The Fall of Eden

Chapter Two- The Forbidden Forest

    The scent of ash wafted through the air cutting like a knife into Micah’s consciousness. She sat up eagerly, eyes darting around her, her face softening as she shook the dreams of her past from her thoughts. Her long blonde hair moved gingerly in the tainted breeze before her. She huffed, smoothing it back into the long intricate braid it had been in the night before. After she had tamed her whirling locks she looked up, a single wave of white gold falling into the cloudy grey scope of her vision. She eyed the deep golden rays as they spilled into the darkness of the sky, lighting it up effortlessly. An attempt to swallow the night that had fallen silent around her.   

    Her optics wandered hopelessly across the wide mountain range, searching for any visible proof of the charring smell of flames. She wondered if it had just been a side effect of the dream. Her gaze trailed upwind as she studied the forest around her carefully. its familiar dark green pines imprinting in her thoughts like the memories that stained them. Micah wondered if she would ever be able to look at them without conviction as she once had, what seemed like a lifetime ago. Today was the mark of what had become a two year sentence. The trees stretched out for miles in each direction, as if to taunt her seclusion, bringing swirling memories of her failed attempts to reach the ends of the large, dark edge of the forest. She had played here as a young girl, learning little about the world that rested just outside its comfort. A world she felt she might never discover, for the trees created a maze that even in her two years of mastery, she couldn’t decipher.   

    Her gaze rested finally on a small tower of wispy white smoke, the beginnings of flame set to the damp earth surrounding her. A smirk spread across her long thin lips for a fleeting moment, before her heart began to sink helplessly in her chest. She felt a chorus of deep vibrations along her thigh, and she glanced down with an expectant look. A black and grey striped cat held her gaze now, it’s familiar green eyes much wider then her own, she took comfort in them for a moment, the only piece of home she had left. Remembering how she had once despised the swirling green optics, but now it was all she ever wanted to see.   

    “I know Liveen.” Micah patted the rather large feline lovingly between the ears, it still shocked her that the full width of her hand could fit there now, a testament to how large Liveen had gotten in just a few short years time. She looked more like a mountain cat now instead of a house cat. The intent within the bright green swirls softened and eased as the sun rose higher, illuminating its features. The lines of Liveen’s face curled with wisdom, her kind eyes had grown more weak and paler than usual in the last few weeks. 

“You know I have to go see though, it could burn down the whole forest!” Liveen perked up, her posture alert and warning but Micah ignored it purposely as she continued. 

“Or - it could be someone..” She trailed off her mind doubtful, she had only seen one other person since she had lost her parents, since she had lost Olivandier. She winced, the final words from her dream slowly creeping into the back of her mind, but she fended them off as she rose to her feet half expecting Liveen to follow her pursuit as she usually did. The cat didn’t move to her side, instead it stretched out lazily on the long branch it had been perched on. 

    Micah felt her eyes roll in her head as she reached up and took hold of one of the long twisting vines she had fastened to the tall length of the tree for easy entry.

 “Seriously, you have got to get out more, you’re getting fat.” She hissed at the large animal mockingly and the cat looked at her with a disapproving, almost hurt expression. Her face twisted into a smirk and she swung from the branch, wrapping her legs lightly around the vine and allowing its slick surface to send her plunging to the rocky bottom of the forest floor. Her feet touched the ground with a thud, sending a small shock of pain through her ankle, but it wasn’t enough to shake her resolve. She looked up one last time at her companion who seemed now to already be sleeping. 

    “Worthless...lazy...” Micah muttered halfheartedly to the trees that surrounded he. Her only audience; the forest, seemed dark and too quiet in the morning haze. She searched her view for any signs of forest life; A bird in a branch above, a squirrel collecting sustenance, even an insect blending into one of the leaves of a nearby plant. She found nothing, the only movement was the swirling wind that tugged at the leaves above her, and the graying smoke, now billowing like a thriving pillar in the distance. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry and scratchy, and she wished for once that Liveen had come with her.  She knew, however, that the feline was strictly against adventuring further into the wild. Micah couldn’t seem to fathom what she had expected her to do with her time, sit in a tree and make leaf puppets? Surely the old bat had known her better then that. Then again she was only a cat, a very big one, but a cat none the less. 

