Greatwater Lake a prayer to the sea

Somewhere along the journey from home, the young Kesuk-Nereides had been separated from her sister. For weeks, it had felt like Lysianassa had lost a limb; since their birth, it was unheard of to see one without the other. She had been ready to give up, to turn away from her destiny and return to her mothers in Echo Cove, but Atka had come to her in a dream. It was meant to be thus, for how could they discover themselves if they were so dependent on one another? It was a cruel and painful lesson, but Lysianassa was nothing if not devout and obedient of her most beloved Goddess.

She exhaled roughly, determined to keep hopelessness from her thoughts where they threatened to overwhelm. Be like Aktaie, the young wolf told herself, be strong and resolute. Although her mother was as stormy and as changing as the Sea, Lysianassa had never known her to be anything other than in control. She managed to keep her emotions in check for a time, but a lump slowly began to form in her throat and she felt a burning in her eyes. When would her destiny become clear, anyway?

When a large swath of water could be seen in the distance, the sob she had been holding back loosed itself and the youth sprang towards it, strong legs pounding the half-frozen earth. She hadn't realized how much she had missed the Sea, but relief poured over her athletic body as she ran towards the shoreline.

Only to be overcome by grief as she reached it, whereupon it became clear that this was no ocean but rather a vast lake. Lysianassa sank to her haunches at the shallows, bowing her head down in desperate prayer. Her mother had told her all water came from and returned to the Sea, in its own time—though it might take eons—and that even lakes, rivers and ponds had their own sort of power. Even if it lacked the salty spray she was accustomed to, there was a faint familiarity. Perhaps if she prayed here, the Sea might still answer. She remained, deafened by the silence of the great water, until slumber took her heavy heart.

She would waken later, wet, cold, and no better off than she had been before. Lysianassa would leave this place, defeated and devoid of hope... but perhaps—though the young pup would not realize it until much, much later—there was a lesson in all of this...