Jade of Everen - Chapter Two

As the mountains recover from what is supposedly thought to be the worst of the storm, a pair of friends discuss that that might not be the case.

Chapter Two: “What Can and Cannot Be Said”

It was in the easternmost parts of fabled Jerome, in the mountainous realm labeled as Everen on the maps and known to those inside as well as outside its borders as such, that one of the worst storms in a long while had just passed previously overnight. As the various peoples of the peaks had hoped for while in their homes, the raging rainstorm weakened as well as dispersed by the time of sunrise. Thus, when dawn’s first rays of golden light blinked over the line of the eastward horizon, there were little to no remnants of the ferocious storm in the skies apart for the few dark clouds left behind. No, in order to see the real proof that there had been any heavy downpour, folk didn’t need to scan the heavens but the land instead. Only then would they see the final result of the near hurricane that had left them to move on westwards into the mainland where “Dunigue” as well as “Seer” would be affected next.

Due to the wrath of the long storm, thousands of Everenians emerged from their shelters to find their environments a bit shaken up. Naturally, those who were underground or the “Dwellers”  - the Dwarves, Goblins, Trolls, so on - were not affected. As for those on the surface or the “Surfacers”, the chaos against them varied. Some of the higher areas of the mountains, considered the lucky ones, were less affected than the lower. Even so, people everywhere found bunches of trees had been uprooted, collapsed. Farmers couldn’t begin to guess what to do when seeing their fields had been ravaged along with drowned by the fierce winds of rain. Some travelers had to rethink their routes when they found that the roads they were on had been cut off by nearby flooding rivers. Spooked badly, animals, once common, were a rarity to see throughout the following hours of the day and this presented a trial for those who specialized in the hunting business. Becoming growingly frustrated, a majority of the trappers checked their traps - if any remained - to only find them empty. Most of the hunters, losing patience, eventually gave up on finding anything at all in the drenched woodlands they prowled.

Last night, until the very last minute, mostly no one in any race had even expected one of the most terrible rainstorms to arrive. Naturally, throughout Everen - from northern Vallan to southern Floronce to Sanctuary in between - the day that followed was dedicated to recovery, rebuilding, as well as giving thanks for that which had endured. As for what had brought about such a calamity of nature, no one could rightly guess. Not hit by the storm, the folk underground didn’t pay it any mind. As for those above ground, some claimed the gods were angry over something. Others guessed that the world was simply getting comfortable while shifting seasons. Then there were the rest, especially the kristia, who stated that the storm was simply the way of life, that there was no real significance to it. The bad weather simply came as well as went, right? Therefore, nothing more needed to be discussed about the subject and in Sanctuary, particularly in the little east kristia village entitled “Whistler”, this was firmly believed.

Of course, throughout the course of the almost typhoon, like the many other settlements, Whistler’s residents remained awake a long while as the raining gales swept through. Being the children of he known as the All Father, though, they didn’t pay the rainstorm that much attention through the night as well as the following day. To them, the storm was a "storm". To them, what was "was". What else could it be than that? Besides, it wasn’t the way of the kristia altogether to dwell on things. Being a people with a young faith - one of equality established three centuries ago that had always been rejected by the supposedly older superior religions in the past - what positives did wondering about the earlier events bring them? Simply, fretting didn’t do them any good and, due to this belief, the kristia throughout mid Everen favored ignoring history and dealt with the present along with future instead. Thus, at the long awaited sunrise, the topic of the storm was a short one between most of the Whistlerians as they began their chores for the newly come day.

First for them to do together was to complete a head count. Then there were the effects of the weather that had to be handled. Everywhere there were fallen or broken trees to be moved, damages to the settlement needed repairing, farms required reseeding, as well as frightened livestock needed to be located. Eventually, parties of volunteers were rounded up for each of these tasks listed and, energetically even, everyone set to work to get things back to normal.

Whistler, was an interesting village. Having been founded by a popular veteran man of Dunigue to the west one hundred years ago, it had expanded from being the small kristia outpost started to a full settlement in the upper woodlands of the peaks and now was a comfortable home for several dozen citizens with many features. It hosted a forge, tavern, storehouse, grazing grounds, farmland, market, stables, meeting hall, plus more. Set in a strategic clearing amid the dense forests meanwhile, hidden among the trees, it was a peaceful village that welcomed - foreign or not - weary journeyers, travelers, merchants, soldiers, plus adventurers in the past with open arms.

“Treat all with respect, for that is how you would wish to be treated.” For three hundred years, this was and had been the way of the kristia, of their roaming god. However, starting five years ago, that motto had been questioned at times by its once firm believers. Since five years past, because of the vikings north of them along with other dark reasons, the kristia people, Whistler included, had prioritized caution when having dealings with the outside world for time and time again they had been betrayed by it.

To grasp a better understanding of the shy kristia of Sanctuary of Everen, of Jerome entirely - to understand their reasons for being the extremely observant people they are now - one interested in them would have to delve back three hundred years ago into their past. Firstly, to this day, they are a folk that have not been accepted by the members of the other religions that have existed since the Purge and are, therefore, rejected on a very regular basis when outside Everen. Especially are they rejected by Seer where their beliefs of equality, justice, as well as faith began among the oppressed slaves.

Since being formed after the first visit of the All Father - a youthful god that had appeared after the others such as Zeus, Ra, Odin, in the past - the kristia faith, the “Serenity” faith, has become popular as well as accepted by many mortals - mostly by humans - of lower status. Unlike others, the Serenity teaching taught and still teaches its followers that if they simply prove themselves worthy through hard work, good decisions, fighting the good fight, anyone could as well as can earn a spot in the prosperous afterlife that awaits them. So, when one believed as well as believes in the wandering All Father, they become a kristia. When a kristia, as long as it’s right, a mortal could and can be whatever he or she wished and wishes without having to die a glorious death or fear the underworld afterwards. As a kristia, one was and still is given a certain wanted freedom to be independent.

Even though not forced, feelings towards the Serenity religion are and have been mixed ones. Worldwide, regardless of becoming more influential, it has been met by both fear as well as welcome. Why? The arrival of the teachings has shaken the foundations of Jerome itself. Simply, it has started a new age. Formerly, those glorified by their gods didn’t need to worry about their positions. One way or the other, they remained in charge over the masses with much divine influence. However, with the All Father’s coming, that was and is no longer the case. When hearing that they could be who they wanted to be without abuse, thousands of citizens of Seer, Dunigue, and Everen alike instantly gave up on their old ways. They could start new lives. In turn, other religious leaders madly resisted and still resist the new movements of equality by using “scare” tactics. They claim that following the All Father or “Late God” was choosing to follow a certain demon who sought to wreak havoc upon Jerome.

As it showed after the devastating effects of the Purge, time usually is the most remarkable healer of healers. However, three centuries later, the rejection of kristia remains popular. The majority of Jeromians - including other Everenians too - remain racist towards as well as unwilling to accept those that believe in the teachings of the All Father’s Serenity. No matter how others don’t want it to be, though, it will prove to be as regular a religion as any that exists. Most likely, this will be due to the All Father that encourages it; who simply wanders among the oppressed people of the gods personally teaching his ways to them. Thus, in due time, as the other deities are casually worshipped, so will the All Father be too. All one must do until then is wait.

