The Mountains Blade

Chapter Forty Four

Chapter Forty Four- The Shadows That Taunt

It had been a week at Kiandra's, if she counted the night she came here and the time knocked out.

Elwyn could summon most of the worlds natural resources to do her bidding. She had small rivers of water that had run through her fingers and summoned flames upon a small fire Kiandra and her had in the evening.

The sun was setting right below the horizon of trees, creating a rainbow of colors. Kiandra's forest was always flush with bright flowers climbing evergreens, pine and oaks. The variety was endless. The sky was painted pink and orange, wispy clouds dotted between the tree line.

Elwyn took in a deep inhale, leaning back against the tree where she sat on the earth. She was damp with sweat and had even willingly worn a light rose pink dress. It let the fall breeze graze her tanned, freckled skin.

She lulled her head back and sighed heavily. Kiandra sat across from her, even without opening her eyes, Elwyn knew those intricately colored orbs were observing her.

"What?" She asked, opening an eye to glance at the fae woman.

Kiandra sat on her knees, hands placed over her grey dress. She smiled gently at the warrior girl.

Elwyn frowned, sitting up and narrowing her eyes at the woman. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She graveled.

Kiandra's full lips spread into a beautiful smile. "You look at peace here."

Elwyn swallowed and adjusted her armoire of weapons at her waist. She may wear a dress here but weapons would always be with her.

At her waist was a leather belt that Kiandra had given her. It was dyed black, carved wolves along it, making it look as if each wolf were devouring each of the weapons at her hip.

Elwyn had found this ironic and had awkwardly thanked Kiandra.

Though the week felt both long and short, she had learned much, even beginning to like the fae woman.

"Why are you helping me? Why help Goldmoon?"

Kiandra cocked her head at Elwyn's questions and looked to the tree with a deep look upon her face.

"I remember the destruction that the shadows created."

Her face turned into despair and somehow Elwyn knew the shadows had taken someone very dear away from her.

"Who were they?"

Surprise lit Kiandra's face but then softened. "My husband and daughter. We tried imprisoning her one other time before it worked. She killed them as revenge."

Kiandra's long black locks swayed in the wind.

"I'm sorry." Elwyn said quietly.

Kiandra smiled softly. "As am I. I have always regretted not being there to protect them that night."

Kiandra took a deep inhale and stiffened.

She opened her eyes slowly, meeting Elwyn's gaze.

Elwyn's eyes widened, seeing the change in the woman's demeanor.

"Do not forget that the forest listens, it will not forget you, so long as you don't forget it."

The bracelet on Elwyn's wrist shattered. She gasped in alarm, feeling her own power leap out, only to be dwarfed by an overwhelming darkness.

Elwyn's eyes flickered from Kiandra and then to the shattered diamonds, sparkling on the forest floor.

The boundary that was around Kiandra's home broke open and Elwyn saw the shadows appear from all corners of the wooded area.