03 - Chapter 3: First steps out of the forest

La Loutre's first steps outside the woods were easier than she had imagined. Carried by the river's currents, she reached the edge without incident.
She didn't even pause when it came to crossing the border.

It was only after she had walked a few hundred more meters, carried away by the water, that she finally turned around. There, behind her, loomed the dense forest, its dense foliage forming a protective barrier.
An ideal refuge for anyone who wanted to hide there: food is easy to find, shelter from the snow thanks to the large thorny trees, and an endless playground for a joyful otter.

But today, the home she knew by heart, the one where she was born and raised, remained behind her.
It could have made her nostalgic. Yet, her heart was overflowing with excitement.

Before her, the horizon stretched out as far as the eye could see, and the landscapes that stretched out before her eyes were breathtaking.
Endless meadows, bristling with colorful flowers, bathed in a light La Loutre had never seen. Spring was breathing new life onto these plains, vibrant and full of promise. Even the air seemed different: wider, freer, laden with scents she couldn't yet identify.

Everything was new. Everything was fantastic.

She waved for a while longer, leaving behind the forest, which was slowly becoming a mere memory. Then, as the sun began to set, she decided to take a break.

She had been swimming for a long time. The sun, though still visible, had sunk below the horizon, and its heat had softened. Its rays now caressed the river with a golden, almost timid light.

La Loutre had never been able to contemplate this spectacle. In the forest, the sun always disappeared behind the trees, swallowed by immense shadows. But here, she could see it slowly sinking into the sky, like a promise of adventure.

While absentmindedly watching the eagles flying far above her, she looked for a perch and climbed onto a rock overlooking a small waterfall. The spot was perfect: the water sang below, and from here, it dominated the entire landscape.

It might have been the first sunset she'd ever seen. She was lucky, not a cloud to spoil the moment—that was rather rare in these northern mountains. Perhaps it was a sign the universe was sending her?

She curled up, resting her head on her paws, soothed. She remained there, resting and admiring the setting sun. The sound of the water rocked her gently. No strange murmur, no whispering of the river today.

Just the immense calm of these unknown lands, the soothing lapping of the waves, the gentle roar of the waterfall.

The sky gradually lit up, tinged with pink, orange, and deep red. It was magnificent.

She had a sudden urge to paint what she saw, to capture the magic of that moment with her brush.
But she couldn't look away.

" There will be others, " she said simply, her heart light.

Then, when night finally settled, a whole new picture opened up before her.
Of course, she had already seen the stars from the edge of the woods. But tonight was different. No trees to block the horizon. Only the sky, vast and free, stretching as far as the eye could see.

She looked down at the river. The water reflected the stars.

" A mirror "

She shuddered in wonder.

It was then that a heavy, powerful flapping of wings was heard behind her.
Absorbed in her contemplation, she hadn't noticed him.
When a deep voice spoke, she jumped, almost falling off the rock.

" I've never seen you around here, who are you? "

On a nearby rock, a large eagle, imposing and majestic, was watching him attentively.
Her golden eyes shone in the light of the rising moon.

The otter, The Otter, a little intimidated by her presence, explained to her that she came from the forest, and that she had left to follow the river.

The eagle listened to him attentively.

" I've never flown into your forest. Too many branches. My domain is here, above the mountains. But you are free to venture there. My territory is vast. "

The Otter hesitated for a moment. Should she tell him about the whisper she was following?
In the end, she preferred to keep this secret to herself.

The eagle continued, in a calm voice:
" I flew far beyond the mountains. I even saw the sea. "

" The sea? " wondered the Otter. " But what is it? "

Then the eagle told him about the immensity of the water, about an endless world where the earth ends and other creatures reign.
The Otter listened, fascinated, his eyes wide.

It was only when he mentioned one item in particular that La Loutre paused.

" The spirit of the air guides me. The sea winds are not for an eagle like me. I was born to fly with the breath of the mountains. "

" The spirit of the air? What do you mean? "

The eagle took a moment to look her straight in the eyes.

" Some animals carry spirits. I am one of them. The spirit of the air speaks to me and guides me. Others carry earth, water, fire. When you carry a spirit, it accompanies you, shows you the way. "

The Otter felt a shiver run down his spine.

" Are there others like you? " inquired the Otter.

" I once knew a deer, guided by the Earth, which allowed it to guide the herd to the best pastures and avoid certain men. I also came across a rather strange seal towards the sea. It didn't speak clearly, but it carried the Cold. They are rare, but they exist. "

He spread his large wings, ready to take flight.

" I'm lucky to hear the wind. It's a gift few receive. "

Before rising, he gave La Loutre one last piercing look:

" The water calls you little Otter, the wind knows it, the wind recognizes you ."

Then, with a great flap of his wings, he disappeared into the starry night, leaving the Otter alone with his thoughts.

She remained motionless for a long moment, her eyes lost in the sky.

His words still echoed: " The water calls you, the wind recognizes you. "
She shuddered.
She wasn't alone in hearing these voices. There were other animals like her.
But what did these words mean?

Her heart was beating fast. Was it a gift? Or a burden?