Mira stood. Moved to the cabin's far corner where shadows gathered thick.
She pulled aside a loose board in the wall. Reached into the hidden space behind it.
When she returned, she carried something wrapped in oilcloth. Old. Carefully preserved.
Selene watched from where she sat, practice blade forgotten on the ground beside her. Her shoulder still bled where she'd finally landed her hit.
First blood. A victory that now felt distant. Unimportant.
Dangerous to everyone. Including yourself.
The words echoed in Selene's mind.
Mira unwrapped the oilcloth with careful hands. Revealed what lay inside.
A book.
Ancient. Water-stained. The leather cover cracked and faded with age. Pages yellowed and brittle.
"What is that?" Selene asked.
"Prophecies. Wolf prophecies. Passed down through generations of seers."
Mira carried it to the cabin. Gestured for Selene to follow.
Inside, she built up the fire. The flames cast dancing shadows across the walls.
