A strange, yet familiar feeling came to surround the area. Those with a keen sense may have felt it around Silver Lake, yet the true nature of the feeling though was just a bit north of the West Mavoiir River outlet. At first it was nothing more than a crackle, sounding closer to a falling tree or a roaring fire. After a moment, there would be silence, but the electricity that lingered in the air would cause hair to stand on end and animals to run from the small clearing.
Years ago the same thing had occurred, though the cause was her leaving, she never thought the day would come where she could once more hope to call Myrkenwoods her home. The ground lit up with a blue flame, heatless although its flames reached five meters into the air and 3 meters across. A portal opened from within the blue glow of the fire and before it had reached full size, once more the flames would diminish and consume the opening. It left only a woman standing in its place and the electricity in the air dispersing slowly.
In the darkness, she just stood there a few long moments, wrapping her wings tightly about her torso as she attempted to get her bearings. Within her grasp was nothing more than a large leather sack, containing all that she needed, for now. With her heart pounding fiercely, her emerald eyes finished adjusting to the darkness and her path would be set.
Wrapping the long string tightly in both hands to brace the weight of her items, wings lashed out allowing their faint emerald hues to catch the light glow of the moon. With two forceful flaps of those scaled appendages, Katalin would be airborne. Heading north-east, she made her way towards the Sikasoon mountain range. She was high enough most wouldn’t see her, yet on a clear enough night she would look like nothing more than a very large bird, struggling to keep grip on its prey.
The smells teased at her senses from the woods to Myrken-town itself, bringing back memories of when she was younger and struggling to find her balance. The toymaker, Treadwell, was always a memory that brought a smile to his face. He had guided her, protected her and showed true friendship. Maelstrom, Dallamar, Tyralor and many more, all influences in who she become. Aeron, another friend she could never forget, yet now as she drew closer to the mountains, questions arose of what had become of them all. Reminisce
Landing cautiously, her wings would shift and once more wrap lightly about her form. Her tangled black hair, danced about her face and there was a hesitance that lingered deeply within her heart. Breaking the silence and still of the night, a sharp wolf whistle would trail over the trees, followed by two more shorter ones that would echo across the mountains, carried by the faint breeze. That is where she would wait, more thoughts left to fill her mind.
She recalled Tyreal, a man who had hunted her as a child, seeking to rip her wings off for armor. Then there was Rahlaer, the man for years, had haunted her every nightmare. He had tormented her life here, cursing her unborn child. Thoughts of revenge surged through her body, but that was not why she had returned, however tempting the thoughts truly were. A sharp whinny was heard amongst the trees, breaking her thoughts and leaving her preparing for the worst.
Through the darkness, a huge form would be seen slipping from the southern tip of the mountain range. Standing 17 hands high, he was larger than most Clydesdales but had the speed of an Arabian. His dark form would gleam from sweat, yet his brilliant, red eyes would make him easily seen even in the dark. He was Nightmare, a demon horse who once stood alongside her as a friend and an ally. She knew full well the years passed could have made him too wild to control and as he would approach, her gloved hands held readied to grasp for her weapon.
With his ears back, he stopped mere feet in front of the woman to allow her scent to infiltrate his senses. Never had both stood so still, a minute passed and Katalin would shift her arm to hold a few peppermint sticks out to the creature. Huffing heavily, ears flicked forward then back one more. One step taken closer, then another before the beast succumbed to the craving for the sweet candy.
“I didn’t forget about you Windfeather.” She whispered softly, before moving to gain his trust in her once more. His ears still showed his insecurities, but he was stationary, allowing her hands to run through his mane, her other softly running over his neck. “Aside from a run in with a cougar or wolf you are looking well.” She mentioned, noticing the scars that were faded with time that ran down his back.
Enemies, acquaintances, friends and strangers all rested once within the walls. Who was now left in the town and surrounding area, was a thought that toyed with her very being. Tucking her hair behind a pointed ear her eyes drifted to the stars, hands still running lovingly over the beast before her. She had changed so much in her time away. Her child now a woman, a kingdom once in chaos now restored, her fears quenched in knowledge and the understanding of who she was. She was far from the fragile child she once was, but there was still much for her to learn.
For the eve, they would stay together; gaining both trust and memories that seemed lost so long ago. She was also doing her best to avoid her area of arrival. The cloak would soon become her savior from unwanted attention, so she left herself enjoying the breeze against her wings well she still could. Today, once she had time to settle the racing thoughts and once the sun had risen once more, she would make her way for the Dagger.