The Nymph of Black Forest

Breakfast this morning is a solemn affair. Discovering a traitor has left a bad taste in all our mouths! We sit talking quietly.. Sadie is smiling, and I ask her about it..”Sadie, that’s quite a secretive smile you have..something you’d like to share?” And Shawn choked on his coffee. Her grin widens..and she says “Remember what we talked and you gave me that tea to drink right before bed last week?” I nod…knowing where this was going.. she squealed “It worked! It really worked! We’re pregnant!” And I jumped up and hugged her. Derek man hugged Shawn and let him know how happy he is for them! Monty says “Every cloud brings a rainbow! Happy for you, brother!”

I hear squeaking and squawking from outside..the chatter of a half dozen mice.. I run out the back door to see Katrina stomping her little feet.. looking into the branches of a cedar tree. I pick her up to better hear her..while her siblings are racing up the tree. Then, I see why. “Oscar…what did you do?” He squawks a bit and I shake my head! “You bring him down, right now! You know better than to come in someone’s back yard for food! Especially Micah “ Oscar tries arguing and I reply “Bring Micah down here right now! And he better not have a mark on him! I will be discussing this with your parents, today!” Again, he argues “No! Oscar, it cannot be deemed an accident when you deliberately swooped down and snatched him up! And no..it is not an honest mistake, when you know Micah..and know he isn’t a typical field mouse! He’s wearing clothes, for Goddess’ sake!” He brings Micah close to the ground and opens his talons..dropping him. Micah starts shaking his fist and squeaking..huffing, he realizes Katrina was worried and moves to comfort her.

Everyone had been watching..trying not to laugh…but I see the humor in it..I do! A 5’ woman arguing with a 3’ tall Osprey over a mouse.. I look at Oscar “Now..why are you here? What’s going on?” And he tells me his mom sent him, because others had arrived at the rogue camp..and his brother Otis had been sent to listen in..learning who the new people are. His mom wants to see us. I relayed all the information to Derek, as Oscar headed home.

Monty says “Oscar and Otis?” I shake my head..smiling “Essentially, teenage versions of the species. Precocious .. stubborn.. and mouthy! And, they are handfuls. Oscar knows who Micah is.. he wasn’t really going to eat him.. But osprey are pranksters..had Otto come with him, they would have soared high and tossed Micah back and forth between them.. letting him think they were dropping him. Apex predators who play with their food. But I wasn’t joking and he knows it. He will tell his version of what he did, before I get there..thinking that will keep me from letting Opal and Owen know of this little prank! One thing an osprey fears…their Momma!” Monty roared in laughter.. “They gonna get grounded!! Get it?! Grounded! Hah! I kill me” and I roll my eyes, walking away.

Derek and I head to the Southwest border, to meet the Osprey’s and learn what they have heard. It’s truly amazing what people say..they don’t realize creatures are always listening, I suppose. It’s beneficial for us, though. Our own living, breathing listening devices. Derek tipped his hand last night, telling Bart his spy had been caught. He was careful to not say anything about what we have learned.. but the Rogue King will be more aware.. and cautious.. unless he’s just stupid.

Coming up to the tree.. I greet Opal.. asking how her wing is.. She had gotten into a tussle with an eagle a few weeks ago..and had to come to me for treatment..her wing was badly bruised, so I have had her staying close to the nest, until it is better. But she assures me it’s all better. Then she asks me about Oscar and I let her know my version and she hurries off to scold him.

Owen tells us the rogues had some visitors..and they are moving camp. A little further due south. Another hundred or so will be joining them..and there is an abandoned cabin where the new camp will be set up. Some of the men had moved in the direction of the cabin to get it suitable for Leonard Connors. So this is big news! Derek asks if Owen knows where the cabin is..and we’re told he can have that information in a couple hours. I leave the basket of food stuffs I brought as a thank you for their help, and we head home.

Derek links Shawn to meet us in the conference room so we can pinpoint the rogue camps on the map.. we need to start strategizing and Derek has to inform the King of what we are learning…we also want to find out if his archivists have found anything on the prophecy.

I decided I was going to check the library we have here at Mountain Moon.. and have been pleasantly surprised. Monty and Sadie are with me..and we have found several tomes of werewolf history…history of the pack.. one on the Black Forest..and another on Nymph’s origins.. I am reading the Black Forest history.. it caught my interest, immediately.. Anything regarding my forest will always captivate my attention.

The forest has always been under the protection of nymphs. There once was an entire village of them. A great battle took place around the time my NaNa would have been a baby. Her Momma hid her in a root cellar under a sycamore tree. While the village was annihilated by wolves. They had declared any species..not of theirs..were useless to the overall scheme of things. They tried to wipe out the pixies..the fairies..nymphs and witches. Apparently, the Black Forest was considered prime real estate and they wanted to destroy it for the land. It’s why it was enchanted, and no one can enter now, without an invitation by a Nymph. I knew a part of its history.. but not that it was wolves that caused it.

A pecking at the window drew my attention.. I looked to the sound and saw a mourning dove, pacing the outer sill..pecking the glass intermittently. Opening the window, I saw a note attached to her little leg. She told me she had come from Forest Glen and Adele sent the note. I thanked her and took the note from her leg.. As I read it, I whispered for her to rest. That she needn’t make a return trip today. I ran to the conference room, telling Derek I needed to get to Forest Glen. I had to go to the apothecary..the Oracle needed me. He didn’t hesitate. We loaded into SUVs and headed out immediately. We brought six warriors..Derek, Monty and I.

I handed him the note from Adele and he read it out loud “ I hope this missive finds you. I have vital information that pertains to what you are searching for. Be wary in traveling..as the road is fraught with peril” He asks “Do you have an idea? How reliable is this Oracle? Can we trust her? I know they have a tendency to twist a vision to suit their purposes” I shook my head “Not Adele. She has always been honest.. She even told me you were coming! That my mate would find me. She’s never let me down!”