Moonspear The girl who cheated death

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hope this is ok!! @Sialuk

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The air felt thick, heavy, as Zyraena pushed through the last of the dense undergrowth, her legs trembling beneath her. A low, involuntary whine escaped her lips as she stumbled forward, the shrubs snagging at her pale fur.

The landscape stretched in every direction, alien and unwelcoming. The soft light of dawn filtered through the trees, dappling her fur with golden patches, but even the warmth of the sun could not ease the cold knot twisting in her stomach. Her breath hitched as she took a tentative step forward, her paws crunching on dry leaves, the sound deafening in the suffocating silence.

Her thoughts raced--until one cut through the rest like a blade.

Liora...

Her heart clenched as her gaze snapped to the horizon, desperate for any sign of her twin. The thought of her sister alone, perhaps in danger, sent a wave of nausea rippling through her. Liora was her other half, her moon to balance the sun.

"Liora?" she called out, her voice trembling, the sound swallowed by the vastness of the wilderness. She strained her ears, but the forest answered with only the rustle of leaves.

mentions @Liora

Sialuk roamed the base of the spear today, seeking to add a meal or two to the pack's caches. Winter was upon them now, though she knew it would continue to grow colder as the days went on. Night felt endless now, and daylight was a gift. Early light trickled through the trees now, and the sound of an unfamiliar voice pushed Sialuk from her chosen path.

It was a dainty white wolf who came into view betwixt the trees, and Sialuk woofed in the other's direction to announce her presence before coming closer.

This woman greets you, Sialuk said, You are close to village Moonspear. Do you seek someone? Upon closer inspection, the stranger looked thin, perhaps in need of a good meal and rest. The sage could also swear that she looked downright worried, but perhaps she was merely projecting that emotion onto the stranger.

Zyraena’s heart still hammered in her chest, but she forced herself to stand straighter, trying to shed the air of disarray that clung to her. For a moment, Zyraena struggled to find her voice, the ache of her worry for Liora threatening to choke her words.

"I—" she began, her voice faltering before she swallowed and tried again. "Yes, I do. My sister, Liora. Have you seen her? She... she’s like me." Her words tumbled out, half-formed and unsure, her soft eyes searching the stranger’s face for any sign of recognition. The faint tremor in her voice betrayed the fear she tried so desperately to contain.

Her gaze flicked beyond the wolf to the trees and shadows behind her, half-expecting Liora to emerge, a scolding remark on her lips about getting separated. But the forest remained still, offering no solace, and Zyraena’s anxiety gnawed at her stomach like a feral thing.

"M-moonspear?" The name of the village a question upon her lips.

The white-furred woman described a sister who looked the same as her, and Sialuk shook her head in apology. She had seen no such wolf. To the stranger's second query, Sialuk nodded. Moonspear is this mountain, she said, glancing toward the tall peak near them. There, I am High Sage. The label was still new to her, although the Ostrega was beginning to settle into it.

My name is Sialuk Ostrega. Your sister... when was the last you saw her? Perhaps if they could form a timeline, there was more of a chance to find her. With Sialuk's own extensive family connections, she could at least put the word out that this Liora was missed by her sister.

Zyraena took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking, her voice still soft but with a thread of desperation that clung to her words.

"The last time I saw her... It was several days ago, just before I left our home," she said, her lavender eyes momentarily clouding with memories. "We were together in the morning, and then—" she paused, her throat tightening as the fear and uncertainty threatened to spill over.

Her eyes grew distant, as though searching for the missing pieces in her mind, but nothing came. The memory faded like mist in the morning sun, slipping through her fingers.

"I... I don’t remember what happened after that." She looked at Sialuk, the uncertainty in her gaze more evident than ever. "I’ve been searching ever since, but... there’s a gap. I don’t know where she went or why I can't recall the last hours. Please, if you can help..." She trailed off.

She took a few shaky steps towards the woman.

"I would owe you a great debt."

Sialuk was no bleeding heart for strangers, although she had to admit... whatever had happened to this woman's sister could not have been good. Lost time indicated a possible head injury or even suppressing some terrible event she could not bear to think of. The sage furrowed her brow with concern and pensiveness, though she could not guarantee any outcome for this pale woman.

There is no promise we will find her, Sialuk said. With rest, your memory may return to you and lend clues to her disappearance. I will take you to the healing ulaq, she said, beckoning the other wolf to follow her.

Zyraena nodded, attempting to ignore the anxiety which gnawed at her belly.

She was used to certainty, to knowing the path before her, but now... she felt adrift. Her heart ached with the desire to know where Liora was, to understand why her memories betrayed her. Still, she was grateful for the kindness, however pragmatic, that Sialuk offered.

"I... thank you," Zyraena replied, her voice quiet, but her sincerity clear. She hesitated for a moment, then added, "Of course, I follow you."

The healing ulaq was not far; their journey was short. Sialuk was pleased to find that @Bridget had added to the stores, even though it was likely their newest patient would need anything out of the ordinary. To Sialuk, she merely seemed tired and disoriented.

How are you called? Your name? Sialuk asked as she began to pull a few of the dried herbs from their places among the others. She intended to make a soothing mixture that would set the spear's newest patient at ease. A little of this, a little of that, and she had a feeling the white woman would be feeling less anxious in no time.

Zyraena took a moment to process the question, her mind still hazy from the uncertainty clouding her thoughts. Her gaze flicked to the herbs in Sialuk's paws, the scents mingling in the air, and she allowed herself to focus on something calming, something familiar.

"My name is Zyraena," she said softly, her voice steadying slightly. "Zyraena of the Votaries of Hera."

She shifted, sitting down on the ground near the healing ulaq, her lavender eyes meeting Sialuk's.

"Or, I was."