Missing Pieces ~ Book Two of; Soldier's Heart

Chapter 2 Walking Spirit

We've been walking for almost two days now and are halfway through a small forest, big enough to make it on the map though. I look up through the leaves at every chance I get, to see the stars or the clouds.

"I'm done" I breathe and collapse at the trunk of a tree, causing Aaron to turn around "We've been walking nonstop since we left Erindell" I blankly state
"I know" Aaron, though I can't see his eyes, I know would be frowning at me "We need to get to Port Awa"
"Can't we take a break? I'm exhausted" I drawl, exaggerating it all. This is the Aaron who trained me.
He doesn't reply for a minute and when I'm about to ask him if I over did my act he simply says "Find a clearing first"

I feel relief course through my veins when we find a clearing and fall down onto the soft grass. I can hear flowing water nearby and the sound is calming, like a lullaby. Stars twinkle proudly above in the sky, the nighttime air is chilly and the sky is black. I close my eyes after taking in my surroundings and mumble to Aaron "This is good" I feel something thrown on me and my eyes shoot open to see Aaron has tossed a sleeping bag at me.

"I'll take watch. You can sleep, but be careful, these woods are" Aaron trails off before adding "Dangerous"
I furrow my brows "What do you mean?"
"I mean, these woods are home to many creatures" I stare at where Aaron's eyes should be and for an instant I can see them- see them sparkle in the moonlight "More magic lingers in Apulia than Askarlar, the woods are like sacred places for magic using beings"
I close my eyes and wriggle into the sleeping bag "No more stories" Hugging myself for extra warmth I doze off.
                      *       *       *
I wake with a dry mouth and look up to see the sky is still dark. I feel so far away from Askarlar, from Aelina, from safety, from home. It's hard to believe these are the same stars I stare at every night. I sit myself up using all the strength I have in my arms, causing Aaron to turn around. Luna sits next to him but doesn't move. "I'm just going to get a drink" Aaron doesn't nod, doesn't say anything, so I track the sound of the flowing water I heard earlier.

I crouch down low at the stream of water and cup my hands. The moonlight that can get through the leaves reflects on the stream. I huff a laugh, as it brings back a memory- not an old, old memory but I nice one. Aaron had made it a nice one and I'm sure it's one I'll never forget. Just as I dip my hands into the fresh, ice-cold water a noise sounds from across the scream.

My head shoots up, looking for the source of the noise, and there silently stands a glowing white wolf. I hesitate to move. It glows. The turns into a mist that floats in the air before forming itself into- into me. I stand with wide eyes and a slack jaw. We're completely identical, except she has pointed ears and canines. She's a Fae, she's me. That must be what I look like in my Fae form. I take a step back, what in the hell is this thing?

"Do not be alarmed, Azeveris" It speaks "I mean no harm. I have come to tell you not to be afraid, Azeveris"
I take another step backward, my hand instinctively reaches for my sword, only to find it's not there "Who are you?" I mutter
"I am you" She says with a smooth tone, with my voice "Amora do not be afraid, you are strong, because you have been weak. You are fearless, because you have been scared. You are wise, because you have been foolish"
I squint my eyes at her and furrow my brow, not understanding "Why are you telling me these things?"

"I am merely here to help you, Azeveris" It does not move, doesn't even sway when the wind blows "There is something you must know" She pauses, as if she were giving me time to process what she's saying "The King isn't a kind person as you know and he has a whole army at his fingertips, but he also has something more"
I bite my lip unconsciously at the new information "What can you tell me?"

"There are stones- enchanted stones. No body knows what they can do and not all believe they exist but I can tell you they do, as the King already has two out of five. We may not know what they do but they do contain great power and I'm afraid that if they're in the wrong hands the world could be torn apart"
I let the new information sink in "He's collecting.. Stones, that can destroy anything?" She gives a grave nod and I let my head sag, looking up to the stars as if I were looking for some kind of guidance "Is there anything else?"
"I'm afraid there's not much else I can tell you"