Shadow Moon Series Book 4

The first light of dawn seeped through the narrow cracks of the humble wooden hut, casting a warm glow on the sleeping face of Nix. She looked peaceful, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of their world.

Despite the darkness of their times, Nix held onto the belief that faith and kindness could make things better. But the past few years had been tough, not just on her, but on the innocent and those who sought to protect them.

As the sun rose higher, the world outside began to stir. Birds chirped merrily, their songs echoing in the crisp morning air as the sunlight reached their nests.

Insects emerged from the damp earth, ready to start their day. Mothers reluctantly left the comfort of their hay beds, longing for the warmth of the animal fur they had wrapped around themselves.

They wished they could fall back asleep and dream of better times. But life was unkind to the weak, so they pushed their dreams aside and focused on the day ahead—survival and sustenance.

The huts were arranged in a circle around a large fire pit, which required the combined effort of nearly five women to ignite. As the flames flickered to life and smoke billowed into the sky, carried away by a gentle breeze, people began to emerge from their huts.

Sleepy children, their hair tousled, searched for their mothers, their stomachs growling with hunger. Men, their chests puffed out in a display of readiness, stepped out of the huts they had built.

They gathered around the fire, spears in hand, discussing the day’s plans and the potential game they might catch. The sounds of the waking village drifted past the circle of huts and into one tucked away behind the rest.

Nix stirred, her eyes fluttering open as the sunlight hit her face. She shielded her eyes with her hand and sat up, swinging her legs over the side of her bed.

She moved to avoid the harsh rays and looked around her small hut, a sense of pride filling her. As a woman without a man or a family, she had to fend for herself, doing tasks typically assigned to men.

She was aware of the whispers that reached her secluded home, words like crone and freak, but she didn’t let them bother her. She was living proof that one could live as they pleased, even if the rest of the village didn’t see it that way.

With a sigh, Nix pushed thoughts of the outside world aside and focused on her accomplishments. She straightened the deer fur on her straw bed, contemplating ways to make it more comfortable.

She had always been full of innovative ideas to improve her life and the lives of others, but the world wasn’t ready for her yet. As she tidied up her hut, she thought about the tasks she needed to complete that day.

A glance at her dwindling supply of dried meat told her that a hunting trip was in order. She dreaded these trips, not because of the physical exertion, but because she hated the act of killing.

It was a cruel irony that a woman who refused to let a man control her life was forced to take the lives of innocent animals. She knew it was necessary for survival, but the thought of looking into the eyes of a deer or rabbit before ending their life was unsettling.

Maybe I can barter something instead? Nix wondered, scanning her small hut for something that might be considered a fair trade. Finding nothing, she sighed and reached for her pendant.

Closing her eyes and steadying her breath, she counted to ten, trying to focus on the future. She was used to the daily pressure from the village leader to marry and the disapproving looks from the other women, but she refused to give in.

She was determined to take care of herself, even if it meant defying societal norms. As the faces and voices of her critics faded from her mind, she opened her eyes and looked around her hut.

A sense of pride and happiness filled her as she took in the space she had created. It had been a difficult journey, but she was free to live as she pleased and help those who couldn’t help themselves.

She pulled on a pair of pants she had fashioned from discarded material. She looked down at herself, mentally preparing for the backlash she would face for her unconventional choice.

In their village of nearly eighty people, only the men wore pants. Women were expected to wear fur skirts, as they didn’t need the protection and comfort of pants since they didn’t hunt or provide for their families.

Pushing aside the fur that served as her door, Nix stepped out of her hut. As she navigated around the other huts, she couldn’t help but resent the village leader, Khan, for his rules about hut placement.

Only families were allowed to be near the warmth of the fire, as he believed that children were fragile and needed the heat. Since Nix didn’t have any children, he argued, she didn’t need the warmth.

She knew Khan despised her, but he couldn’t banish her without a valid reason. The fact that she served as the village healer only fueled his resentment.

Lately, she had noticed him watching her, sometimes as they gathered around the fire for storytelling, other times as she washed her clothes by the river. His gaze sent chills down her spine and set off alarm bells in her head.

