2. Weary, like one despairing of no home to return to.

[Siobhan]

5 Seasons Prior

"Siobhan, look, a tavern light! Oh, it's been days since we slept in proper beds. Please, couldn't we stop, ask if they have a room?"

Siobhan squinted into the rising mist. She had never been in this part of the forest before, and she could see why most beasts avoided it. The road had dwindled to little more than a muddy path, and there were reeds growing along the side.

Rumors about the Veil flew wild through the Northlands, and if somebeast could think it, somebeast had already spread it. Siobhan had heard most of them and considered them all tosh -  but the light ahead was giving even her pause. "Wydd, I don't think that's a tavern light."

The two stopped and stared at the blue light; it hovered, motionless, as if waiting for them. When they began to move forward again, the light moved ahead, never coming closer, but never moving farther, either.

"Is it a wisp?" Arwydd whispered and adjusted her pack.

"Don't be silly. Wisps aren't real. I'm sure it's just a trick. The moon reflecting off water or something."

Siobhan and Arwydd continued slogging forward after the light. There was no path anymore, just mud and clumps of marsh grasses.

"AAHHH!" Arwydd's footpaw slipped from beneath her and she hit the ground hard.

The vixen bent down to help her friend and paused.

"What is it, Sio-"

Siobhan hushed her. "Don't move." She pulled her hood up and slipped into the shadows in the direction of the light, silently pulling her dagger out.

As she approached it, an otter's form materialized in the mist. She crept around to his back, avoiding splashing in the swamp. Siobhan dug the point of her dagger into his side. "Don't try anything funny. Nice and easy now, we're going to walk back to my friend there."

They got out of the swamp proper, but only a few more paces and a voice fell on them from the trees above. "Put the dagger down."

"And why would I do that? What are you going to do?" The vixen looked around for the source of the voice. She could see little in the darkness.

"I've got my arrow aimed at your friend. Surrender the dagger to Bard."

"Tha's me," the otter rumbled helpfully.

"What are you doing in the Veil?" The voice came again, as Bard escorted her back to where her friend had fallen.

Arwydd piped up, "We're just traveling to the next town. We-"

"We're looking for a village that's rumored to be near here," Siobhan cut her off. "We had to leave our homes. There was a... situation."

"How do you know of this village?" The voice belonged to a squirrel, who scuttled down the nearest tree, a bow and quiver slung across his back.

"I've traveled far and beasts around the Veil talk of a fabled town where those who don't have a home can find safe haven. My friend and I need that right now."

The otter stepped forward to peer at Arwydd, beckoning the squirrel to bring his blue lantern closer. "This 'un's hurt pretty bad, Skoven," he said, inspecting her face. "How'd it happen, luv?"

Arwydd turned crimson beneath the greening bruises; she looked away into the treeline. "My husband did it," she answered, "before he... well, before."

"I don't trust them, Bard. The vixen's dangerous." The squirrel nocked an arrow and pointed it at Siobhan.

"Put that thing away, ye worrywart. They found us. Least we kin do is get 'em t' Eula." The otter interposed himself. Reluctantly, the squirrel stowed his bow and arrows in a hole in the tree he'd climbed down.

Bard returned the dagger to Siobhan. She nodded to him, and helped Arwydd to stand. The jill's ankle was beginning to swell, and she leaned heavily on her friend. Bard came to her other side to help support her, and the three followed Skoven through the swamps.

As the group approached Nest, Siobhan was struck with wonder at the labyrinthine paths built through the trees. Lanterns hung from the softly swaying bridges, glowing in shades of green, yellow, and pink.

"Skoven, Bard, you have returned early." A badger with strange symbols drawn in her stripes approached. "What has happened?"

"We found these two wandering the swamps, Eula. They were looking for Nest," the squirrel answered her.

"The weasel's hurt, Eula, an' she's had t'leave her home."

Siobhan stepped forward. "We both had to leave home. Arwydd's husband almost killed her. Then he died. We knew Wydd would be blamed when he was found, so we left."

"And what is your name, vixen?"

"Siobhan."

The badger peered at the pair in silence, considering the fox and her tale carefully and nodded once. "If you wish to stay in Nest, then you are welcome, however, there are rules you must follow. First, we do not invite violence to these woods," she looked pointedly at Siobhan. "Unless you are one of our Scouts, you are not to carry weapons. Turn them over to me now."

Siobhan hesitated before pulling her dagger out of its sheath. She slowly handed it over to Eula.

"You will get it back for patrols and if you decide to leave. This brings me to the second rule: everybeast in Nest bears a role that helps to keep our village running. If you choose to stay, we will help you find yours. The third is that everybeast here is to be welcomed; we do not tolerate hate between our villagers. Fate brought everybeast here so they could be safe. It is important we keep it that way.

The final rule is the most important: Nest must remain a secret. Our Scouts protect us from strange and malevolent beasts, but they cannot stop everybeast. If you ever leave, it is imperative that you must never tell a soul about this place. Do you understand?"

Arwydd and Siobhan exchanged glances, holding a silent conversation. "We will follow your rules," Arwydd spoke up.

"Then you are welcome to stay for as long as you wish." Eula turned and called into the pavilion behind her, "Mekai! Come here, child!"

A young sable emerged, stumbling over her cloak as she did. "Yes, Eula?" she said in a small voice, staring up at the fox in curiosity.

"We have a couple of newcomers tonight, Mekai. Please show Siobhan around Nest and find an empty dwelling for them." She turned to the friends. "You will have to share a house for now. I trust that is alright." It wasn't a question. "I will bring this one to the infirmary and make sure she is tended to. Bard, Skoven, back to your patrols."



Siobhan shouldered her pack and turned to Arwydd. "I have to leave, Wydd. Nest isn't the place for me."

The friends had been living in Nest for a couple of weeks. Arwydd's wounds had healed with the help of Eula and her apprentice, and the weasel found her place in the Weavers' halls. Siobhan, however, was still out of sorts. Nest had no call for a beast with her talents. And while she had been patrolling with the other Scouts, she longed to be out in the world again.

And if she was honest with herself, she missed the killing most.

Arwydd looked at the fox with tears in her eyes. "I know you can't stay, Siobhan. But promise you'll come to visit." She took the bracelet off her wrist and clasped it around Siobhan's.

"I promise, Wydd." She hugged the jill and left to gather her dagger from Eula.