Mystic

Chapter 10; Matthew

When Matthew saw the tree line, he sighed with relief. The heat of the sun had only grown worse since they had started walking again, and they had no protection from its rays. He heard Amira panting behind him. He knew that as hard as it was for him, it was ten times worse for her. Since she had been waited on her entire life, suddenly having to rough it must have been overwhelming for her. Matthew pulled a skin filled with water out of his bag and handed it to her. She took it and drank greedily, nearly draining the skin of all its contents. She nodded in thanks, out of breath and unable to speak. Matthew shoved the skin back in his bag. He was tempted to take the second skin out and drink it himself, but he knew that he would have to conserve water until they reached the next stream. Matthew had seen a few small pools on their journey, but the water was to dirty to drink. A fast-moving stream, however, would certainly have water clear enough to drink.
"Just.... a few...... more....... steps." Amira managed to say, though Matthew knew she was only trying to encourage herself. They had almost reached the trees, and Matthew had promised Amira that they would take a break once they did. So far, Matthew and Amira had made excellent time, and if they continued at the same speed, Matthew was confident that they could make it halfway to the nearest town.

Once they had made it a good way into the forest, Matthew saw movement on a low branch in the trees. He stopped and turned to Amira.
"Can we take a break?" Amira asked breathlessly.
"Yes, but I have something to show you first." Matthew said, smiling slightly. He walked over to a small creek and rubbed mud onto his hands. He then picked the leaves off of a nearby tree and placed them neatly on his muddy hands. He knew it seemed strange to Amira, but he had spent enough time studying mystic creatures to know that his disguise would work. Once he was finished he grabbed the tree branch where he had seen movement and waited.
"What are you doing?" Amira asked, giving Matthew a confused look.
"Quiet. You'll scare them." Matthew said, still focused on the branch. "You might want to turn around and take a few steps away. They can be timid." Amira rolled her eyes and took a few steps away. Once she was out of sight, leaves at the base of the branch moved. Soon after, a tiny creature poked its head out of the leaves. Cautiously, it made its way across the branch, likely looking for a new hiding spot. It's little feet walked over the back of Matthew's hand, then scanned its surroundings, giving Matthew a window of opportunity. He swung his other hand upwards, and closed his fingers around the tiny creature. He brought his hands down and looked in his palms. The little creature was curled up in his hands, looking frightened.
" It's okay." Matthew whispered. He used one hand to pick a small flower off the nearest bush. He gave it to the creature, which looked it over suspiciously. "Yisto." Matthew said. After studying mystics for years, Matthew had learned the most important word in ancient elven; peace. The creature looked up at him and nodded. Matthew looked over the creature. It's entire body appeared to be made of twigs, and its hair looked like tiny leaves. Matthew could tell that the creature was a male woodland pixie, the same creature that Amira had seen him drawing in his notebook.
Gently, Matthew walked over to Amira. He was carful not to hurt the pixie as he held up his hands for Amira to see.
"Wow. She's beautiful." Amira said, stunned at the little man.
"He. He's a he." Matthew corrected. The pixie looked nervous, so Matthew reassured him by saying: "Yisto."
"He looks like that sketch in your book...." Amira said, studying the creature closely.
"I know. He's a woodland pixie. They are common, but very timid. Most people don't even notice them." Matthew said. He and Amira walked back to their small camp, and Matthew set the pixie down on a rock.
"Sorry for scaring you." Matthew said, kneeling down so he was at eye level with the pixie.
"Talos." The creature said, holding up the flower Matthew had given him then hugging it. Matthew figures that talos meant thank you in elven. Matthew figured that the pixie was young, and less afraid than adults, otherwise the creature would have already fled. Matthew was about to stand up, but the creature held a tiny hand up as if to tell him to stop. Matthew kneeled down again.
"What's wrong?" Matthew asked. Amira had come over and was leaning over Matthew's shoulder. The creature seemed nervous at her presence, but still stood strong. The creature pointed into a patch of ferns and said something in elven that Matthew didn't understand. Matthew places his palm in front of the creature, and the pixie climbed on.
"He seems to like you." Amira said, unaware of the situation.
"Something is wrong." Matthew said, heading over to where the pixie was pointing. Amira frowned.
"What is it?" She asked.
"I don't know yet." Matthew crept carefully among the ferns, watching out for any pixies among the vegetation. Matthew arrived at the base of a young tree, where there were two pixies huddled together. They were young, even younger than the original. Matthew had decided to call the first pixie Elm. Matthew looked to Elm, who said something, then gestured for Matthew to pick the two pixies up. Matthew set Elm on his shoulder and scooped up Oak and Ash with both hands (Matthew decided just then on their names, Ash for the young one with darker bark and Oak for the one who was wearing an acorn on her head.) Oak and Ash looked scared, but Elm said something that calmed them down. Elm pointed to a sturdy branch, where he saw a tiny door concealed in the moss. Matthew walked over and set all of the pixies down on the branch. He gestured for Amira to come closer to get a better look. Elm placed the flower above the door like it was a lantern, then said talos yet again.
"You're welcome" Matthew said, watching Elm open the door for Oak and Ash. Once they had closed the door, the opening seemed to dissolve into the tree. All that remained from their encounter was the flower, still hanging above the place where the door had been.
"That was incredible. How did you know they were even there?" Amira asked.
"Educated guess." Matthew said with a shrug.