The Stained Lands
Not far from the Silver Falls, the sun coated a small valley and a log home. The wooden cabin's windows dark and void of life. From a distance the weary traveler would think this a good place to rest. Firewood on the porch, and a stone chimney protruding from the well kept roof. The grass was green and shade fell from the trees cast over the home to keep it cool. From a distance, this was a perfect, cozy home… but things are not always what they seem.
If one was to walk closer, they would notice a few things that would be unsettling to one who did not know the story of this abandoned cabin and heart breaking for those who do. The windows were coated with dust, one cracked as though struck with deep brown stains on the edges of the broken glass. The door, though closed, had a mangled hand print, half paw half hand in brownish red smelling faintly of metal. A doll on the porch, left as though a child had dropped it. was dirty and worn from the elements as if she hadn't been touched in a very long time. Her dress and porcelain smeared with the same reddish stain.
Within the house however, there were even more signs of this cabin's gruesome history. Broken furniture, stained bed rolls and gashes in the wood. With a single look one could tell lives came to a end here. More than one judging by the size of the nearly black blood stains faded by time and sunlight through a single open window in the ceiling. A window left uncovered because nothing could hide this from the sky above. Dark energy twisted and curled around the house, though shadow spirits kept the darkness contained.
In the garden behind the home, 4 stones stood. The 4 were split in two pairs, standing directly across from their partners but beside the mirroring pair. Together, they formed a 'x' on the ground, each angled so the flat sides faced each other. In the center of these four stones, lay a woman.
On her side, she lay on the earth. Her cloak beneath her for comfort and a thin blanket over her form. The young lady used her arm for a pillow, white hair streaked silver sprawling over her arm and standing out against the emerald grass. The four stones seemed to be guarding her as she slept nested among them. Kyera's ever vigilant brothers watching over their troubled little sister.
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The Forest Nearby
Talis followed Verone as they moved through the forest and down the small, but well kept trail. This was a part of the forest Talis could never recall being in before. The trail had a cold, sad feeling though, with a glance at his brother beside him he wondered if the land was truly the sadness he felt.
They moved in companionable silence, the younger focused on following the elder's path. Soon the cabin came into view and Talis grinned, realizing what he believed to be the situation at hand. He knew Kyera couldn't stay forever in the Tent. However, as he went to Comment, Verone glanced at him, the look of burden in his eyes made Talis think twice before speaking. For once, he knew this was not the time to joke.
"What is this place?" Talis asked and Verone offered a sad smile.
"This was once the home of The Shade Of The Moon family. A mother, four sons, and a daughter." Verone whispered and Talis' eyes furrowed in confusion.
"I don't understand." Talis replied honestly and Verone waited patiently for a moment. Expecting his brother to elaborate but when he didn't Verone sighed and leaned on a nearby bolder.
"And why would you? You were only a little cub still on your back when the brothers were taken." Verone replied, his blue eyes glazed over as he thought of his old friends. His mentors and the little girl he had failed to protect.
"Taken?" Talis asked a light bulb going off in his mind. "You mean by the Hunters?" he asked and Verone laughed. It was not a happy sound. The pain and malice in that soft laughter made the hairs on his brother's neck stand on end.
"We only wish it were so. Instead they were slain. In that very house." Verone replied anger carefully controlled in his heart.