Prologue
Maybe it was curiosity? Or was it something else? Phoenix wasn’t too sure what it was, but something about the forest always made her feel like there was more than meets the eye. Maybe it was a sign of some sort?
Please, Phoenix thought to herself. You and your fanciful thoughts.
But she swore, there was something about the forest. She didn’t know what, but there was something. Phoenix went back to sharpening up the arrows for her bow. Iris, the gray and orange Somali cat that always came and went, jumped up onto her lap and rubbed her head against her stomach. Phoenix didn’t own Iris, she was a wild cat, but Iris often visited her and the others. Phoenix smiled and softly petted Iris’s gray fur.
“Hello Iris, what brings you out here for the crack of dawn? Maybe it be because the fish frolic well during this time,” Phoenix spoke softly to the feline. Iris meowed in response before jumping out of her lap. Phoenix looked down at the cat. “You seem happy, what for?” Iris, once again, only meowed in response. Phoenix placed the arrows she was holding beside her. “I wish we could understand you, but what you think is genuine talking is only meowing for me human ears.”
Iris tilted her head before turning away and jumping out the window. Phoenix waved goodbye, even though she knew Iris wouldn’t see it now.
“Cats. You don’t know what goes through their minds,” Stars voice came from the doorway to Phoenix’s room. Phoenix turned and looked at Star and her body leaned against the frame. Stars gaze landed on the freshly sharpened arrows that lie next to Phoenix. Phoenix followed Star's gaze before they both looked up at each other.
“I was only sharpening me arrows,” Phoenix said defensively. Star rolled her eyes.
“Calm down yourself, I don’t give a blasted baphoony about ye arrows,” Star said as she crossed her arms. “Constellation just wanted me to tell you to help Comet out with the hens. She can’t get a grip over herself!” Star practically shouted as she threw her hands up in the air.
Phoenix only rolled her eyes, “I’ll be there in a moment.” Star nodded and left the door frame. Phoenix lifted one of her arrows, twirling it through her chocolate-milk skinned fingers before placing them back down. A familiar ‘hoot’ caught her attention. Phoenix turned to look at the owl that perched itself on a peg that stuck onto the wall. Phoenix smiled and lifted out an arm.
“Hello Ollie, fancy seeing you here,” Phoenix spoke gently as the owl flew up and perched himself on her arm. Ollie gave a gentle hoot. Phoenix reached down and grabbed one of the arrows, bringing it up and showing Ollie. “I just sharpened me arrows. Do you like them? I used me pocket knife.” Ollie hooted. Phoenix giggled. “What are you, Ollie? Do you be a falcon, or are ye a chicken?”
Ollie flew up and perched himself by the window, but Phoenix knew he wouldn’t fly away. Phoenix waved as she placed around her a red cloak.
“Goodbye, Ollie. I’ll see you later.”
