Throne of Leaves

Chapter 6

I jump from one branch to the next with swift fluid movements with a smile on my face. I pull up my hood so the shadow covers my eyes and I sling my bow over my shoulder. I started to run across the branches, weaving my way around the houses and other structures in my way. I run making sure to avoid the center of the main village of the Silver Forest. I laugh and grab hold of a high branch and swing up so I was running on the highest branches with my head above the canopy of leaves. I laugh more feeling the wind rush past my face and breathing the scent of the forest around me. This is what I lived for. The freedom to do what I loved. To run in the forest with nothing that I needed to do. No responsibilities, nothing but myself and the forest around me.

This was how I found Lord Gwindor. I was running through the forest enjoying myself, and looking for new ways to memorize the different not as worn paths. I knew I wandered too far when the trees became darker and closer so I slowed down and went to the forest floor. I did not recognize that part of the forest at that time. I saw that it was overgrown with thorns so I only wandered the edge until I heard a moan coming from within. I knew that there could be another person or animal trapped or hurt so I followed the sound deeper. I then found him sitting there bloody and frale. I looked at the shell of a man with sadness and pity. His raged almost gone cloths were blue and clearly from the Water Nation. I looked around then and walked up to him. I took a leaf and wrote a saying I once heard and pushed it forward motioning for him to stay silent. For some reason I knew that I should not be there. So I left Memorizing the spot where he was so I could figure out a way to get him home. It was only after that I found the Queen was truly evil and I put my plan into action.

I laugh and shake my head and jump down a few branches making my way slowly back to my house. I land on a branch and swing into the house through the window like I used to do when I was young. I landed right in front of Aaron who was holding a glass of water. He jumped and looked at me with a scolding expression.

"Akon Silverleaf! What would your mother say if she had to deal with you jumping around like a rabbit in the forest! No jumping into the house like one!" He scolded me. I chuckled at his serious expression and nodded.

"Yes mother" I said back in a slightly mocking tone. We stared at each other for a few seconds and both started to laugh. Then he stopped

"But seriously. No jumping into the house like a rabbit. It's bad for the structures. They may be very stable in these trees but if you keep doing that with your weight then we will have to replace the wood floors. " He said patting my shoulder "And take your hood off your head! there is no need to go all Captain on us in here!" He threw over his shoulder as he walked to the next room over. I rolled my eyes and pulled my hood down and running my hand through my hair messing it up a bit. I smile and walk into the next room and unclip my weapons and set them down and sit down in a chair opposite of Aaron. I yawn and cross my hands behind my head and lean back closing my eyes. I only open them when I hear two sets of footsteps come into the room. I see Malki and the Lady entered. Malki took a seat next to Aaron and the Lady just stood in the archway.

"From today onward until you leave, Akon. You will lead Malki and Aaron through the rules, and ways of the patrol and of its ways and secrets. I know you do not know everything but you will find everything you need in the stations. You will be on the night watch for two days and then a day break and then two days on the day watch and then a day break and then we shall see what becomes of all of you from there. So, in a few hours I shall expect you to be on the night watch. Malki, Aaron. Akon will be your leader, and he shall show you the proper attire and the proper ways for the watch." She said and walked out.

I looked at Aaron and Malki before shrugging "Ok then, well it looks like i have to outfit you with your uniform cloths. We should go so I can give you some background information on what I did on patrol." I said getting up.

Malki and Aaron nodded silently. Aaron had a look excitement and Malki had a ghost of a smile. I laughed and shook my head and walked out onto the branches.

"There is only one way to access the stations and that is the path of the brancheways. And Aaron you need to be extra careful because these are the Guardians pathways. " I said looking at him pointedly. He rolled his eyes.

"Just because I joined the Forest Nation late in life does not mean that I can not run on the branches with the grace that you guys do. " He said sniffing.

I laugh and shake my head, he would have to watch his footing anyway. Even I would have to watch my footing at some points. I grin and pull my hood back up and start on the way. I turned North and headed upwards into the trees. We ran for a while before I started to slow down and climb higher. We were going deeper into the woods. The Forest Nation's actual forest grew taller as you moved into the center, and some areas are higher than others depending which part of the forest you were in. The Silver Forest was one of the few sections that the tallest trees surround the smaller trees and the entire Silver Forest slopes downward and into the center.

I stop completely at a natural archway made from the trees. I smile and turn around and face Malki and Aaron

"From here on out it is secret. No one may know of what happened. All that can be known is that this forest is protected. What I am about to tell you. What I am about to show you is strictly for the Guardians. Fortunately you two have been named as such and therefore will be learning the secrets and trade of the Guardians. I myself am one and so I am your mentor for the duration. Two night patrols and two day patrols. Once you have completed this you will be full members of the Guardians and the Silver Forest. You shall also receive a surname by which we recognize you as one of us. It is your choice to use it outside of the Forest but, it has special meaning within the Guardians and for the people of the Silver Forest. Do you understand?" I tell them.

The both nod without any hesitation.

"Good do you accept this training and if you should succeed will you accept the surname of the Silver Forest?" I ask them. They both nod.

"I do." They said simultaneously. I nod curtly and turn around.

"Then follow me, and let this begin the final stage of your training." I said sincerely, and started the ascent into the dark, higher treetops.