Of Sun and Moon

Chapter Three: Five Years Later

In the morning, I noticed I was feeling a strange that an odd energy source made its way inside of me. Whatever it is, I cannot tell mother or else she will freak out. After breakfast, I brushed my teeth, and got ready to go into the woods.

When she was out the door, I started to bake sweet bread. I got out the ingredients I brought with me five years ago. While the bread is baking, I went to my bedroom, tied a ribbon around the cat’s neck, and gave her food.

In the woods, I collected acorns, fire wood, berries, lemon grass, and pine needles. When I got close to a trap, I saw a boy about my age coming near it. Without thinking, I took out my knife, since I will need it to cut the rope anyways. When he got to the trap, I put down my basket, pointed the knife at the boy, and said,

“Do not touch that trap. That is my mother’s meat.”

“Actually, it is my father’s meat for there is a marking on the rope.”

“Sorry about that” as I brought my knife hand down and with that the boy took out his knife to cut the rope. There is something weird about this boy for I sense the strange energy inside of him that is inside of me. With that, I think it is safe to tell him my given name. My name is Elena-Irene.”

“It is understandable. My name is Ken-Farris. I can walk with you for a while as you look for your traps.”

“Sure, for I would like some company.” We walked for a while until we spotted a trap with no markings on it with a squirrel caught in it. I cut the rope from the tree, draped it over my shoulder, and we continued on. We then stopped at a trap with birds. I cut the trap down, draped it over my shoulder, and led the way towards my cottage. I told Ken-Farris about my life with my mother and in return he told about his life with his father. In the end we both agree that are parent is not telling the truth in what happened with the other parent. At the edge of the woods, I said my good bye and thanked him for the company. I turned away from Ken-Farris and went the rest of the home.

When I got to the cottage, I smell berry bread. I dropped off the meat in the back, went in to place the firewood with the rest of the wood, and washed the berries, lemon grass, acorns, and pine needles. I placed the lemon grass and the berries in one container and the acorns and pine needles in another. I went to my mother’s room to tell her that the meat is outside and while I was at the doorway, I felt a pull of energy. When she left, I snuck in, and letting the energy guide me. I finally stopped at a chest on the far corner of the room. I knelt down, opened the lid, and underneath my baby blanket there is a book. I picked up the book, placed it on the ground, and felt a weird silky texture. I brushed aside the fabric to reveal a box with an emblem of a sun and moon. When I opened the lid, there is an amulet of a sun interlocked with a moon. I picked it up and an energy pulse came from the amulet. The energy seeped into my skin and throughout my body. Looking over my shoulder, I made sure mother was not there. Relieved, I put the amulet back into the box, closed the chest, and hurried to my room to hide the book and the box. When I hid my treasure well, I filled the caldron with water and pine nuts that I collected yesterday, and placed the berries in a bowl. I then hooked the caldron over the hearth, lit the wood, and went out to get my mother.

Back inside, mother put the squirrel in a storage container and another, and the other bird into the caldron. While mother is stirring the caldron, I set the table. I brought the bowls over for mother to fill and we sat down to eat. Mother told me that she has something special planed for tonight. I am pretty sure it has something to do with my birthday. Once we finished with our lunch, mother poured the leftovers in a container and put some in a small bowl. She took the bowl to her room, which is odd to me since mother has never done that before. I will not ask mother about it for she has her reasons as I do the dishes. Seeing that there is a basket of laundry by the door when I finished with the dishes, I know it is laundry day. I took the basket with soap, and went out the door.

At the river, where I normally do the laundry for there is not a big enough tub at the cottage to do it in, but at least it gets me out of the cottage. I placed down the basket, picked up a dress, and soap, and began washing. Luckily, there are trees near by the river since I need a place where I can hang them to dry. Once the laundry was back into the basket, I decided to pick flowers. With the basket in one hand and the flowers in the other, I headed home.

When I got inside, I got a vase, filled it with water, put the flowers in, and placed it on the table. I then delivered the clothes to each room. I returned the basket between the rooms and went to help set the table for dinner. Mother ladled out the squirrel stew into each of the bowls that she took from the table. The cups are already filled with water and the small plates had berries on them so that mother did not have to worry about that. When she sat down, we began to eat. Mother filled up her bowl again with the stew, while I put my near the sink. She went to her room and came back with the bowl that was used for lunch. Mother placed the bowl on top of mine and brought out the berry bread for my birthday dessert. She cut a piece for each of us. It was yummy and worth the wait. After we ate our bread, mother put the rest in a box for tomorrow. Once the dishes were done, mother went into her room again. She came back out with a bundle in her arms. Mother handed me the bundle in the main room and I sat down. I removed the blanket to reveal a kitten. The kitten is black with white paws and the name I choose for her is Midnight. I thanked mother and she let me stay up longer than normal so I can play with Midnight. Mother gave me a string with a feather tied to it. I wiggled it around, but not too fast so she can have a chance to catch it. She got onto her hunches and pounced on it. I quickly then pulled it away from her. We kept at it until mother said it is time for bed. I put away the toy, picked up Midnight, and got ready for bed.

After mother tucked me in with Midnight and kissed my head, I took out the amulet from under my pillow and draped it over my head. I quickly drifted off to sleep. I am floating in the air above a town at night. People are gathered around a pole with a man tied to it. I got a closer look and to my surprise he looks somewhat like me. Someone has a torch and throw it at the man. The man screamed as well as me, but no one hears me. I see the flash of light from the fire and wake up. The amulet is flashing gold and I realize I am floating above my bed. I will not tell my mother about this dream at all.