Chapter40: Birds Of A Feather

All was quiet in the forest of Moanwood. The long night was nearing its end. And those that wandered these woods at such a time were beginning to retreat to their dens to rest.

Even those that were active by day were not eager to awaken, as the alpine air was still bitterly cold. Only here, within a hollowed-out log that sat next to the bank of a river, did one creature begin to stir.

Emerging from her resting place, was a Goblin.

But she looked very different to the Goblin we are all familiar with. Rather than having a petite frame with well looked after skin, this one was comparatively tall and muscular, with scars covering her tanned hide. And covering her well-built body was only a small loincloth made from pelts.

With a stone edged war axe in one hand, and a water pouch in the other, she quietly made her way to the water's edge. Once her pouch was filled with clean drinking water, she scooped up some more in her hands and splashed it over her face.

But then she froze in place. Listening to a distant sound in the north.

"Birds? Taking to the skies so early in the morning?" She thought to herself.

Very quickly she returned to log and peered inside.

"Girls, it's time to wake up!"

After a brief pause, two more Goblins stumbled out of the den, rubbing their eyes and yawning. At around five years of age, these two were tiny compared to their mother. To the untrained eye, they would seem identical. But their mother could tell that one was a little taller, whilst the other was already growing their horns out. A sign that she was becoming a Hobgoblin.

"Mama, why do we have to get up so early?" Groaned the tallest.

"Because I said so." Was her answer.

"But were still feeling sleepy!" The other said feebly.

"Too bad." She said sharply, "Now, where is your sister?"

With a huff, the taller sister spun around and shouted "Amina! Time to get up!"

"Yeah, yeah, Imma coming!" Came a response.

And, emerging from the log, by far the shortest and chubbiest of the litter, was Amina.

"Why does it always take so long for you to pull your fat butt out of bed?" The tallest asked with a sneer.

"Shut it, Ami! And I'm not fat!" The little Goblin snapped. Puffing out her reddening cheeks.

This caused the other to snicker.

"And what are you laughing at, Mina?"

"Oh, nothing." Mina responded in a high voice.

"That enough." Came their mothers voice.

The three girls immediately snapped to attention.

"Yes mum." "Yes mum." "Yes mum."

"We need to move, and stay quiet, like we always have. Is that understood?"

"Yes mum." "Yes mum." "Yes mum."

"Then let's get moving."

And indeed they do. Quickly and quietly, she leads her children further down the rivers bank, to where she is hoping to find a safe place for her daughters to live.

Indeed, the world is not like it once was. So many attempts have been made to bring civilisation to these lands. Only to result in conflict after conflict after conflict. And now, the forest was no longer safe.

This place she was looking for. "What did they call it? Timber Town?"

Whatever. As long as it keeps them far away from….them.

For some time, her three daughters were able to keep up. But by noon, Amina was beginning to lag behind.

"Mummy, can we slow down a bit?" Amina called out. Sweat pouring down her face.

Ami and Mina were ready to send a few fat jokes her way. But a backwards glare from their mother kept them quiet as they slowed their pace to a walk.

It did not appear as though they were in any danger. And she preferred to make her girls walk to help build up their leg muscles.

A few more minutes went by before another sound could heard from the back of the group. A growling stomach.

"Aww, is the little piggy hungry?" Mina called back with a giggle.

"Don't call me a piggy!" Amina shouted with her fists in the air.

"Mina, leave her alone. And Amina, I've told you not to shout."

"Yes mum." "Yes mum."

Another growl came from Amina's belly.

Then another one.

Mina covered her face to stop herself from laughing.

Amina saw this and squeezed her eyes shut. Silently commanding her tummy to stay quiet.

The next few minutes were silent.

*Growl*

Mina fell to the ground. Holding her sides as she cackled like a witch whilst Amina spun herself around so no one would see her cry.

"Alright, that's enough out of you!"

Mina pulled herself up and did her best to stop the laughing whilst her mother scowled at her.

"The three of you will wait here quietly while I look for some food. Is that understood?"

"Yes mum." "Yes mum."

Amina wiped her tears away and remained silent. She really didn't want to be left alone with her sisters.

The mother leaned over and whispered into Ami's ear "Make sure Mina leaves her alone while I'm gone." Before disappearing into the trees.

Ami pushed her sister aside as she made her way over to Amina.

"You ok?"

"No!"

"What's the matter?"

"I don't like my sisters!"

Mina leans against a tree and snorts.

"Well, I don't like you either."

"Knock it off, Mina!" Said Ami.

