Free Fall - Into Other Worlds

Chapter 12 - The Forest Clan (Part 2)

The Forest Clan's village was very different from what Eron had expected. He was surprised that there were buildings on the ground, although not nearly as many as there were in the trees. Many wooden bridges, platforms, and stairs connected the numerous buildings and homes built spanning high up into the trees. Looking up it almost resembled a giant wooden spiderweb. The village went higher than Eron could see from the ground, and that meant this tribe must have a larger population than he'd anticipated. He allowed the older man to escort him to a stairway and they ascended into the main village. Although worried about many things, at least Eron knew they weren't planning to kill him. One of the younger men of the group had been sent ahead to inform the village head of their discovery, and so many eyes fixed onto Eron the moment he entered the village.

"This way," the older man said with a beckoning gesture.

A small crowd had gathered on the platform, but soon parted and made way for them to pass through. Eron felt very uncomfortable the way these people were staring at him, and hearing his mother's name spoken within the whispering crowd many times added to his unease. He was led to a large open hall that was heavily decorated with colourful sheer drapes. Before him, Eron saw someone sat upon a large throne at the back of the room. It was only once he got close that he could see it was an old woman wearing a headdress and a ridiculous amount of jewellery made from precious stones and metals.

"Come closer," the old woman ordered. "Is it true you are Ariana's child?" She leant forward on her throne to get a closer look at Eron.

"Does it really matter who my mother was? She's been dead a long time," said Eron arrogantly. Though his own words hurt his heart.

The old woman chief snorted. "Hmm, those eyes... and that expression. I see her clearly in you. You're definitely Ariana's child." She lifted her bony hand weighed down by many bracelets and rings and beckoned over one of the men standing at the side. "Tell them to prepare a feast tonight to welcome Ariana's child's return to our village."

"Hold up," Eron quickly spoke up. "I haven't returned. I'm merely passing by on my way elsewhere. I won't be staying here."

There was something about the gleam of the old woman's eyes that sent chills down Eron's spine. "You will stay the night and let us show you our hospitality as your kin. Won't you?" The words she spoke with demanding authority left it clear that she wasn't asking but telling him that he wouldn't be leaving tonight.

"It would be foolish of me to turn down the chance of a hearty meal. Of course I'll stay for a night, but I must leave when the morning comes," replied Eron cautiously. He barely kept his voice from breaking and revealing how scared he was in this place surrounded by potential enemies.

Once the answer was given, the man dressed in loose blue robes quickly left to go and organise the feast. The chief then beckoned over a young man in yellow robes to her side.

"Go and take our guest on a tour of the village while the preparations are being made. Be sure to show him the house Ariana was born and raised in," ordered the old woman. She turned to look upon Eron once more. "After the feast we shall drink together and I can tell you of your mother if you wish to hear it."

Something told Eron there would be more to it than that, but he nodded and replied, "I will look forward to it." He turned and followed the young yellow-robed man out of the hall. The crowd had already dispersed and he could see many rushing about to complete the tasks given to them. As he crossed a bridge he looked out into the forest, longing to runaway from this place as fast as possible, but he couldn't do that. The tree should have released Wix and Kara by now, and so Eron had to buy them as much time as possible by keeping this tribe occupied with his presence. He could only hope that the two of them were capable of navigating out of this clan's territory safely without him.