Sue Vincent’s Thursday Photo Prompt. Woodland.

It is Thursday and once again it is time for Sue Vincent’s of Daily Echo, photo Challenge #writephoto. Woodland .

Woodland

The crow circled above the Witch’s Castle, confused by the fact that it was summer within the castle walls and deep bleak winter everywhere else.

Finally he took the plunge and landed on a windowsill under a beautiful red rose. He tapped at the window pane until Caladore opened it and let him in. “Well Corvus what have you seen and heard.” He asked looking deep into his bright eyes. Corvus cleared his throat with a deep “caw” and then proceeded to tell Caladore and Lisa what he had seen. Mathew and Rachel joined them at the table, Rachel’s eyes wide with fear and interest.

Corvus told them of the gathering of all the Vampire Houses and how the the four Ancients were laying their plans for war. “The sky turned black with hundreds of Vampires all arriving at once. ” He told them , “I have left my most trusted brother to gain knowledge of their plans.” Will he be unnoticed ” asked Mathew , secretly surprised that he was having a conversation with a crow!

“He will indeed” answered Corvus “they are not interested in us. To them …to you normally, we are just birds, hardly a worthwhile snack! ” Mathew looked across to Caladore and said “It has begun” Caladore nodded sagely, “Yes we need to gather troops and make plans. ”

Lisa removed some meat from the stew pot and put it on a plate and offered it to Corvus who after his long and cold flight ate greedily. Rachel reached out to Corvus, who dodged her hand and moved around to the other side of the plate. He eyed her cautiously…..” I don’t want your meat ” smiled Rachel “I just wanted to stroke you I have never had the chance to speak to one of your kind before. ” Corvus thought for a moment and the replied “Well I have never been one for conversing with Werewolves either” Rachel wasn’t sure but she thought she saw a twinkle in the crows eyes.

Caladore took some maps from his bag and showed them to Corvus, “Can you show us where this gathering took place ” he asked the crow . Corvus obliged and showed the the road to the beach near the tall tower.

Rachel could feel the sun going down and the pull of the full moon was upon her. While the Elf and the Vampire made their plans, Lisa and Rachel walked out to the edge of the castle boundaries where there was a small piece of woodland. It was calm and warm there in the light of the setting sun . A haven, a spot of piece caught in late summer on the inside of the castle garden walls, while a freezing blizzard raged on the outside.

Lisa and Rachel sat watched the dying rays of the sun playing along the ground Hope was sleeping soundly strapped to Lisa’s chest and as the last of the sun@s rays faded so Rachel’s body elongated and became hirsute and in minutes she was beautiful werewolf .

Lisa laid hope down at Rachel paws and smiled at how the baby stroked at Rachel, she knew how much Rachel was still grieving for her lost child. As it grew darker Corvus flew down to woodland to tell the Witch and Werewolf he was now off on a mission to ask the Elf elders for help in persuading the humans to join their side in this coming war.

Rachel got to her four paws and picked up Hope in her mouth and she and Lisa returned to the castle. As they walked away a few flakes of snow fell on the woodland and from under the wall a thin line of ice began to spread toward the castle, unseen and as yet and un-felt.

You can read the whole story so far here