Chapter 7

The crack of dawn was imminent; Raya woke up with a lazy yawn, shook her sleepy body awake, and said a quick prayer to the moon goddess, after which she took an empty pail in which she used to fetch water in the morning.

As she strolled outside the little hut that she had shared with Keenan and her younger sister for almost a week now, the cool breeze carried the scent of the chestnut tree whose large branches swayed in the morning breeze.

This was the best part; she took a moment to admire the tranquility of nature. It always amazed her that every living thing made an agreement to remain asleep at this time, for very soon, the songs of the birds will chorus dawn and all will awake.

She took the pail in her hand and walked on the path that led to the stream on the outskirts of the Dark Moon pack. There was usually no one up this early save a very few others who enjoyed the quietness of the mornings as she did. She liked it as it were.

As she approached the