Garthalan: Mother of the Wood

Panthers and Defenses

Adaya pov

"ugh." I woke with a massive headache my hand tried to move for my dagger that was not there, not that that would help. My hands and feet were tied and I was hanging from the ceiling of the dark cave. I heard movement from somewhere nearby. "Hey! This is your last chance to let me go and me not kill you." I winced as my words rung across the cave and back to my ears. "I know you can hear me demon." Suddenly there was that massive clawed hand over my mouth.

"Silence! I will not listen to the ramblings of my food, no matter how much entertainment they present." His claw ran down the length of my body as he moved away, now I got the implications of his words. A small whimper escaped my lips at the thought, but I didn't say another word.

'mother, have no fears we are creatures of the dark as well.' I lifted my head to see who was speaking to me, but it was too dark. Though whoever it was would help, and at this point all my threats to the demon are empty anyway. The voice sounded skilled and mysterious, yet at the same time a bit happy, and protective. And why'd he call me mother. I am far too young for children.

"Leave now pests, I do not share my meals." The demons scratchy deep time rang through the cave sounding annoyed. A low growl that sounded a lot like a big cat sounded through the cave after a few seconds more joined in, two, five, too many to count.

"Please, go! I will not have others die trying to save me." My thoughts turned into words as I imagined having a companion hanging with me awaiting the demon to hunger and end it.

'you a are family, we do not leave family unless all hope is lost mother. Just as you've shown us.' Why is the voice not echoing? With the tone I could tell there was no convincing them otherwise. I could only hang and wait to be rescued on this one. There was another growl then I heard a Panthers roar. who tamed a panther? Who tamed a group of them? I could only hear as fight was carried out somewhere beneath me. the roar of the demon, and Panthers both sounded as I heard the tearing of flesh and the knashing of teeth. After about ten minutes it finally stopped as I heard the gurgling roar of the dying demon. Then came the triumphant call from the panther, thank goodness. 'It is over mother, we have called to the fairies. With the darkness gone they can cut you free.'

"fairies? How are you calling fairies? And why are you calling me mother?"
My voice echoed through the cave ringing my head yet again. Not only from my voice but from the confusion.

'we call you mother, that is what you are. You guide us and protect us. You are family, we will always come to your aid should you feel you need it.' he spoke as though it was common knowledge. Other than my sister I haven't protected or guided anyone unless I was just close enough too that is.

Two small lights shown from the other side of the cave, they moved quickly to my shoulders. Fairies. When they spoke it was sounded a bit high pitched, but still beautiful at the same time. "Hello, I am Delanie."

"and I am Aurora, we are going to cut your binds so brace for the fall." I nodded my understanding. They flew to my feet binds and cut them using some kind of magic, then moved up to my wrists. I prepared myself to roll, I don't know how high I am but I wouldn't want to sprain my ankle. Having to be saved was bad enough, I can't ask them to assist me back to the fort.

The bindings came loose and I fell, as soon as my feet hit I did as I meant to and rolled across the rock floor, then rose and turned to the fairies. "I thank you. If you would grant me one more favor I would be even more grateful." The fairies flew down and onto my shoulder again aurora spoke. "Of course mother of the wood, anything you ask."

"could you bring some light to the cave so I can gather my equipment?.....and why are you all calling me mother?" The two looked at eachither then back to me.

"Do you not already know? You are the mother of the forests. All life connected to it, you have been protecting us for years now. We thought you knew or we would have come to you sooner." The fairies lights grew bright, lighting the whole cave, which I now could see was full of at least twenty Panthers the demon lay dead in the middle of them all its throat ripped out. Even so it still looked creepy as hell. I looked more searching for the man to fit the voice from earlier.

"Where is the man that that was talking to me?" One of them stepped out in front of the rest.

'That would be me mother. I am the leader of these warriors' I heard the voice but could still see no people. Warriors or otherwise. Unless.....

"your a panther? How am I hearing you right now?" The scepticism as clear in my voice. I would have never pinned the voice being in my head except that his lips never moved.

'of course I'm a panther, no other warrior could have fought this demon in its home.' There's no way. I must still be unconscious. Yes that's what it is, I am knocked out on the ground with the demon about to sink it's teeth into my flesh.

Helena pov

I Sat still holding the hand of Sasha, it has been a full day. Where is Adaya?

Laila walked in with a bag full of food. "I expect your hungry sister, you have not left since she left." She being Adaya. Laila set the bag down next to me and pulled up a chair. Liya was actually in the kitchen making another attempt at those cookies. she'd burned the last two batches but was getting closer to perfection.

"Have you seen her? Adaya I mean she should be back by now."

"give it time sister, she said two days. It has only been one."

I hunched over in my chair. "I know. But I cannot lose anyone else. Uncle, father, Cain. All those we lost buying everyone else time. It is just too many. I am the keeper now it is my job and desire to keep you all safe. Even Adaya, I count most in this fort as my people now, wood elf or no." It was true I had unofficially adopted the whole stinking rebel force as my own.

Before I could speak more I looked to my sister, a shimmer in the shadows moved behind her, I got this terrible feeling of it. I shot out throwing Laila behind me as I did, a dagger materialized as I drew mine. A cry of battle escaped me as the unsuspecting shadow was skewered by my blade. I twisted it to the light of the house knowing it cannot heal without a good amount of darkness. "How many do you travel with shadow?!" I twisted the blade making him cry out.

" twenty! There are twenty of us!" His voice came as a hiss even in pain. As all shadows sound.

"why are you here?!"

"We only came to kill! Ask sir Jenalon questions of that nature!" I removed the knife and quickly ended the creature.

"No need. If he brought you then I know why already. Laila. Get to the gate tower and defend it. We are under attack." I walked out with my sister and seperated near the gate tower. We must gather a defense.