Dawn Read Free Page A

sloping meadow, and enjoyed the sights and fresh air. Tall trees surrounded the meadow while distant snow-capped mountains framed them all around. The meadow sloped away sharper yet and revealed a slow stream spanned by a large stone bridge. At the stream’s edge she caught sight of two figures. The first was a child of about three years of age, with brilliant reddish-orange fur and hair, sporting a splash of white along her belly from nose to tail. The second figure was an adult, a striking lady dressed in light green. But it wasn’t the dress that caught Dawn’s eye, the lady was a beautiful Auroran, snow white from top to bottom with long white hair. Long hair indeed! Dawn had never seen hair so long and silky before. It came down her back so far it seemed to flow into her tail.
     
    The two newcomers quickly caught sight of Dawn and Llewellyn approaching and came up the ford to meet them. The young child half ran, half tumbled up to Llewellyn’s outstretched arms. He spun her around high overhead and the little girl giggled away.
    Closer now, Dawn could more clearly make out the Auroran. Tall and graceful she showed signs of late pregnancy but carried it effortlessly as she approached. Dawn couldn’t recall ever seeing anyone quite so beautiful. She suddenly became self-conscious of her own bland dark coat, but was too mesmerized to dwell on it.
    “ This,” began her uncle, “is Heather. Heather, this is Dawn.”
     
     
    Heather
     
    The little girl squirmed and bobbed until she was let down and suddenly ran up and hugged Dawn. “Heather! I’m Heather! Oh… Daddy said that…” Pointing over to the Auroran, “And this is Maria, my Second Mother.” She darted over to Maria, leading her forward by her hand. “And this,” she offered as she suddenly put her ear up to Maria’s belly, “is Lily! …I think… or maybe Siôn…” She wrinkled her nose, unsure of what to think of a baby brother.
    Dawn bobbed and shook Maria’s hand, “Delighted to meet you, ma’am.” Dawn found herself staring at the Auroran, awestruck.
    “ Delighted to meet you too, young lady.” Her dove-like voice echoed in Dawn’s ears and she giggled giddily.
    Maria and Llewellyn shared a quick embrace and nuzzled each other lightly. As they parted Maria mysteriously offered, “And the twins…”
    “ You’re having twins?” her uncle asked, visibly confused.
    “ No, but they might be,” she offered back.
    A shocked look rushed over her uncle and briefly all his fur stood on end. This obvious emotional display from her outwardly stoic uncle caught Dawn by surprise, and she giggled in spite of herself. Suddenly aware of her actions, she nervously mumbled, “Sorry, sir…”
    He shook his head, “No, I probably deserved that. Let’s get to the house before I get in any more trouble.”
    The quartet gathered together, set out across the ancient bridge, and headed deep into the tall woods. Not scared so much as feeling that she had a comfortable blanket of life all around, Dawn found herself very much at peace.
    “ Sorry, ma’am, but you mentioned twins,” prodded Dawn.
    “ Yes,” she answered, “the Third Mothers. Llewellyn filled you in on the family, didn’t he?”
    “ No, ma’am.”
    Maria stopped and stared at Llewellyn, “You never set her up for introductions?”
    “ No,” said Llewellyn flatly.
    “ You had her in your charge for three days….”
    “ It never came up.”
    “ Never came… Did you actually ever even introduce yourself ?”
    “ No. She remembered who I was. It seemed unnecessary.”
    “ And that,” began Maria, “is why we keep you out of social forums.”
    “ And I am very grateful for that,” Llewellyn smiled at Maria.
    Maria rolled her eyes and then nuzzled him playfully before turning her attention to Dawn, “So, the condensed version: Ivy is the First Mother. She teaches music and designs and constructs woodwinds. April and May are the Third Mothers and are luthiers. Do you