Michrinor: The Fates of The Heirs

Chapter 9 - The Beli Forest

Ava felt the cool evening air brush against her face as she followed her companions deeper into the wilds beyond the ruins. She couldn't help but marvel at the beauty around her, though her heart still raced with uncertainty. The creatures moved with surprising purpose, their small feet hardly making a sound on the earth.

"Are we heading somewhere safe?" Ava asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Boondell, the leader of the group, glanced back at her, his expression serious but not unkind. "Aye, lass. We make for the Beli Forest, home of our kind, where the trees stand tall and strong, and the waters of Hydale run pure. There, we shall rest and ponder what to do with ye."

"Do you mind if I ask the name of your kind?" Ava inquired hoping she wouldn't offend them with her question.

Boondell paused, looking at the others who looked at her curiously but then replied, "We are called Momos."

Ava nodded, and the group resumed their path. Ava was relieved that they had a destination in mind. She had no idea where she was or how she had ended up in this strange place, but the Momos seemed to know what they were doing. And for now, that was enough.

As they journeyed east, the landscape began to change. The ruins of the ancient castle gradually faded into the distance, replaced by rolling hills and dense groves of trees. The air grew cooler, the scent of pine and earth becoming more pronounced as they approached the forest.

"Stay close," Boondell cautioned as they neared the edge of the Beli Forest. "The woods can be treacherous for those who do not know the paths."

The group moved cautiously into the forest, the towering trees casting long shadows across their path. The forest was dense, with a canopy so thick it allowed only slivers of the fading daylight to reach the ground. Ava could hear the sounds of rustling leaves, distant bird calls, and the soft trickling of water somewhere ahead.

They walked in silence for a while, the Momos alert to their surroundings. Ava followed closely, her eyes wide as she took in the towering trees and thick underbrush. Everything here felt ancient, as if the forest itself held secrets that had been forgotten by time.

They reached the banks of Hydale Waters. The lake was wide and clear, its surface reflecting the colors of the evening sky. The water lightly lapped back and forth over the rocks, creating a soothing sound that eased some of Ava's tension. On the far side of the lake, the forest continued, dark and mysterious, but here by the water, it felt peaceful.

"We shall rest here for the night," Boondell declared, gesturing for the group to set down their packs. "The waters of Hydale offer protection, and we shall need our strength for what lies ahead."

Ava watched as the Momos briskly settled in, gathering sticks for a small fire and unpacking simple provisions. She hesitated, unsure of what to do, but Meepat, the smallest and most excitable of the group, approached her with a friendly smile.

"You need not worry," Meepat said, his voice soft. "We'll find a way to help you, though the path may be uncertain."

Ava nodded, grateful for his kindness. "Thank you. I just... I've never seen anything like this before. It's all so... strange."

"Aye, strange it may be," Boondell said as he joined them, "but you'll find that even in the strangest of lands, there's always a way forward. We'll guide ye, lass, though the journey may be long."

As the night deepened and the stars began to appear in the sky, Ava sat by the fire, her mind racing with thoughts of home and the peculiar creatures she now found herself among. She didn't know how she would return to her world, but for now, she was thankful for the company of the Momos and the safety of the Beli Forest.

Ava told herself to stay as calm as possible. Sleep wasn't going to come easily tonight, no matter how exhausted she felt. Though the Momos seemed kind enough, she wasn't about to fully trust them just yet. Maybe she could just rest her eyes for a bit, she thought, leaning back against a sturdy tree trunk. From her spot, she watched the creatures busy themselves near the edge of the stream, building a small fire and carrying stones one by one. But for what purpose, she couldn't quite figure out. They seemed to be forming beds from the stones, and she couldn't help but think, That can't be comfortable.

Suddenly, she jumped as Meepat, the smallest of the group, crouched low and then shot straight up into the air. Ava's jaw dropped as she watched him rise higher and higher until he vanished into the treetops. For a moment, she feared he'd gone too far and might not return, but just as she was about to panic, he came bounding back down, his arms full of feather-like leaves. She could only stare, wide-eyed, as Meepat began to munch on the leaves with a look of pure bliss, making contented sounds that reminded her of the noises she made when savoring her grandmother's lemon pie.

A giggle slipped out before she could stop herself. "He must really love those leaves," she thought, amused by the sight. As another Momo took the same leap into the treetops, Ava found herself giggling again, this time quieter. It's like they have springs in their feet, she mused, watching them ascend into the canopy with effortless grace.

One by one, the Momos returned with their leafy bundles, carefully placing the soft foliage on the stone beds they had assembled. They fluffed the leaves, ensuring each bed was perfectly cushioned, an odd but endearing sight.

Boondell approached her, holding out a bundle of leaves. "For you, lass," he said, his tone gentle yet commanding.

"Thanks," Ava replied, taking the leaves with a small smile. She arranged them into a makeshift nest on the ground, surprised by how soft and comforting they felt. Softer than any blanket she'd ever had, she thought as she snuggled into the feather-light leaves. Before she knew it, the exhaustion she had been battling took over, and despite her earlier intentions to stay awake, she drifted into the deepest sleep she'd had in a long time.

As Boondell watched Ava succumb to slumber, he turned to the group, speaking in a low voice as he fluffed his own feathers and nibbled on his leafy dinner. "I need a watch rotation for the night. Who will take the first shift?"

"I shall," Givous volunteered, ever ready to serve. Boondell knew he could count on his longtime companion to keep a vigilant eye on things.

Motioning for Givous to step closer, Boondell spoke even softer, ensuring the girl would not overhear, should she still be half-awake. "Givous, the child seems innocent enough, but we cannot be too certain. I want the Naitseers to lay eyes upon her and decide what's to be done. Until we present her to the king, we shan't return home. We must not take unnecessary risks."

Givous nodded, understanding the gravity of his task. His watch was not just for the perils of the forest, rare as they might be, but also for any danger that might come from their unexpected guest.

As the night wore on, the duty of watchfulness passed from one Momo to the next, each receiving the same quiet instructions: keep an eye on the girl and remain alert for any sign that she might be followed. The forest remained calm, the only sound the sweet night songs of the Grettle Birds. High above, their blue feathers shimmered in the moonlight, resembling the gentle ripples of water. Their lullaby, soft and melodious, filled the air, bringing peace to the weary travelers below.

For Ava, the Grettle Birds' song wove its way into her dreams, painting them in the most beautiful colors. Though she slept in a land unknown and strange, that night, she felt a rare sense of peace, as though she were back home, wrapped in the warmth of her own bed.