chapter 2 Darian

We followed her to the woods just at the bottom of the mountain. She led us to what looked like a beaten shack with one side of the roof threatening to collapse. One of the two windows were shattered and the other was too covered in grime to see through. Weeds and vines climbed up the walls and a tree large willow tree loomed over the shack, it's branches dragging along the roof.

Inside on the other hand, was spacious and well kept. It seemed like a dramatic change from the outside. There were only two bedrooms, one for the seer herself and one for a single apprentice. Not two. The seer sat down at a long table along the back wall which was composed entirely of shelves cluttered with all sorts of things. Animal parts, candles, stones, powders, herbs, etc. Throughout the house potted plants of all kinds were growing were placed in windows, corners, and along the walls. The plants were so abundant that Luca and I had to weave our way through the plants to reach the seer at her bench. 

"You will learn to maneuver in your environment " she chuckled 

"Why did you choose us both seer?" I asked.

"Please call me Sparrow. You two were born at the exact same time on the exact same day. You are twins by soul. You were meant to come together eventually. Then stay together, but now you must know the rules." We both gawked at her then glanced at each other.

"Horse play will be done outside. " she glared at us " Don't touch anything unless you know what it is and how it is used, for safety purposes. Do not disturb my slumber unless it is an absolute emergency. " she gave us a small smile. " Lastly every morning you will tell me your dreams, they are very important until you learn how to see otherwise. Now go and explore while I get my work done." She waved us off as she turned away to start working at her table.

After a moment we started to wander. We inspected the plants and we looked through the windows which were actually clean and unbroken. Luca had strayed over to the apprentice room and frowned. The black strip on her pale skin turned down a little. I walked over to her and peeked inside the room. There was only one bed, a desk and a plant in the window. I frowned along with her.

We stared for a moment before she suddenly shouted and dove toward the bed, "First one there gets the bed!" 

I barreled into her and shoved her aside. She hit the floor with a thud and groaned just as I sprawled out on the bed laughing. Luca glared up at me from her spot on the floor, her scarlet feathers made her look even more angry. 

"No fair I touched it first!" She stood up and swung a fist at my face. I blocked it with my arm but she still hit hard.

"It's not my fault you're a stick!" I laughed at her and her face turned just as red as her feathers. "But hey at least you can throw a punch!" 

"Take it outside!" Sparrow yelled from the other room and we both burst out laughing.