The Memory

It was chill on the air this night while a soft fire glowed in the hearth. The soup still boiling, Mama asked Raven, “You can’t forget to stir. My dear child, I hope you’ve absorbed all these books. You’ve read them many times.” Alexandre looked wistfully at the pot. This soup had been cooking ever since they settled here. The cabin was half covered by moss and Ivy when she acquired it. The wild flowers grew and the trees made a dome of beautiful protection. The Forrest has only grown since then. The magic has filled the space with such a warm safe feeling.

“I did stir it. And added a few things. Found some mushrooms and grabbed some more herbs“ Raven didn’t even look up from her book as she twirled a loose curl around her left index finger while she held a book by the spine absorbing the words from the pages. Alexandre admired her child. One day they would talk more about her father and why he was really gone. Her thoughts shifted to more painful thoughts, “This mission may keep me away from her for some time. This is the only way I can hide her longer. Her powers growing and until I can figure out how to protect her from her father, we can’t risk being so close.”

Pulling the metal plates from the cabinet, Alexandre spooned portions of the stew for them both. Placing them in the table, she requested, “Can you come help set the table now? Grab us the cups and spoons.” Raven closed her book and happily jumped up to stretch her arms to the sky. “Of course! I was just looking into some of the potions that give you abilities! And one in particular that removes something from your blood?”

“That’s a good one actually. We will make it after dinner. We could use some in our stores.” Alexandre dipped her spoon into the stew and drew a lightly steamy portion into her lips. Biting into a mushroom juicy with broth, her tastebuds felt a satisfying tingle. “That’s a good add Raven! I love it.” They smiled at each other and the world seemed perfect for a mother and her only daughter. Dinner was finished and the dishes washed and put away. The herbs had been collected and she showed Raven how to roll them together and what words to chant to release the bundle’s magic.

“Now, this herb will keep and for a long time as well. Its properties are healing of the blood. There are things in the wild and the world of man this would be able to save us from. Especially from blood born pathological attacks. The Bitten are some of the most dangerous creatures in existence, no? Their blood affects us differently than humans. What makes us Human allows us to have temporary advances in strength and senses. What makes us casters make it burn through our blood quickly and we need to find a source of healing lest we be forced to feed. If we feed, we become something against nature. These bloodlines can’t mix without a mutation which all but one paring ever have turned the caster insane with bloodlust. This is a potion that allows us to expel the poison in the case it’s forced into us. I’m going to make this into a hairpin to hide it in plain sight. Wear it if you ever need. In the happenstance you must make it while on the go, remember the herbs so you can make it in a pinch.”

Raven eyes were eager to learn more. The Bitten sounds formidable. From the sound of her Mama’s warnings she would have to be incredibly careful about interacting with their kind. She would need to learn more but there’s nothing but warnings and headings in reference to them. “That just can’t be all there is,” she thought.

“That’s ALL there is. WE are casters. Their interests do not align with ours.” That was the end of that conversation. Alexandre began to put away the jars of herbs and the containers they used as Raven replaced the books. She could feel the winds of change coming. Her deepest fears were about to be realized.

Feverishly she tossed and turned as her nightmare raged inside her head, “Nooo!! Bastion please! She’s not ready. You can’t do this”. A large man with deeply blue glowing eyes peered at Alexandre. “You speak to me of rights?! How dare you. I’ll rip this place to shreds. Stick. By. Stick.” Bastion tossed her Mama like a rag doll with a flick of his wrist. This foreboding dream could be heard in her thoughts by her mama. “No. This can’t be. Has he found us? Is he about to? I can’t let that happen.” She gathered her things for her to create a garden with more dangerous herbs so she could fight him. Placing them in her satchel, she placed it by the door on the table. She walked over to her daughter as she slept. Alexandre moved the hair from her face and looked upon her cherub lips. Her small sharp nose wrinkled with a tickle. Her beautiful daughter slept through this horrible premonition with grace. How she was going to miss their quiet moments. Watching her daughter read and listening to the words as her eyes darted over them creating a mental model as she walked through the pages of these encyclopedias of their past. “Alas, it’s time.” Taking one last look around the room, she grabbed her satchel and wrapped her coat around her body. She unlatched the door and stepped quietly out into the forrest. “Watch after her Great Stag. We need her.” Vanishing from her daughter’s life meant protecting her. This was the most painful thing she would ever experience but if she stays, the dream would come to pass.

Raven awoke with the morning birds melody. She stretched her arms and legs as they poked out from under the furs. She could smell something lovely. Rising up she grabbed her robe and went to the stew. She instinctively picked up the ladle to stir. It needed a bit more water. She went to the counter and saw the pitcher was dry. “Mama! I’m going to get more water for the stew. I stirred it before you ask!” Raven slipped on her boots, running out the door and grabbing the water bucket. Approaching the forrest she felt watched. Her senses heightened and she listened for the direction of the breaking branches. Her heart fluttered and she felt something was off. Raven picked up the bucket and walked careful to not step on any twigs and started chanting for the forrest to keep her hidden from whatever danger lurked.

“Don’t fear me child. I am the Great Stag of this forrest. I’m the protector of its inhabitants and travelers who mean no harm. Your Mama asked me to look after you so I will from time to time. If you are ready, we can meet.”

“I am ready. Did she leave? Is she in some kind of danger? Where did she go? Can you take me to her?”

“No. She had an important matter to attend and had to leave unexpectedly. She tells me that you have been having strange thoughts and dreams. You must tell me if you have another one. There is something coming and you can tell me what. Speak to me of your dreams and I will keep a watch over you.”

“I can do that. Do you know when Mama is coming home?” Her throat tensed up and she squeezed her eyes shut as tears flowed out. “How can she just leave me like this?”