Cerridwen came storming home from school, so upset that magic collected rain clouds in her wake, and the wind blew strong enough to shake the trees. She crossed streets without looking, fashioning a hit me, I dare you attitude. This was an awful end to a horrible week. The demon she was hunting got away; her sister was here, and now her schoolwork was suffering. She pounded up the street to the skinny house on the triangle block corner where she lived. Slamming the old doors to the house so hard that the antique pains rattled in a way that made the rest of the house think they might shatter. Cerridwen kicked her shoes off the front staircase as she walked to the dining room. Miguel's head was dipped so low in concentration that his black hair hung in his eyes while he stared at his laptop.

"Rough day?" He asked, closing his laptop to smirk at her. "I see you decided to bring the rain to the house because we needed the water damage," Cerridwen screamed in frustration. Then looked up to dismiss the small cloud forming on the ceiling. Then, she reached behind to ring out the water from her brown-red hair. Ida came running into the room. Her long, colorful dress caught around her ankles as she came to see what was the matter. Ida had hair piled on her head with a yellow bandana wrapped around it to keep it out of her sharp-featured face. She slipped a bit in her rush to check on them.

"I'll get some paper towels," Ida said and returned to the kitchen. She returned from the kitchen as Cerridwen leaned over the table, pointing a finger at Miguel. You could see through the leggings she always wore that her muscles were taut, ready to pounce.

"Listen here, human, I don't need this today, and unless you are volunteering to help me work off some of my anger in the basement, I suggest you shut up." Miguel rose to his feet, unbuttoning the cuffs of his white shirt and rolling it to his elbows.

"Miguel, what have I said about antagonizing her," Ida interrupted. "Could you act like an adult, please? Cerri, do not threaten people in my house." As Ida started to wipe up the mess, she said, "Cerri, if you tell us what is wrong, we could help."

"Oh, I can tell you what is wrong, it's a crap week, and my English teacher is an idiot. She gave us an assignment to write about our favorite myth, and I picked one about Solin. I got the paperback, and she gave me a zero because the point was to use an existing myth and not to make up our own story. Can you believe that she accused me of making up the Solin myths? She had never heard of them."

"Solin myths?" Miguel asked, "Never heard of them."

"You either?" Cerridwen sighed, "You don't have those stories in the human world?"

"No, but why is it so important? You could do the paper over using a different myth." Ida suggested. "I'm sure Steven is at the bookstore down the street and might be able to help you find one you like."

"And then maybe you could focus on things that are actual problems in your life. Just a suggestion, of course; it is your life." Miguel laughed at her.

"Are you so arrogant to believe that only humans have myths and stories? Witches have stories we pass down explaining our world and culture just like humans do." Cerridwen responded.

"Well, if this story is soooo great, why don't you prove it?" Miguel baited her.

"Solin was involved in many adventures, but I will tell you my favorite: Solin the Avenger.

"***Solin was walking around the city of West Valley with his hunting band. Through the shit and mud streets between piles of rubble that had once been homes and stores. The recent dragon attacks had driven the new construction for residents to live in. Solin's hunting band comprised 17 of the strongest and bravest men in the land. Who had risen to defend those who remained in this land from the creatures of darkness? The triple goddess has blessed them in their endeavor.The hunters were patrolling the city, looking for danger, when Lord Withum appeared in Solin's path, stopping their progress. 

Lord Withum was an older man. He had once been handsome and robust. Now, he walked with a gold-tipped cane with intricate symbols carved into its length. His clothes were made from the finest cloth, with golden threads woven into the fabric. Rings with large gems adorned his fingers, speaking to his great wealth. The hunters had reached the part of the city inhabited by the nobility and wealthy merchants. The old buildings here were still standing, having escaped the dragon attacks. They were large, sprawling homes, each taking up nearly an entire block. The houses were colorfully painted, and the gardens neatly trimmed, tended to by servants of a lower class.

"Warrior Solin, your greatness is known far and wide. if any man can aid in my troubles, it is you?" Lord Withum said. Solin relished the praises from Lord Withum and listened to the man's pleas.Solin waved his men on, continuing their patrols; one man's needs did not negate the need to patrol the city. 

"Speak what troubles you," Solin said.

"A creature with the blood of darkness came to my home. Its presence threatened my family. Please, great Solin, surely this is a righteous endeavor. Rid the world of this creature." Solin was moved by his pleas. He collected all his hunters and prepared to hunt the creature.

