Meadow

Death had come to her beautiful falls. The scent of the air had been off for days and slowly the life around the rivers had begun to draw away from the toxic water. Ember’s dark eyes watched in sorrow as breath started to be choked out from the lungs of those who came to this place for safety. Youth, who could not know any better met their fates on the rocky banks before they could truly embrace their paths into life. Their spring had turned into fall before the season could even change. If this sickness continued much longer, the toxin would claim even more.

Just as death had not escaped her eyes, neither had the growing murder by the shores of the island. Ember could not stop the circles of fate, but she could play a part in them. With a snort, she followed the ways of the crows to the sandy beaches. Many of the black shadows had already taken flight, less interested now they knew they were not getting what they wanted. Some of the winged messengers lingered, peering at her with a different intensity. She looked back at them, until they too took to the air, moving away from their brethren. With a snort, Ember watched as they departed, and glanced at the scene around her. Everyone met their destiny on the shores of these islands, whether it was life or in the stomach of a scavenger. There was no still corpse, but that didn’t keep one from walking around as one. Ember followed the trails of fresh hoof prints, glaring back at the beady eyes that watched her. Feast on the fallen. she snapped at one that cawed at her. She thought for a moment and reconsidered. No, you are right. Poison runs deep. Still, leave us be until our time. The bird fluffed its wings at her before jumping tree to tree, glancing back on occasion to watch her as she watched it.

Unease grew more insistent in her chest. Picking up her feet she quickened her pace along the trail. At last she broke through the line of trees and into the meadow. What called to her was finally in her sight and the mare breathed a sigh of relief. Clearly just come from the sea, the other mare appeared to be just hanging onto life though still willing to walk the trails with the dead. Not that I am aware of. Ember answered with a smile. That time will come when it comes. She glanced in the direction they had been headed. Time will come faster if you keep going that way. There are safer wells, or even puddles, around.