Night Wanderings {5::2}

Maun whipped through the quiet streets, taking hardly any notice of the rubble around it. Crow did; he stared at it with disapproval. He took into account every dark corner, any place large enough for something to hide in.

“Are we there yet?” she asked, though the answer was obvious.

 “No.”

A little further, then “How about now?”

“No, I say, stop acting like a four-year-old. Must I put up with you again?”

“Yes.”

Crow heaved, and flew into the night sky to see how far they had come. “A few more miles, I’d say.”

“Miles?”

“Yes, miles! I forgot what a nuisance you were.”

Maun sighed.

***

Finally, finally she was at their journey’s end, hobbling on her broken limb as quickly as she could manage. The moor merged into trees, and here they were, in the forest again. Maun had simply followed Crow, attempting to get close enough to ask what they were to do, and she was lured in. In the woods once more, alone once more, helpless once more.

Maun realized this was but a dirty little trick. Crow had simply wanted to get rid of her, while at the same time baiting Titalukia back into the forest. And what a cruel trap this was.

She was never seen again.

***

It was a hot day in summer, the air thick with flies, and the tavern was full with merry laughter. An especially keen group surrounded an aged bird.

“Owl, tell us a tale.”

The request went around the huddle, pleading with him to do so. He ruffled his features in agreement, thinking what story to possibly tell this band of humans he met while gliding around the outskirts of the village.

“Well, it begins like this: Long ago, when the earth was still young, there lived a rich girl who was the daughter of the Emperor’s favorite advisor. Whatever she wanted, she received, and whatever her little greedy heart wished for, was made true.”

They held onto every word. “Do go on.”

He continued. “Now, this girl was named Maun, and grew quite spoiled. She had to have the prettiest gowns only money and class could buy, and strutted around in her swollen pride. Every small thing needed to be granted, or she would throw a right little tantrum. Maun was always bored, since no one wanted to play with her…”

A while after hearing this, one of them asks, “What happens to the girl?”

“Oh, no one really knows. Most likely she was eaten by the monster. Or less likely, she escaped, and lives every day of her life running from it.”

They thought about this, then broke into lively discussion again.

THE END.

Night Wanderings {5::1}

Two gleaming eyes appeared within the trees. They carefully acknowledged the newcomer, and stepped sideways to let it pass. The clearing behind it was crowded with many animals: some nodded a greeting, some stared back coldly.

“Finally. You have come.” A small mouse scuttled underneath a pile of leaves, and all the creatures snapped into attention. “Let this meeting begin. First Crow, you will tell your report,” he nodded to the latecomer.

Crow quickly ran through everything he knew to Field Mouse, the leader of the Wild Council. In turn he gestured to Owl, White-Tailed Deer and Eagle, who were all at the meeting.

After they were finished, Fox barked out, “Why can we not finally leave the human to Titalukia? Already one life had been lost.” Mourning swept through the animals for Ground Squirrel.

Badger hastily added, “Plus a dozen humans perished. This girl is going to die anyway – why can it not be sooner than later, so more lives are spared?”

In response, Skunk cried out rather reproachfully, “Because it is but a child. I would not want to sacrifice any of mine young.”

A great muttering broke out; Otter and Robin got into a nasty quarrel over what to do with the human. Field Mouse shouted for order, but his squeak was barely heard. Raccoon, who was always calm, called for him. The clearing fell silent.

He decided to take a vote. “All in favor of killing the girl raise a paw, hoof or tail.” Field Mouse quickly counted. “All in favor of saving her…” Raccoon helped him establish the results.

“You know what to do,” Field Mouse said to Crow.

***

Awakening from the rough bed of wood splints, she tried again. “Mother! Father! Where are you?” No reply. There probably never would. Running desperately from door to door, pounding on the neighbors’ homes, she discovered everyone was missing.

Why is the village in such a wreck? Where is everyone? And where are Mother and Father!

