The Queen's Luna

Chapter 3

I finish stacking thirty thick logs by the front door, under the awning by Rana's rocking chair. I dust off the bits of bark from my hands before reaching for my basket. I can't help but to realize how eerily quiet my forest is this more. It is a brisk morning, yes, but usually the birds are singing their morning songs. Even as I am out an about. They have grown used to me. I stare off into the treeline as I listen for them.

 Suddenly, a hand grabs mine and I spin around on my heels so quickly that I'd have sent Rana flying if I didn't realize it was her and catch her before she hit the ground.

I growl as I steady her, "Damnit, Rana! I could have killed you! What were you thinking?" I take a shaky breath as I right myself as well.

The ominous look in her eyes as she stares at me is unwavering, even amidst the seconds ago commotion

"Be careful today, my child. There is something coming in the days to follow," She puts a hand to my cheek, "The Goddess has something in store for you. Just you wait," She pats my cheek with that far off look in her eye still.

A chill travels its way down my spine and i put my hand over hers to reassure her, "All will be well. You'll see. We have a bet to attend to now."

She steps back, still muttering to herself.

She has gifts from a Seer. Rana was the royal Seer for the Alpha King, and the Luna Queen of the Fell pack. She was the closest friend my mother and father had; from her stories and what I remember of her from my very young years.

Six year old me had searched and searched for any surviving pack members after the humans had attacked with the Rogues while I had wandered off, chasing a Snow Hare. There were no signs or traces of anyone. Not my siblings and not my parents. I was alone.

I shake my head before the awful sights fill my mind with their gruesome images and the pain they hold for me.

I blink a couple times before taking Rana's hand and leading her back inside to her cushioned rocking chair.

 "Here now," I say as she shivers, "I place the three quarters of the knitted blanket over her lap, "Occupy your mind with this. I know how you love your knitting and quilt work."

A Seers' visions usually drain the Seer decently, so I know she's cold and now tired even though it is still early morning. I throw an dextra log in the already stoked fireplace; just to make it extra warm in here for her. I know she likes it this way, but tries not to in order to get me to sleep inside.

I tuck some loose strands of white hair behind her ears and she gives me a smile, "You always were a sweet little girl even though you didn't care too much for cuddles. Go on now, give our ancestors my regards as well if you would."

I give her a small smile, "Anything for you, crown."

She shakes her head at me, still smiling, "You g'it before I get you with my walking stick again."

I snort, "You can try, but I'll always be faster." 

I c***k the front door open and watch as she begins knitting. By the time I have returned, she will most likely have that blanket finished. I step outside before remembering the smoked moose that I wrapped for her, "Your lunch is in the kitchen in the iron pot on the bottom left ring. There will be enough for supper, as well, if I get hung up. Potato soup is above the hearth in the kitchen keeping warm if you'd like any."

"So thoughtful for one with a frozen heart," She chuckles as I close the door and make my way into the forest.

I still can't shake off the look that she was giving me. Goose flesh skitters across my arms and I try and rub it away to no avail. 

I pull my hood up over my head as I look around my lush forest. It is quiet today. There should not be another mountain lion. I haven't scented any for miles and I'll only kill them if they attempt to start marking the five mile radius of territory that I actively patrol around our house.

Yesterday's kill could have spooked the woodland animals as well. It was not the cleanest, so that would not surprise me. I shrug. Oh well. They will come out when they are ready.

Within two hundred meters of the house my sleeved dress, stockings, and boots are already getting on my nerves. Irritatedly, I take them off, fold them, and put them into one side of my basket. The patchworked sunlight that shines through the leaves feels good on my bare, alabaster skin.

As I continue my walk I feel Sage brimming to get out of her confines and stretch her legs. Who am I to deny her her freedoms? Even if it means Rana would win this sill gamble of hers. Honestly, I don't know how far I have walked. I have been too busy looking and listening for the birds who aren't going from tree to tree or singing.

I whistle a four bar tune that I have trained the mockingjays with before I shift, allowing Sage to be free and take control. The mockingjays whistle back.

"See? They're up there," Sage says, but I agree with Rana, "Something feels the slightest bit off. Like, there's something in or will be in the forest that's slightly putting the the creatures of this territory on a bit of an edge."

I nod as I look through her eyes, "I know. I didn't hear anything, or scent anything. Do you?"

She raises our white muzzle into the air and takes a good minute to scent the air, "No, nothing. However, the wind is not in a direction that favors us currently. Let's get up to the castle and see what we can see from there."

I nod in agreeance as she picks up our basked in her jaws, "Do you mind if I work with the snow while I'm sitting in the passenger seat?"

"Do your thing. I've got all the footwork, you're just try to figure out why we can now suddenly manipulate elements."

I make the snow flurry around us, covering our trail and essentially wiping out any traces of our scent as Sage makes her way through the Fell Mountains and towards the castle.