Daughters of the Night

Chapter 7

For weeks, our only tasks were to fish, tend the fire, and keep a fresh supply of water nearby. Spring approached up slowly and with caution before she finally made herself known. Animals that had fallen asleep for winter were now exploring the lands and watching us warily. Plants that had been frozen were thawing and blooming in vibrant colors. We enjoyed the pleasant shift in the world while it hesitantly revealed itself to us a little at a time.

Many of the women were skilled hunters and gatherers. They were also culinary artists – a skill I didn't realize one possessed until they were cooking with herbs collected after the last of the ice was melted. For the first time, I learned how to add flavor to the day's kill. Juriah and I ate to survive but never for enjoyment. I was mesmerized when Lana fried the fish in oil from a wild boar and added herbs like balsam and wild onions. The fish sizzled and browned before a delicious smell wafted through the air and filled our hidden crevice in the earth.

I spent my days crafting bows with a couple of the women. The bows were made of flexible saplings shaved down in the center for better grip. We were lucky enough to find dogwood for the arrows and bundled pine needles for the fletchings. The tips were carved meticulously until they were strong and sharp enough to pierce through bark. 

We were quiet in our work. At first, I interpreted this silence as nervousness, but then I realized this silence was rooted in relief and peace. It was as if we were all taking a breath together while getting used to this new way of life.

Today had to be the warmest since we arrived. I watched Maia sit on a rock outside our cavern and smile into the sunshine. The women around here started to do that more and more – take time to rest.

I approached her slowly before taking a seat beside her. "Beautiful day."

She nodded. "Thank the High One."

It was a common response. Juriah told me that the High One created these lands and sprinkled magic on certain places. I didn't know much of this magic other than what I saw at the Battle of Warriors. There was something different about the court and the way they seemed to glow of power. There were also creatures from Aegaeon that crossed the border between our lands once in a while. These creatures were harmless most of the time, but they looked out of place in our lands like a black-and-white painting was suddenly splashed with a speck of color.

"Do you actually believe in the High One?" I was curious if the High One was just another thing we believed in because we were told to. Living here for just this short amount of time taught me to question everything. Not because everything we learned in the past was wrong but because the world demanded to be questioned. Demanded to be challenged.

"I believe in what the High One represents. Goodness. Peace. Equality. Justice. Or at least that is what I'm thinking when I reference the High One. I'm sure the Elders have their own twisted version of a god." She looked at me with raised eyebrows. "What do you believe?"

I pulled my knees in and rested my head on them gently. "I hope there's someone out there watching over us. Someone with an actual plan. It would be hard to try and figure out everything on our own."

Maia laughed. "That's true."

We sat there in silence and listened to the sounds of the Egal – giant flying birds with long purple beaks and brilliant white feathers that sparkled in the sun. The magical creatures were flying from Aegaeon. I wondered what other creatures existed outside our little bubble. 

I glanced over at Maia again and noticed how dirty her red cloak had become. Soon, we would be able to use the bows and arrows to hunt for animals and fashion their pelts into clothing. We needed wool too, but it would be impossible to find a sheep out here. Maybe we could steal one?