1: Smoke and Fire

“ Rise and shine my pretty flower “ Cassia’s mother , Lyra sang out as she flung back the curtain. It revealed a bright early morning sun breaking through the leaves of the shade tree. The shade tree overhung the small Thatched roof burgage. “You have no time for hurkle durkling this morning . Today is Barter day at the village market, and if we want a good spot we need to get there early.” Lyra smiled widely with excitement. Cassia groaned then she sat up in bed and stretched. She let out a loud yawn. Her hair was sticking up all over like she had been shocked by lightning . She swung her legs over the side of the bed, she wiggled her toes in the air. She then stood up and placed her feet on the well crafted smooth floor. She grabbed her hand sewn calico dress and pulled it over her head. Then she put on a hand knitted cardigan her mother made her. Finally she put on a pair of striped knee socks that matched the colors in her dress and her hunting boots. She took a moment to look in the small mirror to brush her auburn shoulder length hair. When she staggered out of her sleeping area, her mother looked up at her “ Oh look the dead has risen from the grave.” Antony, Cassia’s Da, who was already sitting at the table holding her little sister Liliana, gave out a little chuckled. “Eat up, we have a long day ahead of us. I also packed a picnic luncheon for us as well.” Lyra again said with excitement. Cassia sat down and joined her family for breakfast. After breakfast everyone chipped in to clean up before leaving. As Cassia and her family exited the small house, she saw the village starting to come to life.

The village fire pit had been lit for daily activities to begin. The families began leaving their cottages to gather in the heart of the small community for the morning duties and reports. Along with the fire pit being lit the huge public oven was also prepared for the daily baking. The village women were already lining up with their bread boards filled with different varieties of bread loaves waiting to be baked. The village trades men were opening up their shops and setting up the table for bartering. Those villagers who interested in trading were bringing their garden fresh vegetables, eggs, milk, cheeses and bread, hand sewn quilt and knitted sweaters, tanned hides any thing that you can think of, some folks even offered labor as an exchange here in the market square. Cassia and her family were heading to the market and apothecary to trade some dried herbs and goat milk butter, when she heard Ogra the Seer and one of the village elders call all of the children to gather around her. Cassia looked at her mother with pleading eyes. “ yes you can go and listen to Auntie Ogra’s story.” Lyra rolled her eyes when she gave permission. Cassia smiled widely and skipped away to join the rest of the children. Once the village children were all settled she began her story.

“Now this is the wisdom that has been passed down by the ancestors, from generation to generation. It’s called The day of Black Sun. Many years ago the moon was in love with the sun, but the sun only saw the moon as nothing more than his reflection. The Sun was in love with the Earth Mother who cared for all life that lived on her, and gave mercy to those that were dying. The Earth Mother was always in the Sun’s view, until one day the moon tried to kiss the Sun and blocked his view of the Earth Mother. The Sun became so angry he lashed out with an arm of flames. It scared the moon and scorched the Earth Mother by accident. To protect all the living things from the Sun’s anger the Earth Mother released her magic. It did save the surface dwellers but not without a cost. The people began to change. Some became as feral as the wild beasts. Others could shape shift in to animals. Some people became extremely strong but could only survive off the blood of others. But a special few became one with her magic. They could see the unseen and hear and understand the ancient whispers, and feel her heart beating. They could use her magic as an extension of themselves. But they have to give back what they take. So they must keep the balance at all costs to keep the Earth Mother in balance. The special few became the keepers of the ancient wisdom and the seers. She also gifted them with the ability to see a person’s Heartfire. The Heartfire tells of the person’s destiny and who one’s fated mate is. For it is only with your fated mate that you can bring a new life into this world with. If you deny your fated and take a chosen mate, the pairing will be fruitless.”

A small child in the front of the group asked “ Can you see my Heartfire , and see my fate?”

Ogra smiled at the small child and replied “ yes I can see yours, but it is white which means it hasn’t settled yet. You are very young so there is plenty of time for you enjoy your life before you need to consider your fate.”

Satisfied with her answer the child got up from the circle and went off to join her parents. Ogra looked out at the group of children she indeed could see all of their Heartfires. Some were brilliant white while others were starting to change in shape and color.

