Sunlight pierced the forest in long, misty streams and gave the initial impression of being in a dream as Selene gathered her bedroll and tied it. She had spent the last two nights out in the wild and felt apprehension as well as excitement. When hunting a good tree for her first staff, the whole group of them went out together with Lykarra who helped them choose. Her own choice ended up an elm near a brook and she vowed to get her second from that same tree. But as luck would have it, she couldn't remember how to get back to that stream.
So much had happened since then.
It wouldn't have been much of a test if she was guided by the hand again. She was to be an Elder after all. As she fastened the bedroll to her backpack, the word gave her joy. After all these years, her path to that high position actually seemed attainable.
Shouldering her pack as she stood, Selene grabbed her staff which leaned against a nearby oak and struck out to the north. The hilly terrain was the foothills to the Agra Mountains, their protective shield against the northern kingdom. Blue eyes remained aware of her surroundings as she walked, beams of warm sunlight catching her at moments as she moved through the dense green and grey-brown around her.
It didn't take long for her to realize that the area she traveled through was unfamiliar and she began to get nervous. Most of the land around their coven's home was well known, but no landmarks were recognized out here. She had been heading northeast most of her travels until this morning, so Brecon wasn't that far behind her.
Soon, the sounds of a male's voice yelling echoed through the forest and she slowed. He was some distance ahead, she figured. Staff gripped tightly, she continued on until hearing him again.
"Morwyn," he shouted and she caught a glimpse of him walking through the dense foliage between them, about thirty yards away. Selene stopped and ducked behind a tree, hoping he didn't see her as well. His dark brown leathers, green cloak and longbow were immediately apparent, as was his ruddy complexion and dark brown hair tied in a ponytail.
"Where are you, girl," he continued and she was beginning to wonder if he was searching for a pet. For his sake, it better be.
Dark blue eyes chanced another look and noticed that he had disappeared from sight again and she used the break to continue northward until quickly finding a mutilated dog near a large tree. It's body and neck ripped open savagely made her think of a bear. The sight made her sad for the dog, but gave her a renewed sense of awareness as the kill looked fresh. Much of the branches from various saplings and shrubs were broken or crushed, so the pet didn't go down easily.
"Here," she shouted, then quickly moved away from the scene. Not sure why she gave herself away, but the owner deserved to bury his dog and perhaps even find himself face to face with the animal that killed it.
Using her own magic to pass undetected through the forest, she soon found a small campsite as wisps from a dead fire still rose in the air. One spot in the leaf covered earth denoted it was probably his.
She suddenly turned, knowing that the hunter was probably on his way to where she had shouted. Maybe, he had even found the dead animal by now. Was this encounter her true test? A man this deep in their forest was an affront to everything she had been taught to believe in. He was an interloper that had no business being out here in the first place. Angrily, she headed back to the scene of the fight and soon noticed him crouched near the large tree. Brown eyes rose to her as she cleared the last barrier of green.
"What are you doing out here," she demanded.
He rose and stood taller than she, bow still in hand. Clean shaven, his brown eyes eyed her up and down, then grinned. "Hunting. You?"
Staff gripped tightly, "None of your business. This land is privately owned, in case you didn't know."
A fact that caught him unaware, apparently. "What? The duke of Polgar doesn't mind if anyone hunts this forest."
Now she was confused. "His reach is way beyond his borders here. You're mistaken."
"No," he shook his head. "We're only a day's ride south of the city. Are you lost?"
That wasn't possible. She was only gone from home for two days now. "I was born out here, don't try and fool me, slave. You're lucky that I'm even allowing you to speak to me."
His brow raised. "Oh really? Are you related to the duke then?"
"No." She had no intentions of telling him about Brecon either. "I spit on you and everyone from that kingdom," she felt her energies charge and noticed his immediate alarm as he tried to back from her. In an instant, she lowered the staff and fired a bolt of dark energy into him, sending the ranger into the bushes beyond. In a loud crash, she heard his breath exhale loudly.
Suddenly, her rage caused the world to become shades of grey as she lowered into a crouch. Charging, she pounced on him as he tried to push himself up, screaming as his right arm came up to defend his neck, but too late as long fangs pierced his forehead and hand. Warm blood poured from multiple wounds as he fought to save himself. Sharp claws gripped his shoulder and head and she continued her assault until he finally went limp.
Turning back towards the campsite, she sprinted away.
***
Selene awoke to the warmth of firelight which cast long shadows on the ceiling above her. Wooden planks supported thatch and she even noticed a couple pigeons in the center of one of the cross beams.
"Hello there," a younger female voice greeted and Selene turned her attention to the hearth to notice a taller girl in light brown tunic. "We were worried about you."
"Why?" She sat up and soon noticed the second brunette sitting at the end of the table.
"All the blood on you. I was afraid you had been grievously wounded. What happened?"
Right hand found her own woolen gown, but nothing else and she quickly scanned the bed and end table for her gear.
"It's all there," she motioned to the armoire beyond the foot of the bed. "Clothes are still drying." She rose and walked over to the bedside and crouched. Hazel green eyes held a warmth to them that her stronger features belied. "I'm Brittany, by the way," she introduced, then glanced to her quiet companion. "That's Diane."
"Pleasure. Selene."