The whispers in the winds speak with many voices. Some speak of a shifter who has caused a ripple of change, and others of female who is but a traitor with hands stained with the brightest red.

Nya'dein scrubs the plates, her hands rough from the constant tasks. Mindlessly she washes, dried, stacks, and repeats. Each chore so thoroughly ingrained it is second nature. A small spark of a flame long since blown out trying to reignite, a sense that was buried so deep in attempts to forget. The pack, her mother, and father all tried to pretend her sister Opalescence never existed. She wasn't mentioned for many moon cycles save for the occasional muttering of one of the family members, but more often than not it was her brother's name that passed their lips.

Sighing, shoulder sagging Nya'dein's mind filled with memories of when the three of them were all together. Opal, Seliek, and herself in a carefree world, but no sooner had they entered than it was torn away. Nya'dein herself stayed on the path her mother and father set out, memorizing the etiquette and doing what was required. Seliek was always busy training with their father and Opal just so... different. She pushed against the rules, the box their parents wanted to force her into, she was the only one who did. Nya'dein didn't want to admit it, but her sister had always been the stronger of the three of them, standing up for what she wanted; unwilling to be bend and molded into anything other than what she wanted.

No, Opal was never spoken about until recently. Stories started circulating and even Nya'dein heard of them in her tucked away corner. The stories gave her hope that her sister was alive, and she prayed to Lua Lupa that she would stay far away. The pack would not welcome her if she tread upon their lands. But within every story, there is some element of truth no matter how small.

A frown pulls at her lips, and blinking rapidly she dismisses the tears threatening to pour-over. "Stand straight, shoulders back. Sadness is not acceptable, one must be composed at all times. Don't think about Opalescence, she is gone just like Seliek." The series of phrases her mother repeated over and overcame crashing down. Immediately, Nya'dein regains the proper posture, but the last part is a struggle. "Forget you even had a sister, Nya'dein. Listen to me. It is easier that way, your father is furious as it is. His only heir was killed by his estranged and traitorous daughter. He has managed to claim disownment of Opalescence to the alpha."

"I don't know how," the words were but a whisper in the empty house. "My sister may have been too imaginative, but she always meant well." It baffled Nya'dein as to why Opal had killed Seliek, though many believed it to be rebellion or out of envy. Nya'dein even just privately knew better.

Pouring out the dirty water into the garden, she picks up the pails and heads down to the stream. The trail is well used, and her feet pad softly against the earth. Her wolf seems to perk up, taking in the wonderous world around, each scent from nature better than the last.

I'm sorry.

Her wolf never got out much. Always cooped up in the skin until the prickling of the skin became a burning desire so deeply rooted it could not be ignored. Nya'dein smiles softly, though she doesn't get out much, she gets out more than other she-wolves do. Ever since Opalescence left it gave her the courage to sneak out once in a while during the very early morning to let her wolf stretch her legs. However, with the pack on edge, her wolf hasn't had the chance. The constant nervous energy hums in the air, tensions rising as the packs start to get antsy.

"Be safe Opal. Be free."

Tales get changes, altered by each teller in their own unique voice. The story of Opalescence Alkingsly which would later be known as the Legend of Red is no different.

A figure arrives and stops within the forest, watching as a small brown haired pup runs around in the lush green grass. His bright green eyes glinting in the sun. A memory of many long moon cycles ago pulls at the edges of the newcomer's mind, of a time long since past. A memory still so vivid within the mind's eyes it is as if he could step back into it.

"Hello, Little Ev." The male shifter steps out from the tall trees, a gentle smile across his face.

Whirling around the pup breaks out into a wide grin that seems to take over his face. He throws himself into his grandfather's arms. "Grandpawwww! You are here!"

"Just arrived Little Ev. Let's go inside and see your mother and father." The pup nods eagerly, dragging his grandfather into the house. Not even the little moths or grasshoppers in the field that so often distracted the pup could take his attention away from the task at hand. Almost running, the two make their way across the small field and along the well-trodden path to the house.

Swinging the door open Little Ev calls out, "Mumma, I'va found Grandpaw in the field!"

"So I can see Ev'ring. Exenna couldn't make it?" A brown haired she-wolf comes out of the kitchen. She turns to the young pup, "Will you go find your father? He is at the neighbours and he will want to know Grandpa Everett is here."

"Okay, Mumma." Ev'ring waves excitedly, before running out the front door. The two older shifters smile, a small chuckle leaving them both.

Everett runs one of his hands through his brown hair, eyes glimmering. "Exenna had to stay back due to a situation in the pack. She wanted to come, and sends her love." It hurt that his mate wasn't here, but Exenna didn't delay their regular visit, as she knew just how excited Little Ev'ring got.

