As the afternoon came to an end, the sun was low and the sky burnished pink on the horizon, indicating another bright, hot day in store for tomorrow. Danni heard the snap of twigs and scuffle of leaves behind her. She figured Daryl was back with an arm-full of firewood, so when she turned and looked up from what she was writing, Dale surprised her.

"What are you doing way up here?" She asked smiling.

"What about you young lady. Why so far from the rest of us?"

"Daryl... I...we just need more space than most people." She explained.

"Are you sure it doesn't have anything to do with Shane?" Dale never beat around the bush. "I saw their faces the other morning. Looks like those two went a few rounds."

"They're not exactly friends."

"Can you tell me what happened? I don't want to pry, but Andrea's getting awfully close to Shane and I'm worried."

"She should be careful."

"Care to elaborate?"

"No. But I can tell you he presents himself one way, like this good guy, you know? But he's not."

Dale nodded. "I thought so. He's hiding something."

His expression lightened and he added. "I also came to give you this."

Danni had wondered why he was carrying an acoustic guitar with him.

"And I thought you came to serenade me." She joked.

"I'm afraid 'On Top of Old Smokey' would be the most you'd get out of me." He laughed. "It's something I found on the highway yesterday. I thought you'd be the one who'd appreciate it most."

"Thanks, Dale, really. I had to leave everything with my van. I never thought I'd see another guitar." She took it, feeling almost giddy.

"Dale, one more thing." Danni stopped him. "Shane takes advantage of pain; of loneliness. Watch out for Andrea, I know she's still messed up about Amy and he'll use it."

... .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .

It had been too long since she'd held a guitar in her hands. After Dale left, she sat on the ground and placing her fingers on the fifth fret began tuning each steel string, feeling as if a piece of her body had returned. She'd found a missing limb.

She began delicately strumming the D chord and moved slowly to B minor, repeating the sequence, then holding down B, to A and, at E, began singing.

Her voice, low and soft initially, became stronger with each line as it found itself again, a dulcet and smoky thing with a grit that evoked '60s soul singers. She continued to strum and pick the E, B, B minor to A chord sequence.

I'm gonna steal a silver stallion

With not a mark upon his silky hide

Teach him he can trust me like a sister

One day We'll saddle up and ride.

"What do you think Squirrel?" The kitten had stopped chasing insects and seemed to listen. "I gotta get warmed up."

At the chorus, she played C minor followed by A then B minor and picked up the pace.

And we're gonna ride, we're gonna ride

Ride like the one-eyed Jack of Diamonds

With the devil close behind

We're gonna ride,

we're gonna ride

I'm gonna find me a reckless man

Razor blades and dice in his eyes

Just a touch of sadness in his fingers

Thunder and lightning in his thighs

And we're gonna ride we're gonna ride

Ride like the one-eyed Jack of Diamonds

With the devil close behind

We're gonna ride

We're gonna ride

I'm gonna chase the sky forever

With the man and the stallion and the wind

The sun is gonna burn into a cinder

Before we ever pass this way again...

Daryl stopped short when he heard her voice. He'd never heard her sing before, even though he knew that's what she did. Her voice was beautiful; the achingly sad, low and steady tone sent small shivers down his spine. When she finished the song, he entered their camp area. He dropped and began arranging the kindling. He pretended he hadn't heard a thing. "I got more rabbit for Squirrel Bait. I 'll get it ready for him." As if understanding, the kitten galloped clumsily over to Daryl and began chewing on his shoelaces.

She was about to lay the guitar down, when, without stopping his work, he said, 'I liked that song. Play it again. I mean...if you want."

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. .

Only two days had passed since they'd been alone, but it felt like forever to Daryl. Now that he'd been having her regularly he couldn't get enough as if he were making up for all those years when he wasn't able to get it right. She'd brought a lion out of him and there was no putting it back in the cage now. The more comfortable he became with her body, the more his confidence grew and he felt safe enough to try anything with her. He wanted to make her feel the way she made him feel as if under a spell, completely powerless. He'd brought her there the other night, in Atlanta, and he liked having her at his mercy, begging.

Waiting had made him more aggressive and remembering the interruption the day before, he was desperate.