    She reached for the familiar piece of weaponry at her back, her fingers lingering on a long, curving piece of wood that twisted into two sharp points. She drew it out in front of her, taking in the dark disfigured material tied at the ends by a thick, flexible piece of twisting vine. It in no way reminded her of the large extravagant bows her father used to craft for her, but it seemed to work fine enough. She cursed herself silently, suddenly wishing she’d spent more time in his workshop as a child, learned to carve and bend the wood as beautifully as he had. Into intricate masterpieces that had become his only source of income. At least one of his bows would lend her a look of viciousness, and intimidation, something her small frame was evidently lacking. She pulled one of the small wooden arrows free of the quiver. She had spent hours sharpening them into fine points, that would undoubtedly leave the intended target severely wounded, or dead if she hit just the right spot. This was something she felt she could do with her eyes closed. She fastened the hilt of the arrow, its end twined with leaves to improve her shot, to the flexible apparatus of the vine. Micah pulled it taut and lowered the bow toward the ground in front of her, ready for attack if she needed' the action. 

    Luckily the path to the east was a valley of trees at the base of the mountain. The sun rose behind it like a fiery beacon, painting the sky with pools of reds, pinks and blues. She’d seen the sight many a sunset, but never did it rise so colorfully in the misty mountain morning. The scene cast the perfect background for the thick column of smoke; it had been much closer than she had realized. Her heart began to pound, and though at first she thought it was fear that caused the commotion in her chest. She realized quickly that it was excitement, the pillar was thick but at a few hundred yards it could be easily explained as a large bon fire. A camp maybe? Who would be out so far here in these woods? Her pace picked up and she noticed soon that she was running, her footsteps treading so lightly in the brush she thought she may not even be touching the ground. She could see ahead to a clearing behind the trees, and her eyes caught pieces of burning flame fluttering between the lows of their trunks. When she hit the trees edge she collapsed gently against the large trunk of a maple tree, she was trying to control her panting but the sound chorused out of her beaten and ragged. She took a deep wavering breath and peered around the tree, letting her handmade bow take the lead resting it against the rougher edges of the bark. 

    Micah’s eyes locked on the scene before her a gasp unwillingly escaped the tight line of her lips. The sound, though to her it felt so quiet and minor caused three men to halt in their actions and glare harshly at the shadows of the trees, behind them were the round edges of the circular clearing. The place was familiar, her grandmother had been buried here, she remembered her father calling it “Sacred Ground”. She ducked behind the tree, but her reaction was too late, she had locked eyes with one of the men and he had started toward her. She hesitated, should she run? Before she could answer the question, even in her own mind the man was beside her, his arms raised in surrender. She backed up against the trunk of the tree, clinging tightly to it for what she guessed was comfort. She could see him much more clearly now. He was a young fellow, but clearly no longer a boy. His frame was slender and he had a sensual elegance about his features, a timeless glance that seemed to linger on the silver hollows of her eyes. She bit back another gasp as her eyes locked once again with his, a shiver went up her spine. She had never seen eyes that held such a color, a liquid gold, pools of shining metallic that seemed to pass right into her soul. 

 “Spying are we young kindling? ” The gentle sound of his voice entered her ears in waves of electricity, he was so close now that she could feel hot air brush her face when he spoke. The golden oasis of his eyes rippled in a way that made her lightheaded, she reached her hand to her face, or she tried. Micah panicked, she had not even noticed she was sinking into the tree, more like it was conforming to her, holding her firm in her place. She heard an unsettling laugh and it caused her to look up. One of the other men was there now, his fingernails glimmered with what looked like rays of untamed sunshine. They struck the tree behind her but it seemed to deflect where it hit her skin, something that earned a look of surprise from her restrainer. He looked up at her then, eyes wild as an interested grin spread to the ends of his features. 

“She looks like a kindling but I regret to inform you she’s a half-breed, My light doesn’t burn-” 

"Half-breed or not Errivian, she is still protected by my king!” A soothing yet firm voice floated into her ears, the third man had arrived, though he looked to be not much older then herself he seemed dressed of importance. He wore a long silver and green silk robe, that drew attention to his bright emerald eyes. Micah inhaled sharply, it had been so long since she seen that familiar color in a human face. They existed only in images in her mind, and in a less lively form in Liveen's cat eyes. They fell heavy on her like expectant weights, he seemed shocked by her appearance, but it only caused him to smile, a kind gentle one that lit up his face almost as bright as the sun rays that had bounced off of her skin. 

