Faerie Faerie

20-long lasting

20: Long Lasting

It was irritating.

Every few dozen feet, he saw the small children of the pack. Pups. They kept their distance, but did not stop their course. They were little spies for that alpha, the bitch. Sheila rode the horse, Wolfe led it and Phoenix walked on ahead.

"How far do you think their territory is?" Sheila asked, watching a few kids dash between the trees to stare at them.

Wolfe looked up ahead, his senses far superior with the moon over head. Even during the daylight, the power the moon gave to his other self was astounding. He saw a fork in the road, then the path became more paved and less of a forested animal track. "Not too much farther."

Phoenix had paused, Wolfe and Sheila on the horse passing her. Sheila reached out her leg and kicked her sister, hard, in the back of the head. The older woman held her head and glared at her sister.

"Bitch!" she snarled. Sheila shot her a look, her eyes glaring at Phoenix, then darting over to Wolfe. Phoenix rolled her eyes and looked away from them both.

"You'll head North, and come to the capitol." Phoenix said, still rubbing her head. "Wes will be waiting for you along with a few of my other comrades."

Sheila's head snapped back to look at her "What. I thought you were coming with me!"

"I already told you, I'm going home." she said. "I used one of the harper's eagles the Alpha had, and sent a message forward."

Sheila gripped the saddle's hand hold tight. "You can still come and live with us.... Family needs to stay together."

Phoenix removed the green and blue tunic and cloak she wore. She reached into one of the saddle bags and pulled out a white peasant gown and a red cloak. The cloak was nowhere near the level of artistry her old cloak had. It was a simple red thing, that she had gotten some time back but chose never to where it. Red in those parts of the country was not the same as red in her home city.

"And as your elder sister." Phoenix pulled her hair back and braided it tight, despite the tangles and knots. Sheila slid off her horse, then went through the bags.

"We'll camp here tonight." she said, pulling Phoenix's hair free from the twine she had secured. She began brushing Phoenix's hair, with much difficulty.

Phoenix was about to reprimand her, when she saw the look Sheila had on her face. Tormented, lost, angry, frustrated. Phoenix let out a defeated sigh, looking at Wolfe. "Guess you won't part us just yet." she said, smiling a tiny bit.

He looked away after giving her a cold glare. "Wonderful." he said. Wolfe did not look happy, nor did he sound it. The other him, on the other hand was ecstatic.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Sheila had taken great care in brushing out and braiding Phoenix's hair. They had the same mother, and father, and their genes were evident that they were related. Same dark almost eyes, same button noses, same crooked smile and even the same laughs. Sheila's skin tone and hair were after their mother, olive flesh and almost pinstraight hair. It curled at some spots, giving Sheila a soft looking crown of hair. Phoenix was darker toned, and had fuller, wilder hair. When she could it would be tied back, or hidden under her hood.

Sheila did not speak during the entire ordeal, but Phoenix couldn't stop talking. She had visited the Capitol multiple times, the market was wonderful full of things from all over the country and it's neighboring nations. Food, clothing, trinkets, toys, silks, seeds, animals not indigenous to the area-- the list went on.