[Sarah]

Soft tan and white wings caressed an emaciated body; the creature couldn’t remember the smell of fresh meat or the coppery taste of blood on its tongue. The white tip or its talk flicked as it stared into the forest, praying to the goddess that she could bring home food to her pups. Her mind was sharp, unafraid, and desperate. She was willing to takes risks in order to keep her and her small family alive. Knowing full well that she couldn’t be out much longer without nightfall coming to take her children away from her, slowly unfurling her clean wings she took off through the trees, narrowly dodging the trunks and vines. The overwhelming sense of natural instinct kept her from falling over due to the famine that consumed the forest. In the winter moons the prey fled for warmer grounds, all winter she had little to nothing in her stomach. Though foolishly she had borne children, through the harshest winter she would know. Now every life was hanging by a thread of quickly thinning hope.

[Sarah]

The soothsayer had warned her of this, of her foolishness. She was still young and inexperienced, and now she was learning the hard way that pups don’t last through winter moons. She was determined however, and with every scrap of energy she could muster she had kept her children alive. The promise of spring was showing the soft buds broke through the slumbering trees. Everything was new, and soon the descendants of the past forest creatures would return, nothing truly escaped the forest, the whisper of a better life stayed, haunting every mind the forest touched. The fleeting promise of happiness infected all of the inhabitants. They stayed faithful to the forest, the goddess that held the lives of all in her hands. A kind goddess, a fair goddess, a forgiving goddess; every night the yonyuu prayed to her, prayed for the goddess to keep her children alive.

[Sarah]

The female stopped, her paws touching the frostbitten earth. A clearing came before her, a hollowed log sat in the middle. The forest seemed denser in this area, like it was trying to keep invaders away. The chirps of infants broke the stillness of the forest, crying for warmth, food, and a future in the magical forest. A forest that was trying to protect the new life, the female had only caught a small mouse, her first kill for a few weeks. It would not be enough to keep her milk flowing for her children. The trees fluttered, but no wind came through the forest. The trees were talking again, they did that, more and more as the season changed from one of death to one of life. Talking of the life that was struggling to continue, but making no sacrifices to help. The yonyuu knew she was being punished for her foolishness. “But goddess, you cannot punish the innocent, it is not their fault their mother is a fool.” The female cried out, a sob shaking through her bones, making it a challenge to keep on her feet. Swallowing the lump in her throat she hung her head in shame. Wobbling towards her den, she let the sound of her children take over her body, laying close to them, they huddled close, trying to escape the cold touch of night.

[Sarah]

The trees talked through the night, their branches moving though no wind touched the clearing. The soft sighing of sleeping creatures calmed the night. That night no frost touched the foliage, the earth was melting out of its winter slumber. In the light of the moon no predators dared to show their faces, even the strongest where being hunted. Humans and those from the small villages that made their homes in the forest came out at night, under the protection of the dark searching for their next meal, or for furs that could be traded for essentials.

[Sarah]

The soothsayer had no choice but to explore the dark world. It was the only way to access the magic she needed to call upon the forest goddess. She knew no hunter would dare touch her, they all came to her in their times of need. All of them owed her their loyalty. The spirits weren’t talking tonight, and the trees had settled around her, not sharing their secrets. With an exasperated sigh she walked on, her wings folded close to her.

[Sarah]

She didn’t need any more light to emit from her body. She had been touched by the goddess as a child, and because of that her markings glowed with a fierce light, and her fur had turned black. Some said she was cursed, other said she was blessed. The soothsayer still couldn’t say who was right, sometimes her powers where a gift, on nights like tonight they were a curse. She was protected by the goddess, but she had to serve the will if the forest and its powers pulled at her mind much more strongly than it did to others. She was bound to the forest, and that made her long to be free of it.

[Sarah]

Ducking under the light of a hunter the soothsayer had to question her motives for coming out this night. It wasn’t often she did something for the creatures of the forest. A woman had come to her, pleading with her to save her starving children. The soothsayer was not devoid of emotion, and the story this new mother had brought her broke the soothsayer’s heart. With a soft sigh she moved forwards towards the very center of the forest. “Hello nattalia.” A voice broke the silence of her mind. “Goddess.” Nattalia breathed her heart racing. This goddess was kind but that did not mean that the soothsayer would be safe. “Why have you come to me?” the goddess asked sounding curious, and luckily for nattalia she didn’t sound angry.

