Silver Creek Harpy Hare

Haedwig has grown tired. Her legs beg for her to cease, but she pushes forward nonetheless. The journey is almost over, she can feel it.

Pushing through the tree lines stubborn branches and bushes, she soon emerges into a clearing. It is green, untouched, and complete with a forked creek. This is where she is meant to be, she knows it. She has seen it so vividly.

Stalking forward, she drops next to the creek with a 'whump' and an exhale. Now she only has to wait. For Europia, for @Thalassa, for @The Umbra, for @Makhai.

They will come, the queendom will live on, and she will die. Just as was intended.

The raven flitted ahead of its mistress, bright blue eyes marking it as other even among its own kind. Those who called themselves companions to the last Queen of the Corax wolves would know the bird at first sight. Companion, scout, messenger, guardian; familiar. Each Queen since the first had carried a blue-eyed raven on her shoulders. Each Queen would, until the last.

The last.

Thalassa loosed a howl, a mournful song and a siren's call both at once. A beckoning for her brother, who would one day command her army. A summons for her faithful guardian, who would one day stand between herself and the shadows always reaching for those who dared to lead. They followed the footsteps of their prophet, all, but Thalassa sensed a near end to their journey. Perhaps she had some of the gift, herself. Or maybe she was only so tired of running.

The dark wolf emerged from the treeline not so long after her feathered companion. She went to the aging prophet, making soft noises of concern under her breath. You push yourself too hard, Thalassa chided the old woman, eyes glimmering blue-green with the reflection of light on the water. We need you still, Wise One. I fear we cannot consult your corpse for its wisdom.

Home was gone, mother and father falling with it.

And yet, she would never let you know it.

For days, weeks, she had followed after her older siblings and their guard as they tracked Honey Badger across the lands. Europia had missed the witch dearly, much of her time being spent with the old woman in her earliest days.

She knew the situation was somber, she knew that the pressure her older sister had been placed under was intense. She did not know how to comfort, in fact she barely understood why she too had been chosen to leave; she saw no purpose for herself. She was the annoying younger sister, a spoiled princess, and nothing more. All she could truly do was try her best to make the other's smile.

Emerging into a clearing behind Thalassa, she was quick to bound over to the form of Haedwig laid upon the ground. Still breathing. She let out a breath of relief.

Summoned, Makhai dogged the steps of his younger sister as if it were Europia's call ringing through the trees. Head low, eyes scanning the forest, he fell into step at her flank. Even when the sight of their old Prophet sprawled by the water sent her running, the Prince kept pace. His ears slicked back against his skull briefly, but a cursory glance at the old woman told him all he needed to know. She lived. That was enough, for now.

Head up, little sister, Makhai murmured to Europia, words for her ears alone. The Queen is watching. The Queen; no longer Thalassa, no longer their sister. A woman whose every word was a command. A woman who would see even the smallest weakness and cut it away with ruthless precision. He leaned closer to Europia, offering a shoulder for her to brace herself against if she should need it. Now was no time to show weakness.

Among the trees, shadows rippled as a lithe figure moved soundlessly through them, scanning the area for intruders, threats, and any hint of danger.

Lilith Vespera—The Umbra—loyal guard and confidante of the Royal Family, watched as the others gathered around the Old One, Haedwig, while she rested.

She knew the woman well and felt no real concern for her current state—Haedwig would recover soon enough for the old bat was not done quite yet. 

With nothing amiss beyond the trees, Umbra stepped out from the shadows and joined Haedwig and the Royal Family she was sworn to protect.

With a bow of greeting and acknowledgement to each royal face as she passed them, sure-footed paws sauntered up beside their elder, nosing her in the side with a familiarity only a daughter could give. 

“Rest well, you old hag.” There was a hint of a smile and a teasing glint to her ever-shifting dark eyes.

To the others, her gaze returned, not quite looking them in the eyes as custom demanded. Though, she knew that if she were to do so, it would not be as much a breach of conduct as if another were to do the same. “And you all should do the same, my lord and ladies. Your Majesty,” she paused to dipped her head, “I would gladly keep watch while you all do so. However, should there be another task needed of me, only speak it.”

She sat obediently. And though her eyes were focused on the family, her ears remained on a swivel, constantly on surveillance.