A child was walking home through the forest carrying two rabbits wrapped in a cloth tightly to her chest, she knew if she was caught she was going to be whipped brutally possibly to death but they hadn’t caught her yet. Shaking off the thought of the consequences of stealing from the village’s snares, she carried on her way. She had no choice, her father and she was pretty much outcasts at this point anyway. Seeing a light, she walked towards it gingerly, it paid to not let down her guard. Remembering father’s words, ‘the most dangerous moments comes after victory.’ ‘He has moments of wisdom, does Father, even though he is a drunken old fool’! She thought to herself. She opened the door and was met with an overpowering stench of ale, “Father!” She exclaimed, but not entirely without humour, “Have you been drinking that powerful stuff again? You’ll void yourself like last time!”

“So, what, little huntress, you know this helps me forget!”

“I don’t want to be the one who has to bury you” Xeranus snapped, but not too unkindly. She walked to her father. Somehow, he had managed to get himself stuck between the wall and the table, she took the jar of ale from him, “Hey, I’m drinking that!” He grunted.

“If you’ve managed to get yourself stuck in a table, I’ll dread to think what would happen if you continue! You might become a ceiling decoration before the night is over!” She placed the rabbits on the table, “Get yourself out of that table or do I have to get the axe?” She smiled and helped him to free himself.

“I see you’ve brought us two rabbits girl, Menlek will not be happy about this, that the so-called ‘changeling’ has been stealing from him again.”

“I’m surprised you can count two, father, you’ve had that much to drink!”

“Less of your cheek girl,” He came towards her, his hand raised to give her clout but Xeranus sidestepped quickly, causing her father to stumble and fall. “For Arcas’ sake girl, you’re as light-footed and silver-tongued as your mother. It’s a pity that those thrice-cursed a lot drove us out all because your hair is silver, but then again your mother would have not let that happen… rest her soul, your hair is the least of my worries… strange things but useful things always happened around her, such as my bathwater being the perfect temperature every time!” He chuckled to himself, with a nostalgic look he said “I just don’t know why she suddenly disappeared. Her father became more mesocolic this was most he had talked about mother in a long time. The silence extended for a while before her father began to speak again

I’ll tell you Xeranus, nothing is impossible. You’ve stolen two rabbits when I didn’t think you could even catch one, and you look after your drunken old dad even after we were driven from our home. Nothing is impossible if someone says it is then they haven’t tried, or at least haven’t tried hard enough. The thing is, people always want the easy route – opportunity is wrapped in hard work!”

Xeranus felt a sudden rush of affection for the old man, “I’ll remember that Father.”

“You do so my little moon you do so”

When Xeranus became aware she was kneeling in a pool of semi congealed blood with a large lump of raw fatty shrike meat grasped in her hand, mid-bite she threw away the lump of meat and stood up and observed the primal carnage. the shrike’s entrails were scattered across the area while the carcass had been hollowed out.

The smell was so terrible that Xeranus barely contained the urge to be sick. But under that vile smell, there were other scents like old bones, the scent of water and moss hit of a few flowers. And on and on it went the scents the sounds from the faint sound of the smallest footstep to the constant Crack boom of so many Shikes it was too much so she fled south as fast as she could and if Xeranus was paying attention she would have noticed that her speed was greater than most humans not that she cared all she wanted to do was escape from it all.

Finally, after running through the rest of the day Xeranus collapsed by a small babbling brook panting heavily Xeranus rolled onto her back to stare at the fading twilight. As she lay there she could feel her new appendages and ears twitch reaching up to one of the ears to confirm that they existed Xeranus touched the left ear only for her to feel it move and move away sending shivers down her scalp. Letting her left arm flop to the ground allowing her mind to blank out the events of the past few days and just enjoy the calming noise of the brook letting time pass.

She lay there watching the sky turn pink then red before the sun rose. Xeranus Just let the world pass her by simply observing and listening to the land as she had always in the meadow done when her father had been at his worst and needed space. Only this time she could hear every blade of grass bend in the whispering breeze and the sound and the scent of thousands of living animals inhabiting the general area. it's strangely peaceful, more so than usual Xeranus thought to herself, closing her eyes to relax further.

Only for her to sit up sharply for a mouse had met a very untimely and painful end at the jaws of a snake. As thanks to her new senses, it made it seem to be happening next to her.

