Ocean scene, with tall white cliffs in distant background, morning fog covering the ground. The sound of the waves roar. Music fade in (Women's Day by P. Gabriel in my head, possibly The world at large by modest mouse), fade to next scene.
As music plays, Ashta walks about her village gathering supplies, preparing for her trip. Her fellow villagers look at her with a mixture of grief and annoyance. As the song ends, Ashta finishes packing her things and stands to leave. She stops at the edge of the village to have a few words with her father and brother.
“Father..”
“Ashta, good luck” the older fox said to his daughter.
“I’m sorry I’m going against our traditions Father” Ashta said regretfully but stubbornly.
“I want to go with you” her younger brother chimed in, causing his father and sibling to roll their eyes.
Their father sighed. “This is something Ashta must do alone. Wandering off to chase ghosts is frowned upon. Ashta is old enough to chose for herself, but you Azrey, are too young.”
Ashta came close to her brother and bent over so her face was square with his.
“Azrey, I am the eldest, but you are the son. Our people need you here to learn how to take care of them. I am just a healer, one of many, but you are much more than that.”
Her brother glared angrily away from her. He knew it was true but he also knew that Ashta was extremely disgusted with the idea that only the men were considered fit to lead. Her opinion was kept to herself and few others however, and she would still do anything in her power to save her people even if it meant keeping her young female mouth shut. She was timid anyway and would never cross her father, their leader, openly.
She would leave to save it though. As timid as she was, she knew she was the only one who could succeed.
“Take this” her father said as he handed her a small pouch. Ashta recognized it at once as her mother’s healing bag. “Dad…I..couldn’t..”
“Take it. You may need it. I want to make sure you come back to me safe, regardless of what you find.”
Ashta took the pouch and fter holding it fondly a moment clipped it to the other similar bags hanging from her sash.
“Thank you..” she said quietly as she reached out to hug her father, burying her head into his chest. “I’ll miss you….”
“We’ll miss you too” Azrey said enviously, taking his turn bidding his sister good bye.
“I will be back with help” she said passionately, turning and walking off to the north.