Wondering spirits

A moonlight Ceremony

The morning and evening passed quickly in this little cell and soon enough the moon lit the forest with it's beautiful glow. Clairia could hear the clan above her howling as they ran and her cell door slid open again to release her. Clairia was lead to a red tent with two wolves escorting her on both sides followed by several pups running around her feet. The clan had time to observe her and since she made no move to threaten them begun to relax from her presence. There were many question she hoped this ceremony would answer and with hope that she could change or save the witch of the woods as well as her family was apparent to the clan.The tent filled with smoke from burning sage ass she sat in the middle of it with a fire in front of her and a shaman stared into her eyes."Child, You have known pain and you seek answers outside of yourself. Tonight the blessed mother shines her light upon you, may you find the answers you seek."The woman spoke with more than one voice. Her skin was native american with tribal blue tattoos  and wore animal bones on her pelts. Clairia sat up straighter as clay was placed on her face and then laid down near the open flame. Clairia's eyes closed and as the smoke filled her lung images filled her vision letting herself float out of her body to travel.

Once again the world disappeared around her only to remake itself into a forest of shadow cast trees. The ground smelled of fresh rain as she walked in a direction where ever the pull of her soul took her until she came to a well of sorts with old brick."Hey can you hear me? I know your there I can feel you."Clairia shouted to the well below."You have no need to shout little one."A voice responded behind her. She turned toward the sound to see an older woman with a kind smile and twisted fingers. Her age was older but the year had been kind.She was kind of like a motherly figure with grey eyes that sparkled mischief and a hint of danger."I am searching for the witch of the woods and for a certain soul she is carrying."Clairia spoke to the woman softly while holding out her hands. She held a gift for the crone of a silver bottle with soft blue markings. The crone laughed before morphing into a spindly old woman with no teeth."So child, you seek a nature spirit."She cackled at Clairia who met her eyes with the bottle still extended."I do seek that spirit Baba Yaga and I had a feeling I had to consult with you first. I mean no disrespect but I know for every favor a boon must be given."Clairia spoke calmly but inside she was terrified.The bottle was quickly swiped from her hand as moon dust glowed brightly in Baba Yaga's hands and she then pointed to the trees to the east.

"Why are you so determined to find this spirit?"Baba Yaga asked curiously."She owes me a soul."Clairia responded before glowing bright purple and jolting in the direction the crone pointed. This spirit would not get away from her not again and if that witch thought it would be easy she thought wrong.The trees lit with Clairia's anger and her power flashed like lightening as she went until she came upon an unmarked grave and pulled out the skull that resided there. A scream echoed around her breaking the silence as her witch appeared."You want you heard back? Come and get it."Clairia mocked as she raced through the forest again with an angry spirit on her heels as she raced back toward the well. Once there the spirit stopped when Clairia held the skull above it."My dad for your head witch."Clairia spoke as her hands glowed with flames. The witch turned back to her form from before."You are smart and very persistent. I will trade for your father's soul then."The witch said as she threw Clairia the bottle which she popped it open and swallowed his soul. The skull she then threw at the witch while still on fire."I want answers. Why would you harm others when your job is to lead lost souls out of the forest?"Clairia asked as she stared at the witch."My job is to collect the souls from the forest that is all."She spoke like it was the weather."Why go after my family and father?"Clairia was still furious and waited until the creature spoke again."Because I am tired. I saw you in the woods often and wanted for you to take my place but I wanted you to suffer first."She laughed.

Clairia opened and closed her hands trying to control her anger."Stop trying to cause a race war then. The were kind and hunters don't need a blood bath on their hands and your people can finally be free and happy. They are your children made from your curse. Please stop this."Clairia begged the spirit. The witch only waved her hand dismissing her."The wolves are just animals and as such are my puppets. You and I still have a score to settle so I expect for this to be our last nice chat before I destroy you and everything you love."The world begun to melt away and the witches laughter taunted her as she came back to the tent but every set of eyes in that camp were red.The wolves were no longer the kind and peaceful people she had gotten to know."Ah,shit!"Clairia cursed as she flew off into the night and left the crazed pack. She grabbed Gear war and flew home to warn the hunters about the oncoming bloodbath and with hope, a return of her father.She moved quickly and silently until she reach the hospital and kissed her father's head returning his soul to him. It was then that she flew home and dropped out of the sky with a sick thud into the ground below."Hey, wake up! Can you hear me? Clairia?"Someone was trying to talk to her but she couldn't respond."War, warn the others. Army of hunters."Was all Clairia could say before the darkness claimed her.