Senseless

Chapter 9

Avery sent Siyel back to the forest and resumed her place in the fields. She hastily moved things around and did a little work here and there so that it looked like she got something accomplished that day, but frankly, she'd hardly done a thing.

The next morning, Avery did the same thing she did the day before. She crammed in work first thing that morning, then she went to Siyel's pool and asked her the same favor, then she was off to the Traipen clearing.

This time, she decided to take a slightly different route, a route that bypassed the bloom of lilies.

Although she knew not to smell them, she was still drawn in by the aroma. She found it best to just keep her distance.

She crossed over the bridge and entered the Traipen clearing. She located the circle of trees and navigated her way inside.

Sure enough, some of the other kids were already seated at the table, waiting for the Loreyalp leaves.

A short while later, Saige arrived with her shoulder bag and they repeated the same things as the day before.

This repetition continued for several days, which eventually grew into several weeks. Each day was a little different, but for the most part, the routine stayed the same.

The illusions they lived in varied from knights in shining armor from far away lands to fairy-tales full of enchanted pixies and fearsome giants.

The adventures thrilled Avery to no end.

It was worth the troubles she went through each day to come. In her opinion, it was well worth it.

There was just one problem...

Siyel only bargained to take Avery's place in the fields, not do the work for her.

After several weeks of neglect, the crops in her field began to wilt and shrivel.

Even though her garden was beginning to die, she made no change in plans.

Each morning, she'd continue with the same routine.

A little work in the morning, freeing Siyel from her pool, then going to the Traipen clearing to play with the other kids.

This all worked out fine for Avery until one day, something changed...