A Song of Solitude: Part Two

by Kakosenas

Kakosenas ruffled up her feathers, drawing closer to herself, traveling with much more caution now. Further on into the distance she could see an empty clearing, seeming to be beckoning to her. Standing right in the middle of the wide open space was an ancient oak tree. Its branches were gnarled and twisted like most of the other trees, only this one was different somehow. Kakos drew closer, walking around the thick trunk of it to investigate it further.

Deep long scratches and scars covered the flesh of the great oak - cutting deep into its bark. A low rumbling of a sound, which Kakos took for a warning growl filled the air. She leapt quickly away from the base of the tree, a dark figure landing right where she had once stood. An attack aimed for her no doubt. Kakosenas hissed and recoiled into a crouch, acting out defensively. The figure stood up straight and took a step towards Kakos.

"What brings you to my part of the forest little one?" It rasped. Kakosenas stood up, seeing that the stranger was not much bigger than herself, and also an Eyrie. Feeling bolder now because of this she also took a daring step forward. "I assure you. I am no child. Now give me your name before I give you a reason to fear me." Kakos growled, her talons digging into the infertile earth.

"Trying to assault me in my own territory? Are you really that stupid? Or did you fall from your nest when you were born?"

The strange Eyrie stepped out from the shadow of the great oak, chuffing softly. Kakosenas studied him, ignoring his rude comments. His shoulders were deeply set, and his well chiseled head held low, prepared for any type of an attack. His own fur was a dark shade of gray, not quite black, and not quick silver either. Bright white markings adorned his face as well as his mane and tufted tail. What Kakos found most startling was the darkness of his eyes, she couldn't seem to figure out what colour they were exactly. A long scar trailed down his right front leg right down to his paw. He caught her downward glance at his scar and stared directly into her red eyes.

"My name is Xeromai," He said, his tail flicking now, "and yours is?"

"It's Kakosenas...my name that is," she replied, feeling more at ease now, but still disturbed about his comment about falling from the nest.

"Nice name. I think I recall it from somewhere," Xeromai said pondering. "You've heard of me then?"

"No. I just said I recalled the name."

"Good," Kakos replied, with a quick snap of her beak. Xeromai looked puzzled for a moments time, then flicked his white tufted tail.

"Well Kakosenas, shall I show you around?" he asked.

"Show me around?! What's there to see?! It's just the same old gnarled trees, one after another, each the same as the next! The same drab colours! Now tell me, what's so special about that?!" Kakosenas spat.

Xeromai shook his head, disappointed with her attitude.

"I think you're just scared...why my dear, you haven't looked close enough. You've yet to discover the true self of the Haunted Forest! You're so narrow-minded Kakosenas. Just give it a chance and it'll open up to you. Then you'll see the inner beauty of this here forest. What a foolish Eyrie you are," he said with a flick of his tail.

Xeromai didn't even wait for her response and went into a slow lope into the forest. Kakosenas growled, disliking being made fun of, but soon stopped. Seeing no point of just hanging around she followed Xeromai.

To be continued...