The Sentinels celestial

our village thrives in the autumn season,
the children grow strong in body and faith.
we will send those who wish to accompany you,
but can not promise great numbers during the eve of winter.

the raven he'd sent out for saltlight returned with a whispering message. the dryad breathed heavy, for he knew of the weight in what he asked. they would send those with the will to lay foundations in foreign lands. he could not ask any more from his homeland, and sent the raven back with a many great thanks.

a part of him selfishly wished for the rapid growth of his desires. to see sanctuary built in a day. but he knew the most beautiful of creations took time to grow. for those that bloomed quick often withered quicker.

no, he would not rush the development of this haven. it would grow as the saplings did, slowly yet with great care. and it was in this great care that he took to the edge of the forest, to lay a light border not meant to dismiss, but welcome those who tread across it.

a beacon that there was purpose here — a light that could not be extinguished.

He left @Iseul to tend the fish today, knowing she was more experienced in the drying process than him, setting out to find fresh berries to go along with their meals as they explored the coast. Autumn was setting in, the air turning colder and more frigid but Matteo didn't mind. In all honesty, he hated how the summer heat made his fur cling to his skin.

Nevertheless, his spine prickled with growing chill as he entered the forest and left the weak sunlight behind. He'd always been fascinated by trees, not really for the tree itself but for the life they supported. Watching a squirrel bury a cheek-full of nuts, he gathered a mouthful of raspberries and made to turn back just as an unfamiliar scent hit his nose.

Frozen, Matteo suddenly felt extremely vulnerable. Perhaps it was one of the pack wolves from nearby but without Iseul, what could he really do against a fully grown wolf? The only thing that came to mind was to pray to whatever being was out there that the stranger hadn't noticed him.

opposite of whatever prayers the boy might have muttered, he was indeed spotted, though not by the dryad at first. it had been the raven recently turned free that revealed the existence of the grease coated youth with a beckoning croak.

barbatos turned his attention towards the direction the bird's cry had echoed from, paws steadily marching their way towards the berry-mouthed mirfae. this one appeared larger than the last child he met among these woods, though they shared the similarity of seemingly lacking any parental guardianship.

"greetings," he called out with gentle demeanor as he made his approach, silently taking note of the fruitful mouthful stashed like a chipmunk in the boy's cheeks.

A raven's call from up above, he watched it warily as it perched on a branch nearby and began preening it's feathers. It might've tried to eat his berries had the boy not left plenty on the plant, nevertheless it's beady stare was unsettling. What did it want? He wasn't as well versed in bird behaviour as he would've liked, however he could tell this wasn't just an ordinary raven. His pelt bristled and not just from the chill.

Turning to melt into the shadows, Matteo's ears pricked at the sound of steadily approaching footsteps. Shit! He had to get out of here. The stranger would find him poised whale-eyed with one paw ready to leave as he turned to face the unknown man. Awkwardly, the inky boy stirred his tail slowly, not ready to drop his cache to answer lest the raven swoop his prize.