[/html]The woman stood among the trees. They were fully leafing now, and no longer just covered in the white blossoms of early spring. The Sun looked down at her, warming her shoulders like an old friend might wrap an arm around them. The feeling was a great comfort to the female who remained in great turmoil. Her paws were interlocked at her waist, and her head hung down with eyes closed. The scent of blossoms still lingered, the sound of buzzing bees still a faint whisper. They still wished to live and yet they were meant to die and pass on with the aging of the season.
Her mind had been made and she had done what she knew was best. The best for whom? Anu wondered that from the moment Savina had left them. In her heart she felt that the alphess had been gone for some time, and she wished that they had been able to give and receive a bit more comfort before the true physical departure had taken place. She would miss them, that true sorrow had not even begun to peek through the shock and show it’s true colors. Her daughter, Mati had gone as well. But Anu was proud of her for that, staying with her mate and being true to her heart.
Mother. She heard, shaking her out of her daze and opening her eyes to turn and see the reddish male behind her. She nodded. It was time, she knew. Oak stood at her back, and wrapped the arm around her just as she felt the Sun had done. Her sons had not faltered during the change, he nor Cypress had looked to her with hate or shame. Anu leaned lightly into Oak’s embrace, knowing that Cypress was not far and that she was not alone. Englemann is ready. The pony’s back would be laden with a small pack of her things, seeds mainly, as well as the spear that Nayati had given her so long ago.
She nodded, and turned with his guidance. They walked out of the orchards, and to the pony that was ready to follow them north. While she would not remain among Rabbit Lake, Anu feared leaving the area that she knew so well. North of the Court and the passage between it and Casa. Too many travelers used the Ethereal Eclipse as a by-pass through the region. It would not be as safe as the northern coast.
Anu did not look back, for her heart broke none the less. She loved everything that stood at her back, and knew nothing that stood before her. She had lived longer then many and she had wished to never make the steps that she now did. The silvery hued wolfess did not travel with light steps, and pieces of her heart were scattered in the paw prints she left.
