I wove through the trees and bushes, stopping now and then to observe my surroundings. The soft puffs of grass underfoot bend with my weight. Sun danced on leaves, and the breeze swam around wide trunks. I stopped at the edge of a clearing watching a small spotted bunny. Its big circular ears didn’t turn so I knew I wasn’t heard. I slowly pulled my bow off my back and prepared an arrow. Drawing the curving wood, I aimed. I let go of the arrow, and in one swift movement the bunny squealed. The writhing bunny died seconds later, and I went to collect my kill. I held it by its tied feet and continued my walk home.

 I approached the part of the forest closest to home. I turned and headed to a large white trunked tree. It has dark leaves and thin branches that reach upwards, “Cherise?” I called out to one of my bird friends. She was a debu bird, known for their ladylike looks and behaviors she was nothing if the sort. “Cherise?” I called again. Cherise lived in the big tree with her 8 sisters and parents, grandparents, great grandparents etc. and various cousins. Once they each reached 2 years old, they moved to their own nest in the same family tree. Finally, I see her fly down from the sky to land on a low branch nearby. “Well hello, Aelin!” Cherise sung. “Hi, I was just checking on you,” I smiled up at her. “I was wondering if you picked up on any talk of those travelers leaving?” Cherise just happened to be a great listener in a forest of gossipers. She was a close friend so when anything near interesting happened, I was one of the first to know. “They have left already,” she responded. I didn’t really want to see the travelers today; I was feeling more solitary today and didn’t want to talk pleasantries. After Cherise had answered me she spotted the void bird, who was currently listening to our interaction while staying out of view. Until now at least, “Hi there, handsome!” She exclaimed. He just looked back at her, eye blank of any emotion I could recognize. “He doesn’t talk.” I told her. “Oh no is something wrong?” she chimed. “I don’t think so, he can sing but he doesn’t talk,” I said. She frowned turning back to me. “I need to get back to collecting berries.” She crouched to leave. “I’ll talk to you later then,” I waved goodbye to her as she flew off. I looked at the void bird sitting on the limb. “She doesn’t take rejection very well.” The void bird just tilted his head looking me straight in my eyes. “You’re really never going to talk to me? Not even you name?” I looked at him disappointed. He stood on the branch and prepared to fly, then soared off into the trees and away from me.  

 I reached the house a few minutes later and headed to the back. There was a little preparation station outside the backdoor to skin, clean, and cut the meat from hunts. I left the bunny on the table and headed inside. The floorboards were silent, they creak for everyone else though. I walked through the kitchen from the backdoor. As I turned into the hallway, I listened for my parents. I could hear voices and some groans coming from the sick room. I guess my day of solitary was over. I reached the sick room door and peeled it open. “I need you to sit still and drink this.” My dad spoke to a middle-aged man lying on one of the three twin beds. Another man was ill on the second bed. “Sir, I really need you to drink this.” The man groaned, I started to attend to the second man who also had a glass of medication placed on the side table. My father was facing the opposite direction trying to coax the first man into drinking the medication, he didn’t know I had entered the room. I took the spare medication off the table and walked over to the second man. “Hello sir.” I spoke as I gently placed my hand in his arm. Everyone in the room seemed to jump at the unexpected sound. “Oh Aelin, we didn’t hear you come in.” My father addressed me, “These men here have prickagit from eating sweet mushrooms the wrong way.” The man laying on the bed next to me spoke “A cook at the inn told us they were a good meal, how were we supposed to know you had to cook it a certain way!” I nodded at his comment. “Well tonight you can taste them properly if you drink the medicine.” I told them. Both men seemed to find the courage to drink the meds in the promise of a tasty meal. “Your mother is upstairs with the woman traveling with them,” he nodded toward the men finishing up their drinks. “I have a bunny to prepare,” I stated as I left the room. “I shall see you lads later at dinner. If you’re feeling up to it, that is?” They nodded vigorously as I shut the door behind me.

 I had made a stew with bunny, sweet mushrooms and other vegetables. It was currently brewing on the stove top. My mom and a woman walked into the kitchen as I stirred the pot and kept my eye on the bread cooking. “This is my daughter, Aelin.” My mother introduced me to the woman. “Hi, I’m Mara.” She smiled at me, “It’s nice to meet you Mara.” I spoke in a hushed tone. Mother used to tell me to talk louder because it wasn’t like I was going to scare the world, she gave up eventually though and I still spoke quietly. “Dinner is almost ready,” I turned back to the pot. “Is there any way we can help,” mother asked. “You can set the table and call for the men.” I replied as I turned off the stove and mother grabbed some bowls. Mara left the kitchen and fetched the men. “Wow!” exclaimed the older man. “That looks amazing!” “And looks even better!” added the younger man. “Aelin, is the cook in the family, she made it all herself.” My mother said as she handed out bowls that I was filling. “So your name is Aelin? mines Taglor, and that’s Bomo and Mara.” He pointed at the older man and Mara. I nodded as a response and began eating. “You’ll find as you stay here that unlike me and my wife, Aelin isn’t much of a talker.” We all started spooning the warm stew into our mouths, the men delightfully savored each piece of sweet mushroom they ate. “Will you tell a story tonight?” father asked, “No I don’t think so, maybe tomorrow though.” The guests paid attention to our exchange. “You’re a storyteller?” asked Bomo. I nodded, “Are you any good?” he asked. “I can retell a story at request.” I informed him. “I’m sure the many travelers passing through tell you them?” he questioned, “Actually Aelin is the one to tell the stories, we don’t know exactly where she hears them.” Father explained, “I won’t be telling a tale tonight though, I must head to bed soon if I want to be in the forest by sunrise.” I spoke logically, “The forest?” Taglor asked. “Can I come?” I looked at him, and nodded, “Only if you keep up, wake before sunrise so we can set off.” I said as I headed up the stairs to my room.

 I lay in bed my eyes tracing the moonlight on the ceiling. Then the light moved as shadow of a bird appeared on the light on the wall. The void bird sat on its normal branch and started its song. I didn’t turn to look at it but instead stared at the shadow that moved with deep song notes. My eyes turned heavy, and I feel into dreamless sleep as the song floated through my mind soaking into the darkness.