Chapter 15

Without hesitation, Evelyn grabbed the woven basket and hurled it at the two intruders.

The siblings stumbled backward, caught completely off guard.

Fueled by adrenaline, Evelyn chased after them relentlessly.

The boy tripped over a root and went sprawling, slamming hard against an oak trunk.

Though no bones were broken, the impact would leave him sore for days.

Evelyn couldn't help laughing at his狼狈 posture.

His sister hastily helped him up, and they fled in disgrace.

Amused, Sophia watched the scene unfold.

"What did they do to provoke you?" Evelyn asked while gathering scattered herbs.

Sophia produced the wild eggs from her pocket. "They wanted these."

Evelyn kept her head down. "Pheasant eggs are rare finds."

"Pathetic, attacking someone over eggs." She assumed there was only one.

Sophia cradled her treasure. "Who said anything about one?"

Evelyn's head snapped up.

Two eggs?

"Oh my God!"

Her eyes widened at the clutch in Sophia's hands.

"How did you find so many?"

No wonder they'd tried stealing them!

Anyone would covet such a prize.

Evelyn abandoned her basket, staring transfixed.

The more she looked, the more precious they seemed.

"These could trade for weeks of provisions in town."

The wealthy merchants prized such delicacies.

She lined the basket with soft herbs, carefully nestling the eggs inside.

A thick protective layer went on top.

"Safe now," she declared.

Sophia nodded approvingly at the clever arrangement.

Shouldering her load, Evelyn started homeward.

"Imagine catching the actual bird," she mused. "That meat's divine!"

But she knew it was wishful thinking.

Pheasants were notoriously elusive.

After several paces, she realized Sophia hadn't followed.

"Coming?"

Sophia arched a brow. "You want the pheasant?"

Evelyn shook her head. "The eggs are blessing enough."

"Those birds don't surrender easily."

Sophia beckoned. "Over here."

Puzzled, Evelyn approached.

"Part those ferns."

With skeptical fingers, Evelyn complied.

"Holy—!"

Sophia urgently signaled silence.

Clapping a hand over her mouth, Evelyn's eyes shone with disbelief.

"How did you know it was here?"

Sophia smiled wryly at the sudden term of respect.

One pheasant had bought the girl's loyalty.

To Evelyn, Sophia might as well have performed magic.

"Spotted it earlier. Its leg's injured."

Evelyn lifted the bird, confirming the wound.

"You're charmed today!"

Eggs and now the bird itself—both delivered to hand.

Evelyn regarded Sophia with newfound awe.

She'd misjudged this woman—clearly a bearer of good fortune.

Anticipating roasted pheasant, Evelyn grinned from ear to ear.

"Let's gather more greens," Sophia suggested.

The current herbs wouldn't conceal the bird.

Evelyn nodded eagerly. "Rest, I'll forage."

She worked swiftly, soon filling the basket to capacity.

On their return, they encountered village women.

"Productive morning, Evelyn?"

The group closed in curiously.

Evelyn's palms grew damp. "The heat's rising—we should hurry back."

"Look, half these are weeds anyway."

She displayed a handful as proof.

As the women began dispersing, a muffled cluck sounded.

"What was that?"

"Sounded like fowl!"

"Wild fowl? That's rare!"

The circle tightened again.

Evelyn broke into a cold sweat.

Caught.

Sophia pointed dramatically. "Look! Over there!"

The women stampeded toward the false lead.

The duo seized their chance to escape.

Heart pounding, Evelyn finally relaxed upon reaching home.

In the kitchen, Margaret fretted over meager lunch options.

A new daughter-in-law deserved better fare.

Her calculations were interrupted by Evelyn's breathless arrival.

"Back so soon?"

She frowned at the messy herb bundle. "You've brought weeds!"

Another woman came to help sort.

Evelyn gasped for air, speechless.

Despite scolding, Margaret brought water.

Then came the shriek: "Margaret! Look!"

"A pheasant!"