After that lengthy explanation of history, now you should better understand the cause for Sanctuary’s people to keep to themselves rather than wonder about the world outside their borders and, with what transpired between them as well as the nordics five years ago, they have only become stonier towards foreigners.

Formerly a folk that welcomed their own or not, the kristia, to their god’s dismay, now behave as everyone else does in this age; they mostly think of themselves or their own firsthand. Therefore, keeping this all in mind, a person wouldn’t be shocked to know that Whistler, like the rest of the kristia among the mountains, had already gotten over the abruptness of the previous storm. To them, as those underground thought too, they were aware that nature had been angry last night. If it were due to some god or another, good for him or her. As for if it had been the All Father's doing, that wasn’t likely. He wouldn’t make a typhoon to show his fury over something. No, rather, it was known that he went and dealt with the issue personally and, due to this, his background among his believers was one of amusement. Many of his stories showed him putting down elemental catastrophes, lecturing other gods to back down, as well as venturing to unknown parts of the world to defeat evil. Mind, as a good leader should, he did all these things for his people, for his children.

It was agreed upon by kristia alike that the bad weather hadn’t been made by their traveling deity. Thus, they had no connection with it as well as no purpose to recollect the event either. Still, the matter remained not in the minds of the experienced old but in the minds of the young who, excitedly, retained the energetic imaginations of youth. Due to this, the young believers of Serenity throughout the recovering peaks couldn’t help but keep asking themselves a certain question the majority of their brethren weren’t; “What was the cause of the storm, then? If not the All Father, who had been angry enough to bring about such a calamity?” In fact, Whistler’s own young folk were no acceptation. They too were just as much as rattled by the riddle of the hurricane as anyone else that pondered on it and, further east of the village, a particular duo were heatedly discussing it plus other topics that popped up between them. Meanwhile, they did their assigned job which was to search for lost assets or, to be more specific, sheep.

Beforehand at morning, as mentioned earlier, Whistler’s populace had been assigned into certain groups to handle listed activities throughout the course of the daylight hours. After finishing counting who was available, the villagers separated under the leadership of their chief, “Shawm Holland”, to do what they thought they could do best. Every man along with woman - kristia women were willingly included in all things for they knew that they weren’t weak - brought forth timber to repair the damages and headed out into the farmlands to remove debris from the crops. At the same time, the hunters of the settlement set out on wolfback - yes, “wolfback”, because they rode giant tamed wolves rather than horses - into the surrounding woodlands to track down lost livestock that had been frightened by the thunder.

Among the ranks of wolf riders that bolted into the forests to bring back sheep, cows, goats, chickens, plus more, were two childhood friends whom had started their task as a challenge while moving eastward. To test their skills, they located their early targets with enthusiastic speed. By around noon, the two friendly rivals were literally down to finding their last lost lamb. Yet, this particular sheep’s trail took them farther than anything and, eventually, the partners slowed their wolves to a trot as they got distracted by other things such as their surroundings as well as the discussion of the storm’s ferocity.

Gradually making their way through the swampy forestland on the steeds they’d had raised personally since being chosen as children to be hunters for the village, a great honor, the pair of friends traveled onwards as everything around them dripped. It certainly seemed like the damp environment was still fearfully crying, regaining itself, from its recent stormy experience. As for both riders, they took note of how everything around them was the stillest it had ever been in a long time. Animals weren’t anywhere to be seen. Birds nor insects sang out. Even the spring wind didn’t blow through for the longest times. In silence, everything remained for the longest time. That was until the girl rider upon the copper colored wolf looked to say something to her companion, a boy two years older than she upon a black wolf, traveling a little ahead of her.

“August?” She called forward, noticing how her voice echoed for a time through the empty trees all around, “What do you think of all of this?”

The young man ahead, “August” it seemed, didn’t answer this inquiry immediately. Instead, he appeared to be thinking about how to properly respond to the question for he looked around at his surroundings before answering his friend. When he finally did speak his mind, he did so casually. “What do I make of what, Ashlen?”

“Oh, don’t act like you’re not wondering about it.” The girl, “Ashlen”, instantly stated with a humored smile showing on her fine expression. It was obvious that her usually easy friend was going to be difficult with her. “Of all the people in Whistler, brother, you alone can’t claim to refuse an opportunity like this to wonder about the outside world. You can’t tell me that your mind is only focused on finding the last lamb and not thinking about why the bad weather came along as it suddenly did? Why the woods are like they are now?” No, for clear reasons known throughout his hometown, August couldn’t pretend to not be curious about the reason for the rainstorm. In fact, unlike most kristia people, his brain had been intrigued with the hurricane as soon as the signs had begun to show. Put short, against what he was supposed to understand his entire life, he was something of an adventurous spirit. He was very interested in the hostile world outside Sanctuary’s borderlines.

As for whom the venturing pair of conversing companions were in kristia terms, who they were within the walls of Whistler, that was an interesting story. The maiden who had started the exchange was the one and only daughter of the village’s humorous head cooks, “Jasper” and “Nella”, or of the well-respected “Eden” family. Being eighteen years of age, Ashlen Eden - like the healthy golden male wolf steed, “Ajax”, she rode - had grown splendidly under the care of her village. Therefore, with very good reason, most men couldn’t resist wanting her for their own for she was a very attractive girl with a slim but fit figure underneath the traditional leather armor of hunters she wore, had long flowing hair shaded brunette, showed off gray eyes as strong as steel itself, had furbished skills in the way of the bow and sword, and charmed everyone with an angelic smile plus laugh at times. That was only half of her, though. Most didn’t have the pleasure of knowing the other half, her personality, which was quite an experience with plenty of twists along with loops. If one had enough private time with her like August, though, they would adjust to her enough to know that she wasn’t a simple catch for anyone looking to woo her. She sported a determined spirit, had a serious will, as well as voiced - like her parents, like the kristia - her mind without fear of whatever opposition she faced. Yet, what opposition would she ever face in her lifetime? She was too adored for that. In short; she was an Eden, a fireball, truly.

Then there was August Eden, no, “Cousitar”, who’s own background even outdid Ashlen’s in popularity. Mind, his popularity wasn’t entirely good. True, it was known that August definitely accepted that he was the son of his home village’s favored head cooks as well as the sister of their one daughter. For past reasons, though, he wasn’t entirely an Eden descendant of theirs but the blood as well as flesh of a pair of talented hunters that had unexpectedly passed on before they got the chance to be his parents. Thus, when the Cousitars’ infant was unfortunately left alone at two years old eighteen years ago, it was then that he was taken in by the already impregnated Nella who, along with jolly Jasper, had done a fabulous job of taking on the responsibility of caring for an unforeseen second child. Through them to now, when being twenty, August was, of course, capable of fending for himself. However, his life even now was something of a riddle to him. He gratefully owed his existence to not his real parents but to his adopted ones. At the same time, he clearly owed his professional skills at hunting in the wilderness to his deceased parents who - during their times - had been renown for the same. Also, like he was, they had been incredible, nearly unmatched, in combat. Excellence in battle was a Cousitar family trait it seemed which, honestly, the lone son didn’t mind at all. It, in the least, helped him fend off those jealous of him during spars of honor. Yes, to his dismay, other boys wanted to be him. Not something he felt proud of.

