Adventures of a Little Sister

Part Eighteen

The day started early, just as the sun rose. The three had woken Little Sister from her slumbler, Maimu squeaking a bit in protest. Little Sister slowly woke, rubbing her eyes as she patted her pet to wake as well. 

"Come on Little Sister, we need to get going before the sun rises too high." Énna said softly, burshing some hair down that had gone out of place.

The child nodded and pushed herself out of the bed, reaching for her coat. Ivaylo looked uneasy still, as did Xylia, but not as much. They were both nervous for different reasons, Ivaylo because of where they were going, and Xylia because of leaving the forest. Because she was a fairy, she had never left the forest before. It was rare for her kind to venture out, but there were those that would. 

Énna could see their emotions and quickly shooed them out so not to make the child worry. Once they were out, she turned back to Little Sister and knelt down to talk to her, leaning onto the staff she carried around.

"Little Sister, I know you're excited to go and find your brothers, but you must know something. The world is in a time of war, you know this, and you also know that with war, it's impossible to know when it will end until it ends."

The girl nodded, knowing this from her brothers and Énna herself telling her. 

"Because we're going out into the world, we have to be careful. There are many things out there that you are too young to see, so you have to listen to what we tell you to do. There will be times when we have to stop the search, but know that we're only doing it because of your safety. So please, do not run off at any time. We don't know where the battles are happening at the moment. Okay?"

Little Sister nodded and replied. "Yes Énna, I understand."

Énna smiled and stood, petting the girl on the head. "Good, now, finsh getting dressed and we'll have breakfast and set off."

The child nodded and watched the bird woman go before continuing to dress herself. Once done, she held her hand out for Maimu, who jumped onto her hand and crawled up to her shoulder.

"We're going to go find them." She said to her pet, scratching its head. It gave a squeak in response and Little Sister smiled, heading towards the entrance to her room.

Breakfast was simple, as always. Fruits found in the forest along with some bread. The girl made sure the pace herself, but she wanted to leave quickly so she could find her brothers sooner. The three others weren't so quick with their meals. They seemed to not want to go, so they dragged it out as long as possible. This left the girl with waiting for them while they finished. She decided to stay with them, wanting to show that she would follow instructions and wouldn't go too far from them. She didn't want to give them a reason to think leaving would be a bad idea.

Finally, it was time to go. Little Sister was given the bag she had when she first arrived to the forest, and it was packed with a blanket, some food that would last a few days, and a few other supplies she might need. Énna was really the only other one to bring a bag with her, Xylia and Ivaylo didn't have anything with them. 

Laerorneth was at the edge of the forest when the four arrived, waiting for them. As they arrived, she turned to them with a soft smile, watching Little Sister as they came near. 

"Little Sister, be safe on your journey and do what the three of them tell you. They will keep you safe in times of danger, and keep you company in times of loneliness. Don't ever leave them, and they will never leave you."

The girl nodded, her ears flicking as she waited paciently for the time to leave. Laerorneth knew the girl wanted to leave, but she just had one more thing to do. Kneeling down to the child, she held out her hand. Little Sister looked down and saw a simple string with a gem being strung through it. The child picked it up and looked at the gem as it shined in the soft light.

"This gem will also keep you safe. Never take it off." The queen explained. "The gem holds a protection spell. There is nothing that is needed to be recited, if you feel fear, the magic will activate. Now, be safe on your travels. I wish you luck in finding your brothers. And remember, this place will always welcome you back with open arms."

"Thank you." Little Sister said, smiling to the woman as she put the necklace on and hid it under her jacket.

The four of them looked out from the forest, wondering what would be out there. They already had a plan to go to the village Little Sister was from and see if there were survivors. Perhaps they would know of where her brothers had gone and then they would head out in that direction. 

Little Sister reached for Énna's hand, trying to hold back the excitment of seeing her village again. She wanted to see Grandmother again, along with other people who she would always see. 

They took their first steps out of the forest and into the world. With that, their long journey had begun.