Page 9 of Whisper Woods

“I assume it’s because you have been there before? You know that Joa mated the human, and therefore cannot return to us here. Maybe that affected the Gods’ decree. But it matters not, Lughis was insistent.” There is a snort from one of the council members. I can only assume it is because Lia is downplaying the intensity of this 'insistence'. Lia cuts another irritated look over her shoulder. “The others have been tasked with securing pathways for the future, for reunification with the world. But you Rafe? Lughis had a message.”

I don’t particularly wish to ask, but I know she’ll make me wait on this cliff’s edge until I do. “And what, my beloved High Eminence, is that?”

Lia’s smile is genuine this time, brightening her face as the cloud moves out of the sun's light just long enough to light up the colours of the dragon's glass on her decorative chain mail shoulder armour. “They said, the answers you seek begin at slash.”

I blink a few times at my ruler, while I digest the words. The answers you seek begin at slash? “What does that even mean?”

“I have no idea, old friend. But I trust you will figure it out.” Despite her long and heavy skirts, Lia climbs back on her horse in one fluid motion, signalling her readiness to leave. As the other council members slowly begin their turn, urging their horses on, she again faces Brydon and myself. “And not to put too fine a point on it, but the fate of Tathys is likely resting in your hands. So I suggest you figure it out quickly.”

Without so much as a goodbye, she flicks the reins and she’s off, closely followed by her burly guards and the Grand Masters. Left with nothing more than the shocking news and a cryptic, unhelpful message, Brydon turns to me, already attempting to figure out the meaning of the vision.

“The answers you seek begin at slash,” He mumbles to himself a few times, jamming his hands in his shorts. His love for all things Mundane, and especially their clothing, is yet another nail in the coffin of the relationship between him and his father.

I clap him on the shoulder, startling him out of the mental rabbit hole he has already started down. “Come on, we won’t be figuring this out here. Let us head home and we can figure out the meaning of the words while I pack.”

A sly smile tugs at my lips, my instincts urging me to run home as fast as I can. I’m returning to the Woods, and if the Gods are willing, I may just run into my golden wolf once again.

Seff

Even in the dimmorning light, the golden orange and teal feathers of the phoenix peering down at me are intense. The bird cocks its head, the headdress-like plume on its head twitching with the jerky movement.

Squawk!

The creature’s unexpected screech makes me jump, the obnoxious sound and jarring movement working together to double team my headache.Ugh. Slowly, so I don’t cause any more damage, I test out my arms and legs, wiggling my fingers and toes and then flexing the muscles. The moss is soft underneath me, and thankfully the earth is warm. There is still enough summer in the air to keep the chill out of the morning. Which is a really good thing considering how often I’m ending up out here lately.

Sitting up is a little harder than I’d like, my body is aching and sticky with sweat from last night's run. Thank the Gods for my accelerated healing, because I’m pretty sure I fucked my foot up on a rock before Wolf took over.

Gingerly I check myself out and sure enough, there is the faint mark of the gash on the sole of my left foot. Various other scrapes and bruises are already healing on my arms and legs. They’ll be gone before breakfast.

Speaking of breakfast, I need to get moving. Scraping my hand through my hair, I haul myself to standing, using the moss-covered rocks I’d nestled against for leverage. My head spins with the movement, dehydration kicking my ass.

Checking that I still have my phone and keys handy in the go bag looped around my neck—a handy little idea I got after Edith slipped an amulet around Wolf’s neck when we went into Marieths cottage—I realise I have no idea where the fuck I am. Except for “in the Woods”, which is not at all convenient. Just likemy phone. It’s all well and good that I brought it along, but it died overnight so it’s basically a useless brick to me now.

As if to add to the point, my stomach rumbles loudly. I left my car and clothes at the Black Stump Tavern last night, so if I can find my way back, I can hopefully convince Mauvy to feed me. The little faun runs the tavern with our other friend, Roan, and while she is tiny, she manages the place with an iron fist. Nobody would ever cross her. She’d poison their next meal without a second thought.

Inhaling deeply, I find my centre and let my instincts lead the way. One footstep, then another, and I’m on my way back to the tavern. Wolf has no interest in the trek back, even though he dragged our ass all the way out here.

My body protests each step, my recovery slowed by exhaustion. Too much work, too much stress.

Too many sleepless nights out here in the Woods.

Running until the noise in my head finallystops.

At least the Woods are peaceful this time of the morning. I love how chill it is here, especially when my mind is calm. There is just somethinggoodabout strolling through nature, bits flapping in the breeze. It makes me feel connected. With autumn just around the corner, the Woods feel like they’re on the cusp of a change. Everything’s slowing as they prepare to slide into their winter sleep.

It’s something I think they miss, the others in the pack. Even though we are technically of the Whisper Woods, something they howl about with pride, they nearly all live in Twin Heads, or right on the outskirts of the Woods, never venturing past our well-worn path to our pack grounds.

They don’tgetit.

But then, they don’t get a lot of things.

I shove the thought from my head with a rough shake. Breathing deep, I let the cocktail of smells tease my instincts. Despite seeming like it’s empty, there are plenty of animals and creatures nearby. The scent of a nest of squirrels close by prickles Wolf’s fancy and he prods at our shared consciousness to let him take over and sort out breakfast himself.

Absolutely not, big guy. My money is on Mauvy having bacon. Ireason with him, shoving back the change and picking up my speed.

The sprites of the Woods are busy this morning. Their musical laughter is faint, but just there over the sound of the rustling leaves as they dance around the undergrowth. Little golden glowing lights flutter around making the most out of their morning.

I’m still not a hundred-percent certain where I am exactly, I’m relying only on my instincts to get me to the tavern. But I manage to orient myself when, after about a half an hour of walking, I scent the centaurides’ grotto nearby to the west. Which would explain the soft tread of hooves behind me.

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