With a conditioned physique reinforced by leather armor like his sister wore, with dark brown hair cut short, eyes colored ocean surface blue, having a rarely seen small smile, along with favored by everyone including the chief, it wasn’t a surprise to find that guys were envious of August. Still, it couldn’t be said that he was as famous among his peers as his sister was. Even though at the top of Ashlen’s personal list - maybe even on her romantic interests after sharing a childhood plus more with her -he didn’t exactly see himself being the same with anyone else. However, it was this humble, dignified, friendly to all, encouraging attitude of his that, without his knowledge, made others respect him. Either way, whether he liked it or not, to his knowledge or no, he was admired by many. The elderly loved his generosity. The children adored his commonly told tales at dinnertime. Adults respected him very much. As for girls, some made it obvious while others stayed in the shadows, they were infatuated with him. However, opposite of Ashlen who took relish in fooling with her suitors, August had little experience in the ways of romance and, whenever trying to be his serious self with the few girls that wanted him to court them, the relationships for him never lasted as expected.

Simply put, regardless of his obvious interest in the forbidding lands beyond his own, August was adored by his kin and there was one love from a girl or two he could take true comfort from; his adopted mother’s as well as his sister’s. Theirs and the affection from his steed, “Moon”, whom sneezed abruptly while tracking to rouse her master from his thoughts.

“You started this subject, Ash.” August said backwards to his sibling while returning to reality, using her nickname “Ash” as she preferred, “If you want to know my thoughts on this whole typhoon passing us by thing then I’d like to know of your thoughts beforehand.”

“That’s not the way it goes, August.” Ashlen replied, leaning forward onto Ajax to scratch the canine behind the ears as he very much liked, “I asked first so you spill first.”

“Unlikely. Why would I even participate in a topic our people have already deemed done? If I were to do so then there would go my reputation and everyone would be looking at me as if I were a panzer pack coming to get them.”

“Oh, come on.” Was Ashlen’s exasperated response, raising her eyebrows to show her amusement. Not only did she show being humored but she looked prettier too. “With how much interest you show in matters outside of kristia ways, everyone doesn’t treat you that way already? Face it, you’re being childish. I understand our people claim that what is what is but, honestly, we’re mortals too. We can question things. Anyway, how can it hurt to discuss nature? I mean, I can guarantee you that everyone back in the village, in Everen actually, will discuss the storm at some point in time. Why don’t we just talk about it now, like I know you want to, so there’s nothing to worry about later, hm?”

At this, August turned himself halfway around to stare at his grinning sister who quickly winked at him. Feeling his sibling was being flirtatious while curious too  - no, she didn’t mind having romantic intentions for her “adopted” brother who wasn’t her kin - August resisted the redness that was coming to his face. His actual relationship with his sister was confusing, even to him. He didn’t really know what to do about the possibility of falling in love with her as everyone back home predicted. Really, he admitted he couldn’t avoid it forever. Since being kids, the sister had followed the brother everywhere. Also, true, he wasn’t entirely her brother but… it still felt very odd to visualize himself marrying her. Perhaps it felt weird because he knew her too well? Anyway, he, at the moment, was solely trying to concentrate on doing one thing at a time while, meantime, Ashlen was running circles around him. You see, where he had been formerly teasing her, she had turned the tables on him. Now he was getting trouble. Nonetheless, staying on the subject, the Cousitar boy tried to remain his coolest while facing back front and saying anything afterwards.

“I’ll talk when you do, Ash, and I mean that.” He said.

“And you mean that, do you?” His sister demanded, sitting up.

“I do. Why would you-”

“Swear it!” At this, Ashlen urged Ajax to stride alongside Moon who greeted her wolf blood brother with a sniff or two. Yes, the two wolves were much like their masters; brother and sister. Once with him, August’s sibling seriously stared at him with her elegant hand held out for a purpose. Being done with messing around with her, her smug brother shook the hand meant to be shaken and, at once, the wanted conversation began with Ashlen honestly saying while looking up at the clearing sky, “I seriously think this situation, the storm, wasn’t made by nature nor gods. I believe it was caused by whatever Father Sleevan sensed last night.” That was, indeed, an interesting theory to bring up. Too interesting for August to keep from wondering about nor not engage in.

First off, related to this theory, the Cousitar boy recalled the origin of Whistler which was common knowledge to its populace as well as a story that showed the strength kristia had against the odds. A century ago, through the leadership of the Duniguian “Mordecai Holland”, the starting stage of the settlement was erected by several as a temporary camp to endure a horrible series of snowstorms that had trapped them. To this day, no matter the change, the Holland lineage has remained the leader of it. Like his great grandfather, however, chieftain Shawm didn’t make his decisions alone. There were others he valued, important individuals among the villagers or close friends of his, that he allowed to help him decide on small things. Among these respected figures that he wanted input from was who Ashlen had just mentioned; “Father Sleevan Silvein”.

Father Sleevan, although aged, was a kristia holy man with much background that was connected to everyone and everything in Whistler. For thirty years he'd been part of the community and everyone had come to appreciate the views of the gentle priest who, as the voice along with enforcer of the All Father, was fair to everyone where he could be. He, really, was the one true voice that Shawm usually took into account when planning anything. He was the calm needed during any chaotic time. One way or the other, Ashlen’s mention of him having a possible connection with the storm that had transpired last night made August’s mind race. Why? He was fully aware that if there was anyone who could pinpoint the cause of the previous bad weather, the priest with the heroic history would be the one to do so and, maybe, perhaps the holy man had already named the cause. It had been made clear to the village in the morning that Shawm had approached Sleevan to discuss some grave news.

“The ominous presence you sensed in the sky last night, holy father…” The chief had said to the priest before starting to repair the settlement, “What else can you tell me about it? Is there a threat any longer?”

At this serious inquiry, Father Sleevan had simply smiled his usual smile to his friend as well as to those watching. Then he shook his balding head while admitting, “I truly did feel something evil in the winds of last night, my friend. Nonetheless, the malice passed us by and I no longer think it will threaten us again. I believe thanks should be directed to the All Father. He very well protected us all from the storm and perhaps worse. Do not mind the worries of an old man this day, chieftain. Now, we should do what needs to be done, no?” At that, the day went as planned. However, what had been the subject between Sleevan and Shawm? What evil had threatened Whistler? That’s what Ashlen wanted to discuss, what she knew August wanted to know too.

What was it that the holy man of Whistler had sensed the previous night? Could it have been what brought about the storm? So many questions without enough answers and, trying his best to be honest about his thoughts, August continued the conversation his sister wanted to indulge in.

“Ah, so, you think that the previous weather made last night was the effects of whatever evil Father Sleevan sensed?”

At this, Ashlen looked to her brother with mockery, “You merely just repeated my question, dork of a brother of mine.” Her sibling laughed aloud at this. That was true. He had only repeated her riddle, not given an answer. Anyway, she moved on to say uncertainly, “However, yes, judging from what I’ve overheard mother and father say about their meeting with the other town leaders last night, the priest became very odd at a certain point during the course of the storm when he felt whatever vileness near the village. He even got scared for everyone’s safety because of it.” How interesting, curious, bizarre.

Anyway, August didn’t really understand where the conversation was going. He, like his sister, had also overheard plenty from his adopted parents about the sequence of the meeting they had attended within Holland Hall. The focus of the gathering between leaders then had gone from simply predicting the damage of the storm, to wondering when it would end, to noticing that Sleevan was behaving oddly due to some unknown “malice” in the rainy dark. Due to this, obviously, August had many questions. Nevertheless, not having felt whatever abomination the priest of Whistler had, he could only speculate over theories. In short, he had no real hints towards even having an answer to the question his sister inquired from him next.

