Trilogy Of Fallen Stars ~ Book 1: The Blinding

Chapter 3: Inaris

Running, all I could do was run. All I was doing was running. I couldn't remember why, or where I was running to. All I knew is I had to run.

I didn't see the blur of the forest, or the gleam of a silver sky above. I didn't feel the heat of the sun, or the stab of rocks and sticks sinking into my bare feet.

It was then I heard the distant cry of a dragon, a dull stab of recognition causing my body to stumble, then trip.

Something pounced on me, staring down into my eyes. Although emotion was hidden by a mask of courage, of dominance, deep in the creature's eyes was an unspeakable misery.

'I have to tell you to-'

.~*[]*~.  

Jolting awake, I let out the breath I'd been holding in. I reached my hand up to wipe my eyelid, careful to keep my talons out of reach of my skin.

'Bad dream?' Aluwin commented, yawning.

I looked over to see him wide awake, curling up on the grass with his wings splayed out beside his body. The cushion of bright grass had been flattened down to create a nest-like space.

I shrugged, not trusting my voice. I knew if I tried to use it, the terror my nightmare had caused would way it down, making my emotions clearer than moonlight.

Standing up, I started to walk into the forest. Aluwin was close on my heels, ducking to avoid the low branches of the trees.

The forest was dark, but sunlight broke through the thick canopy and leaked into the shadows, illuminating the eyes of small woodland creatures. The foliage and underbrush were dense and vibrant, creating a peaceful habitat for the mythical creatures I was sure to be cloaked inside walls of leaves and caves of vines.

I felt the soft feeling of grass and moss on my feet, as I walked deeper and deeper into the richness of the wild. The trees here were tall, their trunks thick and wide. Flowering vines hung from above, creating patterns of reds and violets, of oranges and yellows. 

In here, I felt like I could lose myself. I felt like I could walk forever in this never-ending maze of beauty and prosperity. My thoughts were finally freed from my head, I could almost imagine them floating around in the air that so heavily smelt of nectar and pollen.

Aluwin grunted quietly, turning to stare at a particular set of eyes. I turned also, curious of what the dragon was worried about.

That was when a blur of beige and cream sprinted from it's hiding place amongst the ferns and pounced onto my chest, knocking us both down onto the grass.

I rolled and shoved it off, going to stand and fight again, only to be knocked down again.

"Stop fighting me and just lay there!" It cried angrily, clawing at my chest while large wings beat the air down at my body, in an attempt to force me down.

I finally lay still, my chest heaving as I regained my breath. Perched on my chest was a fox, or at least, I thought it was something like a fox.. It had large ears and a long, fluffy tail. It's fur was a dark cream-tan, echoing into lighter shades. It's large wings were folded now, the long talons resting against its feathers.

An ebony helmet was tied to its face, hiding all but the bright eyes that blinked and stared into my own. A single horn protruded from it's forehead, reminding me of a unicorn. 

It had a harness of black beads on its chest and waist, also decorating a few of its wing feathers.

'Get off her, Sentry!' Aluwin growled, obviously irritated.