A shadow stalked in the corners… She vanished within minutes, just like all the other.

***

Maun once again was awakened by a rapping - this time on her window. “What do you want?” she grumbled.

It was Crow.

“Get dressed,” he urged. “I know what we need to do. But I can’t do it when you’re inside.”

“Alright, alright.”

In ten minutes they were discussing possible approaches to Titalukia. “It seems to be going in a straight line,” he stressed. “You know two sides are surrounded by forest. Titalukia must have passed into the village on the north side. You live on the south tip of the west side. It is traveling toward you.”

Maun attempted not to worry. “But you have a plan, right?”

“Right. Well, Weasel decided it would be best -”

“Weasel?”

“Yes, Weasel. I had a meeting with all the forest animals last night. We decided what we should do with you,” Crow explained. “Well, he said I should take you to the northeast corner of your village.” Hastily he added, “It’s the farthest we can get away from Titalukia.”

“But is it not that the very same place it came from?”

“Yes. There’s no one left along the way to devour,” he stated flatly. “Overall it’s the best plan so far. I’ll thank Weasel when I get back.”

Night Wanderings {4::4}

Maun sullenly asked her nurse if she could play outside. It was not pleasant; she still felt oppression towards her after remembering her horrifying neglect. Without looking up, she agreed. “Just do not get yourself lost like last time. All that time I spent worrying over your silly self,” she gripped. “Where were you anyway? The servants never said.”

“None of your business,” she spat. “And give me the warmest petticoat you have. I do not want to freeze my bones again,” Maun hissed.

Grumbling, the nurse rummaged through her dresses and retrieved the thickest one, scowling as she added, “It is out of fashion. You seemed to have always minded before.”

As hard feelings passed between them, Maun set outside, keeping far, far away from that forest. The girl sat near the frozen banks of the river. It was frosted over, and dazzled like cut quartz. The ultimate magnitude of the winter beauty struck her. Out here, the sparse trees were blanketed with some remaining patches of snow. The sky was a vivid lilac blue, without even a wisp of cloud, and only contained a soaring bird.

Maun watched attentively as the shape flew closer, revealing it to be a crow. Still it sped towards her, and she did not recognize who it was too late. “You again!” it groaned. “Have you been inside the entire time? Well, that makes my life easier, thanks a lot,” Crow rambled. “Do you know I’ve been searching for you for two days now?”

Maun rolled her eyes, even though she was secretly delighted. She had missed the sour crow…there was something about him that reminded her of herself. She just couldn’t tell what. “Well, I am glad to see you too. Why did you come searching for me?”

“Because I must warn you…Titalukia is no longer in the forest.”

Maun wanted to rejoice with glee. She’d never have to be afraid of going outside again!

Crow observed her, and said, “But it is not gone. It is ravaging your own village.”

***

She ran through street after street, leaping over the rubble. They were nowhere to be found. “Mother! Father! I am here!” she screamed. And still she was utterly alone. The child whimpered, and collapsed on the wood splints. It was going to be a long night.

The moon set on a desolate alley.

***

“What do you mean?” Maun demanded. “How can Titalukia leave the forest?”

Crow hesitated, then answered, “It has not happened in two thousand years, but it is possible.”

She stared at him, uncomprehending. “Then I have to get away from here!” she shrieked.

“Oh no you don’t,” he replied. “Wherever you go, it follows. Until it finally kills you. I did not fully understand the consequences of taking you to safety out of the forest. We should have left you and been rid of a problem."

“Excuse me?” Maun retorted, all greetings forgotten. “You must help me – and you will!”

“Fine, fine, but just one more time. If this doesn’t work out, you’re a lost cause.”

“Wait – what are we doing?”

“Yes, that’s the problem,” Crow mused. “We need a plan. And a brilliant one to get you out of this mess.”

Maun sighed, then asked, “Then what am I doing?”

“Nothing for now,” Crow replied. “I’ll come when I think of something. Assuming you’re still here.” On that happy note, he flew away.

