The Whispers Of Trees

17. Crumbling

It was as though they had entered a new land. Trees seemingly tall enough for their branched fingers to run through the clouds, deep, green stretches of grass surrounded by Samhain growths of plants.

"Why don't you live here, instead of that wasteland you call a town?" Orym asked bluntly, his stumbling legs forced forwards as Sega spared no remorse when shoving him in front of her.

"Quiet!" She replied, her ragged clothes giving little warmth to her cooling body. Clearly nothing could help to improve her mood, not even a delightful walk with hostages.

Catching up to Alimar, Orym could feel, or rather sense, that there was something off. If he had to admit, the soul didn't smell particularly better either.

"Are you really going to try and talk to Mirith?" He asked with a hushed voice.

"Do not think badly of Neomeris" Alimar said, deeming it a worthy reply.

"Oh no, I would never call him a drunken, scumbag, with no morals or a heart. At least out loud"

"Things are not always so black and white, you of all saplings should know, given that your wife was not what you believed either" he said, turning a blind eye to Orym's harassing jabbing.

"This is hardly the same. That man isn't fit to rule over a town of mice, let alone one of saplings that have to flaunt both their bodies and their prized possessions just to survive. Speaking of, what on Earth did I walk in on earlier? I think I deserve an explanation-"

"You could not understand Orym, even if I were to tell you"

"Why, because I don't look far enough under the surface to see his golden self that could do no harm?"

"No, because you are not a soul" he finalised, stomping off ahead into a small clearing, filled with rings of mushrooms that gradually grew smaller the further into the centre they became.

"I need peace"

"Well I'm not taking my eyes off if you, so get going, I'm not going to freeze my toes off for this" Sega piped up, poking a finger into Orym's shoulder, as though it was his fault it was all happening. Although part of him wouldn't have been surprised if she admitted to simply enjoying the pleasure of poking and prodding at him to watch him squirm. That resemblance to her brother was strong, so was her looks.

"The quicker you leave me to begin, the faster I will be done. Orym I will need your help, through our connection I can reach Mirith with greater ease"

Shoving Orym to his knees, Sega aimed her sharp gaze to Alimar. "You have five minutes" she snapped, stepping over to a nearby tree that she leaned against, removing her dagger from its sheath to clean its blade with her scraggly shirt.

"You aren't seriously going to do this are you?" Orym asked, almost worried after seeing how Mirith looked on earth.

"Do not be daft Orym" Alimar uttered beneath his light breath, his hands disappearing amongst the dainty mushrooms. "There is no way for me to reach Mirith, and she would never grant those wishes even if I could"

"For a minute there I thought you were serious."

"Stop talking and get working!" Sega called over, her dark hair making her face appear paler against the shadowy backdrop encroaching on the area.

"So what's the plan?" Orym whispered, his eyes flickering to Sega who was momentarily tracking a bird in the high branches with her eyes.

"When I say run, then do so" he replied, letting his eyes fall closed.

"That's it? We really need to work on your creativity"

Unintelligible mutters moved through Alimar's dry lips, a chant quite possibly Orym presumed as he watched a dull glow begin to emit from the caps of rosy bonnets.