I'll Fight

Chapter 1

I'm glad you decided to continue on despite my rambling in the Prologue. I hope you enjoy the first chapter! Let me know what you think! 

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Chapter 1 

     Light flashed across the sky and energy buzzed in the air as a deafening crack cut through the patter of rain followed by a resounding rumble that rolled across the sky. Though the storm outside raged on, whipping through the tree branches and pouring water from the dark clouds, the person huddled inside the small cabin remained warm and dry. A fire crackled in the hearth providing light and heat to the space and the savory smell of a stew wafted through the air. Suddenly the door burst open, the noise disturbing the cozy retreat inside and the wind carrying in sprays of water as a dripping figure shook themselves out at the entrance. After closing the door quickly and depositing their over-sized raincoat on the hook beside the door, they wrung out their long mess of hair and their darkened clothes as much as they could before looking up and smiling at the person curled up by the window.

     "I was able to grab a few things from the store and in the forest, but I obviously," she paused to gesture at herself, the puddle forming at her feet, and the storm howling on the other side of the door, "wasn't able to make it back in time before the storm hit. I could have sworn I had another hour at least," she said as she slung the backpack off her shoulders and made her way over to the hearth, drawn in by its promise of warmth.

     "Well it is down the mountain a ways. I'm surprised you were even able to make it back up here with the rain coming down so hard," said the girl wrapped up in blankets by the window. She then stood up, dragging the blankets with her toward the hearth. She then proceeded to remove one and wrap it tightly around the woman now curled up on the floor in front of the flames. "I'm sorry you had to go out today, A. I should have kept better tabs on the supplies. It is my responsibility after all." After depositing the blanket on the damp form below her, the girl scooped stew into a bowl and handed it over along with a spoon. 

     "No, no it's fine. I'm glad you told me. I'd rather get what we need than run out. So don't worry about it too much, okay June? We'll just have to be more careful next time. Luckily there weren't any of them in town today and the humidity in the air helped dampen my scent if there were, so it actually turned out for the better..." She trailed off as she gripped the slowly dampening blanket to pull it tighter around her as she stared into the dancing flames.

     They were fortunate to live in a high fae populated area. They were more friendly and open to humans, if not a little mischievous at times. The fae were willing to trade with, buy from, and sell to humans as long as the materials were of good quality or weren't overpriced. Fae, more than any other race did not like to be ripped off. Overall, their relations with the fae in the area were good and business was steady. Today she had gone into town for some supplies that could not be gathered from the mountain. They had been low on a few baking materials, parchment, and storage containers, all of which was kept dry thanks to a quick spell from a fae friend in town in exchange for some herbal tea. Despite the fact that she didn't stay very long, only just long enough to pick up the things they needed, she noticed the town had seemed oddly active.

     Not to say that it was a vacant town, there had just been more hustle and bustle than usual. Like everyone present was preparing for something. The summer solstice was still a ways away and there were no upcoming holidays that she could think of, so the only other reason that the fae would get riled up over was if someone important was coming to visit. She could only hope it wasn't werewolves. Vampires were a close second on that list, but at least they valued humans a little bit, if only for food. Werewolves on the other hand enjoyed hunting humans for sport. Granted some preferred to hire humans to keep house and do the chores, but this practice wasn't as common as the other, so she stayed clear of werewolves whenever possible.

     A curtain of wavy brown hair suddenly obstructed her view of the fire as Juniper leaned over from behind to try to get her attention.

     "Penny for your thoughts? Or should I say a pouch of herbal tea for your thoughts considering pennies are pretty much a myth and we technically trade instead of buy things? Speaking of which, I'll make us some tea! It'll warm you up and calm whatever storm is going on in that head of yours too," Juniper babbled as she moved to grab the kettle off the counter and fill it with water.

     Once the stew was polished off and a mug of steaming chamomile lavender tea rested in each of their hands, Juniper sat cross legged next to her sister and turned expectantly in her direction. After a slow sip of tea and a deep breathe, Aspen informed her younger sister of the odd antics in town and they proceeded to plan their next few weeks carefully in order to prevent having to travel down the mountain for any reason. For meat they would rely on the traps and fishnets that Juniper had made and vegetables and fruits would come from Aspen's garden or from the surrounding forest. If necessary they could also delve into their food storage, but they doubted it would come to that. Water was being collected in the rain barrels outside and judging from the torrential downpour they were experiencing, they likely wouldn't need to collect water from the stream even though it was a safe distance away.

     The only issue would be the orders. They had several they still needed to fill and several more requests might come in during the time the suspected important guests would be visiting. They could always contract a fae to do the deliveries for the time being. They had done it before and there were several who would be able and willing to help again in exchange for a few treats of course. It was definitely the better option than risking a chance encounter with an undesirable party. Once everything was sorted, tea finished, and bodies warm and dry, Aspen and Juniper turned in for the night huddled under layers of blankets and cuddled together. The rush of rain and the retreating rumbles of thunder soothing them to sleep.     

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Thoughts?