“If there are no more questions then you are all free to join your families.” The children began to disperse. Ogra saw an older female child meandering towards her.

“What are you up to Cassia? Trying to sneak up on me?” Ogra said with an air of skepticism.

I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your story Auntie Ogra, and I had a question.” Cassia proclaimed instantly.

Ogra raised an eyebrow.” Hum, proceed with your question, I will do my best to answer it.”

“At what age can a person use the Earth Mother’s magic? And are whispering shadows part of her magic?”

“Cassia is there something that you are trying to say?”

“Um no.”

Ogra raised her eyebrow again “ hum” she looked skeptically at the young teenager.”well “ she continued, “ it depends on how deeply you are connected to the Earth Mother. Whispering shadows? Did I hear you correctly?

“Yes Auntie Ogra.” Cassia said sheepishly.

“Cassia do you hear the shadows whisper?”

“Sometimes, I can’t quite make out what they say though. It’s more of interpreting the emotions I feel.”

“That is a very rare gift indeed. Have you spoke to your parents about this?”

“ No I’m to nervous about it. I don’t want them to think I’m losing my sanity. The last thing I need right now is to become the village crazy woman.”

Ogra gave a small chuckle. “ I think you should tell them It is important. I also can see that your Heart fire hasn’t settled yet. I find that interesting as well.”

“CASSIA! TIME FOR YOUR LUNCH, THEN TRAINING”Antony called from a short distance away.

“COMING DA!” Cassia called back

“Training?”Ogra looked inquisitively at Cassia

“Yes, Da believes that with all the dangers in the world I should be able to protect myself. The monsters of this world don’t care if you are male or female or if you are armed or unarmed, they will kill you just the same. He said at least this way I have a fighting chance.”

“Well he is a very wise man for thinking that way. And how is the training going?”

“It’s going, Da says I need to move faster, I can defend myself against a human alright but Vampires and Werewolves are a different story. They are extra strong and insanely fast.”

“Well good luck with that. Now go your Da is waiting”

Ogra gave here an encouraging hug and waved at her parents. Cassia’s mom waved back with a smile while holding Liliana in her other arm bouncing her on her hip. A picnic lunch was laid out in front of them.

“Antony?” Lyra began “ I’m getting nervous, Cass’s eye color, I’ve noticed it’s shifting.”

“What color is it shifting to?” Antony asked with concern.

“Amber like her father’s. Do you think she will change into…..” Lyra’s voice trailed off

Antony put his arm around her. He kissed the top of her head. “It doesn’t matter she is who she is. And it is my sworn duty to protect and to prepare her for what’s to come. That is why we are here. To keep our family safe.”

“ I understand that. Both she and Liliana are very special. I don’t want anyone or anything to harm them.” She lowered her eyes at Liliana. “ I still miss him, I think of him time to time.

Antony looked at her with a twinge of pain in his gaze. “ I know you do Lyra, he was your fated mate. But the council made there demands and he obeyed. The one conciliation is that bitch will never be able to give him an heir. “

“ I understand but I can’t give you one either “ a tear welled up in her eyes.

Antony reached his hand up to Lyra’s cheek and wiped the tear away. “Don’t worry about it, I have the privilege of raising these two heathens” Antony reached out and booped Liliana’s nose. This action earned him a giggle from the 18 month old.

Cassia soon joined her parents and they sat down to eat lunch. Delicious smoked meats, goat cheese, fresh baked bread and butter and fresh sliced apples for dessert. After their picnic they went over to BoldR’s black smiths forge to have some tools sharpened. Lyra offered him the butter she brought to trade. BoldR agreed to the trade and said to return in a half hour. Then the family headed over to the apothecary to trade some herbs for some soap and teas. After the trading was done for the day they headed back to their cottage.

Antony then took Cassia out to the yard and began her training for the day. First they started out with stretching, then they moved onto katas. The first set was for hand to hand combat. The next set was with a sword. Finally they ended with sparring. The whole time Antony was critiquing cassia’s stance and posture, as well as her mistakes in a fight. Lyra would occasionally come out and watch the two. Then she would interrupt them for some chore to get done. The day had quickly passed by and soon Lyra was calling them in for dinner. “Don’t forget to wash up before you come and eat”’

That night at the dinner table, Lyra looked at Cassia with a solemn expression. “ How did your training go today?”

