Chapter 8

The Christening of a Weapon

I went back to the room I had been in the day before. The key was still in the door, so I opened it. I tried reaching for another weapon but it was stuck to the wall. I’ll have to make due with the one I have now.

I went to the pedestal in the center on the room. It lit up as I touched it.

Hello Dawn.

Would you like to see the first task?

Yes No

Yes, please.

It showed the instructions again, the list of meat and game and their worth.

I could go and catch fish. I know how to do that. That’s also far away and not very popular as the statistics say.

Maybe I’ll stick with the buffalo. Hard to catch, but two or three might be worth it. Maybe a boar as well.

I headed off to catch breakfast for myself. Celentine usually does it for me. But, as I’m all alone I’ll have to do it myself, which doesn’t bother me, I’ve been living outside by myself for a while. With Celentine gone it was hard to live up to my expectations. I couldn’t just sit here and mosey around for the rest of my life. I mourned that she was gone, but the way she left wasn’t like any old death, she chose the time to go, she knew I was ready. The only thing was if I was ready. I guess the task of providing food for the village will be will be judge of that. For now.

I caught another wild boar for breakfast, and the next few days. It was a bit bigger than the first one I had caught, but one stab with the new claws and it was out, no twitches, no running away, nothing.

I took it home and cooked it in a stew. The same one that Celentine had taught me a few years ago.

I ate it up, enjoying it even more as it was my own creation, my own hunted meat, my own cooking. I loved it even better than the first time.

Breakfast was done, I cleaned up and put a few slices of dried meat in my bag, put the claws onto my right foot and set out of the forest to fields in the east.

I think a day of travel should get me well into the fields.

I started putting together the big puzzle of my life, why was it that I was supposed to be the one to set things right? Am I really able to rid the world of evil?

I thought about that and decided that I will have to prove myself. I don’t think that I can’t do it, but I haven’t proven it to myself that I can. I think that’s the first step, prove it to myself.

I ventured for another half a day and my thoughts trailed off. I haven’t come up with a name for my claws, maybe something that sounds dangerous, because they are, that’s my weapon, my first tool as a Huntress.

Claw? No. Dagger? Steel? Knife? I made a few sounds, straying off from anything familiar. Ungu? It sounds tribal and yet rings a bell.

So, my trek continues with me, midday with a bag of meat and my new weapon, Ungu.

There was a trail leading me to the south away from the village, and a vague line heading east. So I took to the trees and ground, making my way to the lowlands.

At first it was easy but I think I wore myself out trying to speed my way up a tree and lunge from branch to branch. There was nothing to it. I just used all of my energy after an hour and had to sit down and rest.

After catching my breath and a few mouthfuls of meat, I continued my journey.

It wasn’t as adventurous as I thought. Sure, wild animals abounded everywhere I looked, and it wasn’t as quiet as it could have been.

By one mile out I had completely lost sight of the towering hill my temple hid within. Dusk creeping in, I reached the plains. Wide fields of grass swaying in the wind, still green after the spring’s rain a few months ago. It was pleasant.

And there was my feast, herds and herds of buffalo, cows, bulls. Deer and antelope springing from one horizon to the other. I think I found my hunting grounds.

Before I called it a night, I had another bite of jerky and sat watching the shadow of the forest close in and devour the plains. The sky turned from blue to navy to black, stars illuminated the fields and the moon shown, penciling in the lost colors of day.

Funny that I never was lost in the dark, I always knew where I was.

I climbed up a tree and draped myself over a branch for the night. I closed my eyes wishing for a big feast in the upcoming week thanks to me and my hard work. Thanks to my ancestors and Ares and Xeres who chose me for this path and watched my journey night and day.

Not too long after I fell asleep an Equine came to the tree I sat on and greeted me. “Hello up there.”

“Hello, is there something I can do for you?” I replied.

“Nothing particularly, I saw that you came from the forest, spied on our grasslands and went to sleep. You look like you’ll be hunting tomorrow.”

