A Sliver of hope..

[Urzoga]

Apart from soft humming, the night  was silent. Urzoga rested herself against the familiar tree, slowly chipping away at the piece of wood she held in her hands. A small fire crackled away next to her, the sparks rising from the flames becoming one with the stars in the sky above. Once again, she did not sleep. But not out of fear, she had work to do this time, and a journey to make in the morning.

Slowly, as the night progressed, the wooden carving took shape between her fingers. Two bears, walking next to each other, but both looking over their shoulder. Urzoga followed the shapes with her fingers, humming softly, her face gentle. It had to be perfect, display the feelings, show its very intention.

Once she was done, she carefully wrapped the piece in the last bit of Nightsaber hide she had left, making sure it was completely covered. As she secured it with a leather cord and pressed her bloodied thumb on the knot, she nodded to her companions. “Come on.. Time.. to leave. We.. have a journey to.. Make.” As she muttered the words, her companions instantly stood up and followed her step, staying close to her side. They had watched her during the night, knowing what she had planned to do as soon as she came back from the brawl, the smile on her lips and fingers tracing the bruising on her arm. Urzoga seemed happy, and this clung to her still, as the four of them set out to walk the path.

A slight breeze rolled over the hills as the sun casted its rays over the hills, colouring them golden. Small drops of dew on the grass sparkled its light. Once again, it was as if all was perfect, just like last time. The memory rolled back, the hunt, Grimhide, everything flashed before her eyes once again. “I.. still miss you.. Old friend.” she muttered, while walking on, the carving pressed against her chest.

It took a while, longer than usual it seemed, before she reached the sacred grounds of Oshu’gun and climbed up one of the hills, facing the entrance. It was there that she sat, waiting, eyes closed and just listening to the sounds around her. The movement of the wind, her companions chasing each other over the field, the grazing of the animals. It was a strange silence, but an unusually welcome one. She had a chance to clear her mind, set everything straight, breathe.

“Urzoga..” The warm voice echoed through her mind again, the familiar warm hand resting on her shoulder. “You’re.. Back.” She smiled, still keeping her gaze on the mountain. “You are frightened, young one. There is no need.” Urzoga sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping a little, the carving still pressed against her chest. “Time. All in due time. Wounds need to heal, battles need to be fought. He was right when he said that.” Slowly, she nodded. “It’s.. I know.” she muttered the words softly. “Some things can’t stay hidden forever. Many want to help, and you know the path of healing. He said, he is willing to wait. Trust him, and trust yourself, Unbroken one.”

Urzoga chuckled as she lowered the carving to the ground and strokes the Nightsaber hide around it once more. He was right. The promise hung in the air. All that was needed, was time. It seemed, there was hope. All it would take, was courage.