"Fetch me the seer Eindride, I sense a change in the air." declared Lady Sindri to her servant Hemming.
Hemming replied, "I will do as you wish, my lady," bowing his impressive curved horns downward.
Hemming was a male big horn sheep, resembling a man in body like all the other man-shaped animals. It was common to see beasts with human-like facial features and tails. Hemming had a short, stubby tail that he wagged when nervous or happy, protruding from the back of his loose linen pants. Hemming served as the top slave to Sindri, under the constant control of the powerful high lady. Sindri dictated their food, activities, and clothing, requiring them to wear only black and dark grays with no shirts. Enchanted runes were tattooed on their chests, a source of the high lady's magical power.
Her appearance instilled fear and fascination in those who gazed upon her. Standing tall and slender, she resembled a lynx with sapphire blue eyes that seemed to glow against the black paint surrounding them. Adorning her head was a twisted black crown adorned with raven feathers and tiny mouse bones. Her gray bob hairstyle framed her face, with bangs that cascaded down her cheeks in a manner reminiscent of Oriduan's the bobcat's. Though similar in appearance to the bobcat, lynxes were larger in size with longer legs.
Lady Sindri perched atop a dark, twisted throne made of dead tree limbs that looped and entwined around each other like a labyrinth of gnarled roots. Beside her sat her majesty, Lord Asger, on a similar throne. Asger, too, was a lynx creature, a brawny beauty with a furry face that boasted a slight white goatee on his chin. His hair was a mix of reddish brown with light flicks of gray. Asger always appeared to be lost in deep thought or simmering with anger, his brows furrowed and glaring downward over his blazing blue eyes.
The pair reigned over a untamed realm of woodland creatures. Havardr castle, or high guardian, served as their main refuge, tucked away beyond the Rising Wolf Mountains in the lush valleys surrounding the forests. Three other settlements were affiliated with Havardr: Castle Hellir, nestled within the mountain in a chilly, dark cave below; Arvid, a castle perched high in the tall red cedar trees at the forest's edge; and Fljot castle, where residents lived along the river banks. A single ruler governed all communities under her rule. Lady Sindri crafted special runes for each settlement - the rune of sight for Arvid, fortitude for Hellir, and courage for Fljot, providing protection for their homes. Numerous other runes were created by the high lady to meet various needs.
Some of the runes were used to create darkness, while others were used to strengthen spells. When Sindri used the dark runes, they would rise into the air and form glowing azure blue symbols as she traced them with her finger. Once the spell was cast, the rune would either disappear or transform into the desired effect. In the presence of Lady Sindri stood an exquisite seer named Eindride, unlike the haggard and ugly warlocks usually encountered. Eindride was an elegant red deer standing upright, adorned with crystals and carved runes on his antlers. His dark eyes observed Sindri with curiosity, devoid of any whites.
He approached the throne slowly, carrying his special summoning seat and wand. The handle of his wand was adorned with owl pellets. His feet, human-like but bare, carefully navigated the long black and purple tunic so as not to trip. As he reached the stone stairs leading up to Sindri, it was evident that no one ruled over Seer Eindride. He was highly respected among the castles for his ability to travel freely and offer his gift of foresight. Despite his independence, Eindride was always willing to share future riddles and answer difficult questions. He maintained a facade of being a creature of habit in order to preserve his reputation, but he would still come to aid those who sought his guidance. His humility shone through as he reluctantly acted upon their requests, pretending as though they were an interruption to his daily routine.
"Why do you summon me, Lady Sindri? You have interrupted my rest and reflection," Eindride scoffed.
The noble lady and lord lowered their heads and offered their apologies.
"Seerer, my spirit animal is unsettled, there is something amiss inside of me. I seek clarity. Can you identify what troubles me, affecting my sleep at night and my thoughts during the day?" inquired Sindri.
Eindride placed his seat cushion on the ground before lowering himself onto it, crossing his legs. He waved his wand and rubbed a rune hanging from his antler, causing his eyes to change from black to a eerie pale white. The seerer quietly muttered chants that neither lord nor lady could understand. Eindride fell silent, stiff and still, sitting tall in a trance-like state. Sindri and Asger observed his body jerking and his breath gasping sporadically. When he emerged from his meditation, his eyes returned to their black color as he gazed calmly at the high lady.
Eindride foretold that the disturbances were indeed accurate, as strangers were approaching, including one from a distant land. There was no need to be alarmed, as these newcomers were not our enemies. However, caution was advised, as those pursuing them were the ones to beware of.
He got back on his feet, picked up his mat, and slowly walked away into the dense forest of fir trees. The two majesties exchanged glances.
Sindri stated, "I suppose the decision has been made for us. We need to get ready for the newcomers; they will likely be hungry and tired."
Lord Asger agreed and called for Hemming, Hrutr, and Brusi to prepare a lavish welcome banquet. The three slave big horn rams quickly went off to sacrifice food for the feast. Lord Asger also instructed his pet raven, Onyx, to invite other community leaders to join the meal. Havardr was a bustling place where animals worked the land, hunted wild beasts, and lived a simple and earth-friendly life. Each animal had their designated role within the community, even though the castle itself did not have traditional fortified stone walls. Instead, Havardr was surrounded by fir trees and runes of magical protection. Lady and Lord Asger were vigilant about who entered their realm, ensuring only trusted individuals were allowed inside. Despite the peaceful atmosphere of Havardr, Lady Sindri's spirit animal had been unsettled, hinting at a potential change in the realm.
"Why?" she pondered, as she considered the absence of any enemies approaching. A sense of a powerful magical presence looming ahead unsettled her, yet Eindride assured her that there was no cause for alarm. Uncomfortable on her throne, Sindri decided it was time to explore the castle. Rising to her feet, her black strapless gown cascaded elegantly to the floor, her bare feet gliding gracefully beneath the silk material as she walked. Around her slender waist, she wore a belt adorned with feathers of ravens, symbols of her faith. She believed that the enigmatic creature brought good fortune to her kingdom, a deity they worshipped and kept as pets. Descending the cold stairs, Sindri stepped out onto the warm forest soil, relishing its softness and warmth, a result of the day's humidity.
Dust particles floated in the sunlight filtering through the trees, surrounding her. The earthy scent filled her nostrils as she walked barefoot on the ground, just like many others in the kingdom. They all felt a deep connection to nature, feeling the power beneath their feet. Sindri's most intense moments were during thunderstorms, when she felt charged up and could navigate between different worlds with the seer and fairies. These fairies, known as animals with the ability to sing and invoke the spirit world, were mostly female, with male fairies being a rare occurrence. Standing still, Sindri connected with the vibrations of the earth, causing the runes on her crown to glow. Her heart raced as she praised the goddess of the earth for her benevolence.
"Blessed is the generous abundance of mother earth," Sindri said.