The sun stood sentry in the sky the following afternoon before Arrwin and Finias paused to rest much to Arrwin's displeasure. It had been her wish to leave the forest before stopping but the horses were in dire need of rest leaving no other alternative. Once out of the forest they would leave the horses behind to make their way back to the castle, for much faster would they move in their animal forms. Arrwin had barely closed her eyes before she drifted off into a dreamless sleep but try as he might Finias's dreamworld evaded him. His senses tingled, warning of something amiss but there was little in his intuition that could tell him what it was. He watched over Arrwin as she slumbered peacefully beside him. She was so beautiful and wise beyond her years yet a heavy burden had been placed upon her shoulders. Barely twenty summers, Arrwin was kind, responsible and caring, one day he hoped his wife to be like her. Many days of travel loomed in his mind as he forced himself to quiet his thoughts and drift off to sleep.
The moon hung high brightly on the horizon when Finias awoke to the sound of Arrwin whispering his name. Climbing groggily onto his horse Finias remained silent as they rode their mares to the River of Ages where the treacherous journey would truly begin. Finias looked on as Arrwin regretfully sent her horse off back in the direction of the castle. Once Arrwin was certain her horse was far enough away she transformed herself into her wolf form. Her muscles flexed and became strong and sinewy and her sense of smell heightened detecting things from miles away. Her grey and white speckled fir glistened in the moonlight as the night began to take over her spirit.
The change from human to wolf was one of the most powerful and anceint forms of magic in all the four kingdoms. It was said in the days of creation the gods chose three of the wisest and strongest animals to guard and protect the world and the human life that had begun to prosper. As the years wore on these animals, the wolf, the bear and the horse became so vital to the poeple throughout the kingdoms they began to shift their forms. The world had been different then, filled with magic and light but those not born with the gift of the four elements began to become resentful of those who had and moved far away from the Wiccae.
As the dawn of the third century of the world approached the mortals so angered with the gods, traveled far into the distant lands to escape the magic of the Wiccae. The animals, who over time began to take on the form of humans, remained in the land of the Wiccae to teach their skill to the Witches who resided in the provinces. As one century faded into another the Wiccae became so inseparable from the gifted animals they became one race, each changing into the form of the animal of their soul. The wolf, the bear and the horse remained the strongest of their kind but other animals slowly took root within these changes. Decade after decade the Wiccae became stronger and the animal became more apart of their soul, guarding the lands of the Wiccae from the evil taking root deep in the hearts of mortals.
Arrwin bounded through the fields setting a rapid pace, her heart pounding with unease with each step away from her forest. Finias followed above eyeing the surroundings with his penetrating gaze, wary of the dangers lurking in the outer lands. With little time spent on rest they arrived at Holly Hill in two days time but Arrwin knew in her heart this was not to be the place of their allies. Weaving their way through the crowded cobblestoned streets they were surrounded by vendors shouting, seeling their wares and the scent of spicy foods and cooking meat. After settling their affairs Arrwin and Finias sought out a tiny pub that remained fairly empty well into the night. The barmaid was a slight lass with flat, stringy brown hair and gaunt eyes but she served them well with pulled pork and cold ale. After they had ate their fill they did not linger but instead went straight to their room. Falling asleep instantly they were awakened deep in the night by the sounds of screams and the acrid smell of smoke and burnt flesh.
Arrwin dove out of bed to peer out into the darkness but instead of dark sky, flames glowed savagely all around the inn. Hellawe pups covered the town burning, killing and maiming in their fury. Shifting into wolf form Finias followed her lead changing into that of a raven so more easily could they slip away into the night unseen. With the flames spreading from cottage to cottage and building to building there were little shadows to conceal the two as they hurried deep into the trees behind the inn. Arrwin was suddenly glad she had the foresight to choose an inn at the edge of town. They fled into the night without being captured and they did not slow down until the smoke from the village receded far into the distance.
Taking human form once more Arrwin stood rigid, hands clenched at her sides seething in anger. The transformation from wolf to human had been painful with all the pent up rage but staying in her animal form with that much anger boiling inside could have caused her to attack something or even someone who had accidentally crossed her path. In her wolf form reason did not always exist and the urge to hunt sometimes clouded her judgement when her animal instincts reigned. "Do you suppose that was a coincidence? The Hellawes happening upon the same village we were by chance staying at?" Finias pondered aloud. Arrwin stared at him, her eyes storming from an emerald green to a slate grey.
'I do not believe in coincidences Finias. I should think someone told them our whereabouts. You know them better than I, do you believe they would have discovered us on their own? We cannot endanger anyone else, therefore we shall only sleep when necessary, and when we do we shall not stay in any towns along the way. We shall keep to the forest and keept to the shadows, never to the path. We must not rest this night, tis not safe, we must keep moving or we may not see the next sunrise." Finias thought of all she had said. It was true, the Hellawes would never have discovered their whereabouts alone, they were a people of war not intrigue, they knew nothing other than open battle. Time was not on their side, shoudl they take too long to find the allies spoken of Anamalia would fall.
They walked on in their human forms, silence hanging like a blade between them. The fury in Arrwin's eyes had abated, turning them once more into the sparkling emeralds Finias had become accustomed to. She strode through the trees with intent and purpose, her gait strong and sure. The way in which she carried herself reminded him of their first meeting nearly a week in the past. Arrwin had been surveying the damage wrought by the Hellawes with sad eyes, even though she had seemed so forlorn there was an intense fiery passion raging deep within her soul that showed she would avenge her people slain in that meadow. Never before had Finias felt so much respect for one being or put faith in the fods above but as he followe Arrwin deeper into the wild forests he knew no matter the trials they faced or the danger that lay ahead Arrwin would do all she could for her people. Never before had he met someone so honest and true and he fought the feelings rising in his heart. A deep longing he had before this day known loomed closer in his mind as he struggled to quell the raging emotions.
As the sun rose in the wee hours of the morning Arrwin looked at peace with herself and the world around her for the first time since they had met. They walked in silence for another hour before coming upon a clearing. "Which way do you believe we should tread?" Finias turned in each of the three directions presented, wondering where the road of destiny would lead them. Arrwin sensed a heaviness in the air down the path leading to her left, her intuition warning her to stay away but the words of the prophecy rose in her mind. The river had said to trust in those your instincts tell you not. Pivoting she led Finias to the western path but she felt him hesitate behind her.
"Is there something amiss?" Glancing at the dark, menacing path before them Finias did not feel inclined to travel in that direction yet he dared not question her instincts. Shaking his head he followed her down the path, sensing his unease Arrwin began to sing. Her melodic voice hummed into the quiet air drawing birds of all different kinds to gather around her. Twittering and chirping in delight they relished in the warmth and happiness of her song. Once again her song had no words but words seemed to whisper across his mind speaking of home, love and happiness. Finias fell completely under her spell as her melody called out to the raven deep within his soul. In the middle of the lilting melody a brown and white flecked sparrow flew by settling on her arm. Whispering something into the sparrow's ear the magical song came to a halting end. Without her voice ringing through his heart Finias felt tinged with regret and sorrow as the light within his soul began to fade.
'My song should not fill you with such sadness and regret Finias. My song is of light and happiness and love, yet you feel sadness because you believe them only to exist within my melody. The light does not have to fade Finias; all you must do to hold on to it is believe." Her words penetrated him deep into his core, never before had he held on to that light as he wished he did now.
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