Gifted Pelt

Chapter 45

Astrila's eyebrows raise in shock, but Kōri doesn't see. He is standing in front of her, too far up to see her out of the corner of his eyes. Astrila's magic doesn't speak any more on the matter, beyond a push forward.

"Go."

She steps forward, up to Kōri's side. "Have you ever been in there?"

He nods. "Several times, but I have never explored as far as I could. There are endless cave systems, and they both seem to go deep into the ground and nowhere at all in the same moment."

Astrila frowns at that curious bit of information. "Why?"

Kōri shrugs. "The caves are perhaps like the sídhe in the old land, just more benevolent. To selkies, at least."

"Why do you say they are more benevolent?"

He barks out a short laugh. "You don't lose track of time in these the same way you do in the sídhe, you only would lose track if you weren't paying attention. The caves don't harm you either, they help you. If you need to get out quickly, you find yourself close to the entrance. It's warm inside as well, you never need to worry about the cold." he hesitates. "Are you ready to go inside?"

Astrila frowns for a moment. "It seems strange in there, but I'm too curious. If it won't harm me to go inside, then yes, I'm ready."

He nods. "Let's go then."

Kōri takes a step into the mouth of the stone seal and Astrila follows him, staying close to Kōri's side. It might not hurt her, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't be careful. Only a few paces into the mouth and the temperature shifts. It suddenly feels like they are standing only a centimeter from a fire on the summer solstice. From beside her, Astrila sees Kōri begin to strip off his heavy clothing. He leaves just the underclothing and his pelt. His boots as well, of course. When Kōri is finished, he twists to look at her, a quizzical expression on his face.

"Astrila?"

"Do we just leave our clothes here?"

He smiles softly. "Yes, don't worry. No one will take them."

"Alright . . ."

Astrila carefully removes her layers until she is dressed the same way as Kōri is. It's a blessed relief not to be draped in all the heavy furs now that it's so warm in here, she could feel sweat starting to bead the insides of her clothing. Once Astrila has finished shucking her layers, Kōri starts to move deeper into the caves. They are both dark and lit at the same time. It's as if the caves around them are making sure they can see the way. There are marks on one of the tunnel walls as they pass it, and Astrila stops walking. She tugs once on Kōri's arm to catch his attention.

"What is it?"

She points towards the tunnel. "What do you think those markings are?"

He shrugs. "Why don't we go take a look?"

Astrila darts forward, but stops herself when she remembers that she can't be running. She grimaces at that and slows to a walk, albeit a quick one. The tunnel is short, leading to a small chamber. The walls are entirely covered with markings, and they seem to begin to the left of the entrance. Astrila walks around the room, skimming her fingers over the markings. There are people, and animals. Seals. She sees images of a great group of seals, leaping over the stretch of water between two islands. One of life, she can see that much, but there are other things on that island, unfamiliar ones. The other island is full of cliffs, and ice, and peace, familiar as her own breath.

Astrila breathes, "Is this . . ."

Kōri's voice is just as quiet, just as full of awe and stunned disbelief. "The history of our selkie community."

The follow the tale around the room, entranced by its details. It speaks of how the island was created, of the leader who gave his spirit to guard the island. Kōri gasps when he sees that.

"I never knew . . ."

That Seal Rock used to be a selkie, long ago?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

Astrila smiles softly. "My magic told me."

"Ah. Sometimes I'm jealous of that."

Astrila frowns. "Why?"

"Your magic speaks to you, it guides you."

Astrila pulls her fingers away from the cave wall as she turns to look at him. "Doesn't your magic do the same?"

His nod is hesitant. "It rarely speaks, it instead will just act as a gut feeling, stronger than normal instincts. It can be hard to understand it, but it must be easy for you."

Astrila shakes her head. "Not really. My magic does speak to me, but it is often vague. It won't tell me why it wants me to do something, and not always what it wants me to do. I still have to piece it together on my own."

Kōri nods and looks back to the story on the wall and continues following it. As they begin to approach the tunnel once more, where the end of the story lies, there is a patch where the story turns dark, fearful. It tells of a danger that is coming, but also of the knowledge they have. A curse, back in the old land, on one of the peoples of the Aos Sí. It speaks of a power that will help, and those that it will aid. There is a flower there, veined with blue in the pattern of the waves. Astrila touches the flower cautiously.

"What does this mean?"
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To reiterate Astrila's question, what do you think that all means? What is the flower? What do you think this curse is? Do you like the History room? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~Goddess of Fate, signing out.