Goldie and Red

Chapter 4 - Fire in the Village

I went straight to my tree after training. It was quite a trek from the village but I didn't mind. I needed to walk off my anger. I beat Theo, he was a good opponent I suppose, but his mother, a witch who specialises in Healing had to come to the camp to check him over, whereas I was fine. I was skilled, I worked hard and I knew I was capable, but no matter how many others I won tasks against, Alec didn't seem to care. He kept pushing me to do better, but wouldn't let me take on responsibilities around town, which meant I couldn't carry a weapon with me. Rowan could. I huffed. I guess she earned it. She was an excellent shot, I'd never seen her miss. 

I stepped up to the tree and slumped under the swaying branches. The sun was lowering in the sky. I tilted my head back and sighed, peaceful for a moment.

I suddenly felt a soft noise around my ears. I pricked up and saw two tiny fairies sparkling in front of my eyes. I grinned. They fluttered around me, and I followed with my gaze. Fairies were some of my favourite woodland creatures. They were cheeky and playful. Their glow was a dim orange as it was still light but at night they shone as bright as the moon. I was always told if fairies appeared, they would guide those with pure hearts away from danger, if you were in need. Otherwise they were just fun to watch. I laughed and reached out my hand as one perched down on my palm. It looked at me. Its face was almost like a human's, but the features were more exaggerated. The creature did a little spin on my hand and springed back into the air. They flew around the tree one last time before diving away into the darkening woodland. 

I laid back again. The breeze picked up a bit and I shivered. Almost as quickly though, it stopped as I saw some branches lower slightly, blocking the wind on either side of me. I smirked. Most in Terra would never notice. But this Forest was alive, it moved and grew with purpose. This tree in particular looked after me. It always had.

I allowed my eyes to close, wanting to forget my day and dream of Papa's soup waiting for me at home.

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I opened my eyes slowly. I couldn't see much. I shuffled around on my side and realised the tree's branches had completely arched over me. Strange. I sat up slowly and looked up at the sliver glow shining through the leaves above my head. It must be late, the moon is out.

I carefully pushed the branches away and stepped out of my cozy sleeping place, then jumped up and down to shake myself awake.

I stumbled down through the woodland, still in a sleepy lull. As I got closer to the village I tripped a couple of times on large roots that caught me off guard. I turned frustrated after my third fall and the root rippled in the ground. Was I being made to fall on purpose? I huffed and bounced up, before marching ahead. First the tree and now this. I just wanted to get home and eat, I was starving. 

As I came to a clearing, my face dropped.

Everything was on fire.

The sound hit me like a wave. Screaming, shouting, weapons clashing. My eyes widened.

I turned back to the still Forest. It had somehow blocked out the sound. I should have heard the chaos but I didn't. 

I suddenly panicked as I thought of home. 

Then I ran. 

I hopelessly darted past people fighting large armed figures: The King's Guard. 

They were brutal, highly skilled warriors with one instruction - Control or Kill. It was the King's way of gaining recourses and therefore power. Invade. Take what you want. Anyone who protests is destroyed. But why were they here? We had citizens with magical abilities, but so did Solis, and the magic in the woodland was intangible and wild, you could never wield it. Other than that, the Forest of Pine had nothing that the King would want.