black raven

A Chapter by new writer

my first chapter but only a small part of it

Chapter 1

I picked a solitary petal from the withered flower and watched as it danced in the early morning breeze. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant blossoms that once adorned the branches of the ancient tree, a silent reminder of the changing seasons. The village square was quiet, with the early light casting long shadows across the cobblestone. Her eyes followed the petal's dance, lost in thought, until the sudden clang of the blacksmith's hammer shattered the silence.

Blossom had been searching for Ocean since the moon was high in the night sky. Her heart raced as she thought of her friend, her mind reeling with fear. Ocean had always been a free spirit, but she had never been gone this long before. Blossom knew she had to find her, to make sure she was safe. The air had the scent of rain-soaked earth and the distant aroma of her mother's herb garden, but none of it could distract her from the urgency of her mission.

Her boots echoed on the damp stones as she approached the tavern, where Sider and Rose were known to frequent. She hadn't seen them since their last argument, and the memory of their cold glares still stung. The wooden door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room with a few early patrons nursing their drinks. The warmth from the hearth was a stark contrast to the chilly morning outside. The smoky haze was thick enough to taste, but I couldn't see any sign of them.

My stomach tightened as I stepped inside, the eyes of the patrons briefly flickering in her direction before returning to their own conversations. She approached the bar, the polished surface reflecting the flickering firelight. The barkeep, a burly man with a thick beard, raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she leaned in and whispered her question. "Seen Sider or Rose?" His expression remained unreadable, but he jerked his head towards the back corner.

Her heart pounding, she moved through the room, her eyes searching the shadows. They were there, huddled over a table, their voices a mix of hushed whispers and sharp laughter. Sider looked up, his icy blue eyes meeting hers with a look that sent a shiver down her spine. Rose's eyes narrowed, and she leaned back in her chair, a smug smile playing on her lips. Blossom took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation she knew was coming. She had to find out if they knew anything about Ocean's disappearance.

The moment she was close enough, she slammed her hand on the table, making the mugs jump. "What have you two done with Ocean?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. Sider's smirk grew wider, and he leaned back, crossing his arms. "Why should we tell you anything?" he sneered. "You're just the herb-girl with a dead dad and a crazy mother."

The barkeep's eyes flicked to them, but he returned to his work, sensing the tension in the air. Blossom felt the sting of his words, but she didn't let it show. "Bigger mouth than brains, Sider? No wonder you rely on me for explanations."

Rose leaned forward, her emerald eyes gleaming. "We haven't done anything to her," she said sweetly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But if she's gone, maybe she finally realized what a burden you are." Sider chuckled, but there was a glint in his eye that told her he knew more than he was letting on.

Ignoring the barb, I pressed on. "You really think insulting me makes you look tough? Just makes you look like the sad excuse for a person that you are."

The air grew colder, and she knew she had pushed them too far. Sider stood, towering over her. "You always were a mouthy little thing," he said, his voice dangerously low. "But you're barking up the wrong tree today, Blossom."

"Maybe so, but at least I’m not just howling at the moon like you. The truth stings, doesn’t it?"

Rose's smile grew colder. "We're not the ones hiding secrets," she spat. "Your precious Ocean probably just realized she doesn't need you anymore."

"Secrets? Oh, please, Rose. If you really knew anything, you'd know that true strength lies in being open and honest. Unlike you, I don’t need to tear others down to feel important. But keep barking; it just shows how threatened you really are." I spat back.

Sider's fist slammed on the table, making the mugs rattle. "You don't know what you're talking about!" he bellowed. His cheeks were flushed with anger, and his eyes burned with a fury she hadn't seen before.

Rose put a hand on his arm. "Let's go," she says, her eyes still on Blossom. "We have better things to do than waste our time with her."

The two of them stood and began to walk away, but not before Sider threw one last look over his shoulder. "If you know what's good for you, you'll drop this," he said.

"What's good for me? Not taking advice from someone who doesn't even know how to upgrade their own operating system!"

Their footsteps faded into the background as they left the tavern. I felt a mix of anger and fear. They knew something, I could feel it. But getting them to talk was like trying to squeeze juice from a rock. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. The smell of the tavern�"stale beer and roasting meat�"was suddenly overwhelming.

The barkeep slid a mug of warm cider towards her. "Drink this," he said gruffly. "On the house."

Surprised, she took the mug, her trembling hands wrapping around the warmth it offered. "Thank you," I murmured, taking a sip. The sweetness coated her tongue, the warmth spreading through me.