Eye of The Wyvern

VII

3 Days Later

Tadpoles scattered as Karissa stepped cautiously into the shallow water, not wanting to hurt the small creatures beneath her. She sat in her usual spot, only this time the orange hue painted the lake, and fireflies began to dance through the light gusts of wind. For the past few days, Karissa turned her daily lake trips to nightly.

Every little noise she heard behind her sent jolts of fear through Karissa's body, not wanting to be seen by anyone. The sound of small animals even startled her a bit. She eventually eased up, taking in the decent view before her. Sunsets were nothing new to Karissa, having seen them all her life as she studied in front of a large window, but being outdoors, it was much better. Outside, she was able to feel it, as though it were giving her a gentle hug.

Karissa looked over at the other end of the lake. There stood trees taller than the giants in childhood fairy tales. She thought of the sleepovers her and Amanda had where they insisted Rhian read Torba and the Great Big Weeping Willow, a town wide classic tale of a little boy who befriended a Weeping Willow tree that could talk. The tree was a thousand years old, and would tell Torba stories of his life. One day, the tree was burned down by a group of men who believed it to be a demon. Devastated, the boy mourned the loss of his great friend.

Through his tears, he caught a glimpse of a seed. The boy planted it, and watered it every time he visited in hopes he would see his friend again. Soon, the seed became a sprout, and Torba became a man with two children. Eventually, that sprout became a new and bigger Weeping Willow. Torba, his children, and all the children after that, protected the tree, and were each buried around it in their time to return to nature. And through those generations, that even bigger Weeping Willow would tell the tale of young Torba, and how he was a hero to nature.

Karissa smiled at the memories. Each time Rhian would tell the story was like a whole new adventure, and was never boring. The three of them would tell the story to Peter, reenacting some parts. Amanda is my Weeping Willow.. She thought, gazing at the towering trees beyond the lake. In them, a dense forest forbidden to the children of all the cities in Khianne.

Standing from her comfy rock, Karissa recalled the legends told to her by some of the oldest men in town. Cursed, they would say. Forbidden to go, was the only thing said when we would ask to go to it. Most of them said they saw a screaming lady, with dark holes for eyes, wearing a wedding dress, and if you tried to go in the forest, she would take your first born child.

Suddenly, Karissa heard heavy footsteps approaching her. She whipped her head around, meeting her father's gaze. "There you are," He smiled, "come, there's someone you need to meet." Karissa nodded, "Okay, dad." She took one last glance at the forest, noticing heavy storm clouds approaching fast. Another one..? She thought as her and Peter made their way back home.

* * *

Peter opened the door for Karissa, and as she walked in, she was greeted by Rhian. "Hello, dear," she smiled, "How was your time at the lake?" Karissa smiled, "It was good, Ma," she said, "I got to see more fireflies today." Her father motioned for them to all take a seat. As the three sat, thunder simmered in the distance, pirouettes of lightning dashing past the windows. "Glad I got in here on time," Karissa snorted, "I would've gotten drenched out there."

Rhian laughed awkwardly, her eyes softened as she glanced at Peter. They exchanged knowing looks before looking back to Karissa. "KK.." Peter sighed, "There's something else we have to tell you." Rhian looked down to the floor, almost grimacing. "Did someone die?" Karissa's eyebrows shot up. "No," Peter chuckled, "no one is dead, honey. It's about the whole... Magic thing." Karissa sighed in relief, At least no one's dead.. She thought to herself.