“ why was I afflicted with these things” she hissed hand over the offending ear ignoring the surreal sensation from touching it. Feeling thirsty all of a sudden she crawled over the slight distance to the brook cupping her hand she drew water from the brook and drank. However, the more she drank the greater her thirst was, soon she was reduced to drinking directly from the brook lapping up the water like an animal. Finally, her thirst was sated, she pulled back from the water with an involuntary sigh of satisfaction. Only for her to stop sharply at her reflection as golden yellow eyes pupils steered back with the face that was hers yet sharper.

Xeranus also noted that from the reflection that she was covered in dry gore most importantly her hair needed cleaning and her meagre leather clothes if her father had seen her he would… her lip quivered at the thought and tears began to well.

No thought Xeranus gritting her teeth clamping down on the emotions that threaten to overwhelm her. I will not break down again like a little girl. I'm a woman now even after what has happened. I must be strong enough to make Menlek pay. And for why I am like this. The mysterious woman in that strange place she did say till we meet again so I will be getting answers to my predicament and I will be giving her a piece of my mind. But first, she thought as she dragged off her jerkin leaving only a measure of tied fabric to cover her ample bosom and tossing it aside. I need to clean myself off.

“Stupid things” Xeranus muttered to herself as she sat on the bank of the brook as she squeezed water from one of the tails thick silver fur after both had absorbed water forcing Xeranus to acknowledge their existence by being too heavily waterlogged and when she had stood on one painfully when leaving. Now she was squeezing out water from the second tail before grooming it as best she could which Xeranus reluctantly admitted was soothing to her. Still, she had caught herself from licking one of them like a dog. Sighing as she squeezed more water out of the tail before combing her fingers through the fur to straighten it out

. As Xeranus did this she allowed her mind to wander to the future. As of now, she had no goals aside from avenging her father who died at Menlek’s hand. The thought of that man-made her hands clenched tightly into silver fur her breathing grew ragged and she could feel the heat hear the screams smell the dance of fire. It was so hot and close oh so close and growing and growing and growing oh, spirits she could smell the burning it was like charred hair. An abrupt pain shot up her spine breaking her out of her fay mood as the tail pulled away with two scorch marks that married them.

Xeranus did not fail to notice two things, one that sparks were showering from her fingers second she felt tied all of a sudden it was an exhaustion that no words she knew of and the ground was rushing up to meet her just before. Just as she dropped over the precipice Xeranus could hear the damn Mysterious women's giggling.

Once again Xeranus was standing in the fog-smoke enshrouded room buts this time everything's outlines were sharper more distinct but of the mystery woman before her, the mist had thinned enough for the eyebrows and forehead to be seen the rest of the woman's face was shrouded as previously. After this woman revealed her change to her and the being unhelpful, Xeranus was the first to break the silence.

“I want answers, I do not want to be led in circles by a woman with a big forehead” she started glaring at the woman daring her otherwise. There was a moment's silence then a clatter of something being dropped she heard an odd strangled sound from the woman that turned to giggling swiftly turned to laughter. Soon the Mysteries woman was doubled over in raucous mirth that echoed like birdsong and bell chimes. Under this laughter there was a faint swishing sound like multiple brooms were lightly sweeping the floor.

Unable to process Xeranus just stood there unable to process what was happening as the woman's laughter petered into a coughing fit. Eventually, the woman composed herself coughing a few times breathing heavily before letting out a long sigh before speaking.

“ aaaaah child I have not had laughed so hard in a while you caught me off guard your far more defiant then I expected you are certainly not like some others I have met,” she said picking up her pipe and taking a long drag before breathing out a large cloud of smoke that obscured her entirely. Xeranus felt herself growing frustrated and was about to force the issue before she could voice her displeasure the woman spoke again.

“You will get your answers, ask them, child,” said the enigma of a woman Xeranus swore that she could feel the smile behind those words.

“ Just what has happened to why I have fox ears and tails?” she said, indicating to the two annoyances dancing behind her “ and what do you mean I have awakened to my heritage,” she asked hopefully at the prospect of a resolution to her situation.

“You have gone through the process known as Apotheosis you should be happy nearly all who can never do,” said the woman almost sounded disinterested if not for the undercurrent of mischief.

“What is Apotheosis why did I go thought it,” said Xeranus curiosity piped

“ Weellll Child it quite hard to explain but it simply comes from your blood and the past does that answer your question child” replied with such smug glee that it seemed to permanent the mists themselves.

Xeranus felt her right eyebrow twitch and her body began to tremble, holding back the urge to lunge forward and choke this woman she had a feeling that trying to ask would result in the same answer so she tried another question that had been on her mind.