Night Wanderings {4::3}

A splitting, earthshaking rumble woke up the air. The night guard investigated the whole of the village, finding nothing suspicious. Again came the groan, and he snapped his eyes back to the noise. What was that? Thunder?

He gazed up at the sky, which was hosting a honey colored warmth. Morning was approaching, and his shift was over. For now, it was of no concern of his.

The night guard stalked away, not knowing of the horror he was leaving his daylight counterpart behind.

***

A loud rapping sounded at her door, and Maun screamed at it to stay silent. Will you not let me sleep? Just for a little while? The knocking persisted and the aggravated girl slapped her pillow to her ears. She finally decided to unlock it.

A wild man burst through, and yelled at her for something. Maun trembled with rage, and didn’t even bother to listen. No one will treat her like that… She screamed at him again, and their shouts combined into an outstanding ruckus.

“Where is the master of this house? Tell me!”

Maun glowered, then snapped, “How am I supposed to know? And in case you did not know, I am his daughter.”

The stranger fell silent, then started up again. “Well, then you should know where he is! I if you excuse me, I have greater matters to attend to than raging with children. Servants would give me better service!” She screeched one more time, then slammed the door on him gratefully.

***

The stewardess hosted a splendid meal. The master began to eat, but halted into a grimace as some ingredient of the feast was found to be missing. “What is the meaning of this unsatisfactory cookery? Question the kitchen immediately.”

“Master, the daily produce has not come to the kitchen. Do you not remember all of the gardeners have vanished?”

He paused at this, and was interrupted by a flailing messenger. “Master,” he heaved breathlessly, “the daylight guards are nowhere to be seen.”

“You deliver this in the middle of noon?” he roared.

“My forgiveness, but I sought for you earlier, yet without result. The mansion was near vacant.”

“My house servants are missing as well?” he exploded. “I will not tolerate all of this tardiness!”

The messenger rushed yet again, this time not from a furious girl, but a furious master.

Night Wanderings {4::2}

It might have been around noon when Maun finally reached the village gate. Fell was more likely it. She was so exhausted she couldn’t walk, even without the broken ankle.

Eagle carried her over the gate, past the guards…Maun must have fallen asleep, because she found herself in a warm bed. A velvet evening was flushing the sky through her window. Cloth covered every measly cut, and her skin was practically bathed in ointment. The ankle was held in the correct position with fabric-covered wood splints. A cool rag was pressed on her forehead. Finally…she could rest. She was safe. She could taste food and water again, and wouldn’t ever have to go into that forest once more!

The door opened, and in came her nurse with a smile, but faded into a grimace. “So, they found you. Looks like I have to take care of you again.”

“Water,” Maun rasped.

“Fine, fine. Here is your water.” She took the mug and dumped it on her face. “While you are still weak, I think I will take a nice rest. I still get my pay.” The nurse left.

There was nothing the girl could do. She could barely talk, forget calling for assistance. No one will check on her. That was the nurse’s sole duty.

She weakened even further, and took on a temperature, for inside her a fever raged. She worsened…chills, and pains. When she started vomiting on her bed sheet, she wondered if she was truly better off home after all.

***

The small boy was playing with pebbles collected from the bottom of his favorite river. He was completely alone. Soon his mother would be hollering at him to come for dinner. As he set down his stones for the last time, discarding them on the edge of the alley, something stirred just beyond the line of his vision.

It was nothing really. Probably just a cat; how his sister would laugh when she heard he was frightened by a little kitty!

But as he started home the thing followed him. He walked a little faster, then sprinted. The boy barely turned onto his street when he let out a horrible scream. He never again returned to his impatient mother.

***

Maun’s fever died down after five in the morning. The nurse checked on her as a restless sleep woke her. Couldn’t let her die, could she. The girl uttered not a word, for she was but a scrap of skin and bones, and her eyes glazed over. She was so different than her usual snooty self, the nurse noted.

