Arty and I were hanging out on the edge of the forest, when a couple of deers came out and started nuzzling her hands. This is our spot, we hung out here everyday of the summer and every afternoon after school. I love the trees and Arty loves her animals. And the animals love her back, squirrels will bring her yummy nuts, dogs will behave like puppies, some cats will be always there with her, stuff like that. So I'd like to think the trees love me back, too.

"They want us to follow" Arty said standing up.

"You want to go?"

"They are saying its important."

"Arty she is going to kill us, literally. " She being our foster mom, who is a nightmare.

"And they are offering an escape. Come on Ivy, it's our out. I know it. And I don't wanna go back any more than you do. Let's just check it out?" I look back at the house, no one is looking at us. We started to follow the deers.

Arty and I met at Maya's place, she is a foster parent of the system. She took us in when we were babies. But she is in it for the checks, so she mostly takes on babies and doesn't give two shifts about them. Often the older kids takes care of the youngers. It is a system and we drew the short straw. That is why we spend all of our waking moments in the forest, we eat better than the rest, just go in for sleep. No one is allowed in the forest, she doesn't want to lose anyone, that'll stop the checks and she hates that. We are waiting to be 18 and get out of here. That is 7 more years.

Or so I thought. If the deers can give us a way out. The nearest bus stop is very far away.

We followed them for a very long time, when we found a clearing near a stream. There were white tents and girls hanging out. A couple girls took the deer and a beautiful blonde came to us. She greeted us with a kind smile and took us to a tent. There were some delicious smelling food she offered us.

"My name Callisto and this is a hunting party. If you wish, you can join us."

" Ummm, what sort of hunting party? We're not really hunters."

"We'll have you heard about Artemis? Your namesake," She looked at Arty. "We are her maidens."

I stutter, "Artemis as in the Goddess? " She smiled kindly, yes.

"Haven't you ever wondered why you two can connect with nature so well? Arty with the birds and animals and you, Ivy, with plants and trees? Because you were half child's nymphs and human, who were born humans. But you were misplaced in the foster system. It took us a long time to find you two."

We looked at each other, every thing made so much sense. "So what are you hunting here?" Asked Arty.

"Why, you two. Well and some others also." Callisto replied.

"So you want join us and help us find the rest?"

Interesting story. It really painted a picture. In my head I saw an Air temple of ATLA sort of institution.

I saw the hunter the moment she stepped in my tavern, but I felt her and her partner when they entered my village bound. The other girl is in the stable, searching what isn't there. Same as all the hunters came before them.

I sighed inwardly. The blessing I received from the old monk of the hill, is turning more into a curse every decade.

She sat down in front of me, putting her scimitar down. " What is cooking today?" " We have meat pies and stew." " Can I get a pie and a mug of ale." " Your partner won't have anything?" To her surprised look, I said "what does she like, stew or pie?" "Stew. So, you're not hiding, are you?" " I run this tavern. Not exactly a hiding place. " " I have seen stranger things. " Well, she is a hunter, a young one. Her partner joined her table a few minutes later, when I was getting their food from the kitchen. Her presence isn't the same. And she smelled different, more primal. The blessing in me stirred differently for her. The only other time I smelled and felt that was when I got my blessing.

She is the heir. After centuries I would finally be able to rest. I'll be able to move on. The heir of the Ancient One finally found me, finally found their magic.

I put down their food and to my horror I realised she is only a hatchling. She looked at me with her big black eyes.
" Dine, you look hungry. "

That afternoon, after the whelp is fed and rested, we sat down in my home to talk. The girls were young even in human years. They were both orphans, raised and trained in a hunter tribe. Neither of them had any prophecies for them. So, they started hunting together, to find their own future. I told them the story of how I, a young hunter myself, found the Ancient One, beside the hill beyond this village, living as an old monk. He was resting when I approached him, but couldn't hurt him. His magic was ancient, millenia old, much more powerful. I was no match. But he didn't kill me. He seemed so tired and heart broken. He lost his mate a few centuries ago in a brutal battle, and lost their egg with her. He just never believed the egg to be destroyed. So he held on, waited, for his heir. "You are to be called Azar. And I am to give my blessings, to you." " You killed my sire? " " I hunted the Ancient One, because it was prophesied at my birth, those tricky things. I was to be the one to found him. And I did. I was to be the one to end him, and I did. But I didn't found a mighty beast, I met an old monk, who suffered for centuries from broken heart. I freed him from existing. I offered to be the vessel of his magic. It wasn't pity. It was a kindness returned. Now I ask of you the same."

The hatchling didn't seem convinced. The hunter looked uncertain. I asked them to get some rest. And think it over. I have time. The full moon is next week. The dawn of full moon is when I'll be able to give away.

I observed the girls through the week. Neither of them seemed to be aware of the bond between them. Well they couldn't see the magic yet. This orphan isn't a hunter either, though she is trained. I conferred with the Ancient Magic. She'll be the First Rider of the new dragon millenia. The dawn of next full moon will be the new beginning. I pack things for the journey to the hill of the old monk. The Ancient cave, is waiting for us. The tavern will be closed for the first time in five centuries. I said my goodbyes to the villagers. I bid farewell to the Ancient magic. We started with the rise of full moon.

Noakhali