The Tree

The Beginning of the end. part 2

A little earlier that day
Vetch pov.

The valley below me is a beautiful sight to behold. With the sun starting to touch the horizon, it casts a warm glow over everything. Including the yellow hair of my best friend coming up the path. I should have known that she would find me. I have been avoiding her and everyone else all week. I'm not surprised in the least that she found me way up here. Sometimes I think she knows what I'm doing before I even think of doing it.

"Vetch, there you are." Pettle said sweetly as she climbed onto the rock joining me and looked out over our valley. I gave her a small smile before pulling her down to sit beside me.

"And why is my little shadow surprised to see me up here, when you have clearly been looking for me?" I teased lightly.

"Oh come now, you know very well that I am no longer little nor do I follow you around like your shadow." She teased back with an elbow jab to my ribs. "So what are you doing hiding up here?"

"Just getting some peace and quiet after Ivy and Twig decided to prank the new girl by growing a vine around her legs."

"Oh! That girl is going to hear from me when I get back. I'll show her what poison ivy really is." She spat.

"Hold on. I have dealt with it. I know Ivy can be a snob and looks down on you because you are a servant but she is one of the most gifted I have. I know she could be a great guardian if she could set aside her pride. I have to give her a chance to change. Besides they are going to harvest grass and vines to make some baskets." I informed her with a smirk.

"But it's not the right season for... Oh. You're good." She said giving me a knowing look. The vines have to be still just a bit green and starting to dry for baskets and that will not happen til the end of the season.

"Ivy will have to humble herself and ask for help to complete the task. She will have to ask the girl that she has been picking on all season." We laugh and it felt good to, even if it's just for a little.

"You know that you can not hide it from me. I know when something is bothering you. I know you haven't been sleeping well either." she stated simply. "Let go of your worries and tell me about it" she pleaded with me.  Who could say no to those violet eyes? They always look so sweet and innocent. I know better however. I've been on the receiving end of her mischievous side. The thought of some of her pranks makes my smile grow despite myself. She was always the rebel were as I stick to the rules.

She is right thou, I do need to tell someone. I planned on confronting the elders at the Landers farewell diner tonight. However the idea of it, soured my gut. Making me unable to eat anything. Confessing my secret to them could mean the loss of my guardianship status. Or be banished. To be marked as Landers if they thought I was losing my ability.

Taking a deep breath as I try to find the right words to explain. "A change is coming. I can feel it every day when I wake from my sleep. It's as if I have dreamt it and do not remember the dream at all. It's only getting worse." I let out a deep sigh before continuing. "When I use my gift, I feel it weaken not the plant itself but the connection to the life within the plant. It doesn't want to listen to me like it use to" She stayed silent to allow me to collect my thoughts.

Looking over at her, to gauge her reaction as I tell her my well kept secret. "I can see the colors of life, within the plants. They swirl, sparkle and flow like water. The colors have been... fading... Changing... Darkening. If it continues we will lose our gift altogether" I pause to allow it to sink in. "The day I was chosen to be trained as a guardian was the first time I saw the glow. It was faint at first. I was even told to ignore it by my guardian and to continue to feel my way to the plants essence, but why did I need to feel it when I could see it so clearly?" Pausing again and searching her face for a reaction. Any kind of reaction. And yet, nothing. Blank. Unable to continue or look at her any longer, let my graze fall back to the valley.

"I didn't think you would believe me." Disappointed heavy in my whisper. If my best friend didn't believe me, the elders are surely going to banish me.

And that's when I heard it... a quiet muffled giggle. A few more, and when she gives up on hiding it altogether. Her laughter shatters the peace and quiet that was surrounding us.

Feeling the blush creeping up my neck and onto my cheeks partly do to my embarrassment for sounding off in the head and the other part from anger do to the fact that she was laughing at me.

"Oh come, did you really think that I didn't know?" She stopped and sobered up. "It's called true site. And I bet you can see more than just the plants essence." And she is right like always. "You're not the only one that has been keeping secrets."

"What are you talking about? How do you know what it's called?"

"Remember when the small family of Landers came and they had that old story teller with them?"

"I was just starting my trade search and you were just starting school but I do remember her. They only came that once thou. What does this have to do with me and my sight." I questioned

"She told me that you were, different. That we are different" She spoke softly. "And that one day you would cross the borders and break the treaty." The look that she gave me was sad. "She said that she's a viewer. And that I am as well."

"I don't understand. I'm a guardian! I'm suppose to keep others in line, to be a good example. Not to break rules and start wars." I raised my voice in frustration.

"Hey now don't vine the messager." She said noticing the plants around us reacting to my emotions.

"And what is a viewer? You were classed low talent and became a servant." The hurt the crossed her face made me regret my words instantly.

"I am where I am supposed to be and do not regret my choices. For now you need to trust me and let me show you were you need to be" She stated as she stood and squared her shoulders.

"What do you mean by choices? I had always throught that you had more natural talent than most. I never did understand why you ranked low." Looking at her now I can see how wrong I've been over the past 20 or so seasons. Truly looking at her now I see that she has grown quite beautiful, strong and vibrant.

"Well anyways it's in the past and we are heading to the future so you better pack. You have much to learn and this journey will be long." she simply stated.

"I suppose we should talk to the elders tonight then. Wait! pack? were are we going? And what am I supposed to be learning? "My confused face makes her laugh.

"Oh you need a few lessons in breaking rules my sweet Vetch." Getting up she leads me back towards my place. "We will not be telling anyone. You need to pack now. We leave tonight during the feast. We will not be missed til late tomorrow wants the mead wares of."

She goes to leave but turns around and kisses me before I even know what was happening she running away leaving me stunned and speechless.

Yelling back over she shoulder "Thought I'd start small with the rule breaking lessons." And with a few more giggles she gone.

I couldn't help the smile that came. My worries left. My stomach settled. I know now that this is my true path. If felt wrong the day I took the oath raising my status to guardian and started down a path which should have split us apart. Now I know why she decided to become a kitchen servent to the elders. It was to keep us together.