The woman finally fed her properly. There must’ve been strength still in her jaws for she consumed the entire platter of food. She hesitated a great deal over the matter of replacing the dirty bed linens. The maid would do that.

The nurse padded down the stairs contently from her easy chore, and overheard snippets of converse between the master and one of the townsfolk.

“…many villagers seem to be missing, master. Not quite sure of what we could do.”

“Well, these unpleasant disturbances should not be allowed to continue further. I say to find the criminals who are committing these plundering and hand them.”

“But, begging your pardon, that is the problem! Not a trace whatsoever can be found of who actually did these crimes.”

“Then keep looking! No one can get away with it forever.”

“Not who. What…”

Night Wanderings {4::1}

When the nurse reached the gardens…no, they were no longer gardens. They were turned-up masses of earth and hordes of forgotten farming tools. When she reached the devastation, it was silent.

“What happened? Is anyone there?” Deathly silence greeted her words. This did not bid well with her at all.

The nurse inspected the many torrents of destruction, and occasionally found grimy shreds of clothing, as though retched from someone’s large gullet.

“Is – anyone – here! If you do not show yourselves this instance…” she trailed off.

The nurse turned back to the village. This needed the master’s attention.

***

Maun screamed as she fell from the sky. She landed sideways and heard a sickening crack!, as well as an indescribable pain before she fainted.

When the girl roused, Eagle was perched on the nearest tree, his talons exposed with threat.  Her leg stuck out at an odd angle…Maun yelped as waves of pain crashed onto her. She had broken her leg when she fell.

“Why…wh-why did you… do thst…that?” she croaked out.

“Because you needed a reminder that Great Eagle’s talons are neither dirty nor ugly. They are beautiful, strong, mighty-”

“Help me!” she hollered. “Titalukia is going to come get me!”

Eagle began to say something, but cut off sharply. He spread his large wings. “Very well. Almighty Eagle has pardoned you.”

Maun turned deathly pale as she attempted to stand. “OWW! Oww, owww. OWWW!”

Eagle clamped her dress into his beak, and swung her over his back. Feeling very sick, she continued the journey.

***

“Master.” The nurse bowed to him. “I come with an urgent message. There seems to be some wreckage at the gardens.”

“ ‘Seems’ and ‘is’ are two different things entirely. Who told you this?” he rumbled.

“My own account, master. My eyes do not fool me.”

“Very well. If that is all…”

“I have one more thing to say, if you please listen. Your daughter is missing.”

Night Wanderings {3::4}

As the nurse started down for breakfast, the cook cried out, “The master has come home! I need enough ingredients to make him a welcoming feast!”

“At the crack of dawn?” The nurse shook her head, although it was no small matter to complain about.

“Yes!” she wailed. “And I have heard no word from the gardeners.”

That was interesting. They’re usually up before even the sun peeks out, tending their crops. Very strange.

“Can you request a messenger to go to the fields?”

“Does it look like I have one?” she snapped. “I would go myself, but I need to be ready to prepare the meal.”

“Well, I want to eat as well,” the nurse murmured. “Fine, I will go. Though I get a few scraps of your finest pudding when I return.”

“Very well! Just hurry!”

***

The nurse walked briskly toward the gardens. A nuisance to go there at this time of the day. The rays of the sun scattered across the sky like mist; yet it was still chilly. She was looking forward to spring.

As she started hobbling into the hills, she did not notice the commotion in the woods. If the nurse would have walked a bit further, she might have seen a very large bird with a girl sitting on top of it.

***

“Are we there yet?” Maun asked, daring to hope. The ride was beginning to be a nightmare. She kept on sliding off, and she had not one blink of sleep during the night. One knows how exhausted they are after being deprived of rest.

“Almost.”

“Then…then…hurr-” Maun skidded completely off Eagle’s back and hurtled toward the forest floor. He swooped in, and caught her with his talons.

