Land of the Moon

Chapter 2

A small growl escaped me when Ema clenched a handful of my fur in her sleep. “Ema, wake up now, you are dreaming” I nosed her cheek. A small moan escaped her as she raised her hand swatting at my muzzle. “EMA,” I growled as I shouted her name through our mind link. 

She bolted up with a small shout as her hand came up to hold her temple. “Why did you have to yell Cecily, you could have just shaken me awake." She spoke to me as she finally rubbed the small pain from her temple.

“So says the girl pulling my fur in her sleep,” I replied as I shifted back to my human form. Thankful that shifters always had their clothes returned, unlike were animals that could not control their shifts. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ema trying to keep the frown off her face. Releasing a sigh I gently pat her head. “There's no need to be sad, you can not help what you do in your sleep.” Ema looked up at me, her sea-blue eyes were glassy from holding her tears in, but with a small smile beginning to form on her lips. 

“I'm sorry for pulling your fur, Cecily. And thank you for keeping me company and warm while I slept. Since all this has started sleep has eluded me some nights.”  Ema looked up at me with a warm smile. Sleep would not be easy for anyone who has gone through what she has. War for years, the loss of family, and the people in her family's kingdom. Many would have completely lost themselves to their fear. “Cecily, why have you been shifting into a wolf so much, when you can shift into any animal?” She questioned me as we gathered up our stuff to leave.

“If many people knew what I could do, they would be afraid. The fewer people that know the better. If they believe I am an ordinary shifter then there are no questions or fear.” I explained this to her as we started our walk through the tall overgrown trees.

“I did not know that it was that bad for you. Does my father know?” She kept questioning me.

“No he does not, all he knows is that I am different. You are the only one  who knows about me.” I smiled at Ema as she stopped to stare at me for a bit before starting to walk with me again.

“So you will not shift into any other animal? Even your other forms like the white leopard? It’s sad to think that. I enjoy seeing you in your animal forms, Cecily.” Ema was speaking softly as she kicked at a small rock along the path we were following.

“I will shift into them if I need to but I can not risk someone noticing me and being in a different form. I can not take that risk and put you in danger with me.” Raising my hand to shush Ema “I know that you are quite capable in a fight, however it would not stop Ema.” I gave her a stern look hoping that she would read it, as to stop this conversation on this particular subject.

“Alright, I understand what you are saying, Cecily. It still must be hard for you to hide your true self though. You won't be able to truly be honest with someone if you share your life with them. Thinking that just makes my heartache for you.” She said this as she brought her right hand up to her chest right over her heart. 

“Are you actually talking about love right now Ema. In a situation like this, anyone else in your place would not be thinking about love.” I let out a laugh. “You just have such a good heart to be thinking about others when you are going through a hard time like this. Love for me is not something you should concern yourself with right now. What is important now is getting you to your mother's homeland. There you will be safe.” I stretched my arms out over my head as I shook it from side to side. I could not keep the smile from my face as I looked back over at her as we kept walking. 

It had been some time since we had started off this morning from one of the many caves we had taken shelter in. “Ema when we get to another village we will stay there for a bit,” I told her as I looked over watching her face. “I am going to look for a guide or small party to join to travel through the mountain passes. It will be easier on us and less conspicuous of two women traveling alone.” She gave me a nod as she listened to me.

“Alright Cecily I understand, and that will give you a chance to rest right? Or would you be even more on guard?” She asked me as she glanced at me before returning her eyes to the path. 

“We will see but it would be a lot better in case anything happens when we travel through the mountains. There are many stories of disappearances and other strange occurrences.” I heard her stop walking so I turned to her as I explained more. “There's a rumor that a pack of wolves and some vampires are roaming around there. There could be territorial wars going on between them, anything could be up there. May not even be those two races could be other shifters or weres’ as some call them. Demons, half breeds, trolls, orcs, dwarfs, on the off chance even some ancient beasts.” I looked at the Dark Mountain off in the distance as I finished explaining it to Ema. 

“I remember learning about many of them when I had my studies. But aren’t there more than that?" She asked as she started walking again.

“Yes there are, there are dark elves, fairies, and even witches. Though we may run into them farther along on our journey. They tend to live near forests then the mountains they have a better chance of feeding off the evil humans conjure up.” This was all common knowledge to those who studied the other races for many reasons. For jobs or just because they were curious about them.

“Are things really that bad from humans?” Ema whispered, “are they just going to be swallowed up by their hatred and greed?” A tear glistened her cheek as it slowly slid down her face on its own trail. 

“Not all humans are like that Ema, the bad just tends to be more prominent than the good people do. I know they are your people and you care for them, you have a big heart, Emilia.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug so she could hide her tears. 

“You n..ne..never use my full my name un..unless you are r..r..really trying to get y..your point across Ce...Cecily.” Ema sniffled into my shoulder trying her best to stop crying.

“Things will not always be this way. It may be a while and it may seem like it will never change, but it will. Change takes time. You don't expect a flower to fully bloom in a night do you?” Ema slowly shook her head no. Smiling I gently blew on her neck. Ema jumped back letting out a squeak and clasping her hand over her exposed neck.