Before leaving the city, Solin was stopped by an old man. His gray hair was pulled back from his face, elongating the wrinkles that encompassed his face. This man's magic was known throughout the land, Tolimer the Magicsmith. He brought Solin into his workshop. All manner of weapons hung from the walls inlaid with awe-inspiring power. These weapons had a certain glow to them, revealing the magic inlaid in their creation. Solin longed to wield one of these weapons; one of these creations could help to fulfill his destiny. The old man brought a blessed blade called an athame and presented it to the hero. The silver metal of the blade reflected the flames of the forge almost as a mirror would. Its handle was a simple wrap of elfin leather. The blade changed angles, and Solin caught a glimpse of his own face. The scar that marred his reflection was a reminder of the evils they were fighting. A section of his ghostly white hair was pulled back in a warrior's knot, making the scar more prominent. He changed the angle of the blade again so he could no longer see his reflection. The metal had a gentle golden glow and a vibration that could only be caused by magic.

"Do not judge it harshly," said Tolimer, "this blade may be small, but it strikes only someone with true darkness in their hearts. Even when your heart is inconsistent, this remains true to guide you." Solin looked down at the blade again. There was writing on it he hadn't noticed before. It read 

"The Avenger". This was not a name Solin had associated with himself, but for a blade, it was a good name.Before Solin left, Tolimer held out a bow and arrow. As Solin accepted them, he noticed Tolimer's hands. They were worn and looked like leather, ancient and strong. Solin thought that Tolimer must have also been a great warrior at another time, wielding these enchanted weapons against magical foes. Solin bid Tolimer goodbye and left the shop armed. Solin did have his own weapons, but to refuse the gifts would have dishonored Tolimer.For two weeks, they hunted for the creature. Their frustration was mounting, but the clever creature continued to evade their tracking. Solin spent time finding and losing its trail, but he never lost hope of catching the beast because he knew this was his purpose.

The hunt stalled when they tracked the creature to a tremendous and tumultuous river. Large white-topped waves crested in the water and the currents underneath were known to drag men to the bottom, where they met their deaths. Kelpies lived in this river. Kelpies are strong, horse-like creatures made of kelp that feasted on the flesh of those who drowned. The men wanted to find another way across the river as this was the first time anyone had lived through these waters. Solin warned them that crossing this river was the fastest way to catch the creature. Solin sat on the river banks that night while his men slept, thinking about how to cross. The men had released the horses to graze that night, but they discovered the horses were gone the following day. The men assumed the horses were frightened of the river and had runoff. They were not worried. Someone would find them and return them to the stables in West Valley. No one would dare steal horses branded with the hunter's mark. 

The men were preparing for the long walk back to the city, but Solin forestalled them. He needed more time to find a way over the river. So, the men continued to sit around their camp while Solin sat on the river bank.

On Solin's fourth day on the river bank, a beautiful woman appeared before him. Solin became entranced by the woman. Her glowing skin and long flowing hair were stunning in the sunlight. She held her hand to him, and an inviting smile played across her face. She led him in an exciting and fast-paced dance that he had never danced before, with their chests pressed to one another as they spun around. They were jumping and spinning in such a way that Solin heard one of his rune stones fall from his pocket. The sound of it falling was unexpected because instead of striking the ground with a tap, he heard it splash and drop into the water.

Solin realized his mistake too late. He was out in the middle of the river with the girl, and in the blink of an eye, she changed form into a Kelpie. Solin's skin fused to the Kelpie as it dragged him into the depths of the river. The green of the kelp blurred as his need for air grew. He could not reach his blessed blade to kill the beast with his hands fastened to his side. Solin grabbed a vine hanging over the water as the creature surfaced for air. Wall his strength, he fashioned it into a bridle and placed it on the Kelpie. The Kelpie calmed and deposited him on the banks of the river. The other Kelpies surfaced, looking for their leader, who had been tamed by Solin. A man with blue skin and black eyes emerged from the waters before Solin. 

"You have tamed the Kelpie, freeing my people from their rampage. Please pass in peace." The river calmed as if a war had ended. All Solin's men mounted the kelpies using the vines as bridles and crossed to the opposite side. On the far shore, they found that their horses had not abandoned them but had found another way to cross the river. Solin rejoiced that his gelding had not abandoned him.