“OWWW!” she screamed, as they punctured her skin and created a deep wound. “Are you attempting to rip me to shreds?” Maun demanded.

“No, Great Eagle is sorry, but there is nothing he can do. It is the quick reflexes of yours almighty truly that rescued you.”

“Humph! Just keep your dirty talons to yourself.”

“What did you say about Awe-Inspiring Eagle’s talons?”

“I said,” Maun spoke deadly soft, “to keep your ugly, dirty talons to yourself.”

Eagle let out a fearsome screech, and raked mercilessly over her face. Buffeting her with his giant wings, she lost her grip, and this time he did not respond.

Night Wanderings {3::3}

The ebony sky hosted a thousand points of light; perhaps millions. The ice-speckled atmosphere swayed in the buffeting gale over the tree-canopy. Maun glided on Eagle through the dark night. She found it rather exhilarating, being on top of the world. This was where she wished to be for the rest of her life.

Springs echoed to their shadowy depths, the only sound in the lapsing silence. Maun did not wish to speak; Eagle was far too rude for her company. Nor would she respond to him.

And so time ebbed away into nothingness, and she found herself anticipating for home. How they will be fretting over her when she returns! She’ll never be uncomfortable again.

A spacious meadow opened below her as the forest finally opened below as the forest finally broke through. Maun felt a joy as she never felt before to see the hills and moor.

“We are here! Fly me down, now.”

“Hmmm, hmm, Great Eagle does not believe so. He thinks we have a long way to go, still.”

“How do we have a long way to go?” the girl retorted. “We’re already over the village. Stop! We are passing it!”

She watched in dismay as the familiar dwellings contracted as they hurtled over the valley. Soon they vanished completely.

***

Madam simply did not understand, the nurse thought worryingly. The girl was not even in the mansion…a silly thing it was to be out at the dead of night. She sighed. The most she could do was to look again in the morning. She should be in bed sleeping, not fussing herself over the madam’s daughter.

As she went upstairs the master of the house returned.

***

“Can you not see we are not even in the forest anymore?” Maun asked in desperation.

“Great Eagle can see. He sees trees and skies, and soil.”

“Then-” as soon as he confirmed his own belief, Maun’s sight morphed into the gloomy forest she despised. How?

“Almighty Eagle thinks it is the doing of Titalukia.”

Anything to keep her on the ground…

Night Wanderings {3::2}

The woman shifted her pearls around her neck, admiring herself in a mirror. It was obvious she spent her days in this grand room, trying out silk gowns and the finest jewelry. Her handsome window overlooked a bustling street, although it was silent now; it was also likely the woman spied on the neighbors while she treated herself to luxuries.

“Madam!” Another woman strode in, not half as wisely dressed, but decent enough. She was a nurse, and even while she loathed taking care of the girl, she did not care. She was in for the money.

“Madam! I can not seem to find her!”

“Now, now.” The rich one turned forward for the first time, revealing her face. It was plastered with makeup and overdone with earrings and piercings. “Now, now,” she repeated again in a foreign accent, “No need to fret so much. Storm into my dressing room, in the middle of the night! I shall not allow such wrong doing.”

“But madam,” she begged in a hushed whisper. “I called her down for dinner several times, and when I checked her bedroom, she was not there. I have wasted my entire evening looking for her!” Not that she cared about the girl. But if she somehow goes missing, she will not be a nurse any longer. No money for her.

“Please,” the woman called madam sighed dramatically, “I am sure she is hiding somewhere in the mansion. Do not EVER disturb me for such nonsense again!” With that, she slammed the door in the nurse’s face.

***

Maun stumbled through the woodland yet again. The plants themselves seemed to be conspiring against her. A completely innocent vine slithered down her throat and attempted to strangle her. She only managed to be released only because Crow felt like helping her.

“Just don’t do it again,” he muttered, but Maun could tell he was tense. They both were.

