Forgotten Roots, a story written for the world of Sphere by Brendan R Hill Man.

The Shadow of the Raven announces its arrival.

It swoops from the trees, finding footing

in the thicket of blackberries.

Shore-footed, she knows where to grasp to avoid the long thorns, but the bush welcomes

her friend, stretching to offer Respite all the same.

She shakes out her feathers and nestles into the shadows.

Welcome!

The bush greets the raven.

She's always grateful for the return of her friend.

The raven bob's on her legs, nodding in acknowledgement to what the bush offers.

I have flown a long way, she calls, to see how you have grown. Rest as long as you need. May I eat of your berries?

The bush shivers with gratitude to be asked.

It widens the tangle of brambles to let the raven delve deeper to where the fattest berries grow.

The raven always brings the best gossip and scatters the bush's seeds

to allow them to keep spreading across the forest. The bush is happy to share what it holds, as it was the raven who first brought it here.

First besought the Forest Queen for a home for what it carried.

Back then, the Forest Queen was warm.

Her skin, the bark of the birch, her hair a flurry of moss and flowers.

She loved the land, and coaxed Blackberry bush into futation with tender attention.

Use caution today. We are not alone, the bush says quietly.

Raven looks out from the thicket after swallowing a berry.

...