Ema glared at me as I burst out laughing the noise carried on the wind through the forest we were still in. I ended up having to hold my sides from laughing so hard. Once my laughing had subsided Ema had punched me in the shoulder, not hard though. 

“That is for blowing on my neck” Ema stated while trying not to smile.

“Oh ouch, it hurts” I played at grabbing my shoulder and wincing. 

“Oh why you...CECILY YOU ARE MEAN” she yelled as she chased me around a few trees as I took off running from her as we had our own fun. I turned quickly behind a tree. 

“Hahaha at least you are smiling now Ema,” I said as I jumped behind her and started tickling her sides.

“Okay okay, I give Cecily I give.” Ema let out breathlessly “ thank you, you are always cheering me up when I get down.” She gave me a heartfelt smile.

A while after catching our breath we continued on our way heading towards the Dark Mountains. There was a good-sized town half a day's journey from the base of the mountain. There we would stay while searching for a party to travel with. 

We reached the town by nightfall thankfully so, for Ema was shivering from being soaked from the misting. When we were still a way out storm clouds had rolled in from the west. It was giving a good misting, hinting that it would soon begin to poor. Just as we reached the Inn the clouds let loose their hold on the rain they contained. Ema kept her hood up and went to warm herself by the Inn’s fireplace. It did not take me long to secure a room and get us a meal. I turned and went to find Ema. 

Ema had found an empty table near the fire that was not in the throng of the other patrons of the Rose Thorn Inn. When I sat down she finally let the hood of her cloak down. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a few of the people looking in our direction taking in the sight of Ema. Her long light brown hair braided was wet with strands sticking out here and there. Her elven ears though not as long as a full elf were barely poking through the bit of hair that shielded most of them from view unless one was really looking. The firelight danced in her eyes, making them look a bit lighter, as well as making her fair skin that showed, giving off a faint pinkish glow. Her small nose was pink now as it was winning its battle against the cold with the fire’s help. As her small mouth lost its light blue color and no longer trembled from the chill clinging to her body from her damp clothes.

We let the conversations of the room wash over us as we waited for our meal. Ema was happy and nervous, she would give a small smile from the conversations and the warmth from the fire. I could see her nervous glances as she surveyed the room not sure of everyone. Or if there was anyone looking for her. For all, we knew no one knew yet that she had left the castle. If it was discovered that she was gone and where she was headed we knew that there would be someone wanting to stop her by any and all means necessary.  Her ancestry was no secret her bloodline though half-human was still strong. There were whispers of trying to get their hands on her to get leverage over the war and her mother's people to try and bring them into battle under their power. Though the Moon Kingdom was not one to be easily controlled.

As our dinner arrived the young boy that was serving us gave a shy smile to Ema before heading off to take care of the other tables and their customers. As we ate our vegetable soup in beef broth with day-old bread the heat seeping into our bones warming us from the inside out. Ema’s cheeks were taking on a warm glow by the time we finished our meal.

“Cecily, how are we going to search for people to travel with?” After watching my quizzical look for a bit she followed up with. “I mean like how will we tell whether or not they will be safe to travel with?” She questioned.

“Well that we won’t ever truly know, anyone can be bought sometimes. But we won’t go with too big of a group unless it is like a group moving. Or a hunting party then you can put your healing magic to use and it will help you practice as well.” She just gave me a nod as she stared into the fire. Wandering through her thoughts.

“Cecily someone is walking over here. I don’t know why you have me sit with my back to the wall and view the crowd.” Her mind linked me with what sounded like a hiss to her voice.

“You need to learn to watch people and know what signs to look for in case you are ever alone,” I replied back to her with a small smile tugging at my lips.

The sound of a throat being cleared came from behind me “ Do you mind if  I join you” came a gruff voice.

Ema glanced at me before smiling up at the man “ no,  please have a seat. Is there something we can help you with sir?” She asked him as he pulled up a chair to sit in. Ema was sure to keep the smile on her face though I could see the nervous look she sent my way.

   “You can be at ease he means no harm Ema he is just a curious fellow.” I smiled at her before lifting my mug and taking a swig of the rainwater. There were not many choices for a drink though more than most Inn’s Ale, rainwater, or wine. Though the cheaper is rainwater and better if you are wanting to keep a clear head. 

“My name is Daniel. I am the peacekeeper in this village. We do get many travelers, though none are two women traveling alone.” He gave us a friendly smile. Daniel was a big man, not just tall but had big arms and legs. As if he used to be a soldier or whatever else that required you to stay in shape and have your muscles built. His big hands held scars on them as he grasped his drink with one hand while he waved his other hand in the air while he talked. Though his thick dark blond beard covered his face I watched as his cheeks lifted when he would smile at something Ema would say. His deep brown eyes held warmth though I would not be surprised if they would look upon someone without emotion as well. As the peacekeeper of a village there were times when you had to make hard decisions as well.