She must have walked for hours, because the forest showed no signs of willingness to be penetrated. They finally reached a small creek. Maun eagerly bent down to drink the water.

Crow let out a relieved sigh. “Here we are.” But when he looked around for something, his features ruffled, as though remembering an unpleasant memory.

His sudden piercing screech startled her. “Eagle! Eagle! Where are you?” Silence. Then a throaty call: “I am here, little raven. I am here, the Great Eagle.” A majestic bird flew with powerful speed, but he was three times larger than what his kin should have been. A definite sign of swollen pride.

 “I am not a raven!” Crow cawed indignantly.

Eagle shrugged. “What have you come to ask of me, little cousin? What request shall the Almighty Eagle grant you?"

“First of all, lay off all the ‘greatness’ Crow muttered to himself again. “Yes, yes, I guess I want you to get this human brat to the edge of this forest.” He stole a look at a very rigid Maun. “And see her safely returned, I guess.”

Eagle ruffled his chest proudly. “Is that all, little bird?”

"Yes, yes that’s all!” he snapped. “And I am not little!”

"As you say little raven. The Great Eagle has granted your wish.”

“Ahhhh!” Crow glanced at a Maun one last time. “I’ll finally be getting rid of you! As White-Tailed Deer said, I’m sure not leaving you in good hands,” he quoted smugly. Crow rose in a flurry of feathers and dead leaves.

Night Wanderings {3::1}

Titalukia was finally here... Maun was overcome with so much fear that she could barely breathe, but instead of a thunderous roar, she heard a piercing "Caw!"

"You idiot! You blundering idiot!" Crow scolded her. "Why did you not follow me?"

"Titalukia is almost here! You should think about what we should do to get me out of here!" Maun snapped, thoroughly annoyed.

"Well, if you filthy brat followed me like you were supposed to, we could have reached where we were supposed to go already! Now you have to climb the cedar - at least do that right!" he grumbled.

"But I can not! I am too exhausted!"

"Climb it! You worthless humans are just too lazy," Crow taunted.

"I. Am. NOT!" Maun exploded. "If you INSULT ME ONE MORE TIME -"

"Then show me you can!" Crows are not called tricksters for nothing.

"FINE!" Maun marched to the tree, boiling with rage. She will choke him. She will murder him...

Without her conscious mind knowing it, she managed to clamber one foot up the trunk.

"Is that all you got?" Crow continued. I bet mice can do it better than you."

"You want better?" Maun demanded.

"Of course..." the bird picked up an oily tone. "This is just pitiful."

Maun screamed and leapt up another branch, completely enraged. Another, and another, although her trembling frame threatened to collapse. She was almost at the top. "That... shows..." Maun gave up at forcing out a sentence, and simply closed her eyes as though to doze.

"Yes, yes. It shows me to make the best out of what I have," he chuckled.

***

Too much for being an enchanted tree. It was like any regular one, and she felt the branches ripping her dress to scrapes of cotton. She growled at what luck she got to be even twenty feet of Crow. He called her a filthy brat? Well, that was exactly what he was!

Maun's pouting mood, which seemed to have abandoned her for a few hours during frightful traveling in the forest, had come back, now it was clear she had to be out of harm's way.

"How much longer do we have to sit up here?" Maun snarled. "I do not suppose until dawn. I am hungry, thirsty, tired, and deserve a comfortable bed to sleep in."

"Stop your complaining," Crow snapped. "And save your yapping for later. You're very annoying. Anyway, because of your idling before, my senses are going to start weakening soon. And the way out of the woods  is much, much longer than the way in."

"But this does not answer my question!" Maun boiled over. "How. Long. Are we going to stay here?"

"Until you absorb enough magic, so my can hold out a bit longer, combined with yours."

"But why can we not simply stay here the whole night? In the old stories, it says that Titalukia only awakes for one night. Why can we just not leave in the morning?"

