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Till the end
The wind howled and rapped at the meek wood door. The cold harsh breeze blew in through every crack in the small hut freezing them to the bone. A candle flickered dangerously on the table as if threatening to go out.
It couldn't, she would not let it. Everything seemed so much simpler back before this all happened. How could she not know? How could they not have told her?
Absent of her will she stroked his cold pale face that lay in her gentle hands as she thought back to when all was good.
She had lived a very sheltered life. Surrounded by tree's and many, many other wonderful things in nature. Here nothing could harm her or anyone else who lived in the sacred forest.
She had learned this long ago when she was a small girl. Struggling to get through her many years of schooling. She was always surprised when something from her childhood floated into the depth of her mind. How wonderful it was not to have to worry about pain...or love...
What would she be if the Unicorns hadn't blessed the forest? Or used there almighty powers to create the halo? A brilliant armor of light. Created to keep the forest children safe from the terrorizing humans of the past, blinding them the moment they stepped beneath the branches.
The days were always perfect and gave what the forest needed when it needed it.
Archer grew into a beautiful young lady raised by her grandfather. Years ago her parents were killed tragically in a accidents involving one of the many "Familiars". Both of her parents were part of 'The Chosen Coven" a group who could control the most powerful "Familiars" guardian beasts. When born everyone of the forest was given a guardian "Familiar". Whether it was a wolf, goat or tiger they were yours. Every mother and father prayed to the goddess dianna that there child would be one of the seven coven members and rule the forest.
Only one child in all of the forest had not found there creature. Whispers began to spread about who the next "Coven" members would be. Some said that Archer herself would be one, others called her strange and she should be stamped out quickly before her disease would spread.
Strangeness is not a curse her grandfather would tell her
It is a blessing
Her clearest memory started on one of those brisk spring days you know you'll never forget. Old Carter Harris was on the rampage once again having just bumped into her grandfather Toby.
That man aint know a thing! Not a thing Grandpa would shout across the town square so all could hear the idiocies of Mr. Harris.
One of these days... Harris would mutter.
Then he would stomp around the town and tell everyone they were doing this and that incorrectly.
Ms. Raven! OH, Ms. Raven! Harris yelled speed walking towards Archer, Devious and Clarence. Who had been drawing water from the city well. Actually it was supposed to be Archer but as soon as Devy and Clarence watched her almost fall in they called there Familiars and came to help.
Hello Harris. Answered Devy. Her yellow eyes glinting at him from behind the spectacles she wore.
I do believe Archer should be doing this water task alone. Should she not? Harris looked Archer over. Her shabby appearance and lifeless hair was not at all the type of attitude HE wanted portrayed for all the influential children of the forest to see.
Before Devy had the chance to explain to Harris Archers lack of strength. They heard the sound of a large bell ring off in the distance, its musical melody chiming back and forth on the summer breeze.
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