Oh halleluiah the girl found the strength! She came towards Zera’im and the collie woman could nearly physically see the girl’s excited aura send tendrils all around her, it was a wonder she could focus enough on walking straight. Much to Zera’s surprise, the first thing out of the girl’s mouth was a question about her hair. Zera laughed like the tinkling of bells and grabbed one of her long braids subconsciously, Oh dear child, how sweet a question.

As she approached and sat some distance away, Zera’im grabbed her pack and lifted herself from her position stiffly, but painlessly, as the herb had taken it’s medicinal affect. She moved to the young girls side and sat down next to her and answered her second question, That thing is a building, and it is nothing to be afraid of. There were once creatures that used such things as homes. Just think of it as a strange, large den. She smiled sweetly at the girl, her mismatched eyes alighting. What a cute little jackal, so young and naïve. Zera’im just loved children, she had spent a year as a midwife and nanny and her heart was full for them. I am Zera’im, what is your name daughter? Do you belong to Anathema?

It was more than likely that this was the case, this youngin was unlikely to the leave the safety of the pack lands and they were but a stone’s throw away from the border. Zera’im had set up in a cave that Panda and Venom of Anathema had found for her when she first arrived. She missed their company already, but knew that soon they would come back to visit. There was a connection between the three of them that could not be broken easily.

It was good to see some of the fear leave the girl, her aura brightening from a frightened muddy gray to an energetic orange. It was good to see and Zera’im listened closely as the questions spilled over her like a waterfall. It had been a good long while since she had experienced such a curious youth and it took a her a long moment of thought to put all the answers together and answer them with the same vigor in which they were asked, No, I may be old but do not yet need hospice care. It is just me and my horse, I suppose we care for each other. she smiled at this, Korosk had been her sole companion for so long that she almost considered him as a brother. She continued, I’ve had this bag for a long time, my sister gave it to me, I carry certain items in it but not all that I possess. The rest are in y cave, which is a ways off from here.

She stopped, perhaps it would be in her best interest not to tell Sira the exact location of her cave. It was so near the borders that she risked being run off by less friendly Anathema natives, a conflict Zera wished to avoid. The smile came back to her face and she looked back at Sira, one brown eye and one slate eye glinting in the sunlight, Tell me child, where are you from, that you do not know of any of these human things?

She was interested, she had never met someone who had absolutely no knowledge of the creatures that had come before them. How could she not know of how the Luperci had come into existence? They were to consider themselves blessed to know of the downfall of man, so that they could avoid making their same mistakes. Perhaps she could tell Sira of the children’s stories she knew, to make the subject a little more understandable.

Zera’im listened to the girl with a gentle face until she spoke of Korosk as a meal. Then a shocked expression came to her face before she laughed aloud once more. Oh what a naïve girl this was, so fresh to the world with no understanding of it. And when she mentioned her mother Zera’im then guessed that Sira had been kept hidden from the world by her mother, never let to venture into its dangers and delights. How sad a childhood that must of have been. Oh dear child he is not my dinner but my friend. I have known him since we were both but babes, I would never eat him. You live in Anathema where many people have companions such as he, you must learn that some four legged beasts have better uses then just for sustenance.

She looked lovingly and sympathetically upon the embarrassed face of this young girl when an idea came to her mind. Quickly she stuck two delicate, ivory fingers into a small pocket of her bag and produced a necklace; a silver charm on a dark leather chord, which she then handed to the girl. Here, please take this, it will protect you. When you are in fear, put your faith in it and you will be strengthened. It was a simple and practical gift, one that Zera’im had been given by her mistress when she was still young, but she no longer needed it now, she had different forms of protection, ones much stronger then that lent by the charm. But this little girl would have good use of it, now that she was facing the expanse of the world for the first time.

Sira seemed overwhelmed by the gift and Zera’im couldn’t help but keep smiling. It felt so good to give gifts and she hadn’t been able to do it for a long time, she was glad the first one to receive something from her was such a sweet girl.

Zera’im gently tugged on one of Sira’s large ears and chuckled, No, it is a gift and you do not owe me anything. But do come and visit me again deary, I enjoy your company. Zera then went to stand, somewhat stiffly, grabbing her pack and retrieving her scythe which was leaning up against the side of the building, I must go now, I will see you again soon, but please, do not speak of our meeting except to those you trust. I am very close to the borders of your pack and do not wish to be run off. She wondered if Sira knew what she meant by this.

Zera’im made her way down to Korosk, who trotted to her and put a large, velvety nose against her shoulder. Zera’im smiled and patted him lovingly before heading back in the direction of her cave, Korosk following behind her like a puppy.