She knew her days of living peacefully among them were numbered, and she needed to come up with a plan.

“Did you see them? They’re so handsome,” a voice whispered from behind a hut as Nix rounded the corner.

“And so strong. Their women must be well taken care of,” another woman replied.

As Nix passed a hut, two women emerged, their eyes fixed on the fire as they prepared meat for the evening meal. Recognizing their voices, Nix crept up behind them.

“Do you think he has a woman?” one of them asked.

Without waiting for an answer, Nix reached out and grabbed the women by their shoulders, whispering, “Gossiping isn’t good, ladies.”

The women let out high-pitched screams as they turned to face Nix, their surprise turning into relief as they recognized her.

“Don’t do that,” the dark-haired woman said, shaking off Nix’s hand.

Nix giggled and said, “I’m sorry, but you asked for it. How many times have I told you to be aware of your surroundings?”

The redhead rolled her eyes and returned to her task. “That’s what the men are for.”

Nix sat down on the log next to them, glad to have their company but disappointed by their mindset.

“And what if the men are away and something happens?”

Anna, with her dark hair, looked at Nix, her expression filled with confusion. “Why are you so against the idea of marriage? Don’t you want someone to care for you, to start a family with?”

Nix’s gaze dropped to Anna’s pregnant belly, her hand gently stroking it, before she looked back at her friend. “That all sounds lovely, but I want a partner I can care for and support too. I don’t want to be dependent on someone.”

Mary, brushing a stray red curl from her face, smeared a streak of blood across her pale skin.

“You’re an odd one,” she said.

Nix grabbed a cloth from Mary’s lap, placed there to protect her legs from the wooden block they used for chopping.

She wiped away the blood, leaving just enough to make it look like Mary was blushing.

“At least I can do everything a man can.”

“Maybe one of the new men from the other village will change your mind,” Anna suggested, sharing a glance with Mary before they both burst into laughter.

The idea of a man taming their wild friend Nix was as ridiculous as it sounded.

Nix looked puzzled.

“Who are you talking about?”

Mary pointed toward the sky, and Nix followed her gaze.

A plume of white smoke billowed in the distance, marking the edge of the forest.

“There are new ones?”

Nix stood, watching the smoke dance in the breeze.

This could be the sign she was waiting for.

A new group to join, one that might accept her for who she is, without trying to change her.

***

The day unfolded as Nix had hoped.

Using her knowledge and skills learned from observing the hunters, she returned to camp with a dead rabbit slung over her shoulder.

Setting a trap had been simple, especially if you knew where to place it.

The hard part was killing the rabbit.

With a sharp rock in hand, Nix had slowly lifted the lid of her homemade trap.

Before the rabbit could escape, she grabbed it by its soft neck.

Its fur was a mix of brown, white, and black, soft under her fingers.

Its tiny feet kicked out in fear, its black eyes pleading for mercy.

But before her heart could convince her to let it go, she closed her eyes and slit its throat.

Warm blood spilled over her hand and onto the ground as the rabbit gave one last struggle before going still.

Nix opened her eyes, watching the lifeless rabbit for a moment to make sure it was dead.

She said a silent prayer for its soul, and for hers, hoping the creature hadn’t suffered too much.

Despite all her knowledge, Nix struggled with the concept of gods.

Stories of their heroic deeds were shared around fires and passed down by travelers.

Each story had its own version and names, but they all spoke of power.

Power to change the world for the better, yet she had never seen them.

How could something so powerful do nothing to help?

Her prayers were more a habit than a belief.

After all, she had seen and experienced so much, but a higher power was not one of them.

Tying the rabbit’s legs together, Nix slung it over her shoulder and headed back to camp.

Tonight, she would cook a portion for dinner and dry the rest.

Who knew when she would eat again?

As she walked through the familiar woods, Nix thought about her future, and the new village.

Rumors were that the men there were strong and handsome, and most of them were unmarried.

The women in her village were already lining up.

But Nix wasn’t interested in that.

She wanted to join their group, but not through marriage.

Never through marriage.

As she emerged from the trees, the sight of the huts brought a sense of relief.

There was safety in numbers, and she was always on high alert when she went hunting alone.

