As the soft firelight illuminated the approaching figure, Katerina clearly saw her unexpected guest.Standing before her was a young girl, perhaps sixteen years old, with jet-black hair and brilliant emerald-green eyes.Her hair was neatly pulled back, with two braids framing her forehead and blending into the rest at the back, keeping her field of vision unobstructed.Her face was adorned with intricate markings, painted in earthy greens, browns, and blacks — patterns resembling the coats of wild animals — giving her sharp features an even fiercer, more mysterious look.
The girl wore a simple tunic of coarse fabric and a short skirt made from lynx fur.On her feet were sturdy leather sandals, perfect for silent movement through the forest.A plain but well-crafted wooden bow rested slung over her back — practical and deadly.
"What a beautiful night, isn't it?" the girl said, sitting on the opposite side of the fire — not too close, not too far.
"Indeed, a truly marvelous night.What could be better than watching the stars in the company of family? Fufu," Katerina replied gently, her tone friendly yet subtly warning.
"Ah, yes.I hope I'm not disturbing you, elder sister.Rest assured, I only wished to rest a little.You don't mind, do you?" the girl asked with a soft smile, a clear signal that she expected no hostility.
"Of course not.I've always wanted to see a Bear Maiden constellation with my own eyes," Katerina said lightly.(Bear Maidens — a term used for priestesses of Artemis in the Roman Empire.)
"Ahahaha, elder sister is very perceptive.I'll drink to that," the girl laughed, pulling a small wineskin from her tunic and taking a sip."Excellent wine! Would you like a drink too? You seem rather tense," she added, tossing the wineskin to Katerina.
Katerina didn't refuse.Uncorking the wineskin, she inhaled its heady aroma, subtly checking for poison.Satisfied, she took several large gulps, letting the crimson liquid trail down her chin and onto her chest, creating a rather seductive spectacle.
"Fufufu... Good wine.Where did you get it, little sister?"
"You know, the Endless Forests are famous not just for their wild beauty.Our culture celebrates fierce dances, enchanting music — and, of course, superb drink.The muses live here, alongside the dryads.Even Dionysus himself often visits in search of the finest ingredients for his legendary vintages.Civilization is overrated, don't you think? True joy lies in embracing the primal nature of the world."
"You don't talk much like a sixteen-year-old.By the way, what should I call you?"
"Elder sister, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
"Ah, how rude of me. Forget it, forget it.There's a certain charm in remaining nameless. Fufufu," Katerina parried shamelessly, clearly unwilling to give her real name.
"That's fine," the girl laughed, quoting a famous aria: "Drifting without a name, treating the world as a game — why burden strangers with formalities?"
"True enough.Names are mere titles others give us.Tonight, let's leave them behind. Fufu," Katerina agreed."But tell me, little sister, since we've found ourselves here together — where are you headed?What brings you to this lonely place?"
"Ah, it's a long story.My foolish elder brother knocked up some village girl and ran away from responsibility.The poor girl was left alone, and now the villagers shun her like a plague.It's funny, isn't it? She had never lain with anyone else — yet she's treated like a harlot.Hearing her story, I couldn't stand by.So here I am, traveling alone through the dark woods, hoping to care for my nephew and the abandoned girl.Tell me, sister — is that a worthy goal?"
"An old story, but a sad one," Katerina said, her voice softening."It's all too easy for a naive village girl to fall for a charming city boy.She probably thought he was her one true love — while he saw her only as a toy.It's heartening to hear that someone still chooses kindness."
"Ahahaha, you're right, sister. You're right," the girl chuckled warmly.
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry broke the quiet:
"No, no, don't kill me!"
Katerina turned sharply toward the noise.It was Gray, thrashing in his sleep, trapped in the throes of another nightmare from that horrific day.
She bit her lip and cradled him close, stroking his hair to soothe him.The priestess watched with silent sympathy but did not intrude.
Slowly, under Katerina's gentle touch, Gray's breathing steadied.
"It seems your children are troubled," the girl said quietly."But I won't pry if it's painful to talk about."
"It's fine.He's been through a lot.But he'll be alright — in time," Katerina replied, though the worry in her voice did not escape her sharp-eyed companion.
"You have beautiful children, sister.I hope my nephew grows up just as lovely.Though, I won't coddle him nearly as much!" she teased, pointing at Katerina's fiercely protective stance.
"Fufufu, impossible.My son is the most handsome man in the world.Don't be too disappointed," Katerina quipped, ignoring the teasing.
"Ahahaha, hard to argue with that," the girl laughed again."The sun will rise soon — and I must go.But in honor of our meeting, let me leave your little ones a gift — a pair of arrows.Who knows, they might save their lives someday."
Katerina accepted the gift, though she was puzzled.Bear Maidens' arrows were rare and special — given away only under extraordinary circumstances.Such casual generosity was unusual, to say the least.
"Don't overthink it, elder sister.As you see, I have plenty.It's all I can offer you.May Artemis, greatest of hunters, bless all four of you," the girl said, pulling two arrows from her quiver and turning to leave.
Just before disappearing into the trees, she added one last cryptic remark:
"By the way — you missed the killer hiding in the shadows."
"Thank you, little sister.Here, take this," Katerina said, tossing a strange silver ball after her.
As the girl vanished into the darkness, Cassia burst out from her hiding place.Her usually calm face was tense.
Even though the young priestess had behaved politely and even warmly, both Katerina and Cassia had sensed something deeper — something more dangerous — beneath the encounter.
"When — and how — did she spot me?" Cassia asked, after a long, heavy silence.
"From the very beginning, dear.That girl may look young, but she's no ordinary priestess.Bear Maidens are nothing like those Light Church fools.And this one...I wouldn't be surprised if she knew exactly who we were all along — and came merely to play," Katerina said, still staring into the shadows where the girl had disappeared.
"Still, I doubt she'll betray us.Regardless, we should move quickly.Did you gather what I asked for?"
"Yes, my lady.Everything's here," Cassia answered, handing her a small sack filled with korite nuts.
"Good.Start your disguise preparations while I make the dye.Let the children sleep a little longer — chances to rest will be rare," Katerina instructed.
She summoned a small cauldron from thin air — a silver vessel adorned with intricate patterns — and filled it with water using the "Aquamentia" spell.
Setting it on the glowing embers, Katerina turned to the korite nuts.Despite her refined and graceful appearance, she ground the tough nuts with effortless strength, a testament to the divine power hidden within her slender frame.
Once she had a fine powder, she added it to the heated water, along with carefully squeezed sap from a rare herb.The mixture boiled and foamed until it thickened into a rich, creamy dye.
To protect her daughter's delicate hair, she added a touch of olive oil — even now, Katerina refused to be careless with her children's wellbeing.
Finally satisfied, she set the cauldron aside and approached the sleeping twins.
They lay curled together, small and fragile.Gently brushing their hair and shoulders, Katerina whispered:
"Fufufu, my darlings — it's time to wake up.Remember the fun game we promised to play yesterday?Mama has everything ready.You wouldn't leave poor Mama to play alone, would you?"