The days in and around “The Rookery” flowed with a gentle rhythm, marked by the changing light and the shifting moods of Cora and Ruky. As Cora toiled at her small tasks—her fingers busy with stitching or gathering kindling—she often found her mind wandering to the world outside their little life. The forest loomed large and shadowy, a mysterious realm she occasionally longed to explore, despite being nestled so close to its edge. Ruky, however, seemed unconcerned with thoughts of adventure beyond their home; he took delight in the simplest of surroundings, reveling in every leaf and pebble like they were treasures.
One crisp morning, as the first hints of autumn painted the trees with gold and crimson, Ruky woke with the sun and bolted outside, his enthusiasm bubbling like a spring. Cora, still curled up beneath her blankets, heard his joyous shouts as he ran toward the lake’s edge. The sound pulled her from her dreams, and she rubbed her eyes, letting the sunlight in through the window.
“Cor! Come see!” Ruky squealed, his call carrying over the lake’s gentle lapping.
With a grunt, Cora eased herself out of bed and pulled on a simple dress. She padded barefoot to the door, the cool morning air brushing against her skin. A few moments later, she stepped outside, squinting against the bright light.
“What is it, little Crow?” she asked, her voice still heavy with sleep.
“Look!” Ruky pointed excitedly toward the water. His dark hair danced in the breeze as he bounced on his toes, the anticipation radiating from him.
Cora’s gaze followed his finger, landing on the surface of the lake, now shimmering with the light of the rising sun. “What am I supposed to see?”
“The fish! They’re all jumping! I think they’re playing!” Ruky laughed, clapping his hands together in delight.
Cora squinted harder and finally noticed the small ripples and splashes as a school of fish broke the surface, darting and twirling in rhythmic chaos. A smile slowly spread across her face; Ruky’s joy was infectious.
“Alright, let’s get the skiff!” she said. A quick flash of determination surged in her—she loved seeing him happy.
The boat was tied to a nearby tree, and after a bit of wrangling, they managed to untie it and load it with a few snacks for their morning adventure. Ruky climbed in first, his excitement palpable as he barely sat still long enough for Cora to join him before he was urging her to row out onto the water.
With every stroke of the oars, the cottage slipped further from their memory, leaving only the sound of water breaking against the wooden sides of the skiff. Ruky chattered away, narrating a story about fish who transformed into birds and soared across the skies. Cora listened, half-lost in the beauty of the lake; the sun danced off the water, and she couldn't help but forget her earlier troubles.
Suddenly, a rumble broke through their merriment—the sound was distant but unmistakable. Both siblings froze, eyes wide, as they stared toward the forest's edge where dark clouds had begun to gather ominously.
“What was that?” Ruky whispered, his voice a mix of curiosity and anxiety.
“I don’t know,” Cora replied, a knot tightening in her stomach. “Maybe it’s just thunder.”
But as Cora scanned the treeline, an uneasy feeling fluttered in her chest. The forest, which had always felt like a friend, now appeared dark and foreboding. The wind picked up, carrying a chill that made Cora shiver.
“Let’s head back to shore,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. Ruky didn’t need any more encouragement; he nodded vigorously, eager to return to the safety of the cottage.
As they rowed back, the clouds swirled above, growing darker. Cora felt the first drops of rain as they pulled the skiff ashore, and the forest shifted slightly, as if alive with anticipation.
“Cor, do you think it will be a big storm?” Ruky asked, glancing up at the sky.
“It could be,” she admitted, tying the boat securely. “But we’ll be fine inside.”
Hand in hand, they hurried toward the cottage, unaware that the forest had secrets to share, mysteries to unravel, and perhaps a touch of magic lurking between its trees—waiting just for them.
*To be continued…*