The trees bowed inward, twisting in on themselves, as the creatures of nighttime took to the sky, or scurried forward with haste, some sort of quiet reverence given as the glow above them clouded suddenly, and the soft cry broke the night.
Melodious and rich, but filled with such a deep sadness. Mother animals held their young close, covering them away as the forest itself began to weep.
The crickets became silent, though on the wind you could still hear the accusations. Bringer of Death, Cause of Madness, Sickness and Fear. The dark one, the tainted purity... Her kin brought laughter, but she only sorrow.
Step by step, the moss grew around the unbeaten path, and the fog crawled in through the trees. The sound was empty, only the wind and the growing babble of the brook, which led to the quiet falls and forest pool.
The bravest of creatures would look out from their hovels, or from behind the trees, watching as the shadow passed by them in silence, her calls bringing chill to the night, and ice coming in on her breath.
At the edge of the pool, she came to rest, her eyes full of the knowledge borne from a lifetime of solitude and mist.
Far from uneasy, she found herself indefinitely more intrigued, watching the tiny Lerrel as it leaped, young born wings failing to give flight, and sending him toppling straight into the water, where he struggled to keep afloat.
It would only be a few moments before the weakened legs would give out, and tiny lungs filled with water... She was no stranger to death, as it followed her path closely in the night, yet still found herself laying her head low, and dipping the tip of a spiral horn into the water, which swirled all manner of darkened color, even as the Lerrel grasped hold of it, with all four tiny feet.
Raising her head, found her staring into the large amber eyes of the tiny, shivering creature, still staring back at her in turn as he remained firmly attached to the very thing which had only moments ago brought forth poison into the spines of the fish, and the mouths of snakes.
Shaking her head only made him more indignant, the sharp screeching noise braking into the still of the night even while the Lerrel�s fur began to stain with the touch of her mane, growing darker with every toss.
Finally free, the little creature scrabbled across her back, down amongst the moss, and tilting his head to look at her quite quizzically.
In turn, she simply gave a light snort, crystals of ice coming out on her breath.
The little creature rubbed furiously at it�s nose, brushing away the cold, before once again it made a more inquisitive sound, watching the lady of night get to her feet. Her first step was halted, as she felt the weight and scratch of claws as they scaled a leg, over and up to once again settle into her mane, tugging it left and right.
Nesting!
This impudent little creature was nesting in her mane, as if he belonged there... Without fear, or even the respectful distance all creatures of the forest gave to her. Unafraid, unconcerned with the danger he could be in...
The danger?
And back beside the edge of the pool, the very strangest thing... A bed of roses, black as night, and pale as cream, beautiful as they grew twisted together. Dots of black and flowers harsh, Nightshade grew within their vines.
Nature is not always good, life not always kind... And though it may be unknown in the world, even death is capable of mercy.