"Oh, so now you want to stay here," Crow muttered undertone. "Folklore is not very accurate. It almost never happens that way. Once it's set on some prey, it will not stop. So, human, unless Titalukia is not set on killing you, it will stay awake fifty years if it needs to."

"Fine, fine. So we just walk out of the forest -  and that is it?" All her earlier pleadings forgotten, she began to daydream how she should punish those mongrel children this time.

"No!" Crow yelped in panic. "As I said before -  you should have listened - unless you have sufficient magic, the Path will trail on forever, until all of the magic wears away completely. This is how Titalukia is determined to catch you. I explain tell you we do not have enough."

Maun gasped in horror.

Crow watched her through narrowed eyes. "I only hope we have enough magic to reach our destination in time."

He flickered his gaze around the cedar, as though checking for something. "It's time to start."

Maun began down without ever figuring out what that destination may be.

Night Wanderings {2::3}

A smoky fog began to curl around the forest floor, but it seemed to melt like mist on a warm day when it touched Crow’s cedar.         

                                 

“Seeing that I am now in charge of you,” Crow scowled, “I might as well tell you I’m the Guardian of the Forest,” 

“A what?” Maun asked absently. When would they get out of here?” 

“A guardian, I assume you know how to spell. They gave me this dratted job as ‘Keeper of the only beacon in Titalukia’s sea of black magic’ blah, blah, blah. Whoever appointed field mice as heads of the Wild Council have bees in their brains, that’s for sure,” he muttered. “It means I have to protect this tree, because it’s the only thing here that can fend of evil trickery by His Majesty. Although it is quite a splendid tree.” There was admiration in his caw. 

The black bird flew down to Maun, and stared her straight in the eye. His beady stare was rather unnerving. “Since I am Keeper of this cedar, black magic affects me after a longer time than most.” 

A sudden shaft of wood cracked not so far away, and still Crow still did not attempt to leave. “On this journey, brat, I expect for your mouth to be completely shut. At least Titalukia gets rid of you annoying humans for me.” 

Enormous footfalls, closer, closer… 

In response to this, at first Crow groaned, but then screeched, “Follow me!” 

Maun scrambled after him, but stepped ankle length into a disgusting bog. How can Crow expect her to keep up? 

“You’re going too slowly. Hurry up already!” When he flew even faster, Maun was forced to change into an exhausted run, which was hardly enough to sustain her. The black bird trailed swiftly away from her, until he condensed to mere shadows. 

“Wait…for…me,” Maun panted. Her one flame of hope had been doused completely by fear. She watched him until he vanished to nothing. 

                                                                  ***

How does one feel when she experienced drawback after drawback, until she is back to where she started? 

Maun now knew the answer, hopelessly left stranded with nothing but sheer human strength, will and wisdom, left abandoned, vulnerable and targeted by an unknown danger. Every time when she ran out of resources to rely on, she relied on the help of others. She must now rely on the strength of herself. Crow was not going to get her out of this. 

Maun put together every strip of helpful information she had: there is a path, where dark magic does not fall. There is a tree, where dark magic does not fall. Forest animals seem to skirt through it as well, unless she is with them. Owl had said she can not learn the trail, unless she learned compassion. But had she not softened her hard ways enough? No. Perhaps she had not. 

But there was no one here to show compassion to. Then she can not use the trail. 

When she tried escaping the ground by using the pine, the Mist had forced her back down to Titalukia. Crow is the Guardian of the Forest, Keeper of the Cedar… 

Titalukia loomed ever closer, and this was not helping her. She glanced closely back to the cedar, and with a start realized it had not moved at all, even though she had. “A beacon of Titalukia’s sea of black magic...” Perhaps she had a spark, however dim, after all. 

                                                                       *** 

How should she use it? Having a tree near her did not help her one bit. The only thing she could do now, since she couldn’t navigate herself out of the forest, is escape the ground…Maun gasped out loud. That is it! She needs to climb the cedar to keep away from Titalukia. 

