A/N: Ummm… I have really no idea what this is going to be. I wrote it a couple years ago and just barely found it. If enough people enjoy it, though, I just might make something of it. For any of you who read and liked ‘Taking Flight,’ this is potentially part of the same story.

The night was dry- not like most, and just cold enough to keep one awake and alert. The sky was clear and the moon cast its radiant beams of light down a path of snow-white luminescence, illuminating the night. Stars that filled the sky appeared sharp and defined, whether near or far. The green hills below, though by daylight they were a deep green, were bathed in whiteness. The many stones, large and small, imbedded in the ancient land, cast well-defined shadows onto the grass around them. It was rotten luck, this clearness. It really was. The only moving thing in the hills, a lone wagon, bumped along, quietly as its driver muttered bad tempered complaints.

“You’ll make no progress by cursing the moon,” whispered a voice from inside the wagon. Two eyes inside shone with delight and excitement.

“Back in your place, boy!” the driver snapped. The young man grinned mischievously and disappeared. The driver didn’t continue muttering, but his expression remained a bad tempered scowl. The boy was such an arrogant person, showing no respect to his elders. He was a good thief though, and could move through the night like a ghost. As far as tonight’s mission was concerned, that was all that mattered…

A series of soft, seemingly pattern-less clicks came from the interior of the wagon.

“What does she want?” the driver wondered out loud.

The young man took the liberty of answering. “She says she’s scared. Just a bit though, it being her first time and all.”

The driver grunted, wondering if bringing the child had been a mistake after all. Nevertheless, Matthew, the young man, had insisted that she would be no burden and that her skills were unmatched. Anyhow, there was no use in regretting now. She was here and he might as well try to boost her confidence. “Tell her not to worry,” he said over his shoulder, “she’ll be fine.”

“No need,” Matthew answered, “she understands you.”

The child clicked again, this time just for Matthew’s ears.

Are we doing something wrong.

No, angel, he clicked back. We’re doing what’s right for us. Don’t worry. Everyone has fears their first robbery.

There was a silence, and then her quiet reply, This isn’t my first time. I’ve stolen before.

Seeing her downfallen countenance, he didn’t press the matter. Yet studying her features by the perfect moonlight, he wondered for the first time in years, about the past of his adopted sister. He hadn’t considered before that any experience from her past could hinder them tonight. Now he could only hope it wouldn’t.

We’re going to bring some birds back with us, he’d told her. He hadn’t explained why. She hadn’t asked, hadn’t wanted to annoy him, but couldn’t help but wonder, why go into the city, where they were hated, for birds? Weren’t there plenty more in the woodlands and bogs?

Nevertheless, without knowing why, she’d entreated him to bring her along. Of her own volition, she’d left the camp, her sanctuary of six years, and now, by the light of the ever-present moon, descended into a dream she’d once left far behind, and almost forgotten.

Even as she snuggled against her older brother’s shoulder, they crested a hill and the city came into view. All at once, fear, excitement, and new courage flooded her as, before her eyes, the past and future leapt up together to meet her.