There was change on the wind.
And it wasn't just the wind (who was a notorious busybody, really) . The trees whispered rumors in their branches, the grasses murmured hints. But it was at the riverside that she-- she, whose affinity was Brook-- heard the most: the brook bubbled forth gossip and truths to her like a childhood friend, sharing secrets and gossiping into the night. It sang of revolution over it's slick, wet stones and transformation in it's gurgling, frothy hymns. She and the Brook were friends. She understood.
Prince Jacob was back.
The time was approaching. It was no longer the moment where they sat back and gathered their losses-- no, it was time that they gained something back. And they all had a part to play.
Clan Whelan may be in ruins in it's structure and beliefs, her sister may be gone to live amongst the Lilies, but she still remained. And Kenna still had her family. She had embarked to retrieve one of them, her dear, wild niece. Iris.
She'd heard she was here, at the Abbey, it was called. The brook also had things to say about the Abbey, for better or worse. Kenna tried not to put too much stock or fear into these particular rumors, and instead set about finding her sister's daughter.
"I'm looking for my neice, her name is Iris," she had said to everyone she encountered and so far, nothing but blank faces and apologies. Kenna was about ready to give up the search when, finally, a young woman responded: "Oh! You mean Ciara? Yes, she's at our library, this way." something hitched in Kenna's stomach, a sense of foreboding and fear that she could not help. This stranger had called her niece by her given name -- something that should be concealed. But Kenna said nothing and followed the girl.
And when she finally came upon the sandy back of her niece, it didn't seem to matter-- all her forebodings. Because here she was, in the flesh, in front of her. "Sweet Iris," she said as she stepped forward to greet her. Suddenly, it felt as if she were a little mroe whole. "It's so good to see you, I've missed your bright presence. How are you?" because what do you say after such a time of not seeing one another? A smile danced upon her lips, ears perked forward hopefully. She did not say it outright-- but Ciara was their hope. Their future.
