Blinded

9

The forest was just beginning to awaken as Oli stepped out of the hollow. His sister had left earlier, most likely to hunt, and he had left soon after to meet with Elder Nora. The crisp morning air filled his lungs as he walked upon a trail that he had known since he was a kit.

It was trail that his sister had led him on so many times that he had lost count years ago. A trail that in the summer smelt of wild blackberries and wildflowers. A trail that was a memory to never be forgotten.

It had been five years. Since their abandonment and three since Oli's bad experience with shifting. Spring had come and left, making way for the heat of summer. From what his sister described to him, the forest was a deep green and prey had returned in plenty. Kate had been training him on how to stalk and no matter how hard he tried to sneak up on his sister, he could never surprise her. She always knew he was there, either by his scent or by the many sounds he'd make. Each time he failed, was another lesson. His sister would take the time to show him what mistake he did and what he should do next time.

They had decided to take a break from lessons and Kate was leading Oli down a trail that he'd never been down before. "Where are we going?" Oli asked, "I wanna show you a place... a place that I think you'll like." Kate responded.

Without another word they continued down the trail until something caught Oli's attention. His ears perked and he listened. It was like a melody, wind whistled through the leaves of trees and birds of different species sand with it. A lullaby without meaning. "Do you hear it?" Kate asked and, without a word, Oli nodded. Taken aback by the soothing sounds of the forest.

They listened to it for a while before Oli asked, "What is this place?" "I call it the Ashen Grove. There's a large willow tree here that looks like it's got ash from a fire painted onto its bark. I figured you'd like it here. A place where you can go without being bothered." Kate answered and brushed against her brother. "Thankyou." Oli said. "Your welcome, I'll leave you here to get to know the Grove a little better. Follow my scent back home, when your done." Kate said and Oli nodded.

He stayed for what felt like forever until he felt the chill of night approaching, he filled Kate's scent back to the hollow and the two slept peacefully the song of the forest filling them with peace.

Oli let out a sigh as the memory faded as he returned to the present. Birds were chirping high in the trees and morning dew clung to his fur as he walked along the trail the faint lullaby of the forest gracing his perked ears.

He took his time upon the trail, listening to animals he'd normally hunt scurry away to their dens and hollows, only returning one he had gone further down the trail.

He reached the clearing, and sniffed the air before being greeted with the familiar scent of Elder Nora. "Grettings young one, I am glad you came." The elder fox greeted bowing her head, Oli bowed his head in turn and asked "What do we start with first?"

"Come sit." Elder Nora answered and Oli obliged walking over and sitting next the elder fox. "This will be your first lesson. A lesson in calmness, in being one with your surroundings. Shifting is not just about changing forms but rather changing that of your physical nature, changing not just how you look but also how you perceive your surroundings." Elder Nora said and Oli looked at her, a bit confused by what she had said. "I know what I just said is a bit confusing, but it'll make sense in due time. For now close your eyes, yes I know your blind and you can't see but it will help." Elder Nora said effectively stopping Oli from pointing out the obvious. Oli rolled his eyes and with a slight pout closed them.

"Now imagine the forest. Verdant leaves moving slightly due to a soft breeze. The brown bark rough from the years of harsh weather. The sun shining down gretting the earth with its light. " Elder Nora advised and Oli did as he was told. Imagining what his surroundings which was a lot harder than it looked. He didn't know what yellow, green, or brown looked like he only knew what they felt like. Grass and leaves were soft yet damp from the morning dew. Brown was the feeling of roughness, yet could also be the color of something awful smelling. Yellow was the freedom he felt in the sun, at the joy of being with his sister, yellow was happiness.

He imagined these, forming the picture of what he thought a forest looked like in his minds eye. "Do you see it? A forest of your own making?" Elder Nora asked and Oli nodded. "Good, that is all for today." Elder Nora said and Oli opened his eyes letting the picture of the forest fade. "But we haven't even tried shifting." Oli said, astonished by the elder fox. "It will come in due time young one. Patience is a virtue, for now keep picturing a forest, maybe try to add different colors to the scene. Shift your view of life." Elder Nora said and walked off without another word, leaving Oli wordless.

Oli sat alone in the clearing for a while, wandering what Nora had meant by shifting his view of life. He pondered some more. Before the sound of rustling leaves caught his attention, he relaxed as Kate's scent filled his nose. "How was your training with Elder Nora?" She asked and dropped a freshly killed rabbit, as she moved to sit next to him. "Confusing." Oli replied, leaving it at that. "Well, she is wise but sometimes the wise are confusing. Anyway eat. I know you haven't eaten anything since this morning." She said and pushed the rabbit towards her brother. "Thankyou. Anyway how was your day?" He asked as he dug into the rabbit. "I'll tell you about it later." She said and joined her brother in their shared meal.

...

I apparently forgot to post this last month, super sorry.

Have a good day!

LNF Out