“ IT went well I think “ she looked up with a bit of a triumphant smile on her face. “I actually was able to knock Da on his butt today. I was also able to block some of his hits. So I think I’m getting faster.”

Antony smirked “ You didn’t knock me down I tripped over a tree root.”

“Oh really, I think your pride is more bruised than your bottom.” Lyra retorted with an amused smile

She placed a small bit of food on a tiny spoon and fed it to Lilyanna. The small child grabbed the spoon from her and stuck it her mouth then on her head.

“Mom, can you hear the shadows whisper?”

Lyra looked up with a surprised expression on her face.” Why do you ask?” She said with a tone of nervousness in her voice.

“I was just curious that’s all.” Cassia said feeling sheepish.

“ Um” Lyra looked at Antony for any kind of support in what to say. Cassia could clearly see that her mother was hiding something from her with the way she was acting.

“I think it’s time for both of you kiddos to go to bed.” Antony quickly spoke up.

“But Da, it’s early “ Cassia weakly protested.

“Well we have an early morning tomorrow. I plan on taking you hunting with me again, as part of your training.” Antony proclaimed. Lyra looked at him with an expression of relief and gratitude.

“Really!” Cassia exclaimed with excitement.

She bounced up from the table scraped plate clean in the pig’s slop bucket, then she bounced over to wash her plate off in the basin . She then bounded off to her room and got her night gown on. She folded up her clothes and pulled out her hunting clothes to ware for tomorrow. She came back out of her room and kissed her parents good night.

After the Cassia and Liliana were tucked into bed, Lyra and Antony went outside to sit on the porch and talk.

“ Antony she can hear them whisper, I was so scared of this. She will be able to use the shadows. Do you know how much more danger she is in now?”

Antony put his arms around Lyra and kissed the top of her head. “This is why I am training her, so she will have at least a fighting chance.”

Cassia tossed and turned. She saw visions of fire and women screaming. Thunderous pounding of hooves. Cassia startled awake. She looked around her room and every thing was quiet. She heard the sof breathing of her sister. She could hear the crickets and the tree frogs chirping in the forest. She got up from her bed and walked into her parent’s sleeping area.

“Mom? Da? I can’t sleep.”

“What’s wrong sweetheart?”Lyra asked with a worried expression and tone in her voice

“ I keep having this repeating nightmare.”

“What happens in it?” The anxiousness quickly increasing in Lyra’s tone of voice.

“I see smoke and fire. I hear women screaming, and thundering hooves pounding. I see shadows of people running. I’m running too.” Cassia stated with sadness in her voice.

“Do hear or feel anything else my dear?” Lyra hands started to tremble. Antony by now had woken up to hear the telling of the dream.

“ I feel scared but safe in the shadows.” Cassia replied.

Lyra and Antony quickly got out of bed. Lyra began packing a bag of food and supplies for the two girls.

“Cassia get dressed!” Antony ordered her in a tone she never heard before. She quickly did so without question or hesitation. When she came back from her room Lyra placed the cradle board on her back with a sleeping Lilliana in it. Then the sack of food and supplies. Finally Antony handed her a bow and quiver of arrows. Then he handed her a dagger its sheath and handle were wrapped in rabbit hide.

“Take this dagger it will keep you safe. It is very special so what ever you do don’t lose it. It will also help you find home. Now go quickly and as quietly as possible. Go to the storm cave and hide in the shadows until everything is quiet. You have provisions for five days. I will come and find you in 3 days time if I can. Now go there isn’t any time to waste.” He kissed her on top of her head.” I have faith in you, and keep your sister safe.”

Cassia kissed both of her parents goodbye and began her silent journey towards the storm cave. The cave was the hunting parties shelter it wasn’t too far away but if you didn’t know the path it was very treacherous to reach. One also risked wandering into werewolf territory and being attacked by them. It usually took about a couple of hours to get to it and it was well secluded and camouflaged. She had almost reached the cave when she heard it, the pounding thunder of hooves the screams and then the smoke and fire.