"..strid. Wake up, Astrid!"
Huh? Was Daphne giving me a wake up call?
"What do you want?" I groaned out, enjoying the peaceful aura she always brings.
"The sun is rising. If you're going to find Adrienne, the earlier the better." She replied, a slight edge to her voice.
Adrienne! Today's the day! Suddenly wide awake, I start scrambling to get my things together. I'll only bring a small day pack and bring her back here, a small meal should be all I need.
"Roman, come on! Ro-"
He's gone. Like a dagger to the heart, his face flashed in my mind. His look of disgust, his true feelings toward me, clear as day.
"Wait. You don't even want me to see Adrienne, why'd you wake me up?" I asked Daphne, stopping in my tracks.
"It's clear I can't dissuade you. I just want to get this mistake done so you'll go to Cloudhaven."
"It's not a mistake. You're wrong, you'll see. Adrienne will come with me and everything will be okay." Right? She always talked of running away together, as soon as she sees me, we'll be gone. I just know it.
Settling into a comfortable silence, I put together a quick breakfast. Some berries, cheese, and bread, with some tea, a perfect meal. As I ate, I noticed more plants grew as I slept. An ivy vine encircled the camp but, along with all the plants from yesterday, it looked... off.
It was as if they felt the pain of Roman leaving. But, as I ate and grew more prepared, they seemingly perked up before my eyes.
I swore I would never grow anything ever again, not after Roman saw. Gods forbid if someone in town saw me! They'll hunt me down with pitchforks and torches. This talent of mine would stay under wraps, I just had to learn to control it.
Wiping the crumbs from my tunic, I started off towards town. It shouldn't be too far off, I'll just need a moderate pace since I'm not fully healed yet. This would be a bad time for my wounds to reopen.
"So I'm assuming you won't be joining me in town?" As unhelpful as Daphne's presence is, I don't really want to do this alone.
"I will journey only up to the town line. I'll never step foot within those walls." She replied.
"Will you at least, physically, walk with me? I still don't love having conversations with trees. It's kinda weird not being able to see the other end of the conversation and all." I stopped as I asked. I knew she wouldn't do it but it was worth a shot.
But an answer never came. Typical. I knew she was still here, the woods hadn't grown colder with her absence quite yet. But sure, tell me I'm supposed to be the savior of the forest but refuse to show yourself. Coward. Just like Roman, just like my father. Cowards! All of them.
As I went to resume my trudging, muttering to myself as I went, I felt a hand on my shoulder. No way.
I turned to face her and was struck with her beauty. Her eyes were the color of moss and seemed to have fireflies caught in them, her hair just a few shades darker, cascaded down her shoulders. If I didn't know better, I would think I was dreaming. Daphne was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen, just a distant second to Adrienne.
"As I said, I will accompany you to the town wall. But after that, for better or worse, you will be alone. Don't forget, Fairnheim is threatening invasion because of you, the village people may not take too kindly to you. And there is that pesky bounty on your head. Do you think the wanted posters will have gotten your nose right?" Daphne joked, bringing some light back to walk.
YOU ARE READING
Between Two Vines
Adventure(Formerly The Forest of Life) Saviors aren't always as expected. They're people too. They make mistakes. But how they choose to live with those mistakes is what matters.
