Athindrya

Chapter 5

Ivy was sat at the foot of a large, twisted tree. During the hot days, the foliage created the much needed shade. At night, Ivy felt a sense of comfort by being surrounded by the leaves.

She’d been there doing nothing since one in the morning. Her birthday was today, and it had been five days since Lorelai had found her mate. Strange though since panthers didn’t tend to have mates. It wasn’t unheard of, just quite rare.

Let’s hope you find our mate soon, I’m bored of only talking to you. Lilka’s voice taunted.

Wow. How charming of you. Though we are technically the same person, so you just insulted yourself. Ivy retorted quite proud of herself for having a response to her grumpy wolf.

Grumpy? Please, I’m only saying the truth. And at this rate it’ll be a wonder if our mate does like you.

Again, how gracefully generous of you. Ivy mentally rolled her eyes as she could feel Lilka giving her the finger, in her own wolf way. Sounded impossible, but she could just feel Lilka’s actions.

In a few hours everyone else would wake up and she’d have to plaster on a fake smile as her friends congratulated her. What they didn’t know was that it would probably be one of the last times they see each other.

She’d decided two days ago that she would do this last hunt for the Council, but they could dream on if they thought she would return. There was nothing that could make her give up her much wanted freedom.

She’d struggled with the decision for a while. It would mean she couldn’t see any of her friends again. They were her family. She wouldn’t admit it to their faces, but she did love them. But as much as she cared for them, she needed to be able to run her own life.

Lilka had played devil’s advocate throughout the whole ordeal, giving Ivy every reason she had to stay. Unsurprisingly it ended in an argument between the two of them.

Ivy’s eyes were fixed on the horizon, unblinking.

You need to stop this guilt. Lilka said softly, her voice holding all the same emotions Ivy felt.

I know, but I’m gonna miss them. It was a good thing she could talk to Lilka through their link, she really didn't have the energy to even open her mouth to talk.

The sun was slowly beginning to peak through the leaves, showering the forest in a golden glow. It reflected off Ivy’s black hair giving it an ethereal look.  

This was one of her favourite moments in the day. The sun beams making their way through the little gaps in the trees, the morning dew stuck to the grass and reflecting off spider webs, the crisp freshness in the air giving that refreshing cold feel when she breathed in…

Lilka was practically bouncing up and down in anticipation, the feelings of moments ago forgotten. It was her favourite time of day, emphasis on day. She’d always preferred the night. Ivy slowly let her control slip as she gave way to Lilka and the shift.

                                                                                   ***

Ivy was sat in Seff’s room surrounded by her friends. They’d come to pick her up from her room and dragged her to Seff’s. Thankfully, they hadn’t arrived till mid-afternoon, so she’d been able to spend a lot of the day alone.

She’d had time to prepare everything she needed for her departure tomorrow, which in retrospect was not a whole lot. All she needed were the clothes she’d already set out, a bit of food and her trusty daggers. If she was going to pretend to be a rogue to enter the pack, she couldn’t have many things with her.

But she’d also packed a secret bag full of the things she would want to bring with her into her new life. She’d already managed to stash it somewhere deep enough in the woods, so it wouldn’t be found easily. It mainly consisted of some more clothes and the rest of her collection of blades.

She’d decided that she would take with her to the pack, the ones she could never part with; two simply sharp daggers with a varnished wooden hilt, and her backup push dagger that was hidden in her right boot. The push dagger had been a gift from Marcus on her eighteenth birthday. It had a gorgeous obsidian blade, no longer than ten centimetres, with a black leather “T” hilt. It fit perfectly between her fingers, leaving the blade to protrude between her index and middle finger. She never left anywhere without it.

Someone coughed, pulling Ivy back into Seff’s room. Seff was staring at her, while Mei and Lorelai were sat on his bed chatting away. She was grateful it was just the four of them. She wasn’t really in the mood to be around people she only half knew.

Bringing her attention back to the concerned werebear next to her she gave him a look as if to say, ‘what do you want?’

“Are you ok? You looked miles away.”

“Yeah, I’m fine, just thinking about having to go tomorrow.” It wasn’t a complete lie, she was anxious about having to go to her old pack, and especially having to keep her’s and Lilka’s anger in check. Lilka grumbled in response.

He just smiled at her reassuringly and spoke loudly, gaining Mei and Lor’s attention. Putting on the mask she was so accustomed to, Ivy smiled and joined in the fun. After a while she found she wasn’t pretending as much anymore. Her laughs were genuine as the four of them spoke about everything and nothing. Eventually she’d managed to put the thought of the next day to the back of her mind.

It was almost time for her to leave and she’d really enjoyed her time with them. As she was about to get up and say her goodbyes, the other three shared a knowing smile and handed her a sweetly wrapped box. Obviously, Lorelai’s handy work.

Ivy looked up at them questioningly. Slowly she unwrapped the paper from the box and was met with a small ebony chest, adorned with a golden latch. She gently lifted the clasp to have her eyes land on a seamless throwing knife.

She had always preferred knives to other weapons, they were much simpler, and she could manoeuvre herself much more easily than if she were holding a sword or a bow and arrow.

It was an all-black, matte knife with both edges sharped into a deadly point. The hilt and the blade were one, the only difference being the slightly rounded aspect of the grip. It was beautiful.

Ivy looked up, tears in her eyes. She could barely utter a word she was so shocked. Lilka definitely approved of the weapon, as she howled in admiration.

“Thank you.” Was all she was able to articulate before another wave of gratitude, appreciation and love washed over her.

Ivy was immediately engulfed in the arms of her honorary brother and sisters. At this, there was no holding back the tears as they fell, staining her cheeks and her family’s clothes.

They stayed like that for some time before they all walked back to Ivy’s room. She knew she would see them in a few hours when they would see her off, just as they did for all their hunts. But this felt much more intimate and personal as they walked in silence. Arriving at her door, she received a hug from each one of them before they went back to their respective homes.

The same guilt she had been feeling for days resurfaced and she sat down on the floor leaning against her bed, watching her newly acquired knife move in her hands.

We’ll find a way to see them again.

Hmm. Was all Ivy had to say in response. She knew Lilka was only trying to cheer her up and comfort her, but just as Lilka was a part of her, she was a part of Lilka and could feel the doubt behind her words.

Pulling out the small sheath that had been in the box, Ivy contemplated it. Grabbing her pre-prepared boots, for the following day, she got out her needle and sewed the leather covering on the inside of her left boot, just like she had done with Marcus’ push dagger. Both sheaths were made of leather with a metal bit at the tip to prevent the blade from cutting through.