“August, what do you think it was that the holy man was afraid of?” Ashlen asked.

Her brother, completely clueless - truly, he was - eyed his sibling in bemusement. To get rid of the confusion in his head, in both their young heads, he would have very much have liked to be able to confirm the solution to that puzzle. However, just like everyone else throughout Everen, he had no answers and had to settle answering his sister with, “I have no idea, Ash. I really don’t.”

This, of course, didn’t satisfy Ashlen’s want for information. In fact, she didn’t seem to believe what she heard because, out of the corner of his eye, her brother noticed her act surprised while she questioned further, “Really?... You don’t have any idea?” What was that supposed to mean? Just by the tone in her voice, Ashlen seemed to be hinting towards something. At the same time, it seemed she didn’t want to be offensive and, at this, her sibling understood. He wasn’t really offended by what he thought was on his sister’s mind. Nevertheless, no matter what she currently suspected of him, her brother wasn’t aware of anything more than she was about the present topic.

“Okay, Ash,” August said, chuckling as he did so, “I may very well have an interest in the world outside kristia borders, outside of Everen. Sure, I’ll admit, I’ve read foreign books in the chapel’s library never touched in years. Yes, I know much that no else does in the village but, honestly, you really expect me to spout out that I’m aware of the evil that Father Sleevan sensed during the storm?” For an instant, both brother as well as sister locked gazes. Then, by that action alone, the truth was made clear between them without words. In reply, August shook his head, “I have no answers to what happened last night, sister. Even with all my foreign knowledge, I can’t answer some things.”

This particular subject both August and Ashlen were heatedly on now wasn’t so much about the evil of the storm or even about Father Sleevan anymore. They were actually going over a certain interest that the brother of the two had. Since being old enough to, when not prepping to be a hunter like his real parents, August had always had a fascination with imagination. This led him outdoors on fake adventures. Fake adventures made him think on things which, in turn, caused him to become deeply engrossed in the pastime of reading. Through reading numerous varieties of writings such as wars, history, make believe, in the past to now, it was certain that August was one of the more literate villagers. Nevertheless, his perusing didn’t merely focus on kristia works. No, eventually, he also took great pleasure in browsing literature from other lands. Devoid of opportunities to bargain with travelers or merchants for exotic books at that time, he had to settle with going into the chapel where he was given old novels plus more to study. To this day, August still had fun reading up on the ways of Dunigue, Seer, along with Everen. He especially liked the mountains. However, due to his obvious love of everything outside kristia lands, Whistler felt concerned for him. Where was his reading going to take him? Would he leave someday? No, there was no reason to fret about that.

With the reassurances of not only August himself but of Father Sleevan, his family, plus the chief too, everyone settled down. The Whistlerians, kristia in general, were merely a bit unaccustomed to having one of their own be so fascinated with a world that would most likely reject him at sight. Even so, it was due to that very fact that August didn’t depart. He was aware that the books made the rest of Jerome better than it seemed. He knew if he left Sanctuary, no matter how good souled, he would be met with racism. So, smartly, he avoided such abuse by remaining at home. Still, his interest in reading never died and it was because of this odd trait of his that his sister speculated he might have an answer or two to the storm; to the evil of it. Regardless, there was a difference between what Father Sleevan knew and what August did and that was clarified when Ashlen started up the debate again.

“I just thought that… August, I’m not being sour with you. It’s just that you read about things the rest of the kristia, Whistler included, doesn’t even give a second thought about. Too many times have you told me about the ancient rivalry between the centaurs and minotaurs of Dunigue. Always have you told me about how the seerians live alongside animal folk known as “Anima”. It seems only yesterday that we were talking about how dragons owned the mountains before us when the rainstorm interrupted.” At this, she showed she was being utterly serious and not to make her brother uncomfortable about his foreign knowledge, “You know what others don’t. Maybe you do now?”

Immediately, August shook his head. He had to make something clear now which he did, “Think about something, Ash. What does Father Sleevan specialize in?” At the pause that followed, the brother of the duo took the opportunity to explain, “The holy man of Whistler isn’t just a voice of the All Father, he’s an enforcer too. In other words, his ways are of magic. Therefore he has something I don’t; the ability to use the arcane elements.” Yes, those who were members of the various churches through Jerome - apart for Dunigue, that nation despised magic - were usually individuals that wielded the arcane arts. At this info, Ashlen seemed to be thinking hard about what her sibling was getting at.

“What is it you’re trying to say, August?” She finally asked, “I understand that Sleevan is magical but…”

“I may know a lot of things, sister.” August responded, showing weariness, “However, I have no clue as to the ways of magic. I know that I’m aware of my world, of history along with details. However, there’s a difference between fact and magic. Thus, due to that truth, I had no idea as well as still don’t have any idea of the last night monster or evil Father Sleevan spoke of. Thus, if only he knew of it, much less sensed it, the thing he knew of was magical and, in that regard, I’m hopeless. I can’t even begin to understand it.”

Truly, since the start, there was a very vast difference that separated fact from magic. Fact usually described something that was there for certain. Magic, though, the descriptions for that, much like itself, was everywhere at once. It bent the laws of reality. Therefore, it had no real explanation unless someone was connected to it and, even at that, it was a tricky subject. Either way, at the moment, August had mostly convinced his sister that he really had no more answers than she did. If anything, obviously, he’d revealed he had been extremely interested in the storm. More than he’d let on beforehand. He had given it much thought. How else would he have had such a clear explanation about the differences between reality and magic then? Either way, Ashlen guessed what was trying to be said.

“So, you’re saying that what Sleevan experienced last night was some kind of magic? Not something you might have studied up on?”

“Yep, on the magic. No, on me maybe studying it. I would know if so.” August immediately answered.

“And because the priest has magic and you don’t… You’re saying that only he would know the answer to the evil in the storm?”

“Exactly. I mean, I’m brighter than most but there are things I’m still incapable of. For one, magic isn’t my specialty. That falls to Sleevan and that’s what he used to sense whatever last night brought along.”

“Ah, then it was magic…” When she said this, Ashlen eyed her brother who rolled his eyes, “You’re sure?”

“Would you let it go, sister? If I had inherited the ways of magic through reading, I think you, of all people, would have noticed by now, right? Anyhow, I’m not an oracle!” After his angry reference of “oracle”, referring to something he had read in his books, August noticed his sibling give him a bemused expression. She had no idea what to think of his comment. Staying patient, he said, “I’m not an oracle, meaning I don’t have the answers to everything like you think. You know… an oracle is something that can see - oh, forget it! Get off my back!” With that outburst, he rode a bit forward while snapping back over his shoulder, “If you want to know so badly what he feared, go ask Father Sleevan himself! He, unlike me, will have an answer!”

“Hey, don’t get hot with me, August! I was only asking you because you know as well as me that if I were to ask anyone else then I’d get told off! Especially by Father Sleevan! Yeah, he’d just give me a look as if I were two again and tell me to pay him no mind!” When only getting a scoff from her brother, Ashlen yelled out, “You know, I think you’re being crabby because you can’t figure out why the storm came either!”

“What?” August retorted, halting Moon to listen better, “Is that what you think?”

“Yes! Yes, I do! You usually have answers to everything! Now you don’t for a change!”

