ARYSARNIA

SHE COMES

"I'm here" 

Crysarnia heard Araidne's voice in the trees and she looked up to see her hanging from the wraps of a large snake. However, Araidne could not have been any calmer.

Crysarnia staggered back at the sight when she realised Araidne's peril and thought of ways to help her without letting her hit the ground. The snake hissed at Araidne, "Great eel do not shed my blood" Araidne warned, the snake hissed again. Crysarnia realised the animals around her were now staring at her and the sight frightened her.

 Araidne  snuggled into the tight wraps of the snake as it squeezed her but barely enough to harm her. Crysarnia cast a loosening charm that made Ariadne slip from the snake and she guided her down with a spell, but the serpent would not hear of it and  slithered down the tree and lunged for Araidne, reclaiming its prize.

Crysarnia attempted another spell; a figure fell through the trees towards her from behind jumping through the branches with agility and speed and landed behind her silently. A whip dragged both of her feet together and brought her face down. The tip of her nose touched that of an arrow when Crysarnia rose to investigate.

The archer had a long tail swaying behind him which he had apparently used to bring her down. Nevertheless, he obeyed Crysarnia when she asked him on impulse to release Araidne. Crysarnia had a feeling he controlled the snake. The mermaid, after gaining her freedom pulled the cloak around her near naked form and went to stand in front of the archer, stared at him for a while and cautiously touched his bare chest. The young man shuddered first at her touch but then seemed to relax. She rubbed her palm against his dark skin and looked into her hand; she smiled and asked, "Is this man?"

"Not quite like any I have seen" Crysarnia replied "He has the appearance of an elf, yet I have never heard of one with a tail.

"He is beautiful," Araidne said. 

The archer scowled. A pair of butterflies fluttered around him and went into the trees.

"Go beautiful man" he said signaling into the trees, his tail had disappeared he now had pair of butterfly wings at his back. He flew up to a tree, the wild creatures among the assembly of animals advanced towards them menacingly, and this included Exul. Crysarnia moved cautiously towards Exul until she received a ferocious roar from her dragon that froze her in her tracks. It was as if Exul did not know who she was; she sensed that if she advanced any further the dragon would spew fire.

"May I have my dragon and rabbit back?" Crysarnia asked, getting angry.

"Run or be like others," he said fluttering down to them aggressively causing Crysarnia and Araidne to stumble back.

They glanced at the direction he pointed to and saw mummified bodies of hunters, travellers and goblins that had strayed too far into the forest strewn all over. They now knew where the archer, had gotten his arrows and clothing.

"You are going to kill us?" Araidne said.

"No- sky men" he pointed to the branches of the trees under which the animals had gathered. A Murky mist that resembled rain clouds hanged and shifted unnaturally among the trees; there were faces appearing and disappearing into the clouds. Crysarnia recognised them and knew what they were. 

"The spirits of the Etskins; they were an ancient race of air nomads. They used to protect the forest animals until the blood wars..." Crysarnia suddenly stopped talking and taking hold of Araidne said, "Let's get out of here Araidne, now!" She then looked in supplication to the forest boy, "Please allow them to come with me...my animals"

"Creature follow beside beautiful man, sky men follow," he replied pointing up at the cloud.

"I cannot leave them," Crysarnia said firmly.