“So would you tell me why sparks flew from my fingers and why only one of the tails that I gained from the bloody past is now scorched” Xeranus demanded sarcastically at the woman the room was silent for a few moments then the woman spoke again this time it was different.

“Xeranus why did you not tell me that you were hurt and you used magic before you gained your third tail” echoed the woman's voice laced with concern

Xeranus eyes widened “How do you know my name,” she asked confusion raining within her mind

“I have known your name for a long time,” said the woman from behind her making her attempt to whirl round only to meet space.

“Please don't, I need you still” chided firmly the woman, strangely enough, Xeranus felt the need to comply and let the woman begin to examine the tail. Still, she was not about to do nothing but fill the silence that had descended.

“So finally you are taking me seriously” Xeranus muttered to her who was applying something cold but soothing to the burns.

“Indeed I am taking you seriously,” the enigma giggled, the strange authority was gone, leaving Xeranus to think about the questions that she wanted to pile like magic, the comment about getting a third tail and how this stranger knows her.

“You are not to answer me plainly are you “ sighed Xeranus tired resignation leaking into voice

“No I'm not going to child, it's too much fun for me you're adorable when you are angry” the woman replied in a singsong voice then a titter as she continued to apply whatever it was. Xeranus huffed in annoyance as that was the only clear answer she was going to get.

“Xeranus child speaking of asking questions may I ask you if you do I may be franker with you,” said the woman as she stopped what she was doing and released the tail. Xeranus narrowed her eyes in suspension before taking a moment before answering.

“Only if you tell me how you know my name and knowing your name is at least the courtesy you owe me for leading me in circles despite what is asked” not noticing how sulky she sounded

Instead of an answer, Xeranus heard the woman move then saw her appear within her peripheral vision before turning to look at her. This time when Xeranus turned to look at her she did not disappear but there was still a blur over some parts of her the long dress was visible but the fog still shrouded her face apart from those eyebrows and that large forehead.

“You certainly have a way with words why I think you were family” giggled the woman taking a drag off her pipe before continuing “but you are right I will tell you my name is Ara.”

“ So your name means bringer of rain,” said Xeranus with surprised at the fact that Ara had told her name.

“Yes it does but I only gave part of my name and does not Xeranus mean the child of the moon” replied Ara with an amused tone.

“A straight answer is impossible from you” groaned Xeranus rhetorically rubbing her face as the tails seemed to twitch in response to her annoyance while trying not to blush from the embarrassment of someone knowing the meaning behind her name.

“I would not be me if I did not child” giggled Ara glancing to the side as to look at something before glancing back to Xeranus before continuing. “But I must ask my question as the day grows long and you will need to leave before some ruffians find you but we some time left” Ara growled softly but full of shackled menace taking another drag off her pipe before letting go a cloud of black smoke that seemed to convey anger that was not directed at Xeranus.

“Ask then,” she said Xeranus shivering slightly and felt slight worry growing in at the mention of ruffians Snowland was not a stable contrary and the local baron's soldiers skirmished often and there was no king the country was on the brink of civil war and lawlessness was now rife but such thought could wait and Xeranus waited for the question.

“What are you planning for the future child? From what I can see through the smoke you don't have many options”. Asked Ara whos eyebrows had lowered as if she was intently studying her as if she could but then being able to see events through the smoke she might know about the night her father burned.

Feeling strangely nervous and choosing her words carefully Xeranus gave her replay “I-I intend to avenge my father and kill Menlek but should you know that thanks to that smoke you can see through you must know how father died. She explained trying not to think about that night it was still raw even now more so after her change.

Child, I am not omniscient or a voyeur I have only known of you for the last month as by chance I heard about a silver-haired wild girl witch from a different village by a merchant talking how he listened in the village tavern they were planning to hunt you down for the good village “ Ara snorted at the last bit “but I think child that your life lacks purpose for even if you kill this man then what”?

There was a tense silence then Xeranus snapped after all the dancing of words then this bitch was now questioning her right for revenge

“Shut up you won't understand what I have lost that man took everything from me is death is how I will start again” shouted Xeranus while ignoring the sensation of both tails thrashing in agitation and the fact that her ears had flattened the sound of growling permeated the air. However, Ara calmly stood smoke wafting thickly from her pipe waiting for a moment before speaking in an even and calm voice.

“ you carry a great wound Xeranus I could say many words but I think you are not going to listen to me yet but we are out of time those ruffians have found you” And with that, the smoke surrounded Xeranus causing her to blackout. But like before she thought she could see the golden eyes that seemed to convey pity at her as well she swore she heard Ara mutter something to herself

“She is like me in so many ways when I was younger”