“How could you see me? I’m well hidden, and I didn’t see you.”

“We stand tall.”

“But if you stood so tall why couldn’t I see you? I know what and Equine looks like, but I didn’t notice you.”

“We can see everything because we stand tall. You cannot see us because of the way we stand.”

“But I should have been able to see you, you’re much taller than the buffalo and deer, plus they have a very different shape nonetheless.”

“It is just that way, my dear. Equine cannot be seen unless we want to be seen and yet we see all that is happening in our surroundings. It’s the gift of our gods.”

Is it now? I'll have to keep that in mind. I nodded letting him know I was thinking about his statement, and he let me think about it, making himself seem more intimidating.

“Little girl, What brings you out here to the grasslands?”

“I am hunting, for the feast.”

“Little girl, that is fine with me but there are some things that you must know before you venture out here. There are rules and there are dangers.”

What kind of dangers could there be? All I see is grass and future food for the feast.

“First rule, do not take more than you will eat. It looks like there is lots of game but when there are not enough to reproduce, there will be none for the future.”

That makes sense, I only needs a few buffalo and maybe a deer as well.

“Amendment to rule number one, do not kill the cows, females, do not kill the young less than one year old and do not attack the Equines unless prepared for a war, which would soon be over as we do not have wars, we end them before they start.”

“I won’t, I only need wild beast, no Equine.”

“Very good,” he said, eyeing me. “Second rule, do not start fires in the dry grass. Third rule, do not leave inorganic material in the grass, they get under hooves and cause the most painful agony you could image. Fourth rule, which is more of a safety measure than anything else. Do not go out at night unless accompanied by an Equine.”

“Why is that?”

“The Ancient one. She likes to feast on Xenos, not game. We, Xenos, are his game. She was sent to rid the world of Xenos, yet one is not mightier than the herd, so the Ancient lurks in the dark awaiting for unsuspecting Xenos, singled out by fate. And when you are all alone she will feast and keep herself alive. Then continue her wait until the end, when her time comes to end us and fulfill her purpose.”

“That is her purpose? To rid the world of Xenos?”

“Yes my dear, it is a terrible life to live, but thousands and thousands of years she has been waiting and thousands she will wait more. But the end is never known and the pleasures of life remind us of other things than the end.”

“Shall you accompany me to your village and let me see the plains?”

“I shall, only because you are with me, you shall be safe. Jump on my back, and don’t use your claws, please.”

I jumped onto his back and mentally prepared myself for a tour of the highlands. There was so much open space, lots and lots of space. Grass flowing in the cold nighttime breeze, my fur slicking down in the wind and my eyes stung as we ran headlong into a draft.

There were no Equines as far as I could see. Only herds of Buffalo and antelope. They hide well. But I could see them even from miles away. The darkness apparently proved to change nothing as I could still see everything around me in clarity.

I suddenly noticed a bigger motion. A stampede? It was too slow, and only seemed like one large animal.

I blinked to wet my eyes and refocus.

“We’re here.” The Equine told me.

I suddenly found myself in amongst the herd of the Equine. There were maybe a hundred here. “But I didn’t even see them until I was here.”

“That’s what I said. We are seen when we want to be. But you can’t see us, we see you.”

I looked around in the ocean of tawny, roan and white horse shaped figures, while their human torso half was slumped over, apparently sleeping.

There weren’t any houses, no huts, no cottages like there was in my village. “There’s no houses.” I commented.

“The field is our home.” He looked out into the empty darkness and squinted in a stoic poise.

“What if it rains?”

“We go under the trees or, if there aren’t any we’re more than strong enough to withstand some water. The Equine are tough. Tougher than mere humans.” He nodded sagely. “And the other Xenos.” He gave me a wink.

There were a few Equines awake. They were standing at the edges of the herd, heads up and looking to and fro. A few more had been caught awake in the middle of the herd, restless and unable to sleep.

