Centralia The Chosen One Book-1 The Centralia Series(#wattys2015 / #justwriteit)

Chapter Eleven: Troubled Times

Chapter 11

TROUBLED TIMES

The children did indeed discover a treasure. A world bathed in a rainbow of colors, a Kingdom called Centralia, where mountain ranges of jagged peaks reach to great heights, and deep valleys, streaming rivers, and babbling brooks added a touch of motion; sources of great beauty often enjoyed by Unicorns and Water Fairies. A place where endless meadows of sweet smelling flowers appeared from West to East and wrappings of sunbeams embraced the trunks of sacred trees. Where gentle breezes often rippled by, and animals could be heard striking up conversations that only Forest Guardians had the ability to comprehend. A realm where warmth filled the air and trees of Beech and Oak mend the remains of ruins. Of course, Forest Guardians, Unicorns, and Water Fairies are by far, not the only ones who dwell in this realm. There are many different faces that roam these lands, divided by those living life out in the open and those who choose little attention, like the Forest Norms.

Even for those gifted with a keen eye, detection of a footprint or two belonging to a Forest Norm was rare, for they are light on their feet and sightings of them are limited. What is a Forest Norm you might ask? Well, to say they're shy does not accurately describe them. As a matter of fact, they enjoy the company of others. However, they aren't known to be boisterous. Instead, they tend to focus on their work, but, if invited to a celebration, then they often attend.

From those who have claimed sightings of them, describe them as on the dwarf side, with eyes like twinkling stars. While this description is true, there is so much more to mention about them. In fact, they are cheerful, pleasant, and helpful to strangers. They possess a talent for farming and are skillful with tools, enabling Norms to take great pride in the manner in which they contribute their services to Centralia; services including for their care of all things growing, and for repairing the damage done by those who heedlessly take that is needed.

In addition, there are two known groups of Norms, which consist of the Woodland Clan and Agronomist. Thus, while one group patrols the forest, the other cares for the fields. Of course, you would think a creature that spends its days coppicing and farming would be in constant need of clean clothing, but, odd as it may seem, Norms rarely have the need to launder their clothing, for it is resistant to soiling. Only their ladies know such secrets; making clothing from the finest of spider silk. In fact, one would assume these eight-legged spinners would be closely guarded, but the truth be told, they were more pets than property, allowed to crawl freely both inside and out of their home where they helped to limit annoying insects within their dwellings and their fields, and as mentioned before, they're handy with tools, building their homes far above the forest floors with elevated paths going from one dwelling to another, while the grounds below were used for livestock, and large pantries filled with barrels of cheeses, milk, seeds, and even wine. Evidence of these respectful Norms hard labor.

Although there are many wonders to behold in Centralia, there are those who embrace dark and somber secrets; some darker than others. One of these was a darkness that embraced the ability to consume one of Centralia's forest. Once full of life, the Eastern Forest was home to many tribes, towns, and villages thriving side by side in peace. But once the fires of the underground reached its surface, only the deadliest of creatures now dwell there; Known as Ash Towns. Rumor had it that those living near the borders of the Eastern Forest could hear the cries of perished souls shrieking through the bare trees.

The manner of this transformation was generally credited to a Shadow Lord, but before discussing such a dark history, you need to understand how this mysterious force gained supremacy, for beneath the lands of Centralia, flowing rivers run their course, carrying a form of water that supplies energy to the realm, which also possesses the ability to heal. Undoubtedly, if these waters were ever to cease to flow, the entire Kingdom would suffer the same fate as the Eastern Forest.

While not all things can be explained at their beginning, a ray of light can shed some detail. You see, Centralia is a realm that contains portals, and Satine, the Oracle, is responsible for creating them. By opening one of these doors, a person may pass from one realm to another, but not all who cross do so with good intent. Countless numbers of dark souls had managed to slip past the detection of the Guardians who are sworn to protect Centralia and its people. So, when the Eastern Forest showed signs of danger, Kendra, the Guardian of Fire, didn't hesitate to act, but for reasons unknown, the Guardian disappeared.

With the loss of one of the Guardians, Centralia's defenses had been severely weakened. But, many of Centralia's inhabitants, who had fled from their worlds to escape the harsh conditions of their realms, refused to allow Centralia to become the victim of anyone's dark intent. Centaurs, Night Elves, and other mystical beings band together to hold the battle line against darkness, but unknown to them, a champion would soon to arrive.