"She said it first."

Amina turns to her sister with a snarl.

"Just leave me alone!"

"Or what?" Mina responded with a sneer, "You gonna cry to mummy again?"

"Bug!"

"Piggy!"

Ami rushes over to her sister and pins her arm behind her back.

"Ow! What the hell are you doing!?"

"You need to shut up or mums going to be pissed."

Mina gives her sister a dark chuckle.

"Too late for that, I'm afraid."

"….what?"

"Little piggy's already run off!"

Ami releases her sister and spins herself around.

"Amina...Amina!? Where'd you go!?"

With a fresh stream of tears pouring from her eyes, Amina runs and stumbles her way through the trees. She didn't care where she was going. She just wanted to be away from her horrible sisters. To be alone.

Eventually, an exhausted and half-starved Amina collapses on a large boulder, and falls alseep.

But then she opened her eyes again. For something had awoken her.

A leaf was sitting on her chest. It was a deep, vibrant shade of red. Which was a little strange, as mother said leaves don't turn this colour during the spring. The tiny Goblin goes to reach for it. But as soon as it touches her fingers, it crumbles into a fine dust, and scatters to the wind.

"Weird." Amina thought to herself.

But then there was another one.

And another over there!

So many beautiful colours, drifting slowly down from the trees. And every once in a while, a few of them would be caught in the light of the sun. Causing them to glimmer and shine as though it were magic.

And yet, something wasn't quite right.

Assessing the scenery, Amina realised they weren't falling to the ground. Some of them danced in the air likes bird on the wind, whilst other twirled and spun in place as though they were connected by strings that were too small to see.

Pulling herself to her feet, Amina moved closer to the leaves. Occasionally glancing around in case this was some kind of trick.

But nothing came out to surprise her. And before long, Amina was standing amidst them. Most of them continued their little dance, but a few of them began to encircle her. Only just keeping themselves out of reach as Amina looked on in awe.

Then came a sound that made Amina jump. Like something small had fallen from the trees and landed on the ground nearby.

And then….chirping.

Rushing over, Amina looked down at the mass of white feathers and gasped. For there, lying at her feet, was a beautiful little dove. But it quickly became apparent that the creature was hurt. For half of its face had been badly torn by something and was now bleeding heavily.

The injured dove looked up at the young Goblin and takes flight. But quickly falls back to the ground again and cries out in pain.

Amina's first thought was to find her Mother. But then realised that she would more likely kill the poor thing than help it.

"Maybe I could look after you." She says softly "At least until you can fly again."

Very carefully, Amina reaches down and places a tiny hand over the bird's body. At first in tries to pull itself away, but then chooses to accept its fate. Allowing Amina to scoop in up and cradle it in her arms.

A tender smile formed on the Goblins face. What was this feeling? It made her feel weird. But in a good way.

Looking back, Amina remembered when her mother used to hold her like this when she couldn't sleep at night. She used to sing to her too.

But there was one song she loved most.

"High above the clouds. On a gentle breeze."

"Flies a little Robin. Feathers like autumn leaves."

"So happy. So peaceful. Soaring high and free."

"And yet I pray….that perhaps someday."

"You'll….fly….home….to….me."

Cold? Why does the air feel so cold?

Looking up from the resting dove, Amina's smile faded.

The autumn leaves were gone. The trees around her now dead. Black, and horribly deformed. The light was gone too. Replaced by a cold, and silent darkness that made her eyes water and knees shake.

Amina instinctively looked down at her new friend to comfort it. But the words were lost to her. For the bird's beautiful feathers had turned black.

The creature stirred, then looked up at her with blood red eyes and spread its wings.

"KAW!"

Amina's eyes snapped open as she jumped back to her feet. Her entire body shaking violently as she tried to make sense of where she was.

The rock. The rock she was sleeping on was still there.

Amina gave out a deep sigh when she realized it was just a dream.

Looking at how dark it was getting, she realised that she must have well into the late afternoon.

And that meant mum would….

"Amina!"

Said Goblin jumped in fright as her mother made her way towards her. And to say that she looked angry would have been an understatement.

"I've been looking everywhere for you!" She screamed, "Do you have any idea…."

Her fury was quickly replaced with concern as looked at her shaking daughter.

"Are ok, sweetie? What's the matter?"

Amina didn't answer. All she could do was babble incoherently as her mother pulled her into a tight embrace.

"It's ok." Her mother said with deep breaths, "I just freaked out when I realized you ran off."

When Amina didn't give her a response, she picked her up and began to carry her back towards the river.

