The black woods

Into the wood

The field sparkled with dew as the first suns rays crossed the horizon. The air was cool as spring was just coming to the meadow. The fairies moved amongst the blades of grass coaxing them towards the sun. Bright green leaves unfurled at their touch and tiny buds of the springs first flowers appeared in their footsteps.

The air was quiet. Not a bird sang or bug chirped. The world held its breath.

Kiata stood at the edge in the shadows of the large forest that surrounded the field.  Afraid that her mere breath would break the mornings spell.

This was her home. A forest drenched in magic. Here anything was possible. She could walk from one side to the other in a day and wander endlessly and never see all the secrets it held.

Her mother told her stories of great cities to the south far past where the shadows could reach. When she did her voice seemed far away, as if she was there seeing them as she spoke.

Kiata couldn't see the appeal. Their home was all she'd ever need.

As the sun rose above the trees pushing the shadows back to the deepest places the fairies settled to sleep. The birds began to awaken and the noise of the world erupted in a roar.

The spell broken, she turned back to the shadow of the forest. The cool air slid down her skin leaving bumps in its wake. She moved faster now to stay warm finding her way back to the well known path. She'd be back in time to help mother with breakfast if she hurried.

The small cabins chimney was smoking as she entered the yard. The trees seemed to hug the little house enveloping it in their leafy shade. Mother was just starting the days bread. 

Kiata sat the basket of eggs she had collected earlier on the table.

" out to the meadow again" she asked, her hands resting in the dough. " you know its not safe to wander around out there. You never know what's hiding in those woods"

Kiata nodded, " i was careful. Besides the forest protects me" she said. Her mother huffed. She just didn't understand. Kiata felt a connection to their home. Sometimes she could almost hear it speak to her.

Her father walked in carrying a tin pail of milk and a crock of honey. "Bessie was none too thrilled with my cold hands this morning.  Nearly kicked the bucket a few times." He said setting it beside the sink.

"Heading out to the Piersons' cabin today to help Thom with the new barn. I expect it'll be a few days." He sat down at the small table. Kiata handed him a plate of eggs and fried bacon before sitting herself.

"Ride with me out Kiata?" Her father asked.  Kiata watched her father as he shoveled his eggs. "For the company or so you can try to convince me their son isn't a pig faced baby clinging to his mothers apron strings?" She asked careful to stay just out of range as her father spit his breakfast across the table. His laugh filled the house. "For company. I think your mother has given up on the idea of you two. You know she just wants to keep you close."

Kiata walked beside her fathers horse as they moved slowly through the thick forest. Her heavy staff strapped to her back and a light pack on her hip she looked like the average adventurer. Her father sat high on the horse. Even surrounded by the many packs that would have made others look like a crazy peddler he seemed larger than life. They occasionally chatted quietly but often settled into a comfortable silence.

The woods were dappled with the midday sun. Creatures moved about just out of site. A growl nearby set her fathers horse on edge. Legs dancing under him her father strained to calm the horse. 

A dark figure moved across the path behind them. Kiata stopped watching the dark figure moving along the path. Her father was saying something but the world had faded away. The whispering she heard when the forest spoke drowned all other sounds.

The figure moved slowly, lowering itself to the forest floor. Kiata moved closer the form coming into focus. A werecat the size of her fathers horse laid before her. Chest rising and falling as the animal breathed heavily. Her hand slid along it side. Coiled muscles shivered beneath her touch. 

The forest droned in the back of her head as the animals pain hit her. His back leg was swollen fiercely where a snare bit into the flesh. The metal glowed with enchantment preventing its removal. 

She wrapped her hands around the metal and let the drone of the forest take over. It grew filling her head until she thought it would explode from her. Her hands started to glow. The green light surrounding the snare. Slowly the enchantment was engulfed until in a sudden pop the snare released.

She pulled it from the animal, hands shaking. Its large head lifted and hot breath brushed her cheek. Great muscles moving under long fur the animal pulled itself up to standing and with a bound was lost in the shadows.

Kiata screamed as hands grabbed her. Her father stood beside her scowling.

"What the hell were you doing? That could have ate you without a second thought"

"The forest wouldn't have brought it to me to eat me" she said picking up the snare and handing it to him. "Someone is hunting the forest with enchantments, and the forest isn't happy about it."

Kiata walked back to where her father left the horse and untied him. " lets go dad".

Her father slid the snare in one of the pouches and mounted. The old horse plodded on like nothing had happened.