Chapter 7 Echoes from the Past

A new zeal ran through the village. That is to say, an accord made during the council had almost returned normalcy and friendships amongst men but deep down inside the scars of past enmity were still present. She knew that tending to ancient scars was as important as preparing for the trials to come.

The days after the council, she stuck herself in her new role as pack unifier. Robin arranged for warriors and villagers to get together, tell tales around the campfire, building new relationships that looked past their animosities. Gradually trust was flowing in but the suspicion knocked at the doors.

As the sun set below the horizon and a fresh breeze blew through the trees, Elara found herself walking by her lonesome through one of many villages. She was pulled out of her thoughts by heavy footsteps coming towards. She turned to face Kael, whose expression was a near-definition of curious respect.

"Elara," Kael sighed in a level voice. "May I walk with you?"

She was grateful for that. They walked in silence until the gravel path lit by their moon. At last Kael spoke, and thought it was in a soft pensive tone. "Fragile, this alliance is. But it is a possibility too.

Elara nodded. We need to create something permanent, the Moon Goddess said.

Kael paused, then added; "There is something you should know or perhaps some stories one hears by oneself principally. Rumors of a rift within the rogue camp had circulated ahead of yesterday's decree. But that certain factions were working to foment further division.

Assuming the information, Elara sucked her teeth in thought. "Think they'll have another go?"

"Maybe," Kael said. "Only the formal tie we can't sever."

Eager to learn more, Elara set off towards the edge of town where an ally resided-an elderly woman by name Lyra. THIS unlikely admission sent up a red flag to you on Lyra herself, this woman had been a rogue even longer than her closest ally; underscored by the fact that she was very likely one of few who might actually... know what their ploys were currently.

A few days later, Elara walked to Lyra's house through some dense woods. The scent of herbs and the sound of a babbling brook met her as she approached the small cottage. Lyra smiled and her eyes, wise in the sense that they seemed to travel meaningfully elsewhere, welcomed her.

Lyra waved her hand to ask Elara to sit. How did you find your way to my neck of the world?

Lyra listened, nodding her head here and there as Elara explained. When she was done, Lyra leaned back and looked pensive. "The rogues are not homogenized. They are torn apart, as we have been. Although there is yet some part of them that plays dirty pool.

Elara's face wrinkled in a frown as the implications ran through her head. "Do you suppose they will look to disrupt this alliance with us?

So, while her eyes were on one end of the table; you could see that they focused almost passively distant-into the patterns woven by fate. "It's likely. But, unity is our greatest power. You may well sunder their packs, and by doing so force the others to weaken each other.

Elara took a deep breath, but with Lyra's words on her mind she returned to the village and war barrens. She knew that the direction to peaceful existence would be replete with rough phases but she held firm.

In the weeks that followed, Elara worked nonstop with Lorne Finn and Kael. It says that they trained together and provisions were shared, but most importantly the landings watched for rogue activity.

That night, as the village got ready for another festival season, Elara stood with Lorne and Finn and a silent connection formed between them from surviving together. "Some progress," Lorne said, sounding a little more hopeful.

Finn nodded. "But we must remain vigilant. Those boys from up north, they ain't about to give in without a good fight.

Elara nodded, her eyes on the stars. As one We will stand before all forest and stream, We are guided by the Moon Goddess and under her favorable spell, we shall not be victims of our history.

As the night stretched out, laughter rang through the village and music played together, creating unity in each shared moment. The ghosts of the past lingered, still whispering and weaving their tales but it was mostly behind them now; lost in a sea of forever.

And under the Moon Goddess, they were one pack, and whatever their fate to come did meet.