Sansa eyed the spot that Tryton had marked.

Judging by where she was, and the place he had so crudely pointed out- Sansa concluded that she was only a day away. There was no pack, however, and she could see nothing close to the area.

It was just forest.

It wasn't that much of a detour...

She debated the thought in her head.

In the end, the final departing words said by Tryton were what really won her over to get up in the morning and go to the destination.

She made her way slowly, uneasy about what it could bring.

A soothsayer? It would not hurt to find another one. But Sansa felt her feet drag into the ground, her reluctance causing her to delay the trip by two days.

She wandered around the forest area, picking various herbs.

Until finally she arrived.

Except... there was nothing.

Sansa felt very foolish for taking the words of a crazed stranger seriously. He had probably guessed based on her scent, making the correct conclusion that she had lost her mate. But his words had been so accurate...and she had never really told him of her search...

She folded the map, tucking it away and continuing to search the area. She did not know what she would find, but Tryton's words still seemed to haunt her mind.

He knew, but how did he know?

Sansa saw a small cabin in the distance. The structure confused her at first. There was no pack here – none for miles. What wolf would want to be so secluded? It was missed by her at first since the covering of trees hid away the building.

Cautiously she approached, reminding herself again that all this was taking place because she had chosen to follow the advice of a strange male who appeared in the middle of the night to stab her map with a stick.

Sansa watched the cabin from a distance. It seemed as if someone did live there.

There was a garden in front of it, and clothes that were hanging out to dry.

Suddenly the front door opened to reveal a woman.

Sansa watched her. She was too far away to take in the exact detailing – only that she had blond hair. She started to take down the clothes that were hanging up. Sansa waited for the arrival of a male- maybe a mate – but none showed.

Slowly she descended down the hill towards the female.

She tried to be as noisy as possible in her approach. The female noticed her a distance away, but she did not seem scared. She only stood there, waiting for Sansa to come fully to her.

When she was in hearing distance, the woman smiled and waved to Sansa.

"Welcome. Do you need help?"

Sansa looked around the structure, trying to see if anyone else was with them. 

No one.

"I...I'm looking for a...a soothsayer." She pulled out her map, smiling sheepishly at the obvious puncture mark that had been made. "Someone tried to point it out to me where I could find them."

The woman leaned closer and nodded, "You made it. But I'm not a soothsayer, unfortunately. I'm a healer."

Sansa quickly lowered her map to take in the female, "You're a healer?"

She nodded her smile widening as she also took in Sansa and the herb pack that was slung across her shoulder.

"I take it I'm not the only one."

Sansa's smile immediately brightened.

The woman extended her hand, "I'm Nova."

"Sansa. It's nice to meet you."

Nova smiled, "Likewise."

She turned back to her cabin, "would you like to come in and rest? I stay here in the woods to provide comfort and healing to any who are traveling through here."

"Yes, thank you." Sansa followed her, taking the female in with a new level of awe and respect. She didn't seem that much older than Sansa – maybe mid-20s or late if she had to guess.

As they walked in, Sansa felt her eyes widen even more as she took in the small child that sat at the table.

"My daughter," Nova introduced her, affectionately stroking the little girl's head.

Sansa felt the air leave her lungs as the small girl looked up to stare at her with piercing blue eyes. Eyes that she has seen just a few days ago. 

Her hair was startling white. Just as she had seen a few days ago.

Sansa looked up to see the watchful gaze of Nova. She could tell the female was waiting for questions, but there was a tenseness in the air – an almost aggressive look on the mother's face that dared Sansa to say something about the child's appearance.

"What is her name?"

"Moon River," Nova cooed softly, her gaze growing warm and affectionate every time she looked at her daughter.

Sansa smiled, "That is a beautiful name."

The girl had yet to say anything. If Sansa did not know any better, she would have sworn she was ignoring both her and Nova. 

Nova had a helpless look on her face, shrugging in exasperation as she stared down at her daughter.

"Moon River?"

The girl looked away.

Sansa came closer to her, but the girl continued to look down.

Nova smiled, "I need to finish the laundry."

"Let me-,"

"No, no, no, you stay in here and rest."

Sansa watched Nova leave, her attention going back to the small child.

She was still looking down.

Sansa sat down at the table with her, staring at the grain of the wood and wondering what it was that fascinated her so much.

Suddenly the girl glimpsed up at her, before staring back down.

Sansa smiled at the action, "Your mother is very kind to let me come and rest here."

The girl's eyes shifted upward, nodding slowly.

And the silence continued.

Sansa made a small resolution in her mind that she would make this child open up to her and like her. She wanted the child's affection for some reason. Craved it in a way, to have those pale blue eyes back on her- looking at her.

The day passed almost in a blur for Sansa. Nova came back inside when the sun was descending. It seemed the female was constantly busy. Cooking dinner, putting herbs up to dry or grind together. Cleaning or fixing something.

Moon River did whatever was told of her, following her mother's orders of helping. Sansa found herself falling in line with the child, her hands becoming full of ingredients for supper and different herbs that Nova had collected that very morning.

"How old is Moon River?" Sansa wondered out loud.

Nova paused to examine the child.

"She is almost four now. But she hardly speaks. I worry about that..." Sansa softly patted Nova on the shoulder offering some small comfort to her. The female smiled back in return at the gesture.

Sansa found that she and Nova could be close friends.

They stayed up late that night, talking of their medical experiences, and discussing various herbs. Sansa realized she still had much to learn and could understand now why Doctor Nox had pressured her so much to travel to various packs.

Maybe she would...

The thought slipped through her mind as she reminded herself of her true purpose in traveling.

To find him.

Sansa looked at Nova, about to ask her if she had heard of any legends. If she knew of anyone like Night and what it could mean. But for some reason, she held herself back. 

Sorry for posting a day late :/ I wasn't feeling my best yesterday. Hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading and being so patient with me  ♥