Heart's Desire

Canopy

After what felt like days, the group finally began to descend into the lush canopy. Griffin found a low, but sturdy, branch to allow his passengers a comfortable place to regroup away from any prying eyes.

"It's not far, now," Phoenix said while running her hands across her dress to straighten out any wrinkles that occurred on the journey. Looking down at her feet, her eyes followed to the end of the branch and then on to the rest of the canopy. She noticed that it was just as pristine as the day she left it, breathing a sigh of relief knowing the haze hadn't reached it here, yet.

Kat's legs swung in the air as she sat down to eat her meager lunch. "I accidentally crushed it on the way over but it should still taste just as well." She thought about her rushed packing as she gazed at the small, woven basket with the lid flipped open to reveal cucumber sandwiches, soft cheese, and a small loaf of bread.

She reached in to hand Griffin a sandwich and to her surprise, he raised his hand to decline. "Aren't you starving after carrying us all this way?" She asked incredulously. With a soft smile, he said, "The spirits of this forest do not have the same struggle with stamina as the humans of the world do." He sat down beside Kat and looked across the treetops before continuing, Kat taking a big bite from her sandwich. "We do not feel hunger, thirst, or exhaustion in the same way so we do not succumb to those limitations."

"That must be nice." She replied wistfully, using a kerchief from the basket to dab at her mouth. "Well, I guess that means we should get ready for the next part of our trip, then." She looked back at Phoenix expecting her to be listening but instead found her still gazing longingly at the forest. Kat stood and walked up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder and making her jump. "Hey, where were you just now?" Kat asked softly.

Phoenix finally pulled her eyes away from the trees to meet Kat's soft gaze. "I have not been here in so long that it feels like I'm looking at it for the first time, again. It is so beautiful that it takes my breath away." She raised her arm and pointed down to the forest floor.

"Look at how the ferns flourish even though the sunlight barely grazes its fronds or how the mushrooms grow upon the dead fallen logs, which have all the nutrients it could need." She trailed off and lowered her arm slowly.

In the moments of silence that followed, Kat finally began to see, really see, what was around her and it was magical. Red-capped mushrooms scattered amongst the tree trunks and the lush ferns were so large, she could have disappeared within one. While the part of the forest near the cottage was stunning, this part looks completely untouched by spirits, and humans, alike.

"It really is quite beautiful. I'm so happy you were able to finally return but..." Kat trailed off before pushing Phoenix to focus. "We need to get moving because it's going to get dark soon and I'd like to be at the treehouse before then, if possible."

"Yes, yes, of course. Let's get moving." Phoenix wiped away a small tear before turning her back to them to grab her bag. Taking a deep breath, Kat looked over her shoulder and locked eyes with Griffin, having a silent conversation. She is scared that this will all be taken away for good. We have to hurry.

Griffin jumped up and transformed back into his animal state, alerting Kat and Phoenix that it was time to descend to the forest floor. After they climbed onto his back, he spread his powerful wings and took off. Heading. Straight. Down. Kat's stomach lurched as she saw the ground rising so fast that she squeezed her eyes shut.

As soon as Griffin's paws touched the ground, she quickly scrambled off and sighed a huge breath of relief, taking a moment to look around at her unfamiliar surroundings. The moss that carpeted the ground beneath her feet extended before her forming a pathway. "Is this the way we go, Phoenix?" She asked, squatting down to run her hand across the soft and green moss.

"Yes, it is just across there." She pointed down the pathway to an unseen valley. "It should take us about two hours to walk across. The magicks that protect it won't allow any spirit in their animal forms so we cannot fly there." She started to take her first steps onto the moss and smiled broadly. "Moss was always one of my favorite plants to take root here."

Kat smiled in response and followed behind her. "Wonderful! We should make it just before sundown." She lifted her gaze to the sky to see the blue fade into an amazing array of pinks and oranges. "I can't wait to see it after all that you two have told me about it."

Griffin pulled up the rear of the trio and began to wonder what could be awaiting them at the treehouse.