Order of the Golden Dawn (Neophyte Series 2)

CHAPTER 7: WE THE HUNTED

        Setting up camp next to a small lake, we gathered kindling and built a fire as quickly as possible — seeing as the evening glow from the fading sun was the only light we had to work with. Once the fire was steadily roaring, we sat cozily by it, our stomachs rumbling as we waited for water to boil.

    'I guess a watched pot really doesn't boil.' I stated as my eyes stared at the small, steaming pot.

    'I suppose it depends on how hungry you are.' The slight drop in temperature made me wonder if it was about to rain and just as I had the thought, a distant roll of thunder sounded, increasing my worry.

    'I think we should set up a cover for the night. Something tells me it's going to be difficult to sleep in the rain.' Suddenly, I was struck on the head by something from above. Startled, I surged to my feet in search of what had been dropped on me, and the call of the raven high above told me instantly who the culprit was. Directly behind me, a lifeless hare lay motionless; a gift from our high flying friend. Seconds later, another one landed next to Jordan.

    Though she was clearly disturbed by the notion of falling woodland creatures, Jordan's instincts were confirmed; this was no ordinary raven. It had led us to water and was now even making sure we were properly fed, which was unlikely behavior from any bird I had ever heard of. The nurturing aspect of this creature's personality was indeed obvious.

    As I skinned and prepared the hares, Jordan set up a canvas between a few smaller trees that would provide us with shelter if the rain later came our way.

    By the time we finished our meal, the droplets had already begun to spit down gently upon us. I decided to build a secondary smaller fire bordering on the edge of our shelter to keep us warm through the night; though it didn't matter much as the rain soon began to extinguish them both; leaving us cold, vulnerable, and without clear vision to warn us of any approaching danger.

    The rain fell harder and harder upon the shelter above our heads. As I watched Jordan curled up and shivering on the ground, I suddenly felt that I had failed her. With this thought, I hunkered down next to her; holding her close and rubbing her arms, hoping to warm her with my own body heat. After a few minutes, her shivering subsided and she began to snore. In this moment, I felt exposed; for if the beast was near, this would be the opportunity it would have been waiting for.

    After a few hours, I considered waking Jordan in order to get some rest; but I wondered; what if the beast was just waiting for me to fall sleep? Jordan would be an easier target; or perhaps the beast was afraid to get wet, and was warm and comfortable in a nearby cave, waiting for the rain to subside.

    No longer able to fight the lusty call of sleep, I nudged Jordan awake as I looked to the sky and noticed that the clouds had parted; the rain was finally fizzling out and a bright three quarter moon lit up the entire sky. Though everything was still too wet to get another fire going, I was grateful that Jordan didn't have to sit in total darkness. My head drifted down, with these thoughts carrying me into dreamland.

                                                                ~

     Once again, I found myself inside the same dark room as before. Just like then, a heavy storm hammered rain against the windows; but this storm was much more furious than the last. From the left of me came the same raspy voice.

    'The time draws nearer by the second. She is not what you expect, and the moment will arrive when you must decide who lives and who dies.' Almost immediately, another voice came to me on my right.

    'Pay no heed to the ignorant chattering of this vile creature. Your destiny is in your hands, and you must redefine the nature of your intentions; not by the taking of a life or through abandonment, but with understanding and faith.'