The Tale of Two

The Hidden Garden - Part I

To start off our story, I should tell you who I am.

My name is Diaphanous and along with my sister, was given the task to protect Astra charm but we will get that later.    As of writing this entry, I and my twin sister, Soigne, have reached our twentieth summer. However, we have only been living in the hidden garden for three winters.

Our home is a beautiful oasis that Astra's daughter and our spirit guide, Knya led us to. Here we, and the charm, are protected by marble slabs, have a babbling fountain made from large seashells, and a devastating drop for all those who do not know the way, or are unwelcome. You see, our home... our hidden oasis.. Is at the apex of were the forest meets the sea. Oh and the best part? The Astra tree provides all that we may need.

Getting back to our story though.. I can remember very little about how we lived our lives before we found ourselves in this enchanted place.. But that is not what our story is about. It is about the night that everything changed...the night we went from nameless orphans to Soigne and Diaphanous, daughters of the Skulk.

Getting back to our story though... I can't remember how we lived our lives before we found ourselves in this enchanted place...but I can remember the night that everything changed. The night we went for nameless orphans to Soigne and Diaphanous, daughters of the Skulk.

An ebony sky faded into a midnight blue which was the backdrop for a gibbous moon. It had been a reminder of the untold darkness that had plagued the two young women a few short days ago. However, millions of stars were sprinkled behind it, which seemed to eclipse the gentle moon with their ethereal glow. If one looked closely enough, they would swear that they were dancing across the sky.

From the ground, you could hear the sweet lullaby that the creaking trees and surrounding wildlife melodically had planned. Together, Diaphanous and her sister had decided that an open meadow would be home for the night. The scent of the wild flowers overpowered their senses as they gazed up at the stars.

"Look Sister! You can see the stars so brightly tonight.... It looks as if they were dancing across the sky." I shouted excitedly to Sogine. Regrettably, I had broken the sweet lullaby, spooking untold numbers of wildlife with one swift action.

Soigne's soft husky laugh had pierced the silence almost as quickly though. She had been on her stomach relaxing but had shifted to glance up at me. "It almost seems as if the constellations were chasing each other... It reminds me of a story I heard long ago."

"What was the story?" I asked as I quickly sat up. Sogine rarely told stories, but when she did they were wonderful tales that made you feel like you were in them. If she was in a good mood maybe, just maybe she would tell it. "The story is about a fox that always evaded its hunter and the dog who was fated whatever it hunted." Soigne said with a wicked grin.

"Once upon a time ago, in the days of the Greek Gods. There was a dog name Laelaps, he was a special dog that they had blessed. Giving him special powers. This power was the ability to always be able to catch his prey. Laelaps had never once missed a kill" She had begun her story in a clear husky tone. The world had gone silent, as if it was hushed by the mere thought of this story.

"Now there was a Teusmessian Fox.. or better known then as a Cadmean Vixen. This fox had been terrorizing the people of themebs. It was said that this fox also had a special ability. It was said that this fox could never be caught. This uncatchable fox has been eating the little children of Thebes!!! It kept the people of the city trapped.. too scared to go outside." She narrated. "The gods saw this and sent Laelaps on the fox's trail. Laelaps chased after the fox, sniffing out its trail... trying to track it down. However, the fox was soooo clever that it outsmarted Laelap's every move. The dog chased the fox through the woods, always hot on its trail. Although he would never get close enough to pounce or sink his jaws into the fox's flesh... because the fox had always been ten steps ahead of him."

"The god Zeus saw this paradox and decided to turn both the dog and the fox into stone. Taking pity on them, he threw them into the heavens. The rocks hurtled through the sky and they became the constellations. It is said now that Laelaps and the Cadmen Vixen are chasing each other through the night sky. Laelaps always so close... and the fox just out of reach. Each running forever until the end of time."

"The god Zeus saw this paradox and decided to turn the dog and fox into stone. Taking pity on them both he threw them into the heavens. The rocks hurtled through the sky and they became the constellations Canis Major and Canis minor. It is said now that Laelaps and the Cadmen Vixen are chasing each other through the night sky. Laelap is always so close.. The fox is just out of reach.. Each running forever until the end of time."