“You will be safe with us tonight.” He told me. “Do not worry about anything. The herd is stronger than one. And tonight you are part of the herd.”

“But why are you showing me this?” I asked.

“You wanted to see my village. I want you to know what an Equine looks like so you don’t accidentally attack one. You should know who we are. Xenos have their hunters and huntresses. You must know that we are peaceful but can be dangerous if prompted. You must know that if we keep the peace with you, we keep the peace between Equine and Feline. There’s more to you than you may know, Huntress.”

Nothing much else to say, and as I was about to sleep before he found me on the tree, he allowed me to fall asleep on his back. He trotted along the edges of the herd and finally stopped in a spot not violated by the harsh southern winds and I dozed off looking into the horizon and above. As I watched the sky the stars whispered to me, wishing me luck and good fortune on my journey.

———

Morning came with a bray and a burst of sunshine. Dew sparkled on the grass below us and, looking up towards the sun, the field looked like a beautiful lake with the light refracting into bright colors.

I squinted and looked around at my fellow Xenos. Equines. They surrounded me, some getting curious and looking at me, pretending I didn’t notice.

“Roland, what is that on your back?” It was the chief of the Equine, standing taller than the others, if that was possible, and being followed by his own herd of females.

“She is my guest and will be practicing her hunting skills today.” He replied to the older Equine.

“Tell her the rules and… Is she a feline, a mere Feline kitten?”

“Are you a kitten Dawn?” Roland asked me.

“I was, I think I’m still growing but I’ve killed plenty of forest animals already.”

“Forest animals! Thats nothing for an Equine. They’re fast, I’ll give you that, but for a Feline, I’m sure that must have been a task.” The chief replied.

“Dawn has been chosen to be the Huntress for the Felines. She’s done a good job already.”

“Actually, this is my first job.”

They stared at me, waiting for a meaning to that.

“I’ll be hunting buffalo and antelope and maybe an adult boar as well. I need to feed the village for the yearly feast.”

They looked in amazement. “So much meat, for such a small kitten. Can you carry it all back?”

“I guess I forgot about that part. But I’m sure I’ll find a way.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“And what kind of weapon do you have? Claws no doubt.”

“Yes I have my claws, and these.” I flexed my hind foot and showed the few inches of steel. “I call it Ungu.”

“Ungu, is that a Feline word?”

“Not quite, but I did think it sounded tribal and mysterious.”

“Good choosing. The buffalo will be terrified you have a mysteriously tribal weapon hanging off your foot.” The chief said, looking skeptically at Ungu in a way that made me think I wouldn’t have a chance against anything.

“Take a… short longbow and a handful of arrows, Roland can teach you to use it.”

“I will.” Roland said. He picked them up for me and took me away from the herd. “The techniques of archery are very complex, yet easy enough for an Equine to teach a Feline. We should be lucky if you get it down by the end of today.”

Then the training started, we headed out to the edge of the forest armed with a few bows and a bag full of arrows.

The tree was the target while we stood fifty feet away. Roland taught me how to hold it.

“First, you must stand proud. Hold the bow and with your right hand, pull the string back while pushing the bow forwards. You will look down the arrow, to your left, not forwards. Stand proud!”

I did all that without an arrow. The bow I had was also much smaller than Roland’s. His was twice the size of mine. He said it was for training young foal, like me.

“Now do the same while holding an arrow.”

I picked up an arrow, pulled back, aimed, and while letting go, my claw broke the string. I jumped in surprise, the string lashed my face, stinging me, the arrow dropped to the ground and I nearly dropped the bow as well.

“I don’t think bows are made for Felines.” I said.

“Don’t worry, any archer has extra string in his bag.” Sure enough, Roland pulled a line from his bag and strung it in five seconds.

He made me hold out my hand so that he could take a look at it. I had fingers that weren’t too stubby. “Use your fingers, not your claws. Try again.”

