Sleep came in short intervals to Ktulu as it always had ever since she'd been old enough to have memories. As a foal the night had always been something to fear, especially for a filly who was nearly crippled. She remembered being told time and again that dangers lurked in the darkness around them, something she took to heart especially after her sister had been stolen and again when they had been chased from their home by the shades. Sometimes in her sleep she heard them. The awful rustling that signaled their approach. She heard the screams of those that were fighting and dying. Still smelled the metallic scent of blood as it filled the air around them. She still saw their demonic red eyes and felt the slashing of their bodies against her own.
Ktulu's eyes snapped open and she stared out into the darkness and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness that surrounded her. Above her the moon hung high in the sky, shining down brightly on the landscape below, though there was not nearly enough to melt away the shadows. Never mind that. Ktulu no longer minded the shadows or feared the darkness as she had before. She'd become stronger and had learned to become one with the darkness when she needed to. Her tail flicked and the fireflies that had nestled there to sleep stirred awake. The mare shook her mane next, rousing the fireflies that had settled there as well. The fluttering of their wings was minute, but in the utter silence of the night it was a nearly deafening roar. All around her they began to flicker and she watched them, wondering if they would ever leave or if they would stay with her. She hoped they stayed so she would always have a little part of the Ancient Bear whom had thought her worthy enough to call Eytan her Bonded Companion.
After a few minutes the Chieftess shifted her weight, silently groaning as her muscles protested to the movement. The cold had seeped into her muscles and bones in the short time that she had been dozing. Joints cracked and popped when the first few steps were taken but her body's protest ceased when her blood finally began to flow and when it did it brought warmth to her. Several feet behind her Eytan grumbled and at that Ktulu halted and turned her head toward his furry brown form that was curled protectively around her young daughter. Her gaze locked with his and he lowered his head to rest on Ranjiri once more. He would keep her warm and safe until she returned to them.
Most of her walk was made in silence with only the fluttering wings of the fireflies that accompanied her. Still, Ktulu's ears rotated as she listened for any noise. It would be unusual for her to hear one of her own stirring this late at night, but it would not be unusual for predators to be lurking. This thought altered her path and she veered toward the borders of her land only to stop at the distant sound of laughter. Her head lifted and turned in the direction she thought it came from, every muscle taught as she waited to spring into action, but it was only laughter. Was there anything dangerous about that? Curious, maybe.
Ktulu abandoned all thoughts of walking the border under the moonlight, for the time being anyway, and followed the sound of laughter. She realized as she drew closer that she recognized it. Distinctively feminine and all Lakota. Despite herself her lips twitched into a grin as she followed the sound and soon found who she was looking for playing tag with her young companion. The Chieftess' advanced stopped and she stood in the shadows and watched their game until it finally came to an and with both of them lying in the snow looking completely spent and ready for sleep. She wondered if they knew she was there or even suspected it.
The fireflies that usually stuck close to her began to drift toward Lakota, dancing in the air above her and her charge. Some of the others nestled back in Ktulu's hair, though they continued to flicker within the pale locks. Soon the ones that had drifted off began to come back to her and Ktulu watched them, still wondering about the little bugs that had been with her since the bear's passing. What did they do, if anything at all? Why had he given them to her? All things she could stew on at some other time she supposed, because her attention was once again drawn to Lakota at the sound of her voice, though she did not hear the question that she had asked herself.
Snow crunched under her hooves as she left the sanctuary of the shadows that she had found. "Lakota." She murmured to her poisoner and friend. "You're up late... Is everything alright?"
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