The Fallen Sisterhood

Chapter 3

AN: Howdy folks! I've returned. Some things to note for this chapter. Justin and a certain character (who will make her reappearance next chapter) are Valan apprentices (see chapter 2's notes for a little bit more info). Essentially Vala apprentices are assigned a mentor who uses their same circle (more on that in chapter 12). Justin's Vala mentor is the wonderful Mrs.Sive Greenscale (you'll get to learn about Mr.Greenscale in a future chapter). Scarlet's job also never gets talked about but she works as a falconeer with a year round renaissance festival place, if you wanted to know lol.

Sigry and Eva stood in awkward silence watching the waves roll off the beaches of the small islands at New Hillcrest. Eva looked up in time to see a young woman with long brown hair running towards them. She had olive skin and beautiful almond brown eyes. She wore a red flannel button up shirt and blue jeans.

"I am so sorry. My boss needed me for another thing before I could go. He has extended my lunch break though." The young woman said.

"No worries." Sigry said. "Eva, Scarlet, Scarlet, Eva."

"It's nice to meet you Mrs.Von Blyssen." Scarlet said, smiling and extending a hand.

"It's wonderful to meet you too Scarlet," Eva said, reaching to accept the handshake.

"EEEEARAH!" A powerful bird screeched.

A Jorvigian Broadchested Eagle dove out of the sky and landed on Scarlet's shoulder. The eagle had the typical white base with black dots of a Jorvigian Broadchested. He had a black marking in the shape of an arrow on his broad chest. His glimmering yellow eyes bore into Eva and Sigry.

"Easy, Defiance, easy. They're friends who don't want to hurt Justin." Scarlet said, speaking soothingly to the large bird who seemed to barely fit on her shoulder.

Defiance squawked skeptically.

"I apologize about Defiance. He has been protective of Justin ever since his return." Scarlet said.

"No worries Scarlet," Sigry said, smiling. "You're gonna be riding Champ today."

Defiance started hovering in the air. Scarlet walked forward and rubbed Blindchampion's nose before climbing on. Defiance came and landed on the horn of the saddle. Defiance glanced around, wary of the other two people. They began walking.

"My boyfriend will meet us at the Singing Yew." Scarlet said, rubbing Blindchampion's neck.

As they approached the huge, barren, yew tree a crow flew above them squawking loudly.

Scarlet pressed her lips together. Clearly concerned. She pulled Blindchampion to a stop.

"What's wrong?" Sigry asked.

"That was Darkwing. If he's here then Sive must have found this was important enough to be here." Scarlet said.

"Who's Sive?" Eva asked.

"Justin's Vala mentor." A voice said.

A blue skinned woman in the traditional Vala clothing stepped out of the brambles. She wore a blue mask with blue deer antlers attached. Her hair was a dark navy blue. Darkwing the crow landed on Sive's shoulder.

"My job is to train him in our ways. But it also means I will protect him." Sive said. "He has expressed distrust of the Druids. So if you try something, I will not hesitate to attack."

"We would never lay a hand on him. Why does he distrust the Druids?" Sigry asked.

"Perhaps you should ask him yourself." Sive said, disappearing into the brambles again.

Scarlet's grip on Blindchampion's reins tightened, "Let's talk with him."

Blindchampion trotted forward cresting the hill to the Singing Yew. Sigry and Eva followed. A young man with raven black hair sat under the tree. He was asleep, bent forward over a mountainous pile of milk chocolate colored fluff. A cinnamon colored bear had her head on Justin's back. She perked up when they approached. Her eyes were a violet purple. She grunted as Defiance flew over and landed on her back. She stood fully. Without breaking eye contact the bear lifted a paw and smacked Justin's back with it. Justin jumped awake revealing the pile of fluff to be a huge Caucasian Shepherd dog. He jumped to his feet. He had white front paws and white down the middle of his chest like a tuxedo. His eyes were blue with hints of white like the sky. He stalked forward snarling and growling, revealing his pearly white teeth. Justin pushed his mop of black hair out of his honey brown eyes.