Fallen Stars

Chapter 33

TYGRON

It was the end of fall. The trees have shed their leaves scattered on forest floors and blown over by the wind everywhere. It is the season when the clothes of the townsfolk have gotten more layered. Though even all of the calmness is returning, the kingdom is quite alarmed because of the announcement of the castle that they are predicting an unforgiving long winter.

A reformation has already occurred months past to address the occurrences, the restless citizens have begun trusting that no one will harm them the moment the sun comes down. The Hunters have confirmed no further disturbances around the kingdom. The Council of Stenbrough had also declared the unity of the Hunters and the Royal Knighthood standing under one banner, ensuring that no inner chaos would occur amongst citizens should chaos from the outside approach.

I have woken up. It was a rather lavish nap with nothing bothering me in my rest. My warm breaths were visible as I stared at the white blanket of the bed. I stood up.

After taking a short nap in the afternoon I went downstairs to see my sister still having the same chamomile as she always had. The difference is she usually drinks these during the day. As my sandals pattered on the wooden planks of the steep staircase Cathera speaks to me.

"Hmm, nothing of those nightmares?" she asked me before taking a loud sip of her tea.

"It's an afternoon nap, that shouldn't be possible. And no, I don't have any of those anymore," I grinned, smiling in satisfaction. I was staring at the steps I made, caring not to fall.

"I hope you are aware that it will be the dance when night falls," She locked her eyes on mine with disdain.

She was speaking of the Saturna dances. The one tradition in our family that we have not performed for a very long time since our childhood. After everything that has happened, intuition spoke for the revival of a memory of a tradition bestowed upon us. Mother and Father's gift to us that we haven't used for a long time, we haven't remembered for the majority of our lives.

The Saturna Dances, how I missed the dances along the fire. In celebration of the last days of Summer, with the Final Mōnath, we wait for the snow of winter to fall, praying for an unchallenging winter.

"I am very aware. Though, who can prepare a celebration for a bunch when there's only two of us here," I replied conquering the doubt she had and trying to replace it with another.

"Aren't you curious why someone is not here?" she said letting out a faint devious smile. The neighing of horses along with the tapping of horseshoes were heard outside, at the front door. Coming together with rhythmic thuds of wood was a feminine voice murmuring.

Cathera was looking at her table, staring at an ant walking across with a white grain held in its mouth. She was just observing it casually.

I walked towards the front door to open it to whoever the visitor came. Creaking the door open, Klaire was revealed walking towards me, away from a full carriage which she took off from. She took the hood of her grey robe greeting me.

"A lot of time has passed, do you Silverhearts actually remember the Saturna pagan dances you're willing to celebrate again?" she yelled, smiling. A grin that was enchanting and lively, sending no compromises as it was before.

"You could help us remember along with your friend that you spoke would also come," I yelled back in a jest, resting my shoulder on the side of the doorframe as she walked uphill, to our house.

"Ah, that is something to question. Elle is one of many things, an owl, or a raven, often in one too many places. Though she is one who rarely understands consideration," she yelled again, looking at the grassy path and pulling her robe, not wanting to step on it, as well as getting sandbur weeds off of it.