| no quarter : part five | | The Endless Forest

It was impossible to discern where she might have been. All that could be seen was endless white. No depth, no walls, nothing but a pristine white surface to stand on. The woman looked around, and slowly picked herself up, noticing immediately that her baby was missing.

Wary, she looked around, eyes wide. "...Where's my baby?" She asked fearfully to nothing and no-one, turning on the spot, straining to see past the whiteness.

And then when she turned back around, something was there to meet her. The woman's heart leapt into her throat, and then slowly relaxed as recognition flared in her eyes.

The creature was a large thing; quite a great deal bigger than most horses. Its body was muscular, but not overly-so, and thin-furred. Laid peacefully against its sides and back, however, were two large and eagle-esque wings, meant for soaring, rather than quick takeoff or sharp turns. Its face was almost flat, with a beak resembling a barn owl's, and two eerily wide mouths. Round eyes were set in the creature's face. Its ears were not easily seen.

At this creature's front hooves, was a stirring bundle.

She wept. She fell to her knees, and wept, hands covering her mouth as she stared at her living son. "Keeper--keeper, thankyou--thankyou--"

"Your soul."

The female froze, and stared at the creature.

"What--I don't understand--?"

"That is your payment. His life for your soul."

For a long time, the mother looked at her newborn child, and slowly, she picked him up, holding him to her chest. Tears dripped quietly from her chin as she gazed down at him, at those closed eyes, at the young and peaceful face.

"I love him, keeper. I love him, so much. More than--I thought I--"

"Your bond will not sever in death. Come, now."

She raised her head, shoulders slumped, eyes losing the fierce light that had kept her going for so long.

"So--so soon? But--"

"Come, now."

Hesitantly, the woman placed her precious bundle down on the white floor, and, heart growing heavier with every step, walked towards the creature that was to take her soul, and her child.

"I will take care of him."