Throne of Leaves

Chapter 20

I woke with a start as the sun was streaming directly into my face. I blinked rapidly to adjust to the sudden light change. I glanced outside and rubbed my eyes, as I noticed that the sun was already high in the sky. Getting up I change clothes and walk out the room. Not seeing Malki or Aaron I decided to go on a walk. It did not hit me where my feet were taking me but I made my way to the large ornate doors of the Hall of Kings. I stood a few feet from the doors and stared at them with awe. Something drew me here. It had not been open since my grandfather's death, and his death was shrouded in mystery. I just looked at the doors and reached out to touch them. My fingers just barely brushed the wood when a searing pain shot up my arm. I quickly drew my hand back frowned. It seemed that the wood either rejected me or something like a spell of some sort was put upon the wood. I took a closer look at the carvings in the wood. It reminded me of the carvings and designs woven into the house of the Guardians. I tilted my head to the side and watched the wood carefully. It had been getting eiser and eiser to see, or at least since the energy flow of the living things of the Forest. It was still hard to see the energy threads that made up the river within the Forest but somehow as I silently stared at the beautiful wood, my mind seemed to broaden and i got lost in deep thought. I did not blink but slowly fell into a meditation state. And slowly piece by piece the riddle of the doors fell into place. I could see a dark green series of threads woven around and coming from the wood, following the carvings on the doors. I looked down at my own hands and saw a silvery green thread form myself. Looking at the doors my eyes found a silvery red pulsing slits. That same feeling came over me to unsheathe my swords, and so I did. Not wanting to fight these feelings anymore I raised my blades. I was about to plunge them into the wood when a hand clasped my shoulder and I lost all concentration. I jumped a bit and swiftly sheathed my swords and took a deep breath. THe feeling was gone again. I turn my head to see Ash looking at me with a worried expression.

"You ok? I was watching for some time but as soon as you took out your swords I had a bad feeling coming from behind the doors. Something evil and powerful" He said. I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head.

"I don not know what came over me. I feel like I am starting to understand the riddle behind these doors and maybe what my grandfather left me but I still do not see it. " I said softly.

He nodded "That may be but something changed. Did you not feel it?" He asked me, hand still on my shoulder.

I shook my head "I did not feel it, but I think I may have saw a part of it, or what it may be. And I do not wish to talk about that, for if it is...well let's say there is just one more problem that I would need to deal with about Anrina. " I said and sighed. I tuned around, my back facing the door.

"Well it may come to pass that you will gain the ability to understand that riddle when you are blessed and made King. " He said breaking the contact, turning around with me.

"Come, let us walk, and not think about such evil thoughts." I said with a shiver. He nodded and started to walk off into the forest. I swiftly followed him, not really caring where we were going.

"There are many good thing still left in the Forest, but ever since the King died, there has ever been falling leaves. Stories of leaves that never fall save when the Forest is sad, and the trees that were silver and bright. That is what I grew up to. Not what I knew. But. When you became my commander. I saw everything in a new light. I had given up on seeing the never falling leaves and the silver trees but then you came and everything became a bit brighter. I started to see a slight change in the trees. Not many noticed it and not many cared but I did. I had hope. That is what you have brought to us. Hope and life. Two things that we have forgotten about." Ash said as we walked. I looked at him silently with a bit of shock. I had never noticed a change, or anything of such.

"You never saw it, but as you ascended the ranks, you became brighter, stronger, more...more you. You became a greater leader. Maybe you did not realize it but you have been accepting your true calling as the King. We Forest People have long lives, and we do not tire easily. But we have an ever caring heart for the living things. I know many people see that you have that sense stronger than others. And that Akon. That is why you will be King. Yes it is in your blood but you have the power and understanding than none of us will ever have. " He continued.

"You flatter me, but I have never wanted this role as King. Now, yes I have accepted my responsibility to the Forest, but I don't want to be sitting on a throne dealing out judgement. I want to be out there, with my men doing what I believe is right, and fighting for the sake of the Forest. Maybe I am all of these things that you say but I do not see how I should be King. I never have." I said in a slight protest. He stopped and turned around and stared at me with hard eyes.

"Then who? Who would you have lead and heal this decaying home of ours? Aaron? Yes he is a great healer but he does not know the Forest as you do. Malki? He is a great warrior, an asset for planning and for the warriors. Bloodthorn? He is old and is the Forest. He is more aware of the living creatures than what is going around him. No Akon. You. You are the only one powerful, caring, strong enough to take up the crown and sit upon the Throne of Leaves. Do not doubt your strength in this. " He said almost angrily.

"And what of the war that is coming upon us? Do you really think I could lead all of these warriors to battle knowing that many will die?" I asked pleadingly

"And do you not think that word has spread of your great deeds for that man? Do you not think that every warrior looks up to you? Do you not think that we fight to protect the living and our King? We took that oath with clear and pure hearts without a wavering soul or voice. We know what is coming, we all do. We are prepared for the bloodshed that will happen. But we will fight for the people of this Forest. For the living. Do not doubt our loyalty to you. You already have the respect of every warrior here. " He said placing his hands on my shoulders. I nodded.

" I know what I have to do. Its just, I am scared to do it. It was never something that I considered even when I realized who my father was." I said looking away. Ash sighed and turned my head to look at him.

"You must enter that Forest of Kings with a pure, clear, strong heart. only then will you be able to receive the crown. Yes there is a storm coming. Yes there are obstacles in the way, but You are Akon Silverleaf. You are a Guardian. You are the Lord of the Silver Forest. That says a lot. I know you can do this. If you do not trust yourself, then trust me. Trust me and your friends. THat will give you the resolve that you so desperately need." He said stepping back.

"Just look around you. Do you not want to see this in all of its glory once again?" He asked spreading out his arms. I look around and realize that we are on the topmost branch of the center of the Central Forest. Our bodies have broken the canopy of leaves. I looked all around me, my eyes taking in the entire Forest. I could see the elevation changes of the Forest and the height of the trees. THe lowering sun shined off the upturned leaves making everything glitter like gems. I smiled as the wind blew my hair softly. I could see the peaks of the mountains just over the high border of the Nation. I turn back to Ash feeling as if I could fly. I laughed and spread my arms letting the wind blow around me. It was the most peaceful, and joyful experience I had ever felt. I was in bliss, but every thing must come to end at some point. smiled and looked at Ash as he shook his head with a soft chuckle.

"Come on Akon. It is about dark. We must go before they start to worry. Tomorrow night is when you need the most clarity. If you need to work off any stress, I will gladly be a sparring partner just like the old days. " He said hopping down a few ranches. I smile and quickly following him, slightly sad that I had to leave such a beautiful sight.

"Of course Ash. I may take you up on that offer. You are off I presume?" I asked. he jsut laughed.

"I am assigned to be your guard along with Malki tomorrow night. " He said. I just roll my eyes. He volunteered, that I am sure of. We came to a halt outside the doors of the Hall and he bowed to me.

"Have a good night, Lord. i shall be waiting for our sparring session." He said and took off down to his barracks. I smiled and headed inside to eat the evening meal and rest.