The Last Dragon

Chapter 5 - Into the Woods

Ilia stepped out into the warm night breeze and closed the door behind her. The grass tickled her feet as she crossed the wide lawn, the soil soft beneath her cushioning each step. Her body relaxed, and she sighed. The forest was close, and she was safe.

She crossed the grass and wandered into the forest, each tree a tall sentinel on guard, protecting the smaller plants and the animals within. An owl flew past over her head. The breeze from his wings ruffled her hair. It hooted.

"Hello, little friend. It's nice to see you, too," she whispered.

Her power swirled inside her, awake within her among the trees like this. Ilia closed her eyes and opened her other senses to the forest. Each tree and plant responded to her magic, resonating in a shared energy. She felt them all around her, an awareness of where they were and how healthy each plant was.

She opened her eyes and walked among the trees. Moonlight shone down on the river, the light sparkling on the rippling water. The break in the trees exposed the night sky to her, each star shimmering overhead. Ilia turned and glanced up at the tower behind her, where the official astronomers worked. The view from up there was amazing, though she didn't get to see it often enough.

Ilia sank to the soft grass beside the river. She leaned over the water and watched the reflected stars dance on the rippling surface. Ilia dipped her fingers into the water. The current pulled on her hand, cold and strong, numbing her skin in moments.

With closed eyes, Ilia felt around herself again. The river burst with life, algae and water plants clinging to the rocks, especially in pools and eddies. Plants grew strong with steady access to water like this. Ilia opened her eyes and glanced around at the forest, lighted by the nearly full moon. Even under the canopy of leaves, she saw well enough to run if she needed. Ilia shivered at the thought. No, there was nothing out here, just her forest and the animals within it.

Something tugged at her senses, a wrongness she couldn't quite name. Ilia closed her eyes and felt again. Where was it? What was it? She opened her eyes and peered into the shadows. No, it was too far. She just couldn't see anything. Ilia closed her eyes and felt again.

Like a man, it walked upright. It was like a shadow in her senses, not something she felt directly, but something she knew about because it blurred out the life around it. It's like there was no energy there at all. She opened her eyes and strained to see whatever approached her like a shadow.

Something moved at the edge of the trees, just across the river from her. A shadow was blacker than normal. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Light reflected off the blackness, almost an iridescent shine. Her stomach flopped, and she suppressed the urge to be sick.

Ilia leapt to her feet and ran. No, not for the castle. Not that hallway, and not where my friends might die. She turned and ran south, deep into the forest and away from those she cared about. Was it coming for her? Her legs pumped, and she ran as fast as she could, not looking back.

She darted among the trees, from shadow to shadow. The bright moonlight filtered through the leaves, speckling the ground below her feet. She dodged bushes and leapt fallen logs as she ran, pelting headlong into the forest.

Her chest heaved and her legs burned as they gave out. Dirt sprayed up around her as she tumbled to the grass. Soil clung to her pale grey night robes. She rested her chin on her hand and focused on slowing her breathing. Her pulse pounding in her ears drowned out the forest noises. No, she needed to listen and feel.

Ilia closed her eyes and counted as she breathed, calming her body with each exhale. Now, try again. Feel. Where is it?

Night sounds surrounded her, birds and owls active as they hunted, the leaves rustling gently in the breeze, the forest as it should be. Animals greeted or ignored Ilia, instead of fleeing from her presence like they usually did around people. A few smaller birds twittered to each other in a nearby tree. She must be alone.