Thread: Hair of the Wolf (Atroxa & Frelance)

Lilura stood quietly behind the desk of the herb and remedy shop that her mother ran, pretending to be wiping down the counter, but really she was trying to listen carefully to the hushed conversation that was taking place behind the closed door near by. The shop was small and cluttered, the walls lined with shelves filled with every manner of ingredient one could possibly need for concoctions ranging from tea to potions that could make one immune to fire or even breath under water. Many of them could also cure a wide range of ailments, rashes, fevers, a broken bone, a balding head, just about anything you could think of. Like most Earth witches, her mother specialized in utilizing what the Earth provided as a part of her magic. Lilura had this talent as well, and had grown up walking the woods with her mother and father, learning about all the plants and rocks and animals and all the different things that they could do. Like if you took the mushrooms that grew after a long rain and sprinkled powdered deer antler over it and then said the right incantation, it made it so that if you ate that mushroom, you wouldn't be hungry for days. This was what her coven did mostly, making potions and gather ingredients, watching over the forest. They were a relatively unambitious and friendly coven, with a good relationship with the town they used as their center. Unlike many witches, Lilura had grown up free of the fearful prejudices still leveled at most of her brothers and sisters in magic. The War of the Covens had been many centuries ago, but people still feared them, even with the pact in place and the Hunters keeping them in check, killing any witch or wizard who dared to break the laws that had been put in place. Such fears never crossed Lilura's mind, she lived a safe, comfortable life, nothing she nor her coven did was even remotely illegal. Lately though, everyone seemed to be growing nervous, and no one would tell her why. Today, an elderly Water witch from the next town over came into the shop, and hurriedly ushered her mother into the back room, where they had been talking for some fifteen minutes. When they finally emerged, the counter of the main desk had never looked shinier, and Lilura quickly focused her eyes elsewhere, pretending like she hadn't been listening in on them. Thank you for the news Gale, I hope you have a safe journey, Her mother was telling the other witch as they emerged, the two of them clasping their hands together, one over the other until all four hands were stacked, alternating between her mother's own rough, strong hands and the older witch's softer, pale hands. May balance find you at the end of the day, her mother added the customary farewell, the neutral one used with witches of a different coven and a different element. The other witch nodded gravely, You as well, Tierra, the witch said before she turned to walk away, giving Lilura a tight, forced smile before heading towards the door. The bell for the door chimed as the witch left and Lilura looked at her mother, Mom, what's going on? Lilura and her mother looked a great deal alike, with the same long brown hair, her mothers pulled back in a bun while Lilura's was done up in loose braids, and both had the same round, pretty face. Tierra's was older and creased with lines, but she was still pretty. Lilura was only eighteen, on the cusp of becoming a woman, her parents had been talking for a year now about finding her a husband with another coven, as was the custom. She really didn't know what to think about that. It was expected of course, but the thought of getting married and leaving home made her nervous. Thankfully her parents weren't so old fashioned as to force her to marry a man she didn't want. Tierra frowned at her daughter's question, and seemed to consider whether or not to tell her for a long moment, and finally let out a sigh. There was a coven killed a few towns away, Her mother told her. A coven? An entire coven? Lilura's eyes went wide. Depending on the size of the town, a coven cold be anything from ten witches up, so the thought of an entire coven being killed was a bit mind boggling to her. But her mother nodded solemnly, Yes, there have been more and more witches and covens killed coming closer and closer to our own for some months now. I have been keeping a close ear out for news, and the danger is growing. Lilura frowned, But who would kill an entire coven? Surely the Hunters- It isn't the Hunters, Tierra frowned, It is some monster, neither man nor beast. I've heard stories of this happening before, bursts of activity where entire covens are wiped out by some evil creature. I didn't really believe them though until now... She trailed off, frowning deeply. Come, we're closing up the shop early today, I want to get home before night fall and I need to go and talk to Brynna and tell her this news. Her mother moved to go and lock the door before they gathered their things to leave. Brynna was the coven's leader, and as Lilura stood outside of her small home near the town center, she thought about this ill news, occasionally having to pause her thoughts to smile and nod at people who greeted her as they passed. She wondered if her own coven was in any danger... what they might do to protect themselves, if they would leave. She didn't ask her mother any of these questions though as they walked through the well worn road through the woods to their small cabin home. Lilura could tell her mother was stressed enough without being asked questions she had no answers too. The sun was beginning to set, it was felt like night time already beneath the trees, which blocked out the last of the dying light, and Lilura and her mother walked quickly, not speaking, wary and watchful of their surroundings.