The Bracken Woods gone girl

Set for 01/30/16.

 
Sesi couldn't quite shake off everything that had happened as of late. With the passing of her mother, Scarlett, and the interaction between her and Cicero in Witch's Marsh. Even though she hadn't explicitly given away Desena, she had been manipulated to give the bi-toned wolf the information he desired. She assumed that such interactions were a result of the wretched Shadow King-- the very being that had punished her previously. He followed her devotedly, bringing misfortune upon her every step. Though she wasn't sure why he plagued her so, she was all too fearful even to question it. What would come about her questioning his motives? She shuddered at the consideration of the thought. 

Fleeing the Maplewood for what Sesi, or Kova as she would soon attempt to be regarded as, considered a quick reprieve from her home. Truthfully, Sesi would not find solace anywhere that the Shadow King reigned, and though she was not confidence that she would find peace in her excursion, she attempted to distance herself from the lands from where her mother had left. 

Her thing frame traveled carefully across the snow-swept territories, her belly scraping the ice as she pulled herself further away from her sisters and her packmates. Having had so much grief dealt to her as of late, the young girl found herself all too preoccupied to keep track of where she trod.  Every so often, she would pause to glance about her barren surroundings, feeling brief relief when she found no trace of the Shadow King. 

Her weary paws soon brought her to the tangle of The Bracken Woods. She realized she was in the woods when a thorn pricked the tender flesh of her underpaw. It seemed as though the Shadow King had struck again. Her ears splayed upon the top of her head as she sunk further to the floor to investigate the damage that had been done. Turning over her paw so that she could get a better look, her pale eyes, still fraught with fear, examined the scarlet droplet that had formed over the puncture. 

"Oh, you poor dear," chided a nearby voice suddenly and as Sesi drew her tongue over the wound. Perking to attention, her paw was quickly forgotten, and her eyes scanned the territory around her as she attempted to identify the source of the noise. Whoever had called her to attention was out of sight, and their scent was masked by the woods that surrounded them. 

"Are you alone, dear?" 

Unsure of what to do, Sesi did as she ever did when she was intimidated: she slunk to the ground while her body quivered. 

It did not take long for the other wolf to come into sight and when it did, Sesi's heart did flips within the depths of her breast. The other was shadowy, just like the King who she feared more than fear itself. Paralyzed by her distraught, Sesi remained where she was, her eyes wild and her mouth agape as she looked to the nearing wolf. Unsure of what fate would come across her, Sesi hoped for the best while the worst swiftly came upon her. While her life crashed around her, all she could mutter was a stunned: "Shadow King." 

The figure paused at this; its eyes were dancing as it came to a halt mere paces away. "Me, a king?" it chortled, obviously amused, "No, if anything, I am a Queen." Though this did not quell Sesi's fears, she nodded stiffly. 

"Now you, my dear, look absolutely pathetic," her voice was as sweet as honey as she addressed Sesi, "do you have parents?" 

"Gone," replied Sesi hoarsely, not wanting to elaborate, her eyes falling to the ground between them as she spoke. 

"And you have nobody to protect you from the Shadow King?" This caught Sesi's attention again, and she stiffened at the news as a new wave of fear overcame her. Falling for the other's words, she shook her head in response. 

"Now dear, how awful!" The ink-furred wolf purred, taking a step closer. "No wonder you look such a mess." Seizing the vulnerability of the child of the Maplewood, the unnamed wolf cleared the distanced until she was just in front of Sesi and she sat. Tsking, the woman reached forward body to begin to groom the top of the puppy's head. "You know I know all the best places to hide from the Shadow King-- perhaps I can help you out?" 

Without much thought, Sesi's pale eyes shot up to meet the older wolf's, a sense desperation evident, as she replied hurriedly: "Yes!" Anything to get her away from the Shadow King. 

The glance at the other's face told Sesi a little about the wolf before her, even though she did not keep her eyes on the other for long.The other was black with golden eyes, silver hairs adjourning her muzzle and showing her age. There was something warm to the other's expression, something that made the child feel oddly at ease. 

With the permission granted the other wolf stood, beckoning for Sesi to do the same. When Sesi stood, she was directed from where the other had, feeling safe with the wolf that promised protection from the Shadow King. It was when they were almost out of sight when the larger wolf turned to Sesi and asked: "What is your name, dear?" 

"Kova," Sesi attempted, her expression betraying the fib she spoke. 

The answer was met with a sharp growl and a swift nip to the ear, as the other reprimanded the child. 

Cowering to this, Sesi lowered her ears and continued her pace as a crawl, apparently jarred by what had just happened. She was quick to correct herself once her posture was reduced, to which she answered honestly: "Sesi."

Nodding, the dark accepted the answer and forewarned Sesi if what would come if she lied again. 

"Don't you ever lie to Mother," she sneered, her eyes hot coals as her gaze bore into the children. "I will call the Shadow King to come and get you if you do." 

Fading into the shadows with the threat hanging heavily on her shoulders, Sesi nodded. "Yes, Mother," she replied, vowing silently never to tell another lie.