Maun could have sang, complete with a dance. She found it! She found the answer! She did not have time to celebrate, though. She needed to get herself up, and quick. 

The girl stumbled forward, another step, another, ‘till she was touching the rough bark. To climb it was another matter. There was no more will in her limbs. 

No, no! She must! Or she will not live! 

Maun heaved herself forward, but the lowest branch was above her head. Her limp hands were sliding down, back to the forest soil. 

Hot tears threatened to spill over. Why? Why can she not climb this cursed tree? This stupid, stupid TREE! 

With a scream, she kicked at the roots, and swore so foully the elders of her village would have cut out her tongue. She breathed loudly with rage, but then froze. An enormous shadow loomed over her.

Night Wanderings {2::2}

Was it really? But it was; a swift deer, and a small creature that can only be a rodent raced toward her.

“Hurry, child, for Titalukia has smelled you!” White-Tailed Deer exclaimed at her.

“But why have you returned to save me?” Maun asked in awe.

“Ground Squirrel took pity in you, spoiled child. Run to us now!”

Maun swayed to her feet, but collapsed in exhaustion. White-Tailed Deer came to her aid. “Climb onto me!” she screeched.

They sped away for a few yards, Ground Squirrel amongst them, but he soon lagged behind.

“It…is…closing to me,” he panted. Maun did not understand what he was talking about.

“Return back! I’ll take the girl!” White-Tailed Deer exclaimed, but Ground Squirrel did not answer. She froze, and turned around to look. “No, no, it can not be,” she muttered. He had suddenly disappeared. She called desperately after him, “Ground Squirrel? Where are you!” Still no reply.

White-Tailed Deer sniffed the air in attempt to smell him, but she choked out, “No! Why him? Why not me?”

Ground Squirrel had been lost forever to Titalukia.

***

Maun gasped of what would have happened if White-Tailed Deer had come any later. They galloped at the speed of thunder, but the undergrowth whipped against them to hold them back. While White-Tailed Deer was busy lamenting the loss of Ground Squirrel, Maun tried her hardest to hold on. Her hands were slipping…no! She must not become fresh meat for Titalukia. She shall live!

This gave Maun enough newfound strength to push her arms through White-Tailed Deer’s pelt, leaving bloody streaks in her pretty fur.

“He is too near to us!” the female deer shrieked.

They plowed through wild brush and ferns, but the more they progressed, the more they slowed.

“The black magic is beginning to cloud my senses as well, just like Ground Squirrel!” White-Tailed Deer announced in dismay. Maun caught her breath, and her heart attempted to escape from her chest. Please…hold on, just until we are able to escape this forest, she pleaded.

You need help, fawn?” a cool voice sneered. “What’s wrong, old Hungry Face after you?”

Tendrils of vines were beginning to snake into her tired sleepless eyes, but Maun brushed them away with trembling hands. She squinted and glared at the cedar that held the speaker. It looked like a bird, but it was too high up for her to be sure.

“Crow,” White-Tailed snapped in impatience, “It is after the girl, not I. The path is starting to close to me, because I have been with her too long. I don’t suppose you want Titalukia discovering you in your precious tree,” she spat, as she struggled against the forest debris.

“Hmm…I don’t suppose I do. However, I do know the perfect solution,” Crow cooed sweetly. “You simply take the girl back to Titalukia,” he spoke icily calm. “Hmm, I wouldn’t mind if you stay for his feast. I sure would like to get rid of you.”

“That is not going to happen,” White-Tailed Deer lashed out. “You know what an uproar the rest of the forest animals would cause if they found out that you left me to the monster.”

“Well, I guess I’ll give that to you, sweetie,” he sighed. “Fine, I’ll take the stupid brat. Go on, shoo. What are you waiting for, or did you change your mind about staying?” he smirked at White-Tailed Deer.

She sighed, and then turned to Maun. “Well, so long. I definitely did not leave you in good hands.” She shot one last reproachful look at Crow, and disappeared into the trees.