"We need to get back to your sisters and keep moving, or were going to be in a lot of trouble." She said to her grimly.

Amina winced at those words.

It was bad enough she couldn't remember what she saw in that horrible dream, but to have held everyone back made her feel sick.

"I'm sorry, mummy."

Nothing more was said as the Goblin carried her daughter down towards the river with haste. Amina began to hear the rushing river and knew they were close.

But then came a noise up ahead. One that made Amina' spine shiver and her mother freeze mid step.

A scream. Followed by another.

Without any warning, Amina was flung up a tree and on top of a branch. And without another word, the older Goblin sped down towards what was no doubt the screams of her two daughters.

Amina was frightened. But she knew what to do.

Stay still.

Stay silent.

And if all else fails, run.

Minuets went by. But to Amina, they felt like hours. What was going on? And where is everyone?

Still, Amina remained completely still. Not daring to move until given the signal by mother.

"What was that noise just now? Mother?"

"I'm telling ya, I can smell something here!"

Amina's heart went into her mouth. That did not sound like her mother. The voice was far too harsh and guttural.

"Yeah, the old bitch came through here, like I said before!" Said another.

"Nah, nah, this one's different. I reckon she's got one of her pups hiding here!"

"Well, where is it then?"

"Shut up and help me find her, ya lazy bitch!"

And so, the search began. From up on her perch, Amina could hear the strangers sniffing the air, throwing rocks and branches around, and excessively swearing and cussing at each other.

Eventually, one of the hunters gives out a loud groan.

"Fuck this! I'm done looking around here!"

"Fuck sake! Let's check over there!"

The sound of their footprints began to fade. And with it, Amina's fears of being caught.

She was safe.

"Surprise!"

Amina screamed in pain as a clawed hand suddenly reach out from below and pulled her to the ground with a hard thud.

Sprawled on the ground and with the wind knocked out of her, Amina was now looking face to face with the most terrifying woman she had ever seen.

She was huge! At least twice as big as mother. A long, hairy arm with five razor sharp claws kept her pinned to the ground. And just inches from her face, was one that sported a pair of dog like ears and a mouth full of long, sharp teeth.

This was a Werewolf. A hungry Werewolf.

"Ha-ha! Look at this little runt!" She said in delight, "She's like a little pig!"

Here companion, who was also a Werewolf, leaned down and licked her chops.

"Wonder if she tastes like one!"

The first one looks at her and snarls like a beast.

"Fuck off! I got her first!"

"Why can't we share her!?" The other responds angrily.

"Because she's mine, cur!"

Furious, the Werewolf lunges at her companion. Knocking her to the ground and in doing so, freeing Amina from her grip.

Teeth, claws, and chunks of hair fly in the air as the two monster began to fight. Completely unaware that their prey was now running away from them as fast as its little legs could carry her.

"The river! The river! The river!"

These words pounded away inside Amina's head as fiercely as her heart in her chest. The river was where mother was going, so she has to be there!

THUD!

Amina was so focused on her objective that she failed to see the humanoid standing in her path and collided with its legs, knocking her back to the ground.

Sitting herself up, Amina saw what looked a man with the head of a crow. Dressed in dark leathers and wielding a spear, he was a sight to behold. But upon closer inspection, Amina realized he was wearing a mask made from metal.

The man looks down at the Goblin and sighs. "Of course, she's got kids." Amina could hear him mutter under his breath.

"Oi! Get back here you little shit!"

Amina was now surrounded by strangers. Two of which have already voiced their plans to eat her.

"Back off, Philip, were taking this one for dinner!" Shouts one of the Werewolves.

The man steps over Amina and looks at his companions.

"We are not killing her offspring." The man responds firmly.

The two Werewolves quickly move in to size up their adversary. Their anger seemingly replaced with amusement.

"The girls have probably eaten the other ones by now, hon. What would it hurt to have this one too?"

There was a sudden flash of movement. The sound of bones shattering, and one of the Werewolves was sent flying in the air, disappearing in the trees.

And standing in her place, was mother. Seeing the axe in her hands was normal. Being covered in blood was not. But the one thing that Amina will never forget was the unrelenting hatred in her eyes.

"AMINA! RUN!"

Not wishing to argue, Amina did just that. Continuing down towards the river, the sound of shouts and screams behind her pushed her forward. She didn't care if she was exhausted. She didn't care about the blood pouring from where the Werewolf had grabbed her. She didn't care about the dead bodies that littered the forest floor.

She wanted to live! She had to live!