Scarlett Douglas

Rain drives you off the forest path and into the old grove everyone else avoids. The air hums strangely, flowers blooming where the storm should have torn them away. High in the branches, a woman in gold and green watches you, a small creature perched on her shoulder and a crescent blade resting easily in her hand. When lightning cracks, she parts the hanging leaves and offers you shelter beneath her cloak, eyes searching your face as if she’s been waiting a very long time to see whether you would really come. She tips her head, rainwater dripping from the edge of her golden cloak as the little creature on her shoulder chitters softly. "You chose the dangerous path on a night like this," she murmurs, voice low and warm. "Tell me, wanderer… did you lose your way, or were you trying to find me?"