Arcadia   Arcadia groaned as Clarissa ran out of the tent.  “Why are you stressing, mija.” The low soft sound of her wolf, Ragnavard, growled in the back of her mind.  Ragnavard was patrolling the perimeter on the outskirts of town. He was her secret weapon. They had bonded when she was a child.  But it wasn’t the same thing as the Onyx Sage bonds. The purpose of those animals’ birth was to be the sage’s spirit animal. Her wolf was born before they created their attachment. Through the mind link, she comforted her wolf companion.  “Clarissa may be more of a princess than we realized.” She mused.

C Clarissa   The man that Clarissa had been watching handed his precious bundle reluctantly to the mysterious couple, whose appearances were covered with poor woolen robes. “Keep my daughter safe.” He whispered urgently, confirming Clarissa’s hope that he was her future child’s father.  She giggled, thinking that she could not wait to meet him. When the couple began to pull back their robes, Clarissa leaned in, eager to see who would be given her child. But the vision quickly grew black as the world she observed melted away. Clarissa sat in her chair, blinking off into space. She was back in the tavern. The day had set. A candle provided light between her and the p

    Stefan   Stefan enjoyed his conversation with the purple sage despite his past when she sat up and reached down to the floor. Returning with a small soft gray foxen in her arms, the old lady pet it with one hand.  “This is Chrome.”  He smiled a little wider and nodded his acknowledgment of the creature. Foxens had many similarities to both cats and foxes.  They were usually small and wiry, like both species. But they had an undercoat of soft cotton-like fur like a kitten would have, while the outer coat was sleek as a fox’s. The foxen turned its head lazily to look at Stefan.  “She wanted to meet you.” The purple sage explained and waved her free hand at him.

Clarissa   Somehow, Clarissa could move towards the rustling leaves without a sound. Suddenly, she was grateful that she was still in the leather armor and not her dress. It did not matter at this moment that it was unseemly for a lady to dress in pants. Mimi riled up in her head. “If that is someone else trying to hurt you, I will crush them!” He threatened violently.  Clarissa just lifted a finger towards her lips. Mimi may not be able to see her move, but he understood her intent. He lay silent in her mind, and she could sense his readiness to attack whatever threatened her. It was odd that it made her feel safe. She stepped into the forest lithely. She was not sure who or what was lurking. Nor did she know what she would do if it were someone wh

Stefan   As soon as Stefan stepped into the night, the hut door slammed itself shut behind him. He stopped and glanced over his shoulder.  “No worries, Violet will take good care of your little pet.” A silky voice echoed through his head.  He put his hands on his ears but it did nothing to quiet the voice. He felt something pressing up against the side of his leg.  “She is a very strong one.” The voice cooed.  He looked down to see the foxen rubbing against him like a kitten. “I know the witch is powerful.” He retorted as he stared down at Chrome.  Now the foxen was talking to him. Great! He