[Sarah]

“For the same reason I always come to you.” Nattalia said, choosing her words carefully. “You wish to save lives.” The goddess didn’t sound irritated, but there was a hint of exasperation in her voice. “You can’t always save everyone.” The goddess warned, before continuing. “But, I know who you would like to save; there are two Pups in this forest born of a new mother.” The goddess paused for a few moments, contemplating how she would go about saving the pups. “I will give the mother ten years of life to watch over her growing pups, and then in return for my saving them, her soul will be brought to me.” Nattalia let out a slow sigh of relief it was not often that a mother was allowed to live to watch her younglings grow after the goddess chose to let them live. “Thank you goddess, you are very merciful to let the mother watch her pups grow.” Natalia placed a small offering of barriers and herbs before leaving the temple place.

[Sarah]

The soothsayer returned to her den with just enough time for a short nap, and then dawn broke and the forest woke to the warm rays that promised spring was on its way. “I must go let that poor girl know that her children will be safe.” Nattalia mumbled, only half awake. After saying a small spell to protect her house from any wandering parties the soothsayer went out in search for the mothers den. It didn’t take long to find the small clearing with the den under some very thick tree roots. The girl had moved her children in the night to a new place. One that looked safer than the last.

[Sarah]

Soft whimpers could be heard inside the den, and the smell of warm meat made nattalia’s stomach rumble. “hello.” The woman called into the den, taking a few steps back so that her nose wouldn’t be clawed. A growl warned her even further back, and she waited patiently for the mother to come out. A scrawny figure came out from the den, but nattalia could see that the mother as now well fed. She knew the pups would be as well. “I have some news.” The soothsayer started, her eyes wandering around the forest so that she didn’t look like a threat. “Well, my pups are healthy and active, so I think I owe you.” The girl’s voice cut in and Nattalia saw a cuniflare being thrown to her feet. A small smile crossed the soothsayer’s face, before the woman grew solemn again.

[Sarah]

“In return for your pup’s wellbeing, the goddess gave your ten years to stay with them, before she will come to collect your soul.” Nattalia burst out, making a sort of awkward pause silence the forest. “Yes I am aware.” The girl said with a soft sigh, “I suppose it is better than what most get though, so I am not going to complain.” A knowing look passed between both Yonyuu. Everyone knew that in return for one life, there must be the sacrifice of another. “Please, if you could leave me to my pups.” The girl said, breaking the silence. “Of course, good luck.” Nattalia said, before turning to leave, the limp cuniflare’s body placed in the pack she tied around her shoulders.

[Sarah]

Two years past and the mother was spending everyday with her children. They grew up to be very respectable Yonyuu. Both looked like their mother, but had the calm and kind personality of their father. Who was someone they would never meet considering he had died during the winter of their birth a little boy and girl, Sam and Shane. The mother knew that Shane was a popular name for boys, but Shane acted more like a boy anyway and seemed to like her name despite it being for boys. Right now the two where play fighting in the small clearing their wings still unable to lift them into flight where most yonyuu fought for territory or mates. Their teeth and claws where sharp however, and they were adept at dealing with the underbrush and cramped spaces.

[Sarah]

Five years past and her children had grown into valiant warriors, who spent most of their days protecting other yonyuu clans around the forest. Though they never officially joined a clan, they did spend most of their time in a clan that was a supporter of creatures leaving the forest. The siblings believed that the forest would thrive even if some of its inhabitants took trips outside of the place. They had no idea what deal their mother had struck to keep them alive. Though if they found out they would have traveled to the center of the forest to kill the goddess.

[Sarah]

It had been seven years since that first winter but the mother didn’t take another mate. Her children were confused. They reassured her that they wouldn’t be jealous and that it was only right for her to raise more children. She simple stated that she didn’t wish to bear more children to the forest if they would only be trapped there. Over the years the mother had grown to hate the forest, but she knew her soul would never leave the place. She hadn’t told her children about her deal, she told herself the time wasn’t yet right, or that her children weren’t ready.

[Sarah]

A stormy night left the mother helpless and she was forced to stay in an unknown home. It was occupied by a strong male yonyuu and his pack of five females. All heavily pregnant with his pups. The mother couldn’t help herself, her natural instincts kicked in and before the night was over she was pregnant with her second litter of pups. Of course her children where happy for her and the mother had to admit that it would be exciting to have new bundles of energy in her home. For a yonyuu of her age she should have had three litters grown already, but she had always refrained. To spite the goddess the mother had chosen to bear no more children. She hated seeing her own children serve as slaves to the goddess and dreaded bringing the goddess more.