Little Talks
It's the sounds of Waxwing's and Warblers that Auden wakes up to in the quiet of the cabin. The heavy warmth of the blanket tangled about her bare form gently tugs her to awareness. Sunlight golden and bright streams through the windows of the cabin, falling upon Auden's freckle-dusted face, causing the girl to groan and shove her face deep into the feathered pillows, allowing herself to rest a few moments longer, enjoying the warmth and comfort. Finally, with a strangled yawn she curls and stretches in bed, getting to her feet while she held the blanket to her chest. The white pine of the cabin with it's gleaming finish sparkles in the late morning sun, and she can clearly see the thick pelts that cover a good portion of the floors as rugs.
A few curious steps reveal simple art framed on the walls, scenes of wolves, moons and pines. A small hearth lays on the opposite side of the cabin than the bed, it's logs no more embers having gone out while Auden was sleeping. Her choppy bangs stick to her forehead, damp with sweat as she languidly adjusts to her settings. There's no expectations or demands of her; just the quiet sounds of the villagers going about their lives. By the fireplace a small round wooden table with a couple chairs clustered close hold a simple present for Auden.
A simple cotton chemise, fleece-lined leather leggings, a silver kirtle and matching thick furred cloak with a silver brooch, detailed after a full moon were laid out for her. A small handheld silver mirror and brush were laid upon the table as well. Auden takes her time as she gets dressed, unsure of what would await her once she left the cabin, her lips pressing together as Auden wondered what to anticipate today. Kieran, the wolf, had promised her answers to questions she hadn't even known to ask.
And sheltered as she may be, even Auden knew nothing in this world was given for free. Which led to the natural question, the one that eluded her, what did he want from her in all this? After a few half-hearted attempts to tame the frizzed and wavy mess of her bed-tousled coppery mane she gives a small huff of annoyance, setting the brush back on the table, unable to hide her displeasure at her own reflection and those damned clashing eyes.
The sounds of the village flowing about as Auden stood in her cabin was a reminder of the answers she wanted, and she draws the hood of the cloak up, hiding most of her tousled hair as she exits the serene warmth of the cabin. Sun, warming and golden, illuminates down upon the slight, freckled-kissed woman as she squints, adjusting to the light. A few cotton-fluffed clouds drift across the deep azure sky, framed distantly by the edges of the rising rocky cliffs that sheltered the sunken valley.
"Nice to see you among the land of the living again." From further down the steps of the cabin, one of the large oaks the lined the time-worn path that led the cabin back to the main square of the small village, Kieran leans against it's ancient trunk drawling lazily. He holds a large, half eaten white bun of some kind the scent of meat and vegetables from within wafting to Auden.
"I'd think you had better things to do with your morning than stand around." Her words are softened, undercut by the loud growling of Auden's stomach. From below her Kieran's grin stretches wider, one of his brows quirking. Almost... playfully he takes a large bite of his bun, finishing it off.
"I thought you'd like something to eat, and some answers." He holds his hands up once he's done swallowing, Auden having tried to pointedly look anywhere but his throat. "But if I'm wrong by all means, don't let me keep you from your day." He turns, taking slow steps back down the oak lined path. Auden doesn't even have the willpower to pretend to consider his offer as she hurries down the step, catching up to him.
Beneath the golden light of the sun, she can see his face clearly. All sharp and masculine lines, a proud straight nose and those golden eyes with emerald and sapphire specks encrusted within. Scars she'd only glimpsed in silver moonlight, are clearer to her in the full light of day. The one that drew her attention still, dark or no, was the twisting scar that ran flat across the bridge of his nose, nearly extending to beneath both his golden eyes.
She notes thin, white nearly invisible ones on his chin, a deeper crescent-bite shaped scars peeking from the hem of his simple, black tunic accented with silver detailing. Kieran's right thick, full brow she notes has a line slashed through it. Whatever kind of life he'd lived out here, beyond warrior it was clear the way he carried himself that he was a victor as well. Even Auden's very bones and blood recognized the predator and power that shivered beneath his skin.
"What?" Though perhaps prickly, his voice isn't outright kind as he seems to shy from Auden's mismatched, scrutinizing gaze of oak and violet. 'I'm very, very vain' Kieran's words from last night echo in Auden's mind as he quickens his pace, pulling a little ahead of Auden leaving her to trail at his back through the village. Wolves and people alike carried about giving them a wide berth, though Auden would feel their gazes lingering on her back.
The smell of smoke and food hang heavy in the air, and Auden's stomach again growls protesting at it's lack of food. Her freckle dusted cheeks break with a delicate red flush, making her think that it'd of been nice if she'd at least remembered to eat the bread she'd brought last night. Kieran for his part, at least pretends not to hear this time and Auden lets herself believe that as he leads her to one of the larger buildings in the center of Orroux, the smell of food heaviest in the air here. The large stone doors are left open, and inside a mess of long wooden tables laden with food and villagers. It's almost overwhelming and Auden feels herself come to a stop, uncertainty reflected on her face.