"He looks more and more like you, Everett. Especially those green eyes, neither me nor Enze have them, and his hair may still yet lighten," the female comments.

"I know, he reminds me of when I was young. It's almost scary, Ansley." The two shifters make their way into the living room. Everett takes a seat on a chair, while Ansley sits on the sofa.

Everett's skin tingles as his wolf—Crylle—notified him that there are two presences approaching. The two shifters turn towards the door as footsteps and sound of light chatter grow louder. "And the Enze has finally made it home."

The chocolate brown-haired male grins. "Good to see you too Dad. Where is Mum?"

"Couldn't make it." Everett rubs his fingers against his palm.

Ev'ring runs into the room, the front door slamming behind him. Climbing up the side of the chair he pulls himself onto his grandfather's lap. Ev'rings eyes twinkle with a childlike amusement, as he collapses into peels of laughter. The older shifters exchange glances before they too join in.

Little Ev'ring starts to fidget as he becomes uninteresting in the conversation at hand. In attempts to make this more interesting, he claps his hands together when there is a lull in speech. Grinning he pats his Grandfather's arm. "Tell me a story!" Stories from his grandfather were always the best, filled with so much adventure and fun. Much more interesting than the pack trading market.

"Which story, Little Ev?" The adults sit back, their wolves all happy to be together.

"When I was playing. Playing with others they said something about a Ledge-ends of Red. Tell me that one. I don't think you have told it before."

Ansley and Enze's eyes meet. They both knew Everett's story, for Enze grew up hearing about Redaliya and Ansley soon learned of her when she joined the family. They told him snippets, parts of the story—the full tale is Everett's and his alone to tell as long as he is alive

Everett nods slowly, shifting Ev'ring to a more comfortable position. "I think it is about time you heard her story. Her story is a long one, joyful and sorrowful. I don't think I can tell it all in an afternoon, but if you want to hear it I will tell you."

***

Rubbing my hands together, I make my way over to Inszla. The wind whistles, and something I think I can hear words, strings of lost fragmented messages. If all in silent sometimes I mistake my dreams for reality; I've seen what will happen to the females I left. I know their future and the trails they will face, whether it is their own or their futures. The visions have taken to plaguing my nights, pushing me to accept what I do not want.

"I should go to my sister." Muttering to myself I look up. "Hi, Inszla."

"If you are going to those packs, it's dangerous. They really don't like Solus unless you are willing to prove your commitment to join their pack and fight." Especially me, but they won't give me a choice, a one-way trip. Studying her, I see no signs of trickery. Her eyes seem to be scrutinizing; sharp and intelligent, while her hand taps her thigh. "You can travel with us if you like. As he has told you before, we only have a few more stops before heading to the Vera pack."

"I can't. I have a promise." It wasn't too long ago since I had seen the pup, but it felt like ages have gone by. I hope it wouldn't be too soon to visit, but the tugging, the pulling is getting greater and harder to ignore as each day goes by. It is like an urge, a compulsion, something that is always present as a constant reminder that I'll never be free in this world. Sooner or later I will follow it, and when that day comes I want to feel like I have done what I was meant to. I want to know that I did what I could. "A very important promise to fulfil, and then I need to check on my sister."

Inszla nods, "I understand. Then at least let Vy'lore and I teach you how to travel better undetected."

"What do you mean?" Scenting the air we are all fairly covered in the areas natural plants, though the unique undertone is always there if one knows how to look hard enough.

"Up there." She points to the trees and I blink as Vy'lore appears. I had sensed his general direction, but it never occurred to me that he would be up high. Most shifters prefer to stay with their feet firmly placed on the ground in case they need to shifting. "Don't be scared! It is rather safe once you get the hang of it."

Opening my mouth to ask why, I stop, but Vy'lore seems to have anticipated my question even before I spoke it out loud. Dropping from the branches, he lands in a crouch, nothing more than a quiet thud that could be easily mistaken for a small animal. "My mate is rather fond of teaching others who seem to be more... unprotected? Since we have experienced first hand how packs can be, and even other Solus aren't always the nicest."

The was putting it mildly, but I nod. "I see. I would be grateful to learn." I couldn't pass this up. If I was able to master this, then I could travel without as much fear of detection and confrontation.

"Great! Let's get into those trees." Inszla scales a tree, skillfully choosing the best branches in order to get to the top. Looking down she waves, carefree as her feet dangle. "You can come up here. It's better in the summer since now not all the leaves have sprouted so you are still visible." 

"Okay..." Going up to the same tree, I grasp onto one of the branches. Heaving myself up is a lot harder then Vy'lore and Inszla make it look. They insist that I do it over and over, with different trees in the area for it was good practice. I can't say it wasn't since I started to get the hang of it. Smiling to myself, I maneuver around the branches, not comfortable enough to let both hands go, but confident enough to stand up.

