers they had spent a time sparring. All three were grateful for the warmup. They were each far older than any active hunter should be. It took their bodies time to become limber. And despite their best efforts to train the next generation of hunters, none of the brothers felt challenged unless they fought each other.

  They reached the forest in silence, took one look at each other and set off in three different directions.

  "Szukaj!" At the word all three hounds dropped their muzzles to the floor and began to search for any threatening scent.

  —-------------------------------

  The Monster

  The last sliver of daylight sank below the horizon. The last sliver of hope for the hunters disappeared. The air was crisp, a storm brewed on the horizon. The man on the sea cliffs smiled. Tonight.

  He turned towards the deadly woods and with each step became a beast, a monster, the nightmare. With a howl he began his hunt.

  It took some time before he found prey. All the hunters had apparently been ordered to remain in the castle. All but three. There would be no reinforcements. Excitement pulsed within him. The fight of a lifetime. Generations often passed without a warrior who could challenge him. Life grew boring. But now there were three. Three little pigs that came out of their house of bricks.

  He knew that they were looking for him, just as he was looking for them. Could they do it? Could they find him first? He smiled, unlikely. He closed his eyes and sniffed the air. Nothing could catch him by surprise. With another howl he ran south. Later he would cut west. Towards the castle, then away.

  He made no effort to conceal himself tonight. He wanted them to follow. He stepped heavily as he ran, leaving behind plenty of prints to follow. As well as broken branches and demolished underbrush. A blind hunter would be able to find him tonight. His eyes were filled with glee as he ran.

  —-----------------------

  Kasia

  After her family left, Kasia trudged to the Cantina to grab a tray of dinner. When Andrew and Janine spotted her, they came to join her.

  "I'm going to take my dinner to eat at my matka's grave." Kasia informed them as she started to leave.

  "We'll come with you." Andrew's eyes were kind, "if you'll allow it."

  "You won't find it too weird?"

  "We don't want you alone tonight, Kasia,” Janine spoke, “You could ask us to streak naked through the castle with eels for scarves and we'd come with you."

  Kasia smirked, "I feel like that's something you actually want to do."

  Janine gave her an impish grin, "Maybe." She batted her lashes, "but my point still stands."

  Kasia felt such gratitude for her friends. "I would really like that."

  They took their meals and a blanket out to the graveyard and set up a picnic next to Alina Najberg's headstone.

  "Chech Matka," Kasia greeted her mother, "Andrew and Janine came to visit with me today. Tonight, Tatu? and my Wujeks go to fight the largest werewolf we've ever heard of. I know they are the best, but I still fear for them. I don't know what I'd do if I lost Tatu? as well…"

  She felt tears sting her eyes.

  "You know, Pani Najberg, your daughter Kasia here, looked Ren in the eyes as she sat straddling Isaak’s lap and said to him,” at this point Janine’s voice took on a high falsetto, “‘I’m going to kiss whoever I want, Wujek, and you can’t stop me!’”

  "Look at her turning in the grave!" Andrew roared with laughter and Kasia folded her arms, puckering her lips as she fought to hold back a chuckle of her own,

  “No, Matka, I was not sitting on Isaak when I said that– I was standing in the doorway with Ren whispering–”

  “-She was absolutely yelling. The entire castle heard her.”

  “Dammit, Janine!” Kasia was laughing now as well, “It’s true, though, Matka. I will kiss Isaak as much as I want. I wonder what you would think about him if you met him…” Kasia’s eyes grew far away. “Would you hate him, like Tatu? and my Wujeks… or would you see past all his antics? Does my relationship with him bother you?”

  Kasia stared at the headstone in silence, giving her mother a chance to reply.

  “Well I certainly like him,” Janine gave Kasia a languid smile, “I mean, he’s no Lord Commander–” at the mention of Kasia’s father, Janine’s eyes went dreamy.

  “-Ew! Gross! Stop!” Kasia screamed, covering her ears.

  “Yeah!” Andrew looked affronted.

  Janine shrugged, “I like what I like. I’m not going to apologize. And clearly your matka had similar tastes otherwise, y’know, she wouldn’t have married your Tata. But besides his good looks, he really brought you out of your shell, Kasia. You seem so much more…vibrant when he is around.” Janine’s smile was kind, approving. "And I think that's something your Matka would have seen and loved as well."

  Kasia hugged her friends tightly.

  After dinner Kasia returned to her room to work on her portrait of her mother. She would be close to finishing it tonight. She just needed Ren's help to finish. While Kasia was very similar to her mother, she was not an exact copy. She had used herself as the model and Ren would help her fix the details on the portrait.

  As the dawn drew near, Kasia went to sit on top of the front gates. Captain Erik was there, and one look told her he understood what she was feeling. He didn't say anything, but he held her hand.

  Do you think there is too much filler in this chapter with the dinners?