Post by yana on Jan 29, 2011 0:24:32 GMT -5
The considerably off white female paused for a moment at a puddle. Her muzzle dipped down while her tongue lapped up some of the sweet water. She had been traveling around for some time now looking for something, or someone in particular. Of course she should be with her band, but Mother Yana had seen something that could not be ignored. The spirits had spoken to her, telling her a story. One of the story’s characters knew nothing of an important fact that could shape the future of Anikira. The spirits had urged the Seer to visit the character and speak with them. Mother Yana could not refuse their suggestion. It was like a command, but not to her personally. It was a command of the Seer. As Seer, it was her job to do as the spirits foretold. If that entailed visiting the story’s character to drop a little piece of information, then so be it. Mother Yana would visit this character.
Here she was now old bones and all. The nearly blind female took in what she could of her surroundings and smiled. It was a quaint little place in looks, but in spirits it was bitter. All around spirits of animals swirled and moaned to her knowing she could hear them. Few could hear their long deceased voices. Mother Yana backed her ears for a moment surveying the land listening to their personal stories. They had all died from fire, smoke, or fright. It was an awful way to die. “Be at rest my friends. Pass on now.” The Seer took in a breathe inhaling the bitter air while her brown eyes went distant. Through her muzzle, the exhaling breathe came in the form of a heavy mist that intertwined with the natural mist. Natural and paranormal mixed into one another. The mist bellowed out as tendrils snaked their way through the air and lightly touched the spirits that surrounded the wolf. Seconds later, the spirit dissipated. The natural mist, which had been heavy before, lightened up considerable.
Mother Yana smiled at her work in a saddened way. It was always a bittersweet goodbye seeing the spirits go. Back to work. Giving a huff, the female pulled up her muzzle as far as she could and allowed a rusty sounding howl to emit from her throat. That howl carried through the land and into the Alpha’s ears. Exodus looked up from examining one of the mine’s wooden beams. Further down into the man made caverns, tunnels were collapsing. It was putting Exodus on edge. Tearing himself away, the black beast padded to the entrance of his home and stared out over his land. Returning the call, he beckoned the female wolf to his lair. She had words for his ears and his ears alone. Exodus could only guess as to what she wished to tell him.
Aged bones carried Mother Yana through Exodus’ territory. Finally, they carried her to the Kiaou Mines entrance. There sat a handsome male well on into his years, but not near enough to her numbers. Mother Yana smiled at him grandmotherly. “Ah, you must be the one I seek. Speak, lad, what is your name?”
Exodus frowned at the site of the crone. “My name is Exodus, Madame. What is it that you wish to tell me?” Surely she did not bring good news.
Mother Yana offered Exodus a sympathetic smile, “Exodus is a good name, a fitting name I would say. Might this old female enter your dens?” There was a pause that hung in the air. Exodus’ frown deepened. “It is not safe to speak here,” the she wolf lowered her voice with intense eyes.
The alpha heaved a heavy sigh and stood to his paws turning into the den, “Very well, Madame. Follow me.” With that, the two entered the mines and traveled far into them. Each time Exodus paused to listen, Mother Yana insisted they keep moving. Exodus’ paranoia began to grip him. He did not allow the female to leave his sight and his words became harsh. What was so important that they needed to be this far away from prying ears?
Finally, Mother Yana agreed upon a spot. Dim, dim sunlight filtered in through a hole somewhere on the ceiling. Exodus looked up investigative it. This place seemed safe enough. The beams were solid and not rotten like others were. “Madame, you kill me with anticipation. Please, what is it that you have to say?” Exodus was back upon his haunches peering angrily at Mother Yana with cold eyes.
The female nodded her head, “I’m sorry, my son. These are words only for you. The spirit believe you must know them.”
The male’s body stiffened. Others would easily dismiss the female’s words with a laugh and send her off. Instead, Exodus’ demeanor slackened as he regarded her with curiosity. Not many could hear the spirits. So he was right, too. This couldn’t be anything good at all.
Mother Yana gave a heavy sigh as she looked upon Exodus with the same sad sort of look she had given the spirits. “Your soul is just as tortured as those in the forest,” she commented softly to herself. The alpha’s ears went back as his guard returned. The crone cleared her throat as she began to speak once more. Her eyes once again took on a distant look as if she were focusing hard on recalling the words the spirits had spoken. “Exodus Alastor Sivor. Not all is as it seems. As you well know, the world’s happiness comes with drawbacks. Many are against you in this world, Exodus. Many. Some do not know their part in life’s play just yet, but will learn in time. There is one who would willingly lie to you. Another conspires against you. He will take what you treasure most. There are two who will play you when their time runs short. However, the last is the true son. The true heir will bring Salen’s rightful future. The others will twist it with their darkened minds. It is up to you to figure out the puzzle before all you hold dear is destroyed. Be warned, my son, that your ending is drawing near. It will not be as you deserve, but rather as you fear.” Mother Yana took in a sharp raspy breathe as her eyes focused onto the black wolf before her. In the dim light, her features were just as haunting as her words.
The lingering echo of her words engulfed Exodus. It was becoming harder to breathe. His silver eyes peered down at the frail frame with confusion, fear, and discontent. How could such an old wolf bring such emotion to Exodus? Her words made very little sense to his ears, but their horrific meaning was clear. Everything Exodus had worked so hard to build up would soon come crumbling down. “Can you not clarify further?” Exodus asked in a hollow voice. Withdrawn, the male’s expression went void as the shadows caressed his face. Silence followed his question. At least, Exodus swallowed. “I thought not.”
Mother Yana nodded and eyed the alpha with misery. “I am sorry, my son, to deliver such words.”
Exodus rose to his paw suddenly as his tail gave a dismissive flick. “Never mind, Madame. I shall escort you to the entrance. I trust you can find your way from there.” There was no emotion within Exodus’ voice. Absolutely none. It was robotic and hallow as if his mind spoke them without his knowing. His actions mirrored his words, too. Instead of the graceful gait Exodus always displayed, the brute walked with stiff legs and appeared to be fighting within his mind.
Mother Yana did not speak until the pair made it back into the fresh air. Turning to face Exodus, she studied his face but offered no reassurance. There was none to offer. Exodus gazed back with defeated eyes. The Seer turned away unable to bear his gaze. It was easier to speak with the dead than the living. There was the knowledge that you could never help the dead, but the living always had hope. So long as there was the smallest sliver of hope, there could be a way to change the out come. Mother Yana couldn’t bear the hope Exodus desperately clung to. She knew there was no way to change his future. The stones had already been set in place. The last couple only needed to be put down. “Farewell my son,” she whispered before padded off into the mists.
Exodus watched her go allowing the finality of her words to infest his mind. There was no hope for Exodus. Not really.