After days of searching, Solin saw that the loyal horses were tired and could not go on. He designed a plan allowing the horses to rest and help find the creature's trail. The youngest of their group, Helian, a small copper-headed boy, would stay behind with the horses. The others would all walk in different directions until sunset, looking for the creature's trail. If anyone in the group found the trail, he would use a spell and light up the sky with red fire. If none found it before sunset, Helian would light up the sky with the fire to guide them back to camp. Solin picked his direction and walked as straight as he could manage. He threw his rune stones to find the creature's trail, but nothing was coming to the rocks. 

His mind wondered as he walked through the forest. Soon, the dull ground of the forest yielded a more enticing feel. Flowers bloomed on either side of the path, the grass and bushes grew strong, and even the tall trees had a new vibrance. Solin was amazed by the sights of this land. To ease his curiosity, he searched for the good witch, fairy, or nymph that might have done this, momentarily forgetting his quest.

Solin arrived in an area that must have been the Apex of this natural beauty. The creature described to him by Lord Withum appeared. Its female body is covered in elf leathers, with brown hair, straight and long, and its skin a patchwork of milky pale and red. This was the creature Solin was sent after. It was leaning over something, most likely the fae's body that created this beauty. In anger, Solin reached for the blessed blade that had been given to him by Tolimer, but it was not on him. He looked down, but it had disappeared. The creature continued with her task. Solin could not see what she was doing from across the open grove, with her back to him. He imagined her destroying her prey as she hummed to herself. The happiness of the song sickened Solin. His resolve to destroy the creature strengthened. What had been a long and challenging hunt would end in an easy kill. He pulled out his bow and arrow and shot the beast. Upon being struck, it turned to look at Solin; one eye was green, and one eye was red. Panic filled them as tears began to fall. Then thunder sounded, rattling the world as the triple goddesses appeared.

"Solin, why have you betrayed me, killing one of my beloved creatures?" The goddess glowed so bright that Solin could not look upon her face. Solin wept and begged for forgiveness. He saw now that the creature was the one building all that beauty. She was creating a patch of flowers that were starting to flee, afraid of death, save one. This Flower stayed by its creator. Its white bloom drooped in mourning.

"Great goddess, how can I right this wrong?" Solin asked.

The Triple Goddess waved her hands over the girl. Her body shimmered momentarily, disappeared, absorbed, and returned to nature. "Avenge my daughter; bring the part that has wronged her and the hand that accused her. Then let the blood run over her bloom."

"Goddess, as I have brought her low, how can I avenge her." The goddess grew in size, and her voice filled with the sky's thunder. "Avenge her!" Lighting struck the ground, cracking where she had stood. Sparing only the Flower, the creature had created.

Since the sky was dark, Solin journeyed back to his men guided by the red fire Helion had created. Solin told them of his encounter. They trekked through the woods to West Valley, both relieved that the hunt was over and distraught by the goddess's proclamation. But their task was over; Solin alone would meet with Lord Withum.

Solin called at the home of Lord Withum and was ushered inside to a grand hall. There were roaring fires in two fireplaces on either end of the hall. Hanging from the ceiling were the sparkling crystals of an enormous chandelier. The couches were made of bright red fabric, with gold threads running through it, much like the clothes Lord Withum had worn that first day they met.When Lord Withum entered the room, he headed straight for a cart holding bottles of liquor and glasses. He poured two drinks and handed one to Solin with a smile. 

"I feel confident that your return brings good news," he said, still smiling. That smile gave Solin a chill, warning him to tread carefully.Without confirming anything, Solin asked him to describe the creature again. He wondered who the creature was and how it behaved when Lord Withum had encountered it. Lord Withum's smile faltered as he replied. "It was a dangerous creature invading my home; I did not take the time to study it." There was a flash of panic in Lord Withum's eyes, a familiar flash of panic.

"She," Solin corrected. "The creature was a she, not an it." Lord Withum's smile was gone, and understanding hit Solin. Lord Withum, clever with words, continued to spin a convincing tale, but his brown hair and green eyes betrayed him. Solin asked one more time, giving Lord Withum the chance to speak. 

Lord Withum answered, "A creature being near one can be a danger with the claims they bring." The girl's strange features showed a clash of the demon's and witch's blood. Solin also remembered her human features, similar to Lord Withum's. Lord Withum must have had some transgression with a demon and was now denying his child. Solin was tired of Lord Withum's lies and grabbed him, tying him down. Lord Withum tried to fight, but it was not much of a contest, Solin being a trained warrior and Lord Withum being an old man. When Solin reached for his blessed blade this time, it was there. Solin removed Lord Withum's hand and manhood. Following the goddess' decree, the part that wronged her and the hand that accused her.