“What is this? Did I seem bothered by the storm before you brought it up? Weren’t we having a good enough day without you pressing me, accusing me, for answers I don’t have?” August cut across his sister’s reply by snarling, “Just because I like the outside world doesn’t mean I know everything about it, Ash! If you would read about it, maybe you’d have the answer you needed! You know what, you want my honest opinion on the storm?” He coldly leaned forward while going on, “I seriously think it was the vikings. Those fools along with their gods can never get along and the winds were blowing in from there! Thus, the barbarians most likely caused the storm along with the evil as well! There you go!” August was just being mean to his partner now. Nonetheless, he was being so because he was sick of being suspected by everyone, even his sister, of hiding things. He liked to read, to learn. What did it matter if it wasn’t proper reading? What did it matter if he learned about foreign affairs?

“August, I just want to know what it is that you think you know! Not falseness!”

“Is that it? Are you deaf then, sister? Have I not repeated myself dozens of times before now that I’m just as CLUELESS of what happened last night as you?! I don’t know any more than you do!”

“Alright, FINE! That’s all I wanted to hear! I’ll go ask Sleevan when we return to-” Suddenly, Ashlen couldn’t finish her angry thoughts. She, her wolf too, saw something to the right that seemed to make the world freeze. Amid the tall grass, to August’s blindside left as he was turned away from it, a shape was speeding towards the source of the ruckus; them. There was no time to intercept the mysterious newcomer’s path. Last second, though, Ashlen predicted what was approaching and, as her brother noticed her expression shift into fear, she frantically screamed out, “AUGUST! TO YOUR REAR!”

The obvious anger in the air turned into fear as something large enough to be a mountain lion, similar to one too, pounced from the dense foliage with a shrill cry. In a split second that resounded with the surprised yelps of the wolves along with the shrieking of his sibling, August was knocked off his mount into the shrubberies! Down there, he knew full well that his bow - strapped to Moon - wouldn’t be any help to him. On the ground, he was limited to melee combat. Thus, in quick reflex, as taught to him by his many years of being a hunter, the Cousitar boy had his family’s short sword ready as soon as he hit the ground. Nevertheless, whatever predator that had taken him off guard was speedier than he for it struck him a lightning swift strike across his left cheek before he could act! Following this, the blow stung him sharply!

Again, Ashlen screamed out from wherever she was nearby! Clearly, she could see everything. August wished he could say the same as he registered the damage he had taken. The blow to his face wasn’t major or as fatal as it could have been. No, not being too deep, it was bleeding only slightly. Still, he wouldn’t be so lucky the second time if it was to happen again and, at this, he at least got to his knees to defend himself better. This proved to be what saved him for, from ahead with incredible speed, the attacker charged him from the bushes as a blur to impale itself upon his held up blade! An inhuman shriek rang out from the predator at this, deafening its intended prey who fell backwards! Thinking of survival alone, forgetting the world around him, August wildly beat at that which weighed him down in the grass until, with a snarl, Moon bit down upon it! Easily, the black wolf ripped up the monster holding down her rider with several shakes and only tossed it bodily aside into the settings when sure it would never move again.

Really unable to understand what had just happened to him for several seconds, drenched in hot gore that wasn’t his own, August could only lay on his back. As Moon worriedly licked his stunned expression, he stonily stared skywards without actually seeing the bright heavens through the forest canopy. He couldn’t think of anything else than what had just transpired to him. He had nearly been injured or, worse, killed. Such a thing would make anyone stop to ponder, to catch their breath. Finally, after a whimper from her, August looked to Moon to utter out several words of comfort, “Yeah, thanks, girl… Don’t worry, I’m okay. I think so, anyway.” This was little reassurance as well as gratitude but, to Moon, it was most certainly enough. Having been with him since being a pup, the dark pelted wolf adored her shocked master without equal and understood his silence well. With or without communication, she knew he was eternally happy to have had her help a few seconds ago. As for what had just attacked him, she went to investigate that it wouldn’t be attacking anymore and, as Ashlen had dismounted, Ajax joined his sister in sniffing August’s motionless assaulter too.

“August! Oh, All Father!” Was the first rushed exclamation Ashlen made when actually to her brother who, still recovering from his experience while bloodied up, kept a rigid hold on the hilt of his sword. Ashlen gently framed her sibling’s pale expression with her trembling hands as she investigated from him, “Are you okay? Are you okay? This isn’t your blood is it? Did it get your cheek then? Here, hold on! We’ve got salves for that!” The previous irritation between the siblings was utterly gone. It was like it had never happened as, when having the salve for the cuts, Ashlen was stopped by August. Their childish argument was now replaced by what had just happened. Death had just literally brushed past them. The reaper had come much too close for comfort.

“Ash…” August muttered, blinking, “Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.” He didn’t need the medication nor attention. He was merely hit once. From that, he received the little cuts on his cheek which were nothing as serious as other matters that needed immediate attending.

“At least let me get your cheek! It needs to be sterilized before any infections or germs get to it!” Ashlen pleaded, trying to go on with what she was planning.

“No, sister. I’m fine. Let me up.”

“August, you need to stay still and-”

“ASH!” August fiercely snapped. He recovered himself while balling his fists as well as closing his eyes. Like that, for several long moments, he rubbed his head as his former self returned to take over the frightened child he’d become to stay alive. His sister seemed to get a hold of herself too. She knew her sibling, due to his abrupt exclamation, didn’t need anything except quiet now. Naturally, her motherly behavior towards him was because she was worried and why wouldn't she be? Someone she loved, a part of her family, had been in mortal danger. Really, the pair of shaken siblings had been as well as were worried for each other. However, it seemed they had come out okay. Better than okay, really. Finally, when able to speak calmly, August uttered to his sister, “What was it?”

At this, Ashlen sighed out, “Panzer. It was a panzer.” At once, her brother jumped to his feet with his sword ready. A panzer had attacked him? That was something of a shock. Well, where there was one of those there could be many more. They hunted in organized packs, after all. However, that didn’t seem likely at the moment. Everything was presently quiet throughout the forest again and, besides, more would have shown themselves earlier while they had had the opening. Being the voice of reason, knowing her brother needed comfort, Ashlen soothed, “It’s okay now. You seem fine enough. I think it was just a lone panzer that surprised us… There was just one and you survived it.”

"Survived?" August choked out. He recovered himself and went on without further show of weakness, "Well, true… but half the credit of my survivability definitely goes to Moon. Once she had the thing in her jaws, it was done living." There was truth to this.

The steeds of Whistler were not wolves just to show off. They had advantages that horses didn’t and, as shown before, Moon had displayed the distinct advantage of riding a wolf by attacking her master’s recent foe with savage ferocity. Even now, both large dogs smelled for more predators in the area as their riders nearby tried to regain themselves from their latest ordeal. Trying to resume his composure, August said, “I suppose… I should give thanks to the All Father for my good fortune, huh? For our good fortune. That surprise attack could have gone much worse than it did.” Yes, the panzer could have killed someone. It could have killed August who, by bowing his head while crossing his chest in several motions, gave thanks to his god for giving him protection in the face of grave danger. Yes, it was very good to be alive.

