Sienna's Thorn [Paused]

Chapter 1

His long, graceful strides brought him rapidly through the forest. Branches and shrubs seemed to shrink and move out of his way. A fox-like tail moved lazily from side to side with each stride. As he advanced, the forest stilled, animals quieted. A pair of large antlers graced his head, adorned with leaves, vines, and yellow roses. His long hair, thick and pink, was held together with vines on his left side, the tips of his pointed ears sticking out to the sides. On his back protruded what, at a quick glance, might be a log, covered in flowers and leaves. A trail of flower petals scattered behind him.

Dradawl followed at a slower pace, gliding through the shadows, riding the wind. Observing. He wasn't in a hurry. This was Agamore's game anyway. He'd sensed something he wanted.

Agamore's strides were rapid and heavy, yet silent. Ahead, hidden by trees and bushes, stood a cabin. Small, wooden logs, grass on the roof, small-paned windows. Agamore stopped, lifted his horned head and sniffed the air. Dradawl hovered in the air behind him, glowing with a soft golden light as he observed his... friend. After a moment's pause, the tall creature stepped up to the cabin's door. Raising a hand, he knocked on the wood. Almost immediately, a light voice answered, heard clearly through the thin wooden door.

'Who is it?'

'A friend,' Agamore purred. Dradawl could hear his smile without seeing it.

'I don't think I know you.'

'There's no need to worry. I know you, even if you don't know me.'

'Um...'

'Open the door and we can have a nice chat.'

'I'm not supposed to talk to strangers, mum says.'

Agamore laughed. 'Does she tell you every stranger is dangerous?'

'No, but...'

'Look out the window.' He turned his head towards the small window to the side of the door.

A small boy peeked out, his brows knitted, biting his lips. Then he vanished from view, came to stand behind the door again. 'Are you an elf?'

'Yes.' Agamore grinned widely.

'Elves don't have horns.'

'Observant. What's your name?'

'Sekh.'

'Listen, Sekh,' Agamore purred, 'I'm a little bit of elf, and a little bit of wood nymph. If you know what that is? A forest spirit. You can tell, can't you?'

'I... yes. I think. You're full of flowers and... you have pink hair. That's kinda strange.'

'Is it now? Well, would anyone bad have flowers in their pink hair?'

No...'

'See. Let me in, and we'll be friends. I can show you magic tricks.'

'Okay.'

The door opened a crack at first. The small boy, no more than ten years old, peeked out, his blue eyes wide as he stared up at the horned, elfin creature. Dradawl snickered and flew closer, his transparent wings fluttering behind him. The boy turned his gaze to him.

'A fairy!' he blurted out and pointed.

Agamore turned his head, his yellow eyes gleaming. 'Yes, a fairy. He's my friend too.' He turned his attention back to the boy. 'Will you let us in?'

'I don't know... I shouldn't...'

'Of course you should,' Agamore said and smiled as he reached out and gently pushed the door open. 'You shouldn't be alone out here in the woods anyway. Where're your parents?'