Saving Peter

Chapter 20: Wendy

I am wandering around the forest, trying to quietly make my way towards the native princess's lands when I hear the pirate captain and the fairy talking. They mention something about meeting Tiger Lily in her territory. This is my chance. I stay out of sight but make sure to keep them in sight at all times as I follow them. 

Once it is clear that they have reached their destination but I am not quite at my destination I peel off from following them and continue on my own. It can't be too much farther, right? I'm sure I can manage without getting too lost. 

I make my way carefully through the trees. I don't know what sort of traps or security there is here. It would probably be wise to keep my wits about me. I don't want to get noticed or caught. 

After what feels like hours, but in reality is probably only twenty to thirty minutes tops, I see what looks like flickering lights in the distance. Most likely from fires in a camp. Or at leas that's what I'm assuming they are. I smile to myself. Finally. It's time to find out what that little princess is hiding. 

I do my best to stay quiet and unnoticed as I sneak into the camp. It is much larger than I thought it would be. It could take me ages to search this whole place. It is set up with several little areas that all look almost identical with a few structures in each area connected by paths. Then there's the raised structures with a similar set up. Platforms that wrap around large trees and support one to three structures depending on the size, all connected by bridges and stairs. It's like a little treehouse and Sabin community. And, I guess that is exactly what it is. Torches and fire pits light the whole area. Hand crafted and painted cultural decor is all over the place, providing color and even story to the entire place. 

I look around the place, searching for any clue to where to start my search. One of the structures on the ground is slightly larger and has slightly more decoration than the rest. I am assuming it most likely holds some importance. That's probably a good place to start. 

I carefully make my way over there, doing my best not to be seen. I get as close as I can to the building while still staying in the trees. Once I am as close as I can get without leaving the trees I look around for any people, trying to determine if it is safe to exit the cover of the trees. All it would take is one of them to notice me for all of this to fall apart. 

When I determine it is safe I sprint straight for the building and slip inside. I take a look around once I am safely inside and out of sight. The building I entered is open and spacious, sparsely decorated aside from the paintings on the walls,. There is a table in the center of the far wall, and torches along the walls lighting the entire space with he flickering light. This seems odd. Why have a large building like this, well decorated on the outside, and near the center of the camp, if there's nothing in here? It just doesn't make sense to me. But then again, there is little about these people that make sense to me. 

"There has to be more here." I know that talking aloud to myself doesn't exactly help me with the whole staying hidden thing. But there's no one here to hear me anyway, so I don't bother to keep my thoughts to myself. 

I start slowly and carefully searching the building. But there's nothing. There's nothing in here. I growl in frustration and kick at the ground. Then I look up at the paintings again. Something catches my interest this time. Maybe there is something here after all. I examine each one carefully this time. They seem to be telling a story. I can't make out the particulars of what it is trying to say, but I know it is important.It would have to be important to be displayed in such a way in such a place. And it has to do with the island, and the natives, and the Fae. Now this could be very interesting. I can't work out the specifics, but this is enough to catch my attention.

A few things have become clear though. One, there is something important hidden in this camp. Two, whatever it is, it is not in this building. And three, I need to find it. 

I look out one of the only windows of the building and try to think of places to continue my search. But almost every other building looks identical. I would have to search them all individually. 

I sigh. "Start at the top and work my way down?" I don't like the idea. I will have a lot less cover in the higher structures to keep my presence a secret, but what choice do I have? I have to find whatever is hidden here. 

I look up at the higher structures before stepping out of the building and silently making my way to the nearest set of stairs to go up to the next level. I check each building to be sure it's empty before entering then do a quick search before moving on to the next one. 

The consistency of each building on both the inside and the outside is maddening. How am I supposed to find what I'm looking for? I can't even tell the buildings apart. I grit my teeth and move on to the next building. I can't give up. Not when I'm so close. 

I enter the tenth building I've tried so far. On the outside it looks practically identical to all the others. But unlike the others it is not identical on the inside. Instead of this one being a humble family dwelling, this one is more like a shrine. This must be it. 

I search through the entire building thoroughly. I finally find something. A scroll that states where the door to the Fae realm is. The whole thing is written in riddles and lyrical like wording, but I can get enough information to understand at least that much. Now that is something. I can do something with this. I'm not exactly sure what yet, but I'm sure I can figure something out. 

I grin, looking over the scroll again. I roll it back up and turn to leave. Time to go. I got what I came for. I shouldn't press my luck. The longer I'm here the greater my chances of getting spotted. I step out of the building, without checking if the coast is clear unfortunately, and run straight into a woman who was about to enter the building. A stupid mistake on my part. 

Her eyes widen when she sees me. Then she sees  what I'm holding. She starts shouting over her shoulder. I shove her out of my way and bolt straight for the trees. I dodge people and jump over obstacles. I have to get out of here, and fast. I can't believe I was that stupid. I'm usually so careful. One little slip, a tiny lapse in judgement, and my presence was announced to the entire camp. That was exactly what I was trying to avoid. 

I make it to the trees but I can't stop now. There are still guards after me. I can hear their footsteps sounding behind me and their shouting to each other and towards me. I keep running and running until the light from the camp disappears from view. I can no longer hear anyone following me, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I take a chance and begin to slow, catching my breath. I have to find a way out of this territory to be able to use this information I stole. But for now, I just have to not get caught.