Previously on LW:
Stuck in the fairy village in the forest, far away from the outpost they were initially meant to reach, Hailey and her friends struggle to organize themselves to fight an enemy much superior in number. While the Outlanders come closer, Aiden and Hailey have managed to talk to the mysterious whispers that surround the Great Tree and ask for help.
Chapter 25
Around us, the branches of the trees circling the village stirred as if shaken by gusts of wind. Yet not even a breeze disturbed the still air. The ground shivered again. Roots crawled up like blind snakes seeking light, intertwining with those of neighboring trees. Branches reached out to each other, tangling into an impenetrable mess.
"Wow, if trees did that all the time, it would be much easier for birds," Aiden commented. "They wouldn't even have to build nests."
I was too stunned by the sight to acknowledge his comment.
"This is what your hair looks like in the morning," Aiden whispered in my ear.
"Hey!" I slapped him away, but he easily dogged my hand. "Way to ruin the moment."
Aside from the quiet rumble of the trees, a hush had fallen upon the clearing. Everyone had stopped in their tracks and backed away from the phenomenon, their mouths open in silent shock.
As branches knotted tighter, light, which was already dim, became scarcer. When the trees finally froze, a wall of woven wood surrounded the clearing. Greenish light filtered down from the thick canopy, casting strange shadows on the ground. The noises of the forest, the chirping, the scratching, the whistling, and the shuffling, reached us as if lifetimes away. I had the unsettling sensation of being cut off from the rest of the world, as if we were trapped in a huge, green bubble, underneath an old lake, lost in time.
One by one, little dots of light appeared at the base of the Great Trees, fluttering up into the air. Fireflies. A shout of glee rang out, breaking the silence and prompting new ones.
Chase landed next to me. "Did you... Am I imagining this?"
Aiden laughed. "I know right? That was totally awesome." He held his hand up to me for a high five, to which I complied.
"Do you really think we did this?" I asked.
"Well, you heard the creepy voices. I annoyed them, you made peace with them, and they did their thing. Okay, so it was mostly them, but they couldn't have done it without us."
Chase chuckled, but it was short lived. "This raises a whole new set of problems, though."
Aiden's eyes widened. "You're right. How much food supplies do you think they have here?"
The voice of the Elder One interrupted us. The whole clearing fell quiet again to listen. "Everyone, your attention please. I am speaking in English so that our guest may understand as well. As you have seen, the village's defenses have been raised. The trees will not let anyone of ill-intent through. A messenger has just been dispatched to inform those of us outside of the village of the development. Yes, if you are a fairy you can actually go through the branches. No, you really shouldn't. Kids, if you want to get into some mischief, come help make smoke bombs and sleeping darts. Sneaking out of the village is not adventurous, it's just plain stupid. Thank you for your attention."
"Have the other tribes been warned?" Someone called out.
"Yes. So has our friend in the mountain. Do not worry about them, but they do rely on our efficiency in making the forest safe from these invaders. Any more questions? No? All right. As you were."
YOU ARE READING
Lost Wings
FantasyWith her mother's diary in hand, Hailey now has more chance of finding her than ever. Her search will lead her on a journey to one of the more obscure places of the kingdom of Aeolus where she will discover creatures she thought were only legends...