While her brother prayed to their deity, Ashlen suddenly inherited a truly horrible feeling in her heart. It was crazy to think of it but, perhaps, she had brought this terrible event along? Maybe she had harmed her sibling more than she intended by shouting at him? Had her uproar attracted the panzer? Of course, she was in shock over the attack. However, these mad speculations made the her want to cry, hurt, along with many other negative things and, when her brother was finishing his silently grateful prayer for surviving to live another day, she made her ponderings known. “Maybe, perhaps… I should give thanks to the All Father too for protecting you from what my ignorance brought upon you, brother.” At once, this was met with confusion along with disagreement.

“You want to say that again, sister?” August questioned, now noticing the uncertain condition Ashlen was showing at his side. She nearly looked ready to begin weeping before him.

“I mean, August, that you got attacked because of me. I started shouting at you for the wrong reasons and-”

“Don’t even start with that.” August sharply cut across his sister, showing his own uncertainty at hearing she might actually be suggesting she was the sole reason for why he’d been hurt or possibly in danger of dying. Even if that was the case, it wasn’t so. The only one to be blamed for the near death experience was the panzer. Honestly, none of the hunters could have seen it coming. Not many times did forest creatures, even the predators, attack mortals. Anyway, Ashlen should’ve known this without her brother’s say but, regardless, he boldly said it anyhow, “You are not at fault for anything that just happened here, Ash. You have nothing to be sorry for because none of this is your fault. If anything, I, not you, should be held responsible.”

“What? No, August, you’re not-”

“Yes, of course I am, Ash. You just wanted some answers to something and I was getting too impatient with you because I was getting too paranoid about myself.”

“August, no-”

“You’re right, like everyone else, to think I’m hiding things. Not even I know why I take interest in a world that doesn’t take interest in me. Why do I read about what's outside Sanctuary’s borders when I know, as a kristia, it would only reject me? Why do I read about that which killed my parents?”

“August, wait, that’s not-”

“Maybe that panzer was trying to wake me up. Maybe it was showing me that I had no right to-”

“STOP IT!”

Everything resounded with Ashlen’s determined voice as she literally, even though trying to be quiet, shouted out to stop being interrupted by her sibling who stopped his moping. Taking her opportunity to speak her mind, Ashlen stated resolutely, “Stop doing this to yourself! August, you’re not at fault for anything and you don’t need to wake up! Everyone else does! They don’t know how to act around you because of your reading, even me, but forget that! It’s incredible what you know, what you’ve told me! Really, it gives the village an advantage!” Being completely honest with herself now, she embraced her stunned brother tightly as she noted, “And it seems we’re both willing to admit we’re at fault here. Maybe, perhaps, that panzer was the All Father’s way of reminding us of who we are. If so, he stopped our fighting and brought us back together, did he not?” Yes, that theory seemed possible. 

In his own twisted way, the recent panzer attack could have been the All Father’s way of ceasing the siblings' rivalry. Kristia had nothing else in the world but each other. Family, to them, was of utmost importance. So, at the moment, the brother and sister could take comfort in knowing they hadn’t lost one another. They could relax knowing they had forgiven one another plus they had set aside their differences. It was funny how fast the mood had changed between them but they were family again, stronger than ever.

“You… really think that my reading gives the village an advantage, Ash?”

At his inquiry, Ashlen looked to her inquisitive brother while hugging him. When seeing him looking uncertain of himself, she couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t often she got to be his support. Usually, ever since childhood, it was the other way around where she followed his lead. Still, she nodded before saying, “Yes. I believe that everyone is grateful you know so much of Jerome.”

“That’s, uh, new knowledge to me.”

“Well, they do a good job of hiding it from you but the villagers were happy when, a year ago, you helped Shawm identify the rowdy golems in the north from regular rocks. With that information, you helped the Mares merchant family avoid danger in the northern regions while they traded for resources with outsiders. Also, there was the time we discovered that wounded entling and, through you, we found out that it simply needed to rest in a space open to sunlight to draw power from.” At this, Ashlen stated, “You see, without you… no one else would have ever guessed how to do those things. In fact, anybody else would have made the situation worse. It’s due to your foreign knowledge, brother, that people respect you. You have answers nobody else here does.”

August gave his sibling a seriously grateful expression for he was indeed happy for her encouragement. What she was trying to say was that the Whistlerians appreciated him because of a motto; “knowledge was power”. However, he had to joke about something she mentioned, “So, the village respects me only for my wit, do they?”

“Well, no,” Ashlen immediately responded, trying her best to not only describe what she admired in her adopted brother but what others thought of him, “everyone likes you for you. Still, you do have the Edens’ charm along with the Cousitarians’ ability for leadership. That, also, is why Whistler likes you.” With that, she laughed out while noticeably tightening the hold she had around her relation’s spine, “So, like a natural hero, you have the charisma, heroism, along with cunning expected! Forget the little odd reading you do. Why wouldn’t anyone respect you for being a hero?”

To say August was a hero was going a bit far. He, seriously, wasn’t one for such attention. Anyway, he laughed too. “Yes, a hero that nearly got clawed terribly by a panzer.” Was his happy reply, trying to get out of the embrace he was in. It struck him funny that he’d been hugging his sister for longer than necessary and that she didn’t seem to want to let go when prompted. Again, this realization made him ponder on the fact that, someday, he might very well love his sibling - despite her being his sister for the longest time - more than a friend. She certainly didn’t seem afraid like him to show her true affection. Nonetheless, the childhood friends finally separated as he focused onto the panzer that had assaulted him, “If I’m such a hero then the village may very well have nearly gone to respecting a dead hero.”

At this attempt at a joke, Ashlen didn’t show amusement. Instead, she appeared to be rattled by the thought of her brother dead and stated to him, “That’s not funny, August. Let’s be glad it didn’t come to that, shall we?”

“Relax, Ash. It certainly seems like the danger has passed us by and I didn’t mean to frighten you. Besides, I’m merely trying to continue to ease the tension in the air. Don’t get me wrong, I am very glad I can go back to Whistler with you alive rather than as a corpse.” After making that clear, August approached where the wolves were sniffing the dead panzer. Once to his attacker, he knelt beside the reptilian tiger of Everen while saying, “Anyway, for a fact, I can now say that I know how Shawm felt when attacked by one of these things.”

“Three of those things, August. The chieftain was attacked by three panzers, remember.”

“Yes, yes, three of these beasts. Thank you for that.” At that, the August gestured to his left eye while he said, “Also, it comes as no surprise to me now as to why Shawm has that slash down his left eye. Alone, when it could, this panzer right here gave me one heck of a swipe. Good thing it mostly missed me because, due to its strength, I can guarantee you that I would presently have a blind eye like the chief otherwise. That or a messed up expression.”

“Who’s to say that you don’t have a messed up expression anyway?”

At this little crack of a joke of hers when kneeling beside him, August shot at Ashlen as she laughed, “Now, you see, you’re not being funny, sister. Don’t do that to me. My face is fine... Isn’t it?” Yes, his expression was okay. With that confirmed, the sister finally began applying the salves she held to her brother's cheek. The wound had to be treated, regardless of smallness, because, when in the mountains, one couldn’t risk catching a disease or ailment. Everen’s illnesses, especially during winter, were known throughout the continent to be quite harsh.

