Throne of Leaves

Chapter 14

I quickly change out of my ceremonial cloths and hang them up gently when I noticed that the coat have not changed back. I gingerly touched it and felt an electric shock as the golden light turned silver and attacked me leaving me breathless. It felt like a thousand knifes tore through me. Much worse than when I got my name and every time I got a new rank. But the pain got worse and worse every time I earned a new rank. I kneeled down on the floor as I looked at my hand. It was shaking and I did not enjoy the feeling. After a while I got up and calmed down. I took up my regular uniform not noticing the change in rank. I walked out and started down the stairs. I smiled as Malki and Aaron were sitting by the fire and warming up some food.

"Well, look who decided to join the party" Aaron smiled with a little smirk. Malki turned and looked at me.

"Maybe you would like to explain what in the world you did. I am glad I suppose, but you could at least tell us what that was" He said crossing his arms. I grinned a bit slightly worried at Malki's look.

"Well, I took your names. Destroyed their significance. I renamed you with the power of the Forest. The Forest accepted you as one of its Guardians and now, your names have been tied to the Forest and all that you do. " I said moving to sit down.

Malki looked at me and nodded." Ok. Now tell us why you have a different rank" He said turning back around to tend to his food.

I looked at my shoulders and squeaked. I did not notice that my rank had changed. It was not five silver leaves that adorned my shoulders but now it was a tree branch with the five silver leaves etched into the cloth. I looked at my color. It was the same. There was no longer a solid silver stripe but leaves attached to a branch. Knowing what the ranks mean I hang my head.

"I am the leader of the Guardians now. Or at least until I pass down the power. " I said with a sigh. Malki nodded brought me a plate of the left over dinner.

"Thank you" I said before starting to eat. Aaron sat down at the table with a cup of wine in his hand.

"Well, considering what just happened, let's have some drinks and just be happy that we are alive and well" he said with a smile. I laughed and heartedly agreed. I reached over to one of the bottles of wine and poured myself and Malki a cup. I gave Malki one of them and held my cup up.

"For friendship, and for our newest members. To Aaron Greenthorn and Malki Blackblade." I said and brought the cup to my lips and drank the cool, bitter liquid. Together we drank in silence and I look out to the sky as the sun was starting to rise. I got up and walked out to watch the sun rise over the treetops. Malki and Aaron join me and in silence we watch the sky turn from a dark blue to a gold color and then finally a beautiful light blue. Not a single cloud in the sky as the sun came up. Today was going to be a good day. I smiled and looked over at Aaron and Malki, just glad to have them by my side. I finally pushed off the railing and laughed a bit at my own thoughts

"Come on lets clean up and head back to reality. " I said as I grabbed my plate and my cup taking them to wash them in the bucket of water. After cleaning the dishes and putting them away I swing my bow over my shoulder and pull up my hood and meet Malki and Aaron in the main archway. I look at the two for a long moment and smiled. I shake my head and laughed and walked past them

"Come on let's go home" I said and spung off into the forest. I laughed a bit as the wind whipped all around me. We took a sharp turn and slowed down. I saw the darkening entrance to the border and I looked back at them.

"When introducing yourselfs you may choose to use your surnames. It can come with a cost of fear but you may if you wish" I said before jumping into the naturally dark tunnel and started on the winding path down through the tree branches. Gaining speed as I bound from branch to branch I let my body take over following the familiar path back home. Soon I see a lighter path and I burst out of the tree tunnel with speed as Malki and Aaron come out only seconds later following my steps with precision. I slow down a bit but keep a strong pace as I run among the tree branches nearing my home village. I slow down to a stop as the silver tear drop shaped houses come into view. I smile and make my way to my house where the Lady was waiting for us. I walk in and bow down to her. The Lady smiles and shakes her head.

"I see that you all made it on the borderlands. I see something different with all of your energy threads that are encircling you. You three have changed. Tell me, what happened out there my Guardians?" She asked as she sat down.

"Lady. I was granted the highest position as a Guardian. Bloodmoon has blessed me as The Guardian. From this, I have renamed Malki and Aaron. I have restarted the order and the Forest has accepted them" I said with my eyes a glow. "We have also discovered more about the Queen and her treacherous roots that have taken hold in the Forest. We may have found a way to cure the possessed. We do not know much, but we now have a starting point to make a plan to stop her. We need to get to the King's Hall and retake the throne for it to be successful in healing the forest. " I continued.

The Lady nodded as her face turned grave. She looked away. "Yes, I know what you have found. Her name. Akon. You have remembered your history with her as your father has told you. I fear that your new knowledge will not help as much as you think. It runs deeper than you know. I do not have the power to counter Her but you do. I am only a spirit of this Forest. I have no other power than the protection of this Forest. " She said sadly as she hid her face in shame.

I sighed and nodded. I sat down across from her.

"With a healer and the Blackblade, we are sure to prevail. We also have friends in the three other Nations if we should go to war. But first we must go to, and take back the Throne of Leaves. " I said. The Lady turned to me and nodded.

"Yes you must retake you rightful throne in the Hall of Kings. And you have my blessing as well as Bloodmoon's I see that his spirit has clung to the border waiting for you take control. I am glad that the Order is reformed. I will go there now and rest. My job is done. " She said and got up.

"You should leave at dawn. Your ranks are enough for you to get by the Border Guards of the Central Forest. Should you meet Kunial, the Spirit of the Central Forest, please. Let him know not to grieve any longer. " She said. I nodded taking her words to heart.

"Go. Rest. you must be tired after your naming ceremony. " She said and disappeared. I blinked and looked around.

"well, let us rest. We have a long journey in the morning." I said taking my spot and laying down on one of the beds in the room over letting sleep take over my tired body.