Aisling Raven's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Aisling Raven knelt in the morning grass, bandaging a stray dog's injured paw. The dog whimpered but held still under her gentle touch. She dreamed of running her own animal clinic here in Hollow Maple Woods. A real building with proper tables and medicine cabinets. A place where every hurt creature could find help. She stood and brushed dirt from her knees. The wooden sign she'd hammered into the ground yesterday read "Day 5" in rough letters. Five days of treating animals in this clearing. The young deer still lingered near the flowers, watching her work. The rabbit hopped closer, sniffing at her supply bag. Even the skunk had returned, black and white tail held high. Word was spreading somehow, animal to animal. But working outdoors had limits. Rain would ruin her bandages. Wind scattered her herbs. She needed walls and a roof. Down the path stood an old stone building covered in flowering vines. The lavender dome had smooth walls and wide windows. It sat empty, forgotten by whoever built it. Through the glass, she could see open space inside. Perfect for exam tables and storage. She walked toward it, already planning where everything would go. Her mobile cabin could park right outside. She'd carry supplies from the wheeled coach into the stone building each morning. The dome would be her clinic. The cabin would let her reach injured animals across the forest. Together, they'd help her serve the whole region. Aisling pressed her hand against the cool stone wall. This was how dreams started—one animal, one building, one choice at a time.