Solin gathered the parts in a leather sack and then left. Solin had warned his men not to follow him back to the woods if the sacrifice did not appease the goddess. Solin knew that the destiny of the hunters must live on past him; his men had to continue their work.

Solin entered the wooded area where he had found the girl; the ground had jagged scars from the lightning strike. He gazed at the Flower, still drooped in mourning, and realized that none had given the girl's death blessing. It calls guidance down, assisting the soul into the afterlife. He knelt and dripped the blood on the Flower as he was instructed. 

"May the maiden teach you, the mother holds you, and the crone guides you home." He whispered, giving the creature a death blessing.

Clouds collected overhead, and rains poured on the ground around him but not on Solin or the Flower. Floodwaters rose around them but did not touch them. The forest and its inhabitants have washed away like a fresh cleaning. Once the skies cleared and the water receded, Solin stood to leave. One last drop fell from the sky on his cheek; it slid down his face and onto the Flower. The Flower shimmered when the drop made contact. The shimmer revealed the girl, rising from the Flower alive again.

The goddess appeared in a blinding light and sighed. 

"My daughter, what are you called?" the goddess took the girl's hand, holding her to get a clear look at her, gazing like a mother.

"I am called Calla Lilly," the girl said, dropping into a curtsy to respect the goddess; she didn't dare look upon her face.

"You, Calla Lilly, shall serve in my band hunting the creatures of darkness. From now till forever, your creation shall bear your name. It will stand as a comfort for the permeance of death for the soul." The goddess released the girl, and Solin felt her attention shift to him. 

"It will also remind us about faith in rebirth."

***Ida and Miguel sat lisenting. Cerridwen told the story with such conviction that they were unsure whether to be impressed or concerned. Cerridwen broke the silence, exclaiming, 

"See! Great right? Solin saves the day, and in a later story, he marries Calla Lily. She also plays a big part in hunting down demons. Making it acceptable for women to be hunters too."

Ida stood up from the table and looked over at Cerridwen. "You know, there is an easy solution to your problem. If you have a copy of the Legends book with Solin's story in it. You could bring it to school and show it to your teacher, proving you did not make it up. She would have to give you full credit for your work."

"That is a good idea!" Cerridwen waved her hand over the table and whispered, 'Book.' An old book appeared on the table with yellowing pages. As Cerridwen picked it up and started looking through the pages.

"Of course, that solution will only help you if that is what is bothering you," Ida said.

"Of course, that is what's bothering me. This is a big assignment."

"You heard her, Ida. It's the assignment. What teenage girl wouldn't get this worked up over schoolwork?" Miguel said slyly.

"I know what you two are insinuating, and you're wrong. I'm fine. It was getting a zero on the paper that was bothering me." Cerridwen affirmed, barely convincing herself.

"I am just worried. I know what your sister said to you was shocking, and you have every right to be upset or feel any way you would like. I want you to know we are all here for you if you need us." Ida tried to reach for Cerridwen, but she stood stiff as a board at the mention of her sister. Her nails dug into the table's wood until she started feeling pain in the sensitive skin that connects to the nail.

"Nothing is shocking here. My sister and Damian are going to the Betlaim festival together. They are going to dance the ritual dance of the spring together and have a great time together." At this point, Cerridwen's hand was white with the force of grabbing the table. Her voice was strained with everything that passed her lips. "I hope they have a good time and wish them both happiness. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other homework." Cerridwen ran up the stairs like Satan himself was chasing her.

"Did you believe that?" Ida asked Miguel, knowing the answer.

"She didn't even look like she believed that," he answered. "She is one piece of bad news away from snapping and killing us all." Miguel opened his laptop again and started typing.

"What are you doing? We have to help her. The girl deserves a win in her life." Ida said. She was unhappy with Miguel's seeming indifference to what was happening with Cerridwen.

Miguel stopped typing and looked up. "We can't help her, Ida; she has to figure out that she loves Damian alone. We can't make her see that. Give her space and time. Eventually, she will catch up. But if you feel like springing it on her, do yourself a favor and wait until after she kills something. At least then, she might be in a good mood.

"For a guy who didn't like Cerridwen when she first moved in, Ida was surprised by how well he understood her now. Ida went back into the kitchen, thinking that Miguel was right.