She lay on her back beside him in the dimly lit tent, eyes closed, breaths even. Watching her sleep created an ache in his chest, knowing she was somewhere he couldn't go. He put his hand on her abdomen letting it rise and fall with each breath. Just touching her made him stir. His lips found her ear, waking her gently. When her eyes had opened and she touched his face, he sank his teeth down into the tender flesh of her neck just above her shoulder. She flinched, but he offset the pain by forcing his tongue and hot breath into her ear. While licking and sucking on the fresh bite mark, he worked her tank top up and off and she responded by pushing forward. Seconds later his hands were on her breasts which were already aching. He rubbed his thumbs over her sensitive nipples, a direct line of pleasure to her clit. His hand worked its way into the fabric of the boxers she slept in, practically tearing them off. He found her already getting moist. She sighed, moving her hips forward so his fingers were against her sex and he'd start. Every part of her felt over sensitized. He gently stroked and held her clit between two fingers, remembering what she'd shown him. He massaged her, working it with his fingers, watching her expression. When she closed her eyes and held her breath, he took his hand away, making her groan in frustration. She grasped his fingers and placed them back where she needed them, her thighs clamping around his wrist.

"Uh, Uh." He forced her legs apart with one knee and again removed his hand. He pulled his shirt off without taking the time to unbutton it, and went back to kissing and gently biting around the sparrows. She grabbed his hair and pulled him up toward her wanting to see his eyes. When she drew his face close trying to put her mouth on his, he refused her and moved back down her torso, licking her abdomen, sucking on her navel ring, taking his time. Then his tongue was between her legs, between her folds. He wanted to make her come this way first. He lapped and sucked on her sensitive nub, gauging his speed and pressure by her reactions. He held her down when she tried to buck and arch her back. Suddenly, she decided to move away from his mouth feeling an antagonizing pleasure that she feared she couldn't handle.

"I... I can't...its too much. I..." She was almost crying.

He heard her, but he grasped her hips, immobilizing her as the first wave moved in, starting deep in her pelvis below her navel then surged further below. She ached with a pulsing pleasure that teased and tormented her, threatening to end at any moment but never quite letting up. Her hands caught in Daryl's hair attempting to push him away while he just pulled her closer. This tension was unbearable but increased the power of the climax which kept moving through her as if it would never end.

When she went limp and began to pant and catch her breath, he pulled back, knowing. He began a slow journey up her body to her mouth, finally bringing her in for a rough kiss as she pulled at his belt. He liked feeling her unbuckle it and tug his zipper down. Finally. "Ready?" He asked staring into her eyes, watching her expression.

All she could do was chew on her bottom lip. Her eyes told him she was.

"Want to make you come again, with me in you." He rasped, entering forcibly without warning, causing her to gasp. After a few of his hard thrusts, she wrapped her legs around his hips bracing herself as he continued to thrust deeply inside of her.

"Aw, fuck Danni..." He groaned, unable to help himself as he quickened his pace. He grabbed her hip with one hand, pulling her up to his own. Hearing his deep, breathy groans and her name in gravel brought on her second wave. She began to spasm, setting him off. They reached oblivion together. He collapsed on top of her breathing heavily.

She wasn't able to do anything but curl up and press against him as hard as she could, trying to recover. He took her breath but gave her more life every time he made love to her. They gave each other more of themselves with each sexual connection.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. .. .. . .

"Why don't we just leave from here? Don't see why we gotta go down there." Daryl asked as she finished getting dressed.

"I want to see Carol. And I need Carl to watch Squirrel." She refused to add Bait to the nickname. "C'mon."

He shook his head but followed her down to the main camp. He walked a few steps behind liking how her legs looked in denim cutoffs, her boots accentuating her toned calves and the way her belt hugged her hips. She piled her hair in a loose, messy bun that elongated her delicate neck now wrapped by that cat again.

"I feel like I'm dragging you." She noticed he was lagging behind.

"You are."

"Hurry up."

Rick's expression was as relieved and welcoming as Shane's was hostile and disappointed seeing Daryl beside Danni advancing toward the half circle of tents. Daryl bristled at Shane's mere presence and the two men glared at each other, their hostility palpable. One of the reasons he didn't want to come down here was that just seeing Shane made him remember what she'd done.

"Daryl, good, you're here." Rick said holding a rolled surveyor's map wanting to break the apparent tension. He motioned for him to follow to the Cherokee where he would unfurl the huge map on the hood.

Danni caught Rick's eye and nodded with a half-smile. Then she headed to the campfire for breakfast doing her best to stay away from Shane as she promised.

Daryl was noticeably uncomfortable being singled out, especially when Rick said "I was hoping you'd head up the search."

His instinct was to say no, but before he could, Rick added, "You know the woods better than any of us."

