Terra Natus

VIII

As they broke through the tree line, her step faltered. She hadn't been prepared to be here yet, hadn't known they were as close as they were. She was still hopelessly lost in this vast forest, unable to orient herself with all the trees blocking her view. She marveled at how the tree beings even managed it, though obviously they could do a lot of things she couldn't. She wondered if it was something you learned living in the forest, as she had learned to know her way in the plains, or if it was just another thing they simply knew...

The clearing seemed different today; felt different. It was still that amazing circular shape, with the majestic giant trees forming the border, towering over her. It was so oddly perfect, as if Mother herself had planned this meeting place centuries ago. And who knows? Maybe she had. But today, the place didn't seem as ominous, as intense. Where last time it seemed almost alive with power and energy, it seemed now to be at rest, or perhaps...waiting; definitely a presence, but not so loud.

The change in atmosphere may have had a lot to do with the tree beings themselves, as this time there were a few here, but they were gathered in small informal groups conversing quietly with one another. The largest group was surrounding Sequoi, who was only part of the way down the clearing this time, to the right of the ominous gap straight ahead of her. All were paying her little or no heed as of yet; making the memory of the seemingly endless line of intense eyes piercing into her, as she'd made her way across the clearing last time, seem like it'd happened long ago.

Despite the changes, she still felt nervous; perhaps being in the presence of Sequoi again, perhaps in anticipation of what was to come, perhaps merely in memory of how nervous she had been last time she was here.

Her Protector, noticing her hesitation, stopped and turned his eyes on her, watching quietly as she took in her surroundings. She looked over at him, seeing no impatience there, simply an acceptance of her actions. She dropped her eyes from his piercing gray-green ones and began walking again, he falling easily into step beside her; his look reminding her why, nervousness aside, she was no longer afraid.

"I told you..." He said softly into her ear, his voice cool and calm, "That I intended to get you safely here, and then safely home again. Do you believe me?"

Once she felt it was safe, she looked over at him again, her heart pounding; more from the memory than the exertion.

That was the moment she had realized she trusted him...completely, entirely. Despite what they had experienced, or maybe because of what they had experienced, she trusted him.

Her heart began to beat even faster and she looked away from him.

If she were to be honest with herself, which she was very carefully avoiding, she would have to admit that a part of her was worried she was trusting him for the wrong reasons. That she was trusting him because there was a part of her that couldn't help questioning why he had noticed she had been afraid in the first place, and why he had felt moved to even do anything about it after he had noticed.

"It is...truly seeing another."

He strode forward, as steady as ever, seemingly experiencing none of the unsettling feelings she herself was victim to, quickly covering the ground between Sequoi and themselves. A little too quickly, she felt; the imposing figure of Sequio seeming to grow with every step she took.

They had reached the back of the group that was facing Sequoi by this time, and without even looking their way, beings moved aside, allowing them to pass; as if having simply sensed their coming. Once they began breaking through the group, Sequoi stopped talking, standing tall and watching as they approached. As usual, they stopped a polite distance away and stood tall to greet him, the wind gently beginning to blow between them.