Clanwar

Stormy Weather

~Ciaran~

I stared after Everett, confusion jumbling my thoughts. Every step the girl took, the forest seemed to bend towards her as if she were pulling them with her. The wind whipped through the leaves making it seem like the forest was angered with her. Whispers rode on the wind as I quickly followed. The forest was getting eerie and for the first time since I was born, the forest caused me to shiver in fear. Something wicked was influencing them. Even the animals seemed to run away from the whispering trees. I sped up and grabbed Everett’s arm. She whipped around, anger evident in her eyes before the howling wind caught her attention. I could feel her tense up as fear seeped into her eyes.

“What’s going on?” I thought I whispered under my breath.

“Why are you asking me? This is supposed to be your territory!” Everett roared over the wind.

“Ciaran!” I could hear Andy’s voice as the wind swirled around us and the trees bowed dangerously towards us.

As I searched for Andy in hopes that he may have some answers, I failed to notice when the Ximian wandered away from me. Something gently tugged at my sleeve. Assuming it to be the raging forest around me, I ignored it. Suddenly, something was pulling my arm. Agitated, I turned to see what had caught on my arm only to find Everett glaring at me.

“What? We need to get out of the open!” I screamed over the howling wind.

She rolled her eyes and pointed off to the distance. I shook my head and continued to look for Andy. I was able to catch sight of him in between the swirling branches and leaves. I raised my hand in hopes that he would see but was tugged to the ground. Scowling at the Ximian beneath me, I tried to get up. Once we were both on our feet again, I couldn't help but notice the large branch protruding out of the ground I had been standing on a few moments before.

Surprised, I looked to Everett. Her eyes were darting everywhere as if she were looking for something, her hair quickly becoming a tangled mess filled with small twigs and leaves. Her eyes narrowed on something and she started heading towards the thickest part of the forest’s rage. As she passed by, her hand wrapped around my wrist and tugged me along with her, not bothering to wait for consent.

As she led me to wherever she was going, I frantically searched for Andy once more. I had lost sight of him when Everett had dragged me to the ground. Fear grew in me as I looked out into the forest only to find an unfamiliar sight before me. Everett’s insistent tugging drew my attention back to her. Calm swirled in her eyes and I couldn't help but take notice of the red specks that dotted her blue-green eyes. She turned and pointed in the distance. Looking with her, I saw the entrance to a cave hidden by the undergrowth and moss.

I let out a sigh as we both hurried to the cave. Once we had made it inside, the rage of the forest’s wrath died down some. But not enough to be safe to venture out just yet. I slumped against the cave wall, exhaustion working its way into my bones. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing and relaxing my tense body. After a moment, something landed into my lap heavily. My eyes sprung open in surprise and I was greeted with a leather pouch. I picked it up gingerly.

“What is this?” I asked Everett.

“What do you think?” She replied dully.

She had a similar pouch. Upon seeing my confused expression, she rolled her eyes and brought her own pouch to her mouth. She drank something and wiped her mouth when she was done. Then motioned for me to do the same.

“How do I know you didn't poison it or something?” I asked, eyeing the pouch suspiciously.

“If you don’t want it then give it back.” She snapped back.

Hesitantly, I lifted the pouch to my lips as cool, refreshing water spilled into my mouth. I could feel the cold water as it flowed down my throat and into my body. Closing my eyes, I relished in the taste of the water. Putting the pouch down, I opened my eyes to find a wide eyed girl staring at me.

“What?” I looked out of the cave, thinking she had seen something.

“Nothing. I just never thought you would trust a Ximian.” She said with a shrug.

“Yea well, I didn't have much of a choice.” I replied gruffly.

“No you did. There is a small puddle just a few more feet behind us. There is water dripping from the top there so the water would be fresh-ish.” She said, calling my bluff.

“How do you even know that? Your kind is surrounded by water!”

She blinked a few times at my words before looking down, a troubled expression on her face. Silence enveloped us as guilt chewed at me. My words seemed to have wounded her. Mixed emotions swirled with me as I tried to focus on the wind that howled outside.

“I don’t know.” She mumbled, breaking the silence.

“What?”

“How would I know how to get water if I was surrounded by fresh water all my life?” She ignored my question as she voiced her thoughts.

“Maybe you learned it from your ancients?”

“Maybe…” She returned to silence once more.

“So...What was in that water you gave me?” I asked, hoping to take her mind off her troubles.

“Are you still afraid that I poisoned it?” There was an annoyed tone in her voice and I rolled my eyes.

“I want to know because the water is seriously delicious.” I mumbled.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Ximian’s head snap to me. I turned away from her to hide the growing smile on my face.I heard some faint rustling outside of the cave and nearly flew up from my sitting spot. The Ximian looked startled as I moved towards the entrance. Ignoring her, I peeked around and almost got run over by Andy.

“Ciaran! What was that? How did you even find this place? Why was the forest acting like that? I’ve never seen anything like it. It was like the whole forest was shaking!”

“Andy! Maybe we should talk away from prying ears.” I suggested, leading him away from the Ximians.

“Do you still not trust them?” Andy asked as we made our way out the cave.

“Why would I? We don’t know them or what they are capable of. Not to mention they are hiding something from us” I muttered.

“They saved you and they didn't know you.” He pointed out.

“And that could be their way of gaining our trust before destroying our clan.” Andy sighed at my response.

“You will never change.”

“It doesn’t matter. We have more important things to talk about than my stubbornness.”

“Like why was there a sudden storm?”

“Exactly. It’s not abnormal for there to be storms but for one to appear out of nowhere and gain intensity that quickly is almost unheard of.” I mused, deep in thought.

“Almost? What do you mean almost?” One of the Ximian’s asked. I groaned in frustration.

“What are you following us now?” I snapped.

“Just following what you ordered us to do.” They both reasoned.

“We need you girls around more!” Andy said with a chuckle.

“So are you going to let the whole class know what’s going on or just have us in the dark.”

“Eve, maybe we shouldn’t be prying.”

“Mona how are we going to do what we need done if we are left in the dark?”” The top Ximian whispered back.

“It’s none of your concern. We don’t need outsiders mucking everything up.” I said, turning my back to them.

“Fine. Then let me take a guess here. That storm came out of nowhere and you both looked panicked which means that you didn't expect it. However, once you realized that it was a storm, you calmed down and tried to make your way back to each other. Once we were in the cave, you looked antsy to be there most likely because you were in there with me but I think a part of it was also due to the freak storm raging outside. That was all given to us from your previous statement. Now, because you said “almost” that leads me to believe that this has happened before but you guys probably read about it or heard stories from your ancients. It couldn't have happened more than twice in your history. How far off am I?” The top Ximian looked at us with expectancy and I could only stare at her in dumbfounded astonishment.

“Not far actually.” Andy spoke up and my arm snapped out and hit him on his chest. He groaned but smiled.

“I think it’s time we get you trespassers to the King and Queen.” I said, and started walking. The sooner we got there the sooner I could get answers.