Daryl stepped forward and leaned over the hood of the truck to study the topographical map with familiarity, in his element again. Rick recognized his ability; he believed he could do this. As he began pointing out particular areas he thought were best to focus the search, Shane stalked a few feet away, disgusted that Rick was actually listening to Daryl.

"I 'm gonna take a horse. Cover more ground that way. I wanna check out this canyon. It's a straight shot from the creek where we lost her trail." Daryl told Rick.

"Clear it with Herschel."

... ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .

Carol was at the campfire cooking eggs that Maggie had brought from the chicken coop. Now Maggie sat beside Glenn, eating. Danni noticed the two of them had become closer just since yesterday.

Initially she worried about Carol doing all this work but understood she needed activity to keep her mind off her missing daughter.

"Carl, I'm going out to look for Sophia today." Danni told the boy as she sat beside him.

"I want to come look too."

"But someone has to watch Squirrel. I was hoping you would."

"Oh yeah, if you want me to,"

"He really likes you and I trust you one hundred, million percent."

She put Squirrel in his lap and the kitten immediately started eating from his plate. When Carl laughed, Lori smiled, happy to see him acting like a kid again.

As soon as Danni looked up from her own breakfast, Andrea stood dramatically and left the circle. Danni noticed her join Shane over by the RV.

Teaming up against me huh? She thought of her conversation with Dale and felt a mixture of pity for Andrea and hope that Shane had his sites on a new target.

... ... ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . .

As Daryl mapped out the areas where Rick and Shane would be searching, Shane shouted over to Rick. "I can't believe this. You taking orders from him? I can't. I won't do it." He walked away, Andrea by his side.

Before Rick could apologize for his friend, he heard Daryl say, "Douchebag." He knew it wasn't necessary.

"I'll take T, Shane might be better here anyway if anything happens with security." Rick explained. Daryl was glad Danni was going with him. He didn't want her here alone with that guy.

"You know Daryl, I'm glad to have your help." He pausued and added," but you don't owe us anything."

Daryl squinted, pretending the sun was in his eyes. "Are we just chatting or is there a point you're gonna get to?" He shot back.

Rick nodded, understanding. "Okay, I'll get T and head out. We'll meet back here late afternoon."

.. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... ... ... .

Again, Danni felt useless as Daryl hauled a cumbersome saddle from a saw horse and heaved it on the mare. He saddled and bridled the horse like it was second nature to him.

"Now yours."

"Mine?" She scrunched up her nose and took a deep breath.

"You never been on a horse before?"

"Pony rides at the Minnesota state fair count?"

"Not really." He snorted.

"Well, I bet you'd suck at roller derby." She fired back a bit desperately. She hated admitting to her shortcomings. Of course, he'd be experienced with horses. He probably grew up with them in his back yard.

"You did that?" He asked, intrigued. He'd always thought Derby girls were tough and pretty hot.

"On a team for a while. Angela Death. That was my name. You know, like angel of death?"

"I get it. But now a horse, it's like the motorcycle. You said you ride." He shook her roller derby queen picture out of his head.

"Yeah, but a motorcycle doesn't move on its own."

"Do you want to do this or not? You asked me to come. Not the other way 'round."

She knew he snapped at her because Rick was depending on him. He felt conflicted; proud but worried he couldn't come through.

"Maybe I'll just stay here after all."

He shrugged. "You'd slow me down anyhow."

'You are such a bastard sometimes."

His slight smile faded fast when he realized Shane would be around here all day as well.

He became serious. "Just make sure you stay away-"

"I know." She cut him off, too defensive, feeling stung.

"Just saying,"

"You don't have to.'

"No?"

"You haven't forgiven me, have you?" She looked at his stony face. "You said you did, but you haven't."

As hard as he tried, he couldn't completely erase the picture of Shane all over her. It flashed in his mind without warning when he least expected it.

"You don't know what you're talking about." He didn't want to get into this with her.

"What else do I have to do to make you forgive me?"

He turned to the horse, starting to lead it forward.

"What do you think is gonna happen anyway?" She began to get angry at his mistrust.

He took a couple more steps forward, coaxing the horse.

"Don't walk away, answer me!" She grabbed his arm. He shook her off and turned.

"The hell you think you are, telling me what to do? You're the one that let some guy put his hands all over you, so don't be acting high and mighty with me!"

She was right, he hadn't forgiven her yet.

She shook her head, eyes full of the pain of his mistrust and her own deep regret. Seeing her face, he knew she was sorry. He immediately wished he could take it back, but it was too late. He wanted to apologize, to hold her and say he was sorry, but all he could manage was "I gotta go, losing the morning."

