Asha ushered Finn up the rope ladder, looking over her shoulder to make sure her mother wasn’t watching them.
“Why do I have to hide again?” Finn twisted around once he reached the top, peeking his head over the entrance in the floor.
“Because, If she sees you I have to explain who you are and why you’re here. And she definitely will not allow me to run off and join some resistance army.” Asha scrambled up after him, her feet digging into the familiar grooves of the ladder.
Finn leaned back and sat in the corner. Asha could see he was the type of person who easily made himself at home based on the way he sank into the nook by her bookshelf. Maybe that came from the fact that he had never really had a home, and always had to make his own.
He picked up one of her battered books and flipped through it. “You read this trash? Romance? Fairy stories?”
“At least I read.” Asha retorted, snatching the book away. “I always liked reading about the spinners. The ones with actual fairies are kind of boring.”
“Yeah, fairies are weird. Just sparkles with bits of fluff in their heads.”
“You’ve met them?”
“Oh yeah, the forests and caves near camp are full of them. They’re pests, really. Very rude, and their sparks keep you up at night.”
“Fairies are rude?” Asha asked incredulously. She couldn’t imagine such beautiful, tiny things being rude.
“Horribly. Now the dryads, they’re pretty nice. I used to play games with them when I was little. They warn us when rangers or the king’s armies are coming close so we can hide.”
Asha was fascinated. All her childhood dreams were becoming a reality. “And the resistance protects them too?”
“Oh yeah. At least the magical creatures we’ve formed an alliance with. The rest just stay hidden. Supposedly there’s a tribe of werewolves in the southern mountains, but I’ve never seen one.” Finn’s stomach rumbled loudly. “Uhh...I don’t suppose you have any snacks up here?”
Asha laughed and plucked a ripe green apple out of the tree branches. “Help yourself. I’ll save some food from the house for you too and sneak back out here.”
“What kind of food?” Finn said while snagging apples from the lush branches.
“Whatever my mom makes for dinner. Or snacks. I’ll say I’m coming up here to read.” Asha momentarily remembered that she was supposed to get a book from the market, and would now have to explain to her mother why she had forgotten to go to her absolute favorite place in all of Stone Creek. She had also forgotten to scout out lamps. The sight of the ranger had made the unnecessary side trips completely slip her mind. She had another pang of anger at Finn, since his stunt had prevented this. She totally could have stopped for a book, since she hadn’t been in any real danger.
Finn was too busy munching the green apples to respond. Asha turned to head back down the rope ladder. As her head was about to disappear below the plank wood floor, Finn gave a sloppy mock-salute and a soft smile.
Asha’s feet hit the ground with a soft thud, her worn black boots making clear footprints in the dry earth. She made her way down the dirt path to the house, glaring at Claude on the way. The darned rooster was still munching on the cornstalks. Asha decided he was worse than a goat. The rest of the chickens clucked happily, unaware of their leader’s transgressions.
She swung open the heavy wooden door, it’s old hinges creaking with the effort. Her mother poked her head around the corner of the living room, hearing her entrance.
YOU ARE READING
Peacebringer
FantasyAsha has always lived a simple life with her mother, but has always wondered about the magic that is forbidden in her country. When she is thrown into the secrets of a magical resistance and an ancient prophecy, she starts to wonder if she is meant...