As for the recently mentioned subject of being attacked by panzers, August and Ashlen, for good reason, had referred to their chief who had had his own personal dealings with the lethal creatures throughout his lifetime. Of course, Shawm today was elected to be the village’s chief due to him having the blood of his great grandfather or founder of Whistler. That wasn’t the only reason he remained in charge, though. As expected from a leader, from a Holland, Shawm was fair to everyone, allowed his fellows to speak their minds, kept the settlement organized along with in good condition, as well as was fearless in the face of the unpredictable future. Due to these traits, it was common knowledge too that, probably due to his ancestors of Dunigue again, he had always shown off incredible capabilities within the fields of battle. Thus, not only was he the adored chieftain but he also remained the best hunter among the hunters. In turn, there was not a tale of his repeated more than when, during a certain past snowy slumber season, he defeated three of the things that had just hurt August… and lived to tell the tale himself.

Mind, it truly is shocking that anyone - even the talented chieftain of Whistler himself - would emerge alive from a fight against three of Everen’s fiercest predators. It had been during a snowstorm ten years ago, one worse than the others, that a wolf rider returned from hunting alone. He’d been tired and, when asked where his partner was, he said his companion was in trouble. Immediately, even though having just returned himself, Shawm rode out to find whoever was lost. It took him only several minutes to find the hunter in need. However, it took him much longer to fend off the panzers that shortly arrived to the scene after him. Nobody apart for the chieftain completely knows what transpired during the following fighting. What is known is that he considered another’s safety over his own when he commanded his wolf, "Fren", to get the handicapped hunter back to the village. Afterwards, he dismounted to face the trio of pursuing panzers on his own and, on foot from there, he showed back up to the village in an exhausted state. Naturally, he had sustained wounds throughout the deadly encounter. Most notable was that he lost the vision in his left eye since that side of his face had been seriously slashed. However, when back in Whistler to be examined by Father Sleevan, that was the only real fatality he had to show before being laid in a bed to rest.

To no one’s surprise, Shawm slept for two full days before resuming his role. Even so, his struggle with death sparked something in him which the residents of Whistler found exciting. He decided he needed an heir to, if he died, take over for him. To this day, though, he still looked for someone worthy which showed he deeply cared about his decision.

Yes, panzers were not feared by everyone in the east for no reason and that fear they shared could be explained by looking at the certain specimen that had struck August. His certain panzer hadn’t been much different from its brethren. Looking like a large cat only a scaly lizard instead, it had been a lithe as well as intimidating beast with a muscular frame along with thick mane of feathers. Its claws were much too sharp. They could burrow into armor along with flesh with ease to tear, if able, anything apart. The only surprise with this reptile was that it had been alone as it attacked. This was a stroke of luck for August. Usually, unfortunately like how Shawm had witnessed during his time in the snow, the panzers hunted in numbers. Regardless, the past was the past. Death had come along for both Shawm and August and failed in taking them. That or it was simply testing them, reminding them to be happy to be breathing. Focusing back onto the dead panzer at his feet, the Cousitar boy voiced his thoughts about the matter.

“I’ve met many of these things on hunting trips. They always run, though. So, one can only wonder what drove this certain creature to assault me.”

Finished with the salves, Ashlen thought over what had just been said. As she put away her medical supplies, she guessed, “I think if we want to try to even guess the answer to that riddle then we should think back on what happened to Shawm. Hasn’t everyone said that the panzers attacked him because of the snows that years? Didn’t they attack him because they were starved?” Ah, yes. Shawm had been assaulted by three panzers who, when dead, he said looked unlike themselves. They were thin until their bones showed. Thus, they were desperate, frightened, enough to hunt a human or any mortal. Unlucky for them, they made a bad choice. Much like the one that had targeted August who sighed out.

“And you say that I’m the only one with all the answers, Ash? Thanks for that. Now that you say it, hunger may very well have been the reason this beast came at us. In fact, look. That is the reason.” Now when observing it better, both hunters could see that the motionless panzer was ominously thin. Its ribs were showing. At seeing this, the Cousitar boy noted, “Seems this fella wasn’t doing very well before the storm. Now, with all the animals spooked away, he had no choice but to try to hunt something new or he may very well have starved to death.”

"He may not be the only one like this... You think the other hunters will be okay?"

"Hm? Oh, yes. I'm sure everyone else is and will be fine. Either way, we should report this threat when we get back to the village. We don't want anyone else experiencing a surprise attack while hunting or want any... small children vanishing if they venture too far away from the settlement."

An ominous silence followed this. Then, Ashlen admitted, “I really don’t know if to feel bad for this panzer or not.” At her comment, August gave his sister a bemused expression. She explained with a giggle, “Oh, don’t be like that! I’m glad you weren’t eaten. Still, you have to admit that being devoid of food until dying isn’t exactly the best way to go, right?”

“Yes… you make a valid point. Starvation isn’t a pleasant thought.”

“Exactly. I mean, if we could have, we would not have been inclined to help this creature? If it needed food, we would have fed it. I would have, in the least.”

“Truly? Are you certain it wouldn't take your food as well as jump you when you turned your back to it, hm?” Ashlen shrugged as she observed the lifeless panzer in the grass. She seemed to lose herself to her thoughts.

“I doubt this beast would have come after me when I’m riding Ajax. The only reason it took you was that you were distracted, brother. Either way, the opportunity to test my theory is spent. The beast is dead and, so, I can only wonder while feeling somewhat regretful. Could there have been another way?” August had an answer to this at which he joked with a grin.

“It could have helped itself to the sheep we’re looking for out here. I bet it was tracking the dumb animal before we distracted it.”

“August! Don’t joke like that!”

“Bah, don’t argue with me about it, sister. That blasted lamb has brought the both of us further out into the woodlands here than most of Whistler can say. Now, after being hurt, I’m about tempted to turn back around and let the woods have it.” Finished with reminiscing about the past, done with looking over that which had attacked him, the Cousitar boy got onto his feet. He looked to the nearby wolves while saying, “We’re done here, Ash. I am at least. Let’s get back on the trail, find the sheep, swat it a few times, and then head back home before anything else decides we look tasty, shall we?” This, despite the sick humor, was met with laughter.

The daytime was well into noon, the sun at its climax, as both riders looked to mount their steeds who acted very stiff. The canines seemed to be curiously staring towards the east and it was only when they didn’t obey their masters’ commands to begin tracking the troublesome sheep that this was noticed. Ashlen began to worry over her proud Ajax, wondering if he was okay. August, though, uncaringly tugged on Moon’s ears until the black wolf snarled upwards. She circled about next, trying to unbalance he who was distracting her from whatever it was she was entranced with. Finally, August was thrown off his saddle and he next faced his growling steed from the ground as she loomed over him. This situation would have terrified anyone else not accustomed to the wolves. Nonetheless, having been put into this spot many times before, August merely laughed in the face of fangs bearing down on him.

“Calm yourself, Moon.” He said, patting his wolf friend’s face as she watched him, “I tried to be nice, if you hadn’t noticed which you didn't. As much as it pains me, I was only left with the option of pulling your ears when you decided to ignore me for the fourth time I called your name. Forgive me but, for all I knew, you had been entranced by a banshee’s cry. I was worried for you, thus I yanked your ears, good girl.” At this, Moon seemed to relax. She, however, didn’t forgive her master entirely and sneezed roughly in his face as a last insult. Ignoring the mirth coming from Ashlen, August half blindedly stated as his steed left him to look back east, “Well done, Moon. You’ve just earned yourself several smacks back at the stables!”

“Ha ha, right, August. I’m sure the world will end before you ever really hurt Moon. You pamper her too much.” Was Ashlen’s reply to this as Moon halted to resume staring towards wherever she was curious about, “Besides, stop and listen. I think the dogs hear something.”