They wouldn't have hugged goodbye under the best of circumstances, it wasn't his thing, never mind now.

"Find her, okay?" Was all she said, turning away.

.. ... ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. .

Danni's gut churned as she sat in their tent unable to concentrate. She hated that he didn't trust her, but she didn't regret telling him the truth. Her anger battled the guilt she felt over the entire thing and her thoughts spun in useless circles. She supposed they'd fight it out later when he returned. She picked up her notebook and accidentally knocked her Tarot cards on the sleeping bag. The entire deck landed face down except for one card. The Knight of Cups lay reversed staring up at her.

The Knight of Cups reversed allows his emotions to control his life too much. The Knight may be moody, jealous or emotional to the point of incapacity. He may jump to conclusions before getting all the facts. When this card appears reversed either look at yourself and at how you are acting or realize that the person involved may be working with his emotions rather than with any form of logic.

The Knight of Cups reversed indicates a situation which was initially incredibly appealing, romantic and exciting but which later turns out to be something very different.

Daryl was probably the most emotionally repressed person she'd ever known. She understood their relationship was bringing up feelings with which he had no skills to deal. Of course he was angry; that was easier than feeling hurt. She'd seen it that day on the roof when Merle was gone. Daryl's rage masked his pain and fear, but only to a point. She'd viewed it in his eyes: anger was easy but fear and pain unacceptable. She understood, but that didn't fix anything. The card just joined the other thoughts circling in her head.

She wasn't much of a camper and she'd never really been very domestic since living on her own as an adult. She looked at Daryl's minimal pile of filthy clothes and after smelling them, she decided to do laundry. Her own, too, for that matter. Neither of them was really keeping up with it. She'd stay busy for the rest of the day. She carried a duffel of their dirty clothing down to the main camp. Carol approached her, still looking shocked. Danni squeezed her hand.

"Up for some laundry? Carol asked. "I have a bunch so you're welcome to throw yours into the wash tub."

"Sure. Um, where is the wash tub? And the water for that matter?"

Carol couldn't help but smile a little. "Have you done laundry around here yet?

"No. But how hard can it be?"

"I'll get you set up." Carol needed to mother someone and she sensed that Danni needed some nurturing from time to time.

"You really don't mind? I'm not much of a domestic goddess, as you can probably tell." She tugged on loose strands of hair, twisting them around her finger.

"Maybe we can fix that. Come on." Carol said leading her to the well.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... .. .

While they scrubbed on the washboard, Danni asked what Carol thought of the farm.

"Rick finally came through. Once we find Sophia, I think it would be a good place to settle. Food, water, space. The Greens are good people. And since Herschel is a veterinarian there is even some medical care for us. We could start a sort of homeschooling plan for Carl and Sophia. I think Sophia will like it here. Don't you?"

'Yes, definitely. " She looked over at Carl helping Squirrel as he learned to climb a tree. She couldn't wait until Sophia was back to name the kitten. Squirrel Bait was ridiculous. She thought of Daryl and smiled but only until she remembered how they had left things that morning.

... ... ... ... ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

Danni had just finished hanging all the clean clothing out to dry, when a loud gunshot cracked the air. She looked toward the roof of the RV where it originated. She saw Andrea had taken the shot. She must have seen a Walker enter the perimeter. But who the hell gave her a gun? Shane.

"What's going on?" Herschel started toward the RV. He had made it clear to Rick he didn't want anyone to shoot on his property. Soon everyone was on their way to the field.

As Danni ran closer to see if she could help, her heart dropped to her stomach and her legs almost buckled under her. Shane and Rick were dragging a filthy, bloody, lifeless Daryl through the pasture. Danni believed he was dead.

She watched herself running in slow motion. She reached them unable to speak or ask what happened.

"He's unconscious, alive, but unconscious." Rick told her. "I don't know what happened to him out there."

"He sure got a warm welcome home though. Andrea shot him." Shane added.

Danni turned to see Andrea running toward them.

"Oh my God. It's Daryl. I'm so sorry is he okay?" She asked breathlessly.

"No, he's not. No thanks to you!" Danni finally lost it with Andrea. She leaped at her and pushed. Soon the two of them shoved and pulled hair.

"Shane! " Rick motioned for him to break up the fight. He didn't need to bring more than one of his injured party to Herschel's door now. Shane draped Daryl on to Glenn's shoulders and headed over to the two women.