There were stories of lone travelers in these woods, and an unarmed woman was a prime target.

Navigating through the bustling village, Nix made her way to the center.

She stood there for a moment, soaking in the warmth of the fire and the familiar atmosphere.

These people, this place, it was all she knew.

They had raised her after her parents died in a fire that nearly destroyed half the village.

She had barely escaped, but her parents hadn’t been so lucky.

As an orphan, the village had taken her in.

At first, it seemed like a good thing, but Nix soon realized it was the reason for her unconventional behavior.

Everyone had their own ideas about how she should live her life, forcing Nix to rely on herself.

But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Get to work, woman,” a deep voice barked.

Nix turned to see Khan, the village leader.

He was a large man, more fat than muscle, with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face.

“I’m sorry,” Nix stammered, taken aback by his sudden appearance.

But she quickly regained her composure, standing tall and trying to appear confident.

“I was just admiring the fire the women built.”

“Not all women, I see,” Khan grumbled.

Nix held up the rabbit, swinging it between them.

“I would be happy to help, but they seem to have it under control. Besides, I had other things to do.”

Khan’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the rabbit.

“That’s a job for a husband,” he said, his gaze meeting Nix’s.

“Don’t you think?”

“Maybe, but why let a man do something I can do just as well,” Nix replied.

Khan’s face turned red, a muscle in his jaw twitching.

Nix took a step back, knowing he was capable of lashing out.

“You might be useful to the village,” he said, pointing a finger at Nix. “But one wrong move, and you’re out.”

With that, he turned and stormed off, his hands clenched at his sides.

Nix watched the burly man retreat, finally allowing herself to exhale.

She had been holding her breath, afraid to make a sound.

Perspiration beaded on her forehead, a result of the fire’s intense heat.

She had inadvertently backed up too close to it, nearly tripping into the flames.

She turned to gaze at the fire, not for its heat, but for the sense of liberation it exuded.

“Nix… Nix…”

The voice calling her name made her turn around.

She spotted the fiery red hair before the rest of the figure came into view.

Mary was petite, shorter than most, but her body was full of curves.

Her ample chest threatened to spill out of her fur clothing as she hurried toward Nix, her wide hips swaying with each step.

Society often reduced women to their ability to bear children, and Mary was a prime example of this.

When she reached womanhood, her body had blossomed overnight.

Her hips had filled out, a symbol of fertility, which had led to numerous marriage proposals from the village men.

But Mary’s choice of a husband had surprised Nix and the rest of the village.

The strong hunters usually got the women they desired, as women sought security.

But not Mary.

She had chosen to be with the man she loved, a man who was not a skilled hunter but an excellent forager.

There wasn’t a berry or edible plant that James couldn’t find.

Despite the village’s disapproval, Mary didn’t care.

She had followed her heart, and Nix admired her for that.

“What’s up?” Nix asked, continuing her walk toward her hut, with a panting Mary trailing behind.

“My little one has drained all my energy,” Mary complained, collapsing onto Nix’s bed as they entered her small hut.

Nix placed the rabbit she was carrying on the table and turned to observe her friend. Mary’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath, her face flushed and glistening with sweat.

After a few moments, her breathing slowed, and she looked at Nix with wide eyes and a grin that stretched across her face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Nix asked, a hint of suspicion creeping up her spine.

Mary had a habit of trying to pair her up with the single men in the village. Once, she had even tried to set her up with a boy who had just reached adulthood.

Nix had always managed to wriggle out of these situations. She knew her friends meant well, but their constant meddling was starting to get on her nerves.

“You need to take a bath,” Mary declared.

“Why would I need to do that?” Nix sniffed her armpits. “Do I stink?”

“We all stink, but that’s not the point,” Mary said, jumping off the bed and grabbing Nix’s hands. “We’re having a feast tonight to welcome our guests.”

“Who are…?”

“The new village and all their handsome men.”

Nix felt a knot form in her stomach at the mention of the new group. She wanted to make a good first impression so they would see her as a valuable addition to their group.

But with less than a day to prepare, she wasn’t sure she could pull it off.

“Can’t wait,” Nix muttered, forcing a smile for her overjoyed friend.