Wings (Klance)

Chapter 9 - Friend or Foe

The fourth and final rebel leader Keith met was Zynthia. She was the first female leader he'd met during his days of travel. Her base was perhaps among the most stunning. Hidden deep in the Osloy Woods behind the Fourth Sector's boundaries was a fortress in the trees with an entrance you could only find via a certain type of tree. There was a trail of them, planted in a zig zag line and each one was marked with the symbol of the rebel movement at the very base of the tree, on the overgrown roots that protruded from the ground.

The trees led to the gaping mouth of a cave that faded into inky blackness and seemed to have no end. However, if you knew the right turns to take, as Keith did, you would end up at an exit that opened to another small stretch of forest, littered with tightly packed old overgrown trees that towered far over his head. There were huts built atop the sturdy branches, and swing bridges made from wood and rope that connected the neighbourhood among the trees dotted with rebels and their families as they went about their normal duties.

While Keith was busy admiring the impressive set up, he failed to notice the person creeping up behind him until he felt the sharpened end of a swords prod into his back, warning him not to do anything rash. Keith sucked in a breath and stiffened. Though an ally he may be, these people were still very capable of putting an end to his life and they had yet to learn of this newfound alliance.

"Turn around... slowly. Hands where I can see 'em," the swordsman ordered. Keith obeyed. He didn't want to cause any trouble with the people he was trying to get to trust him. Keith was wearing his recently thought of rebel get up and the person - the girl, as Keith soon discovered - didn't seem to recognise him.

"Look-,"

"Silence!" Keith recoiled. He was a prince and it had been a long time since Keith had been spoken to in such a manner by anyone other than his parents.

Not since he was seven years old when-

Keith shook his head to rid himself of the memories and the girl holding what was actually a knife instead of a sword gave him an odd look. "Who are you?" she demanded, "State your business here."

"Who I am is none of your business. However as to why I'm here, I have a letter for your leader, Zynthia," Keith explained, slowly pulling a letter out from under the folds of his cloak.

The girl made an attempt to snatch the letter from his grasp but Keith put it up out of her reach. She huffed and leaped forwards, attempting to use her weapon to stop Keith from side stepping her again however he slipped his own dagger out from his boot and countered her before smugly stuffing the letter away.

"Look, I don't want to fight. Kolivan sent me here with a letter for your leader, Zynthia. Now if you could please point me in the direction of her then-"

"Kolivan sent you? Jeez, why didn't you just lead with that?" With that the girl turned and started in a different direction deeper into the trees. When Keith made no move to follow her she turned around and looked at him exasperatedly. "Well? You coming?" Keith didn't think she was going to wait much longer for him so he cast his confusion aside and chased after her.

The girl lead him through the maze of trees from the grounding, taking none of the routes among the trees. There were very few who walked upon the ground, leaving hardly any tracks. The girl moved between the branches and over the gnarled roots with practiced ease, hardly disturbing the nature around her, whereas Keith on the other hand crashed through the paths with none of her grace, despite how much he tried.

"Could you be any louder? I don't think Sector 3 heard you!" She hissed at him. Keith winced.

"Sorry," he said. The prince had little else to offer in the way of words.