"You shot him? Who the hell let you have a gun anyway? Do you think this is a game?" Danni shouted as they hit the ground.

Instead of pulling the women apart, Shane stood watching, placing his bets on Danni. When Andrea ripped the front of Danni's threadbare t-shirt, exposing her black bra Shane found himself wishing for bikinis and mud, enjoying the cat fight.

"You bitch, this t-shirt is vintage!" Danni screamed at her, only to be silenced by Andrea's fist solidly hitting her mouth. She tasted blood. She immediately punched the other woman's cheek bone stunning her. When Andrea grabbed a handful of Danni's hair and tried to knee her in the stomach, screaming, "You killed my sister you junkie whore!" Shane finally intervened, slowly.

"Come on tiger," He said pulling Andrea up.

"Stay away from me and from him or I will kill you!" Danni threatened, still overcome with rage, tasting her own blood.

"Sounds familiar." Shane commented. "Maybe you and that lowlife do belong together after all."

He put his arm around Andrea and walked her toward the RV.

Danni tied the front of her T-shirt together over her bra into a halter. She ruined my Black Flag shirt. You can't get these anymore. She realized how stupid that sounded while Daryl could be dying but she had to stop herself from becoming paralyzed with fear.

She pulled a red bandana from her back pocket and spit in it so she could wipe the blood off her mouth. As she walked toward the house, she put her hair back up, fastening the loosened bobby pins.

Walking through the front door of the farm-house, Danni ignored Lori's raised eyebrows seeing her torn, tied t-shirt and cut lip. Lori directed her to a back bedroom. When she tried to enter, Rick blocked her and walked her back to the hall.

"Is he-

"He's unconscious." Rick explained. "Herschel thinks he'll be fine, the bullet just grazed him. But he's got some nasty wounds from something else. He got himself into trouble out there today."

She felt devastated that she'd let him go after fighting the way they had. She might have lost him and their last moments together had been accusatory. She hadn't looked at him or even said goodbye.

"I need to see him." She pleaded.

"Rick led her into the cool, quiet bedroom, where Herschel was putting the last wrap on a bandage around Daryl's waist. He had already covered his head.

"If I had any idea I'd be going through my antibiotics so fast-" Herschel finished the spoken thought with, "It's a wonder you people have survived this long."

She stood over Daryl's sleeping form, grateful for each breath he drew.

"Well, we'll leave you now. If He wakes up, come get me." Herschel said before leaving with Rick.

It was past dusk now and the room was lit by a small oil lamp on the bedside table. Danni pulled a wing chair from the corner moving it to the side of the bed by the window. She sat, her legs over the arm of the chair, alternating her gaze between Daryl and the night sky.

A knock on the door stopped her. Carl poked his head in and then entered, bringing Squirrel to her. "We had a really good day but think he missed you. Is Daryl okay?"

"He will be." Danni put the kitten on the bed beside Daryl's head. He sat in a Sphinx pose purring.

.. ... ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .

Danni watched him from the front porch. He was working in the hot mid-afternoon sun. He'd stripped his shirt off and she noticed his back glisten with sweat as he hammered the wiring over the fence post. The color he'd been getting from working outside so much downplayed the scars that he'd tried so hard to hide when they'd first met. He didn't care so much anymore.

One of the sections of fence on the right side of the house had come down and he wanted to secure it immediately.

His hair had lengthened and darkened considerably and he looked older, more solid somehow.

"Stay where I can see you." She called out to the toddler, who'd started to wander off the front path, after the sleek black cat trying to grab its tail. "Careful bug, kitty's gonna swat you."

He ignored her, laughing, stumbling after the animal, his straight, shoulder-length, light brown hair falling in his eyes. He was beginning to listen less and develop a stubborn streak. Her sweet boy reaching the terrible two's? She was about to get up and go after him, when Daryl rounded the front of the house and scooped the child up in his arms. "Listen to your ma, now."

She smiled at the closeness they shared. Sometimes she felt like those two had their own world and she could only come in when they invited her. They already had their own boy's club.

Daryl carried the child over and sat on the porch step beside her, their little boy on his knee.

"Fence is fine. Sons of bitches won't be getting in again."

She hit his shoulder. "Language."

She opened her eyes when she heard his voice. "What? I didn't say nothin'." Daryl was lying on the bed propped up on one elbow, waiting for her answer.

Her heart pounded as she woke in a cold sweat. She'd fallen asleep in the wing chair.

