Book 1: A Storm Is Brewing

Raven

The sky is bright and cloudless when we emerge the next morning. The storm from yesterday left the ground soaked through, and mud squishes under my shoes as we make our way back to the center of the field. 

Mother’s been strangely quiet all morning as if she’s lost in thought. I can’t seem to shake her out of it no matter how much I try. I asked her many times if anything was wrong, but she only looked at me with amusement in her eyes that I couldn’t decipher. Though I have no reason to be afraid of her, I can’t help but be reminded of Queen Rowena’s cruelty. 

We finally stop walking at roughly the same spot we were in yesterday. The forest to the north of us, the mountains to the east. She picks up right where we left off, instructing me to call animals to the center of the field. 

The air is much hotter today, especially with the sun beating down on us mercilessly. It’s soaking up all the water from the ground and creat