The Offering

“I must hurry,” I whispered as my hands moved quickly to fill the basket. My mind goes through a mental checklist as I filled in its contents. An apple, berries, and mushrooms stuffed into a chicken carcass with inedible organs and attached skin. A simple yet important concoction. Using a handkerchief dosed in elderberry and mint mixture, I covered the contents within. I peeked behind my shoulder to see that the sun was beginning its descent. I grabbed my cloak and snapped it in place. I snatched the basket up so roughly that the table shook beneath it. Gimli, my orange cat, and housemate, awoke from his slumber and stretched. “Protect our home, Gimli. I shall return shortly!” I said to him as I scratched his favorite spot behind his left ear. I bent my upper body as I walked through the doorway and into the outside world. I closed the door behind me and straightened my back as I took off down the familiar walkway. I quickened my steps as I tried to beat the setting sun. I was so focused on tending to my garden that I lost track of the time. I picked up my skirt and ran at almost full speed through the forest. My lungs were ready to burst from my chest when a small clearing grew before my eyes. I slowed my steps as well as my breathing as I approached the village. I carefully placed my hood over my head as I tried to stay clear of the main road. Although most of the people were in their homes preparing for bed or eating a meal, I could not risk it and stayed as close to the shadows as possible. As long as I can remember, I lived away from the village. My father had passed when I was young, so it was just my mother and me my whole life. I never understood why we lived so far away until I got older. As a child, I not only lifted heavier things than my mother, but even some men as well. I even grew at a fast rate. Most women were petite with slim figures. I stood at around six feet tall with a large bosom, a soft belly, and broad hips. I was not like everyone else, and it sometimes made people uncomfortable. Including myself. It was easier to stay hidden among the trees than stay in a village that would whisper about me. My mother was the complete opposite of me. She was a small, dainty woman. But she had a strong will and a sharp mind. She was loved by the village for her incredible healing abilities. She did not possess any magical abilities, but she was intelligent. She knew the best herb to cure a nauseated stomach and how to realign a broken arm. She loved me with all of her heart and tried her best to pass down all of her knowledge to me. I could only hope I was doing all she wanted for me. A few vendors were loitering in the streets, but they were too busy closing shop to focus on me. The setting sun provided little lighting as I made my way along the dirt roads. “Mira!” A soft voice called behind me. I turned and realized that I was at the house at the far edge of the village. My body instantly relaxed when I saw the small woman in front of me. “Grandmother Rumi,” I said with a smile on my face. I fully faced her and stepped closer to her home. The older woman stood by the doorframe of her small home. She leaned her weight onto her walking stick as she waved at me. Her gray hair was pulled into a loose bun and her gray eyes twinkled upon seeing me. Of all the people, she was the one to treat me as an equal. She neither cowered at my height nor spoke only when she needed a remedy. Every time she saw me she greeted me warmly and spoke freely with me. She and my mother would hold daily conversations. I haven’t seen her as much. I should make more of an effort to see her. “Are you off to pick herbs this late in the evening?” She asked as she wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “That can be done another time,” another voice interjected. Grandmother Rumi’s eyes moved to the voice who spoke behind me. I stayed frozen. I moved the basket closer to my torso. The flaps of my cloak hid the contents of my basket well as I had hoped. I could hear the ground crunch behind me as he continued, “The night sky is upon us and I will not have anyone risking the safety of the village for plants.” I could see the man from my peripheral vision. The village chief stood close enough to send a message while standing far from me. Morris was the leader of the village. Although not older than me by much, he held the position of lead after his father was killed by mountain lions. He was around my height and resembled a bear in stature and hairiness. Although he has never been unkind to me, he has not hidden his disdain for me. Everything I do is scrutinized more than the average villager. I was about to bow my head and make my way back home. I never want to cause a scene or make myself more of an outcast than I already am, so I do everything he says. “Understood chief,” Grandmother Rumi states with a shake of her head, “However, if one of the infants or children falls ill during the night, Mira’s concoctions are needed. We have experienced a plague more than once around here. Isn’t it better to be prepared while the sun is still in the sky?” I could see him taking in a deep breath. A command on the tip of his lips. However, he murmured that I should hurry up and not waste sunlight before turning on his heel back to the heart of the village. I mouthed a thank you to the small older woman as I looked at the leader’s retreating form. Grandmother Rumi rolled her eyes as she dismissively waved her hand. “Hurry, young lady. There are worse things to fear at night than the village chief,” she whispered as she retreated into her home. I started at her retreating form as her words rang in my head. But I didn’t have time to think about what she said as I exited the village’s barrier. I used the sunlight rays to guide me as the trees surrounded me. The darkness encloses in. When I saw the empty handkerchief on the ground, I breathed out a sigh of relief. Just in time before I would be lost in the darkness. I knelt and looked at the piece of fabric on the ground. It was smeared with dirt stains and had some rips. I placed the basket beside me as I spread its contents before me. Grandmother Rumi was not lying when she said there were worse things in the forest. The villagers may be ignorant of the dangers that lurk outside the barriers, but not I. Ever since I could remember, my mother would tell me the story of the Forest King. Although never seen by anyone and lived to tell the tale, the story is about a creature roaming the forest grounds. A godlike creature that will devour anyone and anything in its path. My mother told me that several decades before she was born the village was ransacked by the Forest King. A local witch was able to strike a deal with the beast. If he was provided a meal every several days a mile from the village border, then he would leave the village alone. Either rain or shine, he would receive the meal and everyone would be at peace. It has stayed that way ever since, and I intend to keep that deal until the day I die or select a successor. I cannot have a successor if no one weds me. My hands stilled as that thought echoed. I will be twenty-four winters very soon and still unwed. Several years away from being known as a spinster. Almost all the women in my village were wedded with two or three children in tow. I longed for a family of my own. Since my father passed, my mother has poured all of her love into me. With her, I never felt unloved or ignored. But at times it was lonely. None of the children wanted to play with me once they saw my strength. It got even worse once I turned twelve, and I was taller than most of the boys. The girls feared me and the boys envied me. I often thought how nice it would have been to have a playmate or a sibling to have my back. My eyes prickled with tears and streamed down my face. I moved my hand to wipe my face and I screeched in shock. A searing pain radiated from my finger and I looked down to see blood dripping from it. I looked into the basket and noticed a loose piece with a sharp end point. The red liquid oozed from my finger. I hung my face as pain radiated from my hand and went straight to my heart. I wish for someone to love me. To be my other half and give me a family. To love me… all of me exactly the way I am. I spoke the words in my heart and mind. My chest clenched as I allowed myself to feel the longing and sadness that I kept hidden away. My tears and blood fell freely onto the offering. The carcasses and fruit were sprinkled in clear and red drops. I didn't particularly care. If the Forest King were truly an animal, then it wouldn't matter if he consumed my fluids. Such a small amount would make no difference. When the stinging became too unbearable, I rose from my knees and inspected the cut. Although blood oozed from the tip, it would not require stitches. A salve would do. I tore a piece from my dress and wrapped it tightly around the small wound. With nothing else left to do, I picked up my items. The sun was slowly disappearing within the treetops and I knew my time was short. With one last glance at the offering, I turned and began the journey back home.