I tried, pulling back and releasing. The arrow flew straight and true. Right into the trees and hit somewhere far back in the forest.

“Not bad, now we work on the aim.”

We practiced and practiced until midday. I had a good shot and nailed the same tree nearly five out of ten times. Then we sat down, I pulled out some meat from my bag and gave a piece to Roland. He nibbled on it with his oversized front teeth, but declined any more. “Equine are mainly vegetarian, a little meat won’t bother me.”

Instead he trotted along to the edge of the forest and found a stub, pulled it up and started eating its roots. “Do you think you can shoot a running ruminant or swine?”

“I’ll try.”

I picked up the bow and a handful of arrows, stuffed them into my bag and jumped back up onto Roland. He headed off towards the closest herd of buffalo.

I saw my quarry. I loaded the bow while Roland galloped around, circling them wide until closing in on one.

I aimed and fired right at the heart of the buffalo, I missed. Quickly, I tried again, and missed.

“Go in closer.” I told him.

There was one just twenty feet away. I shot. The arrow stuck in the middle of it’s back. It kept running, not even phased.

“Hurry, chase after it and get close.” I said.

When we were right in top of it I jumped off of Roland and onto the huge head of the buffalo, clawing into it’s nose while I punctured it’s neck with Ungu. I stabbed again and again, digging in while it’s head thrashed back and forth.

It’a head hit the ground I jumped off running to ensure it wouldn’t pummel me on its crash.

I stopped and looked back, it was moaning, rolling it’s eyes and bleeding out through it’s neck.

Rolland called out to me, slowing up just ten feet behind me. “Put it out of it’s misery. It’s unkind.”

I stepped on it’s neck and flexed my claws, allowing Ungu to finish the job. The neck was severed and blood gushed all around.

“Satisfied?” I asked Roland.

“I am, and you?”

“I will need more meat. An antelope and a large boar.”

“That we can do. Should I have a few good fellow Equine pack him to your village?”

“If you insist. I’m not sure how I could.”

He whistled and two Equine were right by his side, slowing from their journey, yet, in no time at all. I hadn’t seen them in the distance, and I don’t see any Equine besides the three in front of me.

“Take this one to the Feline village.” Roland told them.

“To the temple at the top of the hill.” I added. It is my gift to the village and royalty, if they see it coming it wouldn’t be a surprise.

They lugged the beast onto their back and started trotting off into the jungle.

“Can they manage? The beast is much bigger than them.”

“There aren’t many things Equine cannot manage, carrying a buffalo is rather easy.”

“Thank you.”

He motioned for me to jump on his back again. We rode off to catch the next one.

“The antelope are fast, even faster than an Equine at times. But, don’t worry, with me, you will catch it.”

We found the herd of antelope, lots and lots of little deer with black and white markings over their face. This one should be easy.

Roland split the herd through the middle and ran right through.

I loaded the bow before and shot blindly into the crowd. There were so many I didn’t even have to aim.

I looked back once we got though but found I hadn’t hit one.

We ran through the now chaotic herd. I decided Ungu was the way to go. I jumped off of Roland and fell onto an antelope. Twice the size of myself, but still light, bounding easily through the grasses.

I held onto its hide while it thrashed around more nimbly than the buffalo. But the smaller animal wasn’t easier, I was slipping and being jerked from one side to the other. Finally I got a hold and decided to just get on with it instead of loose my catch. I noticed hide wasn’t as thick as a buffalo when Ungu slid through the ribs with one clean stroke. I didn’t wait for the antelope to stop, I jumped off and let it run out until it hit the ground.

Another Equine had already shown up and started to look at the antelope. He asked if he should take it to the Feline village as well.

I told him, “Yes, thank you. To the temple at the top of the hill, please. That is my home.”

He nodded and trotted off with the small beast limp in his hands.

“One more before sunset Huntress, a lot of work in one day.”