This was new news to August. As he got up from the forest floor while wiping off his face, he wondered, “What? You think they hear something?” He was quickly silenced by his sister when she waved at him. Feeling a bit impatient, he joined in trying to hear what it was that had everyone else in a trance. The breeze passed through meanwhile. Nevertheless, there was nothing to be heard. The insects didn’t chirp, the birds didn’t sing, the world remained still and, finally, August found the courage to make his uncertainty heard, “Ash, I hear nothing. Nothing at all.” At this, he wasn’t cut off again. Instead, he was given the attention he wanted.

“What? You can’t hear anything, August?” Ashlen questioned, turning to her confused brother.

“Nope. When I say I can't hear anything, I can't hear anything. Do tell, what is it that you hear?” He replied, going to mount Moon.

“I… I don’t really know.”

“Well that’s specific enough. You’ve got to do better than that. Try to describe it.”

For the longest moment, Ashlen seemed to fall into her thoughts. She went to staring at the ground as the canines continued to be stiff. Finally, she tried her best to help her brother see what he couldn’t see, “I think it’s song that I hear.”

“You hear a song?”

“No, song, August. A song is made by one voice and is short but this one… it’s been going on for a while and it’s like there is more than one voice joining in. It’s beautiful beyond words.” A pause came as well as went before she asked, “I think the wolves want to investigate. Can they go? Can we?”

“No.” This serious answer at once from August seemed to completely take his sister off guard. Why was obvious. Out of all the people to refuse going on some adventure, to go off the certain path, August wasn’t the one to deny it. After having read so much about fables, why wouldn’t he want to investigate a mysterious song he couldn’t hear and Ashlen pursued this topic.

“What? Why?”

“We have a idiotic sheep to find, of course. Therefore, we don’t have the time to go after some oddity in the woodlands.”

“Oh, come off it, August! We have plenty of time and you can’t argue with me about that. We’ve had enough time to take our time to track this last sheep of ours as well as come out this far. So, why don’t we have time to see what has the wolves so curious?”

Certainly, the pair of hunters had had time on their hands. They had had enough to slow down in their long hunt to talk about things they shouldn’t have. They had had enough time to wander further out than intended into the forest. Thus, why couldn’t they go after whatever had everyone’s attention? What was the harm in it? Well, due to his reading August had disturbing reasons to not go blindly after something supposedly “beautiful”. There were dark things in the world that took advantage of such a trait, that lured mortals to their doom using such fake beauty.

“Ash, just forget it. We don’t want to waste any more time than we already have.” At this, the Cousitar boy tried to move his reluctant steed, “Come on, Moon. Let’s go. Let’s go!” However, the canine didn’t want to go and sharply snarled once more. Now, Moon was displaying the disadvantage of riding a wolf rather than a horse. Whether the rider liked it or not, his or her dog steed had the right to do what it pleased and, when not wanting to feud with a mouthful of sharp teeth too, the master couldn’t really argue.

“Why are you being like this, August? Why not go and see?”

“Because, it’s like you said earlier. I know things everyone else doesn’t.”

“Oh? What is that you know now that I don’t?”

“Only this. I am aware from my reading that there are things in the world that are not as they seem. That beauty you hear could be a great many other things and they could be terrible to us if handled wrongly.”

After hearing this, Ashlen seemed to better understand her brother’s point. However, she didn’t drop the subject. Instead, she pointed out some reliable reasons to be sure that what they heard wasn’t something evil. “We might be overthinking things, August. I mean, look at the wolves. If they thought whatever they were hearing was bad, wouldn’t they show it? Ajax and Moon are better than that. They wouldn’t run straight into a trap. They care about us too much to risk that.” Yes, that was true. If they didn’t like what they heard, the dogs wouldn’t be so intrigued. They would move on.

“Well, perhaps that’s the case. But still, we…”

Ashlen understood her sibling’s weariness not to venture off the beaten path. She also knew he was simply worried for her, for them, very much. They had just gotten out of a tight situation. Were they sure they wanted to possibly get into another one? To calm these worries, Ashlen said to her bothered brother, “Tell you what. If there is any sign of danger, if you see anything you don’t like, we’ll turn straight back around and look for the sheep again, August.”

At this, August seemed to brighten. “Is that a promise?” he questioned. In reply, his sister held out a hand on purpose. He couldn’t reach the gesture but, laughing, they shook an imaginary shake nonetheless. Yes, it was a promise then. Finished confirming that, August told his sister, “Alright, we’ll want to be quiet about this. Seeing as how you can hear whatever is singing, you go ahead, sister. I’ll follow your lead and keep watch.”

"Alright then."

"And, Ash, you made me a promise. Remember that well."

Happy to have him aboard as well as coming along, Ashlen turned away from August to lean forward onto her steed’s head. After that, she said to tense Ajax, “Alright, let’s go and see what’s singing to the forest, Ajax.” Then, she spurred her wolf to go, “Forward, boy. For - AUGH!” It was as if Ajax had been told to begin running before actually being commanded to do so. When given actual permission, the yellow pelted wolf went against the original “keeping quiet plan” and blasted forward into the surroundings with unmatched energy plus sound!

“Ash! Slow Ajax down! Slow him - WHOA!” Was all August could get out before his own ride took off eastwards! In turn to seeing her blood brother take off at the rushed speed he was going, Moon bolted after Ajax through the woodlands! Getting utterly fed up with how disobedient his steed was being, August was tempted to wrench his ride’s ears. Nevertheless, he resisted the urge as he closely followed his sister eastwards into unknown territory towards the unknown source of whatever was singing. He dearly hoped the creator of the supposedly “beautiful’ song wouldn’t mind visitors. Either way, it was going to get company and, most likely, it was going to hear them coming a mile away.

Author's Note

I wonder... what is it that the pair of hunters heard in the forest? Could this be the beginning of something? Only the next chapter and time will tell. :)

Reviews

[Eryn ♪]

Intriguing. You have me caught up in the story, but at times it was hard to get there. You are explaining to much about too many things. For example the religion. I understand that they are going to face racism if they leave, but you didn't have to give us three paragraphs on it's background. One paragraph would suffice letting us know that it is a religion that believes more in the present and future than its past.
Another thing you need to watch out for is the use of "/" it does not flow well with the story. If you catch your readers off guard like that, you will have a hard time selling the story. I don't mean to sound preachy, it's just that you are trying to hard to say everything. One of the rules I was taught in writer's craft was not to write what people skip over.
The story is good, but you need to tell the story and not ALL the back story.
Some is fine, like in the first chapter how you tell about the truce between the elven and phoenix kind. I look forward to reading more of the Story.

[Cousitarian]

Yes, even I had trouble re-editing things things on this certain chapter and I apologize for all the "this" way and "that" way on this chappy. My other reviewers are telling me the same stuff and I plan to review this and cut out huge sections. Even I noticed there are bits that don't need to be said yet but maybe late on into the story. Such as the long kristia history and Father Sleevan's background: what was I thinking?! Ugh. Anyway, I'll get the other chapter up soon and - as for this chapter - I plan to edit it. Also, I hope it was at least a bit enjoyable to read. I hope you got the jist of it. :/

[Eryn ♪]

I thought it very good. and you should indeed explain those throughout your story. I await the next chapter with earnest. From your ashes will rise a great phoenix I know it.