The Past Beasts of Birtou (Maidenkin #1)

Chapter three: Discussion Among Beasts

The Past Beasts of Birtou

Chapter three: Discussion Among Beasts

Wren saw Avalan's shadowed silhouette later that night as he entered the front gardens of Birotu.

He walked slowly, seemingly surveying the full gardens around him. Wren chewed on her bottom lip, already anxious about the conversation they were about to have.

The other beasts had assembled themselves in the large front room of the keep. Tabitha had given her a sharp side-eye earlier as Wren left the room, telling them she needed some breathing room before Avalan's arrival.

Tabitha knew Wren well enough to know something was wrong.

Though Wren must admit it was not often the keeper herself went hunting for beasts. Not even did she do it for Tabitha; she sent Irdi after her.

Wren paced by the windowsill, her gaze tracking Avalan's tall figure down in the gardens. She had gone over what she was to say a million times in her head, and in front of the mirror in her personal quarters.

She had listed which of the beasts she might have trouble convincing, and which ones would probably be fine with the idea of sending their precious keeper away.

Beasts such as Fernia and Irdi would presumably be fine with sending Wren on her way, while the rest of the beasts – Sable, Glum, Tabitha, Avalan, and especially Othin – would most likely object.

Avalan's shadow neared the front of the keep. Wren sighed, still not moving away from the window. She did not know why she made such a big deal out of it. She was the keeper of the beasts, their guardian and protector, and she made the decisions on their behalf, not the other way around.

Wren turned her body away from the window and leaned up against the cool stone wall, closing her eyes from the worries of the world.

She could not blame them. Their worries arose after her mother's death when Wren was the only living keeper. One does not have to be of the Birtou family line to become a keeper, but so far, the position has only been within her family.

The beasts grew more fierce in their protection of Birtou's Keep and its keeper, and this has reflected in their behavior toward Wren leaving its premises.

They did not wish for her to travel into Cihnt alone anymore, even though she went alone once every season before her mother's passing. Now, her trips through the western forest were accompanied by a beast.

Wren could not lie, either. She loved their protection of her, as they were beasts, it was within their natural instincts to protect their family.

After her mother's death, Wren was left all alone out here. She had the beasts for company, but no family members or human friends. It was a lonely job, that being a keeper of beasts.

Therefore, Wren loved that the beasts considered her family, someone part of their pack.

Branwen. The voice of Glum trailed into her thoughts. The shapeshifter has arrived.

Dear gods, she was to do it now.

Wren was terrible at arguing, and worse at receiving mean comments. The nerves that had been steadily building up ever since she told her beasts to meet in the large sitting room earlier coursed harder through her body.

She pushed her body off the wall and walked into the cool hallway. Her steps echoed down the space, signaling to her beasts keen hearing that she was on her way.