“One more.” I breathed. The adrenaline was pumping through my veins, though it wasn’t too much work, I could tell I would be tired tonight.

“Help me find the boar and I will hunt him myself.”

“Are you sure?” Roland replied. “They can be three times your size, with tusks that can knock you out. Plus, they are closer to you, being low on the ground, they’ll charge you more readily than the others.”

“I can manage, this is my job, is it not?”

Roland laughed, I maintained my determination and jumped onto his back. “If you can jump onto my back you should be able to jump over a boar.”

“I know.” I said.

There was a small herd of boar just in front of us now, less than ten. I jumped off of Roland before they could see us. Roland slowed and circled back to me. I was slinking through the grass and arrived twenty feet to the side of the boars. There weren’t too many, I only need one.

I positioned myself downwind from them. They still hadn’t noticed me. I couldn’t see them now, so they couldn’t see me. The only thing I could count on was their smell and low grunts.

I started taking a step forward. Ungu tight in my hind foot, it’s steel hidden in between fur and my own claws, only the tips puncturing the earth.

Slowly, a few more steps and I’d be able to pounce.

Quiet footsteps led me on closer to the boar.

I could hear it was only ten feet away now, with the grass between us neither of us could see each other, not until barely two feet away, which meant two or three pounces, two or three glimpses, and I could only correct my distance two or three times.

I plunged up and forward, getting a sight on him. It was the largest one there. I landed, and he saw me of course, my momentum kept me flying forwards while I jumped again, faster than the boar. I landed right where he was, sprinting another few steps to get closer. I dived forward one more time, locking my claws into his rough back, Ungu dived for the haunches, once more and the abdomen ruptured in blood. The boar letting out a wild squeal. I jumped off, completing my spurt and dropped to the ground waiting for the others to clear out. Keeping alert in case one came back to attack.

Rustling sounded from the side, I hunkered down staring through the grass. I saw something else.

Though I might have been expecting Roland to come and celebrate the last kill, I heard a low thud and a rustling sound, a few clicks and more rustling.

It was a Xeno, one with a pointy nose and... wings.

“I saw your kill. You’re fast and skilled.”

I didn’t know what to say or answer. “Are you an Aves?”

“I am, how did you know? You must be a Feline.” He said sarcastically. The most obvious things about us.

Roland trotted up bring the rest of the Equines. “Get out of here, you pest.”

“I am no pest. I was merely watching the Feline kill the boar. I came down here to compliment her on her skill and speed.”

“Now be off.”

The Aves flew up and left, leaving a dark feather behind. I picked it up and looked at it. I’ll have to keep it for later, I thought, and put it in my bag.

“Huntress, you did so well.” He said.

He didn’t have to tell me this time, I went over to the boar to put my foot down on its ribs and Ungu stopped his heart.

A few more Equine were there and congratulated me as well. They arrived the same way they usually do, out of nowhere. One moment it was an empty plain and the next the Equine were right beside me. They were cheering and stomping the ground,

Roland picked me up and picked up the boar and looked at it. “You definitely killed it. Not as efficient as a bow and arrow like an Equine would do.” He said condescendingly, then smiled. “Let us take it to your temple, Huntress!”

We left the fields and trotted to the forest whence I came. The Equine herd following us as Roland kept a fast trot. I heard their cheers of, “The new Huntress!” And other admirable things suggesting the Equines were always waiting for me.

Once we arrived at the forest, Roland said farewell to the Equine and said that he’ll be back in no time.

I led him through the forest, me taking to the trees more than the ground.

Roland was very quick, galloping through the overgrown brush. He made it look so easy with his long bounds and speed, always vigilant of the next step, never missing, never faltering, so efficient. I had to keep up with him, running on branches, jumping and climbing another tree; and sometimes never climbing but instead defying gravity and soaring from one tree to the next.

We arrived back to the temple in less than half the time it took me to find the grassland. He dropped the boar near the front of the temple, next to the buffalo and antelope.