Putting my weight on a branch it snaps, and my stomach lurches upwards. Clinging onto a thicker tree limb, my heart races. I've taken to testing the stability of everything I stepped on, for I don't fancy falling from these heights; even if it won't kill me.

Vizsla laughs, "Don't worry, I've done that many times. Most misjudge the weight a branch can hold. You'll soon be able to guess fairly accurately which ones are safe and which ones aren't"

"I think I've got the hang of it." Climbing up the trunk, my eyes always ahead looking for the hand branch or handhold.

"I think it's about time we teach her how to jump." Vy'lore leaps from one tree to another. "Don't worry Redaliya, you've got the climbing part down. You might have a misstep... or two, but you should be fine. You'll start small."

He stayed true to his word, for I started on a branch that was about my height. Now, jumping to the tree beside this one is a bit of a trickier matter. The lack of leaves helps, and after a few times, I manage to stay in the tree after I jumped. Always look for a clear landing, an area that doesn't have bows hanging low, and be careful of tree knots.

Crouching, I limber up, pouncing on my toes as I search for the landing location. Lily locks in on the spot and her energy courses through my veins; she is ready. Moving forward, pushing the sole of my foot against the bark, I am airborne. My brain takes everything is, processing the information around. It only takes a split second for my mind to work and as I land my balance shifts to keep me stable.

Inszla claps as she lands on a branch higher up. "Well done! You're a natural..." Raising an eyebrow she grins. "Okay, maybe not a natural, but you've caught on very quickly. Now you just need to get higher up."

"My mate's right, Redaliya. There is no point in having this skill if you are going to stay eye and scent level." Vy'lore appears in a tree in front of us, his blonde hair ruffled from the movement. "Let's do a few more low down, and then we'll get you higher up."

Lily nudges me in encouragement, flashing an image of Everett and my sister's wolf in my mind's eye. She's right, this will help us travel quicker and less noticed.

A stab of guilt hits me as I remember that I just left. Nya'dein had always taken care of me and I had just disappeared that night, knowing if I stayed it would have meant forfeiting my life. My poor sister had to learn of our brother's death, and live with the memory that I was the one to kill him. She was always nice when everyone else shunned me when they chastised my for an overactive imagination. And what was will never be again, for no longer are Nya'dein and I naive pups, sheltered from the world around.

I haven't looked back too much since the beginning of my journey. I thought it would hurt even more if I remembered my old pack and my family and brought up their memories constantly. But it doesn't hurt me in the way as I predicted. It is different reasons that I feel sorrow, and only for certain shifters.

Climbing up higher, into the taller trees, I leap. Branch to branch, each step getting easier and each movement training my mind to alter my actions by a smidge. A memory flashes through my mind, one must have taken all this to recall.

"Don't worry Nya'dein, it will be okay! It's only a little way up, I do this all the time." I pointed up into the tree, my small hands grasping at the thin branches. I scrambled up, my dress catches and I hear a small ripping sound. Ignoring it, I went higher, Nya'dein watching from the ground.

"Oh Opal, what with Mother say."

The slight distress in her voice had me looking down. "You won't be in trouble, it will be okay. Besides, I really want to see how far our territory stretches." She gasps as I one of the tree limbs it cracks, and I fell.

Steadying myself, I rub my hands together as they are a bit sore from all the climbing. Sitting down, I lean against the trunk, one hand on my lap and the other on a branch to the side.

"Well done Redaliya!" Inszla claps, Vy'lore landing a few trees away.

A sharp pain and the world seemed to tilt. My hands were flat on the ground, but it didn't stop everything from moving. The green leaves above were swirling, and nausea started to take over. "My-y head." Putting one hand on my head, it pounds like my heart moved from my chest upwards.

It all went dark.

"What's strange?" Inszla asks, breaking my daze; must have accidentally spoken aloud.

"I just remembered I used to climb trees. I think, at least. But then I fell, and must have forgotten." That isn't the whole story, the rest of it is the punishment that came after. Never was I to do that again; too wild for a female, too risky, a breach in etiquette, a wolf in a tree. No, never again as a pup would I even attempt to try, for I couldn't remember the fact that I had done it.

"Maybe that is why caught on quickly, though the lack of muscles probably made it harder," Vy'lore suggests, and he is probably right.

"Thank you for teaching me this."

"Of course! We are happy to share this skill, especially with another civilized Solus." Inszla grins, as she swings down from the tree. "Shall we eat our evening meal together and part ways at sunrise?"

~~~

Hello! So what do you think of the shift in POVs at the start? Where do you think the plot is going? Any thoughts, in general, you'd like to share? I'd love to hear from my readers!