Glass

Chapter Nine: The Tree of Stars (Part II)

The decision was made early in the morning to traverse the rainforest west of Mendessa City. Anise the Faerie Godmother lived in a giant tree not far from the rainforest opening, given the unusual nickname "the Tree of Stars".

We travelled on horseback, a rarity for me as my father would always worry about me falling off and suffering a great injury like a friend of his did many years ago (in far less safeguarded circumstances). The horse I was appointed was larger than most, with icy blonde hair and pure white fur.

"This is Alba," Rafael had said, "she's served me well for four years, she has. You take care of her, alright?"

Rafael travelled at my side with a brown horse of his own, but I could feel him side-eyeing me with envy whenever his horse made the slightest grunting noise. At my other side, Zolin rode below, on a much smaller horse cruelly assigned to him on purpose. In front, Emiliano was our Pathfinder, guiding us down the winding roads out of the scorching-hot city into the unknown wilderness. And then behind, the dozen other soldiers riding in neat rows, looking out for any source of danger.

I ducked under the first few branches, which had been browned by the sun. I had read about the rainforest many times, but still considered myself unprepared for danger. There were poisonous creatures at every turn, and gigantic predators lurking in the trees. I kept trying to remind myself that this was an adventure, and I was still travelling somewhere I had never been before. 

The birds' tweets above us sounded more as though they were arguing than singing. I turned to Zolin, whose hair was messy and somehow still wet from washing away last night's muck, and I tried not to laugh when I noticed him watching the birds above, ducking out of the way from the ones directly above his head. 

Alba's hooves splattered against the damp mud as we brushed through another wall of bright green leaves. Bushes of star anise brushed at our feet, which surprised me for a moment. If my studies taught me correctly, those plants would never grow in a rainforest… were it not for the influence of magic.

"I will not be far now." Emiliano assured, pointing to a great shadow on the horizon. We closed in, vigilant of the sounds of creatures surrounding us, and the shadow became a tree trunk. 

Details emerged with every step, like we were witnessing an artist add the last details of a great piece. The star anise bushes thickened and led up towards the trunk, where they somehow wrapped around it in an unnatural shape. The trunk was thick and sturdy, towering so high that the canopy was out of sight. As I looked closer, each crevice was covered with fresh star anise of all sizes, stuck on with tree sap. It looked like the tree was made entirely of brown stars, and suddenly the name it had been given made sense.

"The Tree of Stars."

Rafael dismounted for a moment and searched the area.

"We're clear." He raised his hand, and together, I, Emiliano, and Zolin dismounted our horses. The other soldiers circled around the tree, most searching for the threat of wildlife, while others tied our horses to a nearby tree to wait for our return. 

Apprehensively, I turned around the Tree of Stars, until we reached a hollowed opening. Inside was only pitch darkness. As I leaned towards it, a voice, croaky but undeniably female, echoed from within.

"Only one may enter."

I looked upon the dark tunnel, and my entire body tensed. I gave Sir Rafael a glance, and he stepped forward to go in my place.

"No, Rafael. I will go."

As he opened his mouth to protest, Emiliano came to my aid.

"Fairies cannot interfere in political matters. That includes harming the prince. Let him go."