The other three Equine were there, grazing before we showed up. I was amazed we didn’t pass the two with the buffalo, it was such a big beast.

“Do you know how to cook this meat, Huntress?” One asked.

“I do, but I don’t have enough pots and pans.”

“Do you have a village cook?”

“Maybe.” I answered.

Another butted in, “What you do is find the best complimentary herbs and spices for each, I see you have them all in the garden, and make a pit of hot burning coals, and throw the meat in side and cover it up with grass or dirt.”

“How do you know all this?” The other Equine asked.

“Some of the very few times I ate meat, it was prepared like this. It was the best.”

“The best compared to what? You haven’t eaten any other kind of meat.”

“I’m saying that because I know. I only eat good food and I only give good advice, so if you doubt me, Lars, you doubt the ancestors and my good knowingness.”

“That would mean—.”

“Enough Lars, I’m sure there are ways the Huntress cooks her food. Just they way a Feline cooks or is taught to cook. Am I right?”

I stammered as I didn’t really know, but I answered, “That is right Roland. I will ensure it is cooked to the best of the Felines ability.”

“See Lars? See Kenton? She already has plans, and though you may have a good recipe, she can manage. Thank you very much.” And he stamped a hoof.

“Thank you Roland.” I said, acknowledging their help.

I sent them on their way. “Thank you Lars, Kenton and...”

“Stan.”

“Thank you Stan. You’ve been a great help. I don’t know how I would have gotten the animals back here.”

The Equines left, galloping down the rough path into the forest and out to the Grasslands.

Now was time to figure out how to cook the meat.

Doesn’t it have to be prepared first?

The butcher in the village should know. But I haven’t ever been to the village since I had left, I wouldn’t know where he was.

Maybe I’ll go back to the room and see if I have any instructions on cooking meat for the feast.

I went inside the temple. I was really tired, a days walk, half a day of learning to use a bow and arrow, half a day to hunt and another half a day to walk back, and hardly any sleep.

But I can’t leave the meat out there bugs and animals will come and get it, ruining a whole day’s worth of hard work. I had better figure out what to do with it before the bugs get to it.

I walked past my room as it called me to come sleep and stepped into the first room. It was the same as it had been for the last few days ever since I took Ungu from the wall and started it’s career as a beast killer.

I walked up to the pedestal in the middle and touched the screen. Blue lights crescendoed and a message appeared.

Welcome Dawn,

Very well done on having hunted and brought back the beasts of the King and Queens banquet.

I hope they shall enjoy it.

If you haven’t already, please bring the meat to the village butcher so that the meat will be prepared.

Ask no questions, give no answers. The message you will give the butcher is this:

“For the King and Queen’s banquet. From the Huntress.”

Wow! how did it know I had already brought the meat? I’ll gladly take the compliment.

Second thing, now I know what to do with the meat, but I’m sure it isn’t going to be easy getting it to the butcher’s, hopefully it’s not too far away.

The screen changed the moment I asked myself.

Do you need a map to the butcher’s house?

Yes No

Yes, please.

The screen changed to a very vivid map of the forest’s village with a line from the temple to the village. Another picture showed me what the house looked like.

I went outside and found it was dark already, probably nobody home, but I’m sure it will take me until morning to get all the meat down there myself.

I looked to the meat to see if I could figure out how to carry it all, but in front of me was that Aves that I had seen earlier.

“Hello young Huntress.”

“Hello, who are you?” I asked.

“I am Farrow.”

“Nice to meet you.” He didn’t seem like such a bad bird, though the Equines sure didn’t like him. “I took one of your feathers, if you don’t mind. It fell when you took off.”

“Not a problem, they do that sometimes you know.”

“Is there something you want?” I asked him.

“I want lots off things. Just not what you have. Thanks.”

I looked at him peculiarly, in such a way that I asked him why he was here without saying it.

“I just wanted to see if you needed any help. I’m very curious you know.” Farrow told me.