The lantern had burned out and the room was only lit by the full moon pouring in the window. "No, I know. It's nothing, I was dreaming. I-" Relief at his consciousness replaced her surreal dream state. "Hey!" She moved quickly to sit on the bed beside him. "How do you feel?

"Good as I look, I guess."

"What happened?"

"Shitty day."

"I'm sorry about this morning."

He shrugged. "I do trust you. It's him I don't trust. It all came out wrong today." After a minute he said, "Sometimes I still can't believe this. That you wanna be with me."

She held her tongue wanting to jump in to reassure him, but she knew he had more to say and needed her to wait.

"You're the first," He took a deep breath. "Girl I ever been with."

She didn't laugh and she didn't move to leave. He continued. "I get jealous, maybe I don't need to, but I do."

"Its okay." She said softly.

"What?"

"To be jealous."

"What about the other thing I said."

"Why would that bother me? I mean, hey, I'm the woman who brought down the mighty Daryl Dixon with my pussy."

He actually blushed when she said it. She laughed and kissed his cheek warm with embarrassment.

She's right.

"You should try to sleep more."

He grunted. "Get me out of here."

Tomorrow. If Herschel says it's okay."

"Its okay."

"Tomorrow. Do you need anything?"

"Nah."

She slid back on the bed beside Squirrel, who was purring loudly. She leaned against the headboard and held his head on her lap while she gently massaging his shoulders. "What happened out there?"

"Shitty, shitty day." He reached over to the bedside table and brought Sophia's doll to her. "Except for this."

... ... .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .

Daryl was asleep again. He didn't stir when she rose and moved to the window. It was the first night of the full moon which was the most powerful time. It was perfect for what she had planned. Now that he was back and safe, her mind went to Sophia. She was still out there probably terrified. Danni picked up the doll Daryl had found and after she watched him sleep for a minute, moved to the door. Squirrel hopped down from the bed and hit the floor with a thump. Danni turned to see him following. She picked him up and he took his place on her shoulders, as they exited the bedroom.

The crossroad and yarrow flowers surrounding it had called to her since the moment they'd ridden up to the farm. Nana Brigid had used such sites for spell and ritual work as an impromptu altar. Danni decided to cast a spell for Sophia's return. She hadn't mastered spell work because she didn't practice enough as a girl. Never too late. She watched and assisted Brigid enough to remember the basics and know that improvisation was often best. Especially green witchcraft. Nan had taught her about working with nature. Danni was surprised at everything returning to her mind. She was just opening a box that had been closed for years. The memory chest of knowledge was full of what she needed now. The Empress was leading her to embrace nature. It was in the cards. Danni remembered Brigid's rules of respect to invoke the help of the earth mother.

Listen to her whispers late at night under the light of the moon

Hear her calls early in the morning carried on the wings of birds and butterflies

Watch her sigh and undulate with the ebb and flow of the currents

Seek out her advice when working herbs and roots

Stay mindful that there are limitations to earthly gifts when tapping the source

Open your eyes.

Work with her and not against her.

It was still there, so clear in her head and she remembered it all. The irony was that while she'd been disinterested in nature all of her life, nature obviously had plans for her. Accept your fate.

She headed back to the tent for her tools. Earlier in the day she had asked Maggie if she could have a few herbs from their garden. She took caraway knowing she'd use it tonight. Caraway offers protection and health especially for children.

She gathered the caraway, a candle, her notebook and a pen. Then she and Squirrel walked to the crossroad. She recalled a spell Brigid had performed when any Traveller was missing. They went missing often in that life, so she remembered it well.

Kneeling at the center of the crossroad she lit the white candle. She focused on the yarrow flowers all around her, calling on their power of divination and seeking. On a piece of paper, she wrote down the name Benedida, the Thracian Moon Goddess and Goddess of the Hunt.

She folded and creased it, waving it through the air then snapped it closed.

She folded the paper again into a square saying, "Benedida, I have you here and I will not let you go until you return Sophia, who is missing."

She dug a deep hole in the center of the crossroad and placed the paper there. She weighted it down with a heavy stone so Benedida would not escape. She put leaves from the caraway plant beside it then filled it with the dirt. With Sophia's doll clutched tightly at her chest to absorb the girl's energy, Danni looked intently at the full glassy, silver moon. The night was almost as bright as day. She asked for help. She visualized Sophia walking toward her, walking toward Carol and then safe in her mother's arms. She held the visions and said

Bound and binding

Binding bound

See the sight

Hear the sound

What was lost

Now is found

Bound and binding

Binding bound.

"Now, go back to looking for what you lost...it will be found." She heard Brigid say.