All Things New: Chapter Six

foreshadowing silence

I'm just posting these while I can 😅

CHAPTER SIX: PLANNIN’ FOR DANCIN’

Artham walked Prince outside of the house. The dog was a might too big for Ari, so Artham took him for walks. Especially today. Artham was nervous. There was a pre-dance tonight. There had been several days of games, but now, the more mature parts of the party began. The dancing. Em wasn’t allowed to go, and she was quite upset at this arrangement.

Artham chuckled, as he walked Prince into a wooded area.

“She has to be a little older before I allow that,” he muttered.

But this dance was different. Whomever Artham happened to be standing next to would be the girl he danced with. That’s how it works for certain dances in the Hollows. Artham was nervous. He was already taking Arundelle to the Starlight Dance in a few days…but that was previously arranged! This one, he would have to set up on the spot.

He sighed. How he got himself into these messes he didn’t know. He was still pondering this when Prince sharply barked three times.

Artham turned his head towards where Prince was looking and saw him growling at something in the grass.

“What is it, boy?”

Prince growled for answer and pointed with his nose at something shining in the sunlight.

Artham bent down to examine what it was, and he gasped when he identified it.

“An arrow,” he whispered, picking it up by the shaft. As he lifted it, a few drops of some unknown liquid dripped off the tip. “What?”

Artham then realized: this was a Doonish arrow. They were known for dipping them in poison, sometimes deadly, sometimes not. But this…was odd.

He pulled out an old handkerchief and wrapped it up, intending to take it to the Keeper’s house as soon as he could. But he knew now was not the time. The Keeper was busy preparing for the dance as well.

“He won’t even know what I’m talking about,” he whispered, as him and Prince jogged out of the woods. “I’ll bring it to him later.”

That night, Artham had almost completely forgotten about the arrow in getting ready for the dance. Ari wouldn’t be wearing her new dress till the actual real dance, which was on Nia’s actual birthday.

“Are you nervous, Es?”

“Yeah. But I’ve been nervous the whole trip because of…well, you know.”

Artham smiled. “Yeah. So have I. Especially with…well, you know.:

Esben chuckled. “Well, just happen to stand next to her tonight.”

“Yeah, you too,” Artham said, punching his brother in the shoulder.

Esben grinned, darting out of the room, Artham chasing him out.

“Bye Emerald!” Esben shouted over his shoulder.

Emerald sighed, but when Artham stopped and kissed her cheek, she felt a little better.

“Tell me how it goes, Arthie.”

“Of course.”

Artham then exited the front door, saying goodbye to Wendolyn as he went. Then he climbed into Podo’s old cart and felt a feeling of home. He was excited, no doubt of that. But, of course, like everyone else, he was a bit nervous.

Hmm...Artham should not have forgotten about that arrow 🫢😏