Silver Creek Tell me, so I say

@The Umbra

The fatigue from Haedwig's long journey was fading, and with that her tendency to move almost non-stop had returned.

Moving through the trees, she was in search of an animal with a decent pelt to use for her herb collecting; a rabbit or a raccoon maybe. No luck so far, her nose losing it's effectiveness in distances far enough to sneak up on such creatures. She knew well that if she were to ask for assistance that she would be provided it with haste, and yet she was determined to do it on her own.

She would not allow herself to become seditary.

I'M HERE

Ever the shadow, she watched her mother, silently assessing her over. If she were to do so blatantly, the old woman would shoo her away and tell her to stop fussing. But, The Umbra couldn't help it--she saw the way Haedwig's body moved slower as time moved, the way fatigued settled quickly in her bones, and there was worry that her time was coming soon.

But, not yet. The Old Crone had more time, Umbra knew it in her bones. She was not done.

Seeing that all was well, she stepped from her hiding place, a purposeful step made to snap a twig, alerting the woman of her presence.

The sudden snap of a twig turned her head. Maybe her scent was fading, but Haedwig's hearing was good as ever. Lilith. She acknowleged her with a nod. More attention than most got from her truthfully, but of course Haedwig had always been cold - even in her love.

Her pause was only momentary before she continued forward. Do you not have a queen to watch over? That was where she seemed to be most days, anyways. It was too bad that the makeshift mother and daughter could not spend more time together, but the witch was proud of her nonetheless.

She grunted with an air of disgust at her given name. 

"Why must you continue to call me that? I am The Umbra, I have been for years, woman. Use it." Eyes glinted as they rolled, the sun hitting them in just the right light to cause the barest hint of gold to shine for a brief moment.

"I do, but same as the shadows that make me who I am, I am everywhere and she is safe where she is--otherwise, I would not have come here."

In a quick leap, she was by the Prophet's side, a question in her gaze. "Pray tell, mother, what are you doing out here on your own? Was the journey here not enough for your old bones?" 

She huffed a laugh. "You'll break a hip out here."

Her little girl had never grown out of her edgy phase. Haedwig had always found it to be a bit comical.

I want a pelt to hold my herbs. The queen wants me to travel to other packs to ask what they want in a wife. She spoke, pausing to scent out a rabbit once more - nothing came to her. I think it's silly, but I'll do it nonetheless. I just need to carry herbs with me. Or her knees would probably collapse - but she wouldn't say that.

I can't smell the damn things until I'm right up next to them anymore though.

A scoff. Sending an old woman to run an errand was a sure way to end her life. If not the journey itself, at least something much stronger and fast will. 

But, the Prophet has surprised Umbra too many times for her to truly discount the woman's will to continue on despite all that weigh against her.

"A fool's errand, for sure. But, if the Queen demands it, then I guess it must be done." Eyes scanning the area, she sent the woman an offer.

"Let me find something for you then. I won't be long." She did not wait for Haedwig's acceptance. 

Off into the shadows, she disappeared. Where she went, it was hard to discern. It was mere minutes until she emerged from the dark depths, a beaver clutched in her teeth. She unceremoniously dropped the wet carcass down at the woman's feet, it's landing a squelching thud.

"There. Gut it out, and you have yourself a nice pouch to carry your herbs."

She smiles when her daughter returns, dropping a carcass in front of the witch. You're too good to me. A beaver - she had never thought of that. With a pelt that deflects water, it would be a near perfect pouch. I'll bring you the meat when I'm done. Go renew the borders, hm?

Nudging her daughters muzzle with her own, a small show of affection, she picked up the beaver carcass and went on her way.