**

Where is home?

**

“Now what do I do?” she said while holding her shield and sword.

Wilda looked at her four choices while standing in the intersection of Iota Path and Noxi road. A slight snarl appeared as the wooden end of the spear was jabbed in the dirt. The point of the blade was aimed upwards. Holding a shield she studied a map attached to the inside. She stood until wrinkles covered her forehead.

The loudness of her mind drowned out the activity going on around her. Peek-a-boo finches darted between trees as they sang along with other song birds. Gossip beetles scurried across the road making fun of the warrior. Squirrels peered at her from behind trees chirping. From the branch above a chameleon snake watched as it soaked in the sun's rays.

It wasn’t long before a peek-a-boo finch landed close, chirped and then flew away only to fly right back and chatter some more.

A smile appeared across Wilda’s face for a moment. Then it vanished as her eyes focused on the map. In front of her was the dark and narrow Iota Path. It went towards the north. Continuing in this direction would mean going into the unknown and living with cooler weather. Touching her sleeveless shirt and the new scar on her right arm, a soft exhale slipped out.

Her finger traced over the words Noxi Road. It spanned east and westward. One way meant traveling to the Brown Wizard Delta. The other way through the dark part of the Emerald Forest until one came upon the White Wizard Tower. This road was wider and would give her more opportunities to find and make friends than Iota Path. Maybe she could find a place to stay for a few weeks or longer? Yet her attention went back to the northern route.

The wind blew her dark hair and it stuck in the sweat on her face. She turned around in order to secure it. Once the hair was braided she slowly whispered, “Where am I going to find a safe place to call home?”

Slowly turning in each direction the aroma of dark chocolate filled the air. Some dark brown colored almanac flowers were growing next to a very large shredding hickory tree. Each month these plants have a different color flower and scent. Next month the color would be black and the air would smell like fresh coffee. Perfect for the autumn.

She took a step towards the flowers and her head whipped around when a cry came from the east.

Then an answer from the west.

A moment later a couple of purple loons flew over her down Noxi Road towards the first sound. Again she heard the call from the east.

It was answered by two more birds flying south down Iota Path. They turned east and went towards the summons. The next sound lingered longer and was more haunting. More loons showed up and flew towards where the others had gone.

Wilda had only heard about purple loons. Their dark purple and black feathers are highlighted by a few bright green ones. They were more beautiful than the description she had heard.

The map showed that Rabbit Lake was east and about an hour away. Wilda pulled out the spear and began walking down Noxi Road. Every so often another pair of loons flew over.

When the lake was in view she sat down behind some thick bushes and watched. A short distance from the shore were about forty pairs of birds floating in silence. The flock was all facing the sandy edge where a lifeless male loon lay with a female sitting next to him. Wilda wondered what had killed the bird because it didn’t appear to have any injuries.

The female took her beak and gently rubbed the top of her partner's head, neck, and back while short deep moans filled the air.

Tears flowed down Wilda’s face but she didn’t move to wipe them away.

When silence took over the area a pair of loons swam to the shore and walked over. Together with the female they guided the lifeless body out into a deeper part of the lake.

The flock began to swim around the three until they were in a complete circle. Slowly the circle got closer. The pair who had helped her joined the rest of the flock leaving the lone female holding her mate. The deceased bird sank downward into water. When he could no longer be seen the birds stopped and tilted their heads upwards.

The cries from their souls mourned loudly in one long call.

Then came complete silence.

Wilda watched as the loons swam to the shore and surrounded the female. They appeared to be settling in for the night even though dusk was still about an hour away.

Looking around she wondered what she should do about a place to spend the night. Spying a group of Huddle trees she quietly left and walked over. Two of the trees had grown together with their branches embraced. Wilda climbed up and began to weave the flexible smaller branches until she had a small platform.

Laying down she opened her pack and ate some nuts and dried fruit.

Flipping the shield around she considered options. It wasn’t going to stay warm at night for much longer and she needed a place to live. She looked down at the lake one more time but the loons hadn’t moved. They all appeared to be sleeping.

The warm wind blew over her. It was long before her hand released the shield and her body was still.

Hidden from the reeds on another edge of the lake a canaanite sat next to a black oak tree with his small companion.

“Who do you think she is?” asked Leema the blue river rat with her whiskers twitching.

“Someone who is lost.” replied the illusionist named Asmodeus.

“Are we going to help her? The rat questioned.

The large furry beast stared at the sleeping warrior. “Yes, I have a feeling she has a kind heart but has had a rough go. Look at how she is dressed and the pink wounds on her arm and leg. In the morning we will share some of my apples and talk with her. If we don’t like her I will make us disappear.”

Leema looked over at the flock, “What about the warrior who killed the loon?”

Asmodeus replied,“I expect Kathleen and her group of Jadeites will arrive soon. It is a problem for them to deal with. We need to stay out of the way. Though it did seem like he was searching for something or someone. I can’t believe he snapped that loon’s neck. For tonight why don’t you climb up onto my shoulders to sleep.”

“I would like that,” she answered as she scampered up his furry arm and tucked herself under the collar of a cloak.

The canaanite wiggled himself into a more comfortable position and held out his hands towards the sky.

He whispered, “New moon from above watch over us tonight. Make your darkness hide her and me from sight.”

Shadows fell over the area and all living things seemed to disappear into the quietness.

Taking a wand he tapped the cloak and then covered himself before closing his eyes.

In the distance there were soft footsteps on the mossy forest floor. This person wasn’t sleeping and was determined to finish his quest.

Entered by: 0x7BB5…3E05