"It's our gathering hall." Lacking it's earlier notes of playful teasing, Kieran turns back to her when she stops. "We like to eat together for the most part. Any news we come here to share it among the pack." There's some unspoken promise, again, that she would be okay. It's enough that she gives a small, jerking nod before continuing to follow him. Although the eyes of too many strangers fall on her, Auden can practically feel the respect they hold for the intimidating male she followed.
He acts as if he doesn't notice them, but Auden can see that too-confident smile touch the edge of his lips as he led them to an empty table towards the back corner of the gathering hall. Almost at once a few mostly dark haired people bring food and drinks to their table, but at Kieran's hand wave they disperse without a word. The golden-eyed male seems to move on auto pilot as he picks out the best bits of offered food onto a small plate, pushing it towards Auden.
"If your stomach growled any louder, the humans could probably track you here." The gesture takes her off guard, seemingly focused more on the table than looking at Auden. She doesn't need to be told twice, already eyeing what had been offered her. Eggs, strips of meat, a couple of those buns Kieran had been eating earlier, and some fruit were piled generously. She doesn't need to be told twice, picking the fork up that'd been given to her, managing her first few bites with the reserve she'd been accustomed to growing up.
It's Auden's solemn belief however by her third, measured bite that there was some sort of magic that'd gone into the land itself, the food to make it taste so divine. The strips of meat were thick, still dripping with their juices; salted and smoky. She'd given into more ravenous bites halfway through the breakfast; particularly savoring the rich sweet-sour blackberries and plump blueberries. Beyond each bite, the world around her shrinks. Questions of her mother, and the intensity of Kieran's amused golden gaze fade away.
Remorsefully and too soon Auden's fork scrapes the empty plate, and with a soft satisfied noise she drops it with a small clatter to the plate. Her stomach felt near bursting, as she takes a few sips from the honey sweet mead in the goblet she'd practically forgotten during her meal. For once, Kieran too seems content to keep his gaze on his own plate, allowing her some respite from his searing, golden depths. Around them, the gathering hall had largely emptied out save for a few, fellow late risers.
Sleep had refreshed her, and Auden's meal had nourished her; and now her mind was demanding it's hunger be fed. She wanted, needed answers to questions she didn't know to ask. Sitting a little straighter on the wood bench as it creaked beneath her, Auden clears her throat to gain Kieran's attention. At once his gaze snaps to her, and he sets his own fork down leaning towards her ever so slightly.
"I'd like to hear more about my mother. Your proof," She hesitates a moment finding some steel reserve deep in her belly adding in a firm voice, "And what you want from me." Amusement flickers in Kieran's gaze as she gestures about them, the food and clothes and safety; it all had a price. "I doubt you've done anything from the simple kindness of your heart."
Beneath the amusement though, she can see honest consideration in the way his brows furrow together with thought. He doesn't answer at first, taking a few long swigs of his mead before setting it down with a soft thudding against the old, thick wooden table. "Then how's this," He leans forward on his elbows, his chin held aloft in his palm. "I'll tell you what I know. I'll take you to my proof, I'll answer your questions about her, what I can. But wait until you hear all of it before asking me what I want."
She can see no dishonesty in his eyes, no misleading half-truths just some honest desire for her to listen to what he had to say, and keep an open mind for whatever came after. Auden frowns, and the most obvious question on her mind bubbles forth.
"My mother was she... A wolf?" It's one of the rare times that Auden's question catches him off guard and that mix of amusement and irritation she doesn't understand filters beneath his expression.
"No." His refute is quick and though she expects him to elaborate he doesn't. At least not immediately as he takes another swig of his drink. "Have you heard of the Shining City?" Some vague childhood memory of a city where the descendants of the children of the goddess Tasoula, goddess of moon and magic resided. Some paradise just on the other side of the Tavish Barrens, as desolate and arid as the name suggests. You'd practically need magic just to survive the journey. Supposedly, humans weren't able to enter the Shining City, so little was truly known.
"The supposed city of mages, sure." Auden's agreement is hummed, though her confusion is evident on her face.
"Orroux has a long history with Tasoula, and it's her we thank for our wolves. And for many other gifts." It looks like Kieran wants to say more, but he holds himself back. Perhaps that information would be given after whatever he wanted from Auden was given. "The mages have their own sects, but the ones that still follow Tasoula are sometimes called by Tasoula away from the Shining City to certain packs. Our emissaries. They help preform our rites, connect us to our goddess."
From across the table, Auden suddenly feels pale, her mind slowly connecting where Kieran was going with his words. "They're something between priest and mage. Your mother's line hails from the Shining Cities. Tabitha Silverleaf, your mother, and her line have been our emissaries for generations."