“Thank you,” I said, “I have all this meat to carry to the butcher. If you can carry it, I would appreciate all the help.”

“Absolutely, I can carry the smaller pieces and fly them over to the butcher.”

He picked up one of the pieces and I took another one and we both headed for for the village. He flew ahead and waited for me as I was on foot carrying dragging a large bulk of the meat.

“You know,” Farrow said, “If I were you I would find a cart to carry this in and take it in one or two trips.”

“I think your right. It’s not going to be fast dragging everything down like this.”

We finished our first small trip and Farrow found a cart. “This one should work, I don’t think anyone’s using it right now. There’s just a few scraps of hay in it and it’s too late at night, or too early in the morning, for anyone to be using it. One hour should get the work done, and when the butcher wakes up in the morning you’ll be sitting here having finished your work long before.”

“Great idea. I’ll just run this to the temple and grab the next load. Hopefully everything fits inside.”

“I’m always happy to help, Huntress. I’ll see you later, I do have things to attend to.”

Farrow flew off and I made my way up to the temple.

I loaded the whole buffalo and went back to the butcher’s. Fortunately it was the all downhill and the dead of night, there was nobody around to see me and nobody awake at this time.

Maybe I was scared of seeing my fellow Felines, maybe I was just uncomfortable, but I hadn’t met any before, and I wouldn’t know what to say to anyone, even my family. Maybe they would be the ones to start the conversation. But I’m not supposed to tell them everything. That’s what Celentine said.

The last of the meat was in the cart, the Boar and the other half of the Antelope. I pushed it down the path and back to the village.

I had finished and there still wasn’t any light coming over the forest top, so I sat down and let myself wait for the butcher to wake up, imagining the feast before it happened.

I imagined long tables and the King and the Queen at the end, enjoying my meat, blood pooling on their plates while the red meat was cut and tried for the first time this year. The entire village gathered for the food and festivities to launch the new year and end a successful last year.

I savored the thoughts and sat up, aware that it’s still night and the butcher isn’t going to wake up soon. I could take a nap. I sure was tired after such a day, but I won’t be seen sleeping outside in the village streets, I’d die from embarrassment.

Just then Farrow came back and landed in front of me. “You’ve finished! See, I told you it would be much faster.”

“Thanks. I thought you had matters to attend to.”

“I did, but they don’t have to be seen to at this moment. Would you like a ride? I can show you the forest from up there.” He said, pointing to the sky.

“Can you? I’ve never been that high, just up to the top of the mountain.” I pointed to the high point of the hill the temple sat on.

“We can go much higher. I don’t know if you can see much at night, but I’m sure you can see something.”

He grabbed my by the shoulders and I grabbed his legs and we took off, we passed the top of the jungle trees and then the temple and soon we were flying higher than the mountains.

He took me to the east and over the plains, where all you could see were the rolling hill of the grasslands and the outskirts of Xenobia city. The city in the middle of the planet. So much life and wilderness that I have yet to explore.

The sun was coming over the horizon and shone over the city, “Don’t worry, we’ll make it back before the sun reaches your village.” Farrow told me. He turned and headed northwest.

It was very cold, much, much colder here than in the jungle. Luckily I had fur and lots of it to keep me warm, but going north was even colder and I could see the snow off in the distance. Cold snow covered ground, while geothermal springs shone and produced clouds that rose up to meet us.

Farrow, turned back, this time towards the jungle, I could see the northern tip of it already. He lowered the altitude and let us sink back into the forest as we got consumed in darkness again.

“The sun will follow us and it will be light in about an hour from now.” Farrow said as he set me down.

“Great timing.”

“There’s a little tour of the west of Xenobia, nothing much but grasslands, fields and space. It’s very nice when you want to be alone.”

“True, the beauty of it was beyond anything I’ve seen.”

“Well, I best be off, Huntress. I should be meeting someone now, and so should you.”