“I’m surprised you didn’t know she was one of you sooner, the blond hair was a dead giveaway. She is most definitely a kindling though, which means using her element against her is forbidden as well or did you light bulbs forget that?” The one he had called Errivian lowered his arm reluctantly, and Micah felt herself fall to her knees at the base of the tree. Her mind was running in circles, trying to put together the pieces of their conversation in a way that made sense to her, but it was only in her frustration that she finally seemed to find her voice. 

“Why do you keep calling me that? Who are you people?” She demanded, though her vocals didn’t quite back up the confidence in her questions, but they did earn an amused laugh from Errivian. 

“Well my dear, we are most certainly not ‘people’” He spat the last word like it was a bitter poison he wanted no part of. “And I do not think it wise to be asking questions in your position little girl. Trespassing on Sacred Grounds is a grueling offense, I’m sure the Golden Council would like a word with you.” 

“You will do no such thing! She is under-” 

“Yes, yes, the protection of your precious King, I heard you.” He hissed, his eyes swirling with growing interest. “But rules are rules, you may have her Prince Tiran, but only once the Council has determined it’s punishment.” A look of disgust poured over the supposed Prince’s features but he nodded causing his dark twirling ringlets to bounce elegantly against the lines of his face, reaching forward toward her with one of his large pale hands. Micah noticed that though they looked to be worn with scars, his hands were smooth like soft churned butter. As she took a hold of it, gripping it tightly to allow enough leverage to pull herself up, she could feel a rapid heat emanating from beneath the cool texture of his skin. 

“Don’t you worry miss, I will get you back to Eden no matter what happens, My father will be quite eager to meet you, we haven’t come across a rogue kindling in quite a while. May I ask your name?” 

“Culdan, Micah Culdan.” Micah instantly regretted giving out that information, all of the bright sparkling eyes around her were suddenly struck with a look of what she could only discern as shock and longing. 

“Culdan is a Pixie name, you grow stranger with each word that comes out of that large Venus fly trap of yours.” 

“ERRIVIAN! She may be a stranger to you but this creature whatever kind she may be is a lady, I don’t care how strange the times have become, you will treat her as such!” The third man finally spoke, the words sounded bitter on his lips, and she noticed this was the first moment she had witnessed a breathing pattern in any of them. Their chests did not heave with effort, in fact everything about them was effortless. In a way that caused them to appear otherworldly, like the rules of earth didn't apply to them and their kind. After all they had mentioned Pixies, and what were those if not otherworldly beings. Is that what she was? A pixie, but they had also said she was like them, did that mean this other man was a pixie… but if at the end of the day all of that was true what did it mean to be a kindling. Her mind was aching she was almost thankful when he spoke again, in a tone that sounded kind, like the tone of angels, or what she imagined them to sound like if she’d ever be so fortunate as to be graced with their presence. 

“That’s enough questions, we will take her to Mount Helios to sit before the Golden Council then we will send her into the care of her kind like we have agreed. “ Micah blinked, this was only the second time she had heard him speak, even though he had been the first upon her. He looped one of his long slender arms through hers, nestling it into the crook of her elbow, the motion felt rather chivalrist to her, though the commotion caused Prince Tirran to drop her hand, his cheeks flushing lightly as he realized his touch still lingered. She could tell these men were wise with age like her grandmother had been, yet by appearance they remained youthful and mostly impassive. 

    She was so plagued by her thoughts that she hadn’t even realized that they were now walking. She looked around her, all four of them were moving back into to vulnerability of the clearing. She felt like one of the small figurines in the huge wooden doll house her father; like most things in her life, had crafted for her. At any given moment a hand would come down from the sky and pluck her from her surroundings. The rows upon rows of evergreens around her seemed to bring her little comfort here, though she couldn’t deny their aura loomed in a way that felt protective. Micah noticed that they were alone now, the other two that she knew now as Errivian the light bulb, and Tiran the royal kindling had fallen behind, undoubtedly in a whirl of conversation that she felt she was the central element of. She didn’t hear much of what they were saying, just bits and pieces like ‘inbreed’ and ‘Halfling’ that escalated her suspicions. 

    They stopped just in front of the pit where she had just seen the boiling flames, the smoke had dispersed as well and in the center of the ashes lay a small wolf pup, its eyes a bright emerald that seemed far too familiar to her. The pup looked up at her in delight, its soul shining through the windows on its face.

“This Miss Culdan is what we children of the sun like to call a token. As a young kindling you can be granted protection by the hand of the Golden Council, these animals are sent to be guardians, to give their lives for the sake of the soul they have been bound to. It is meant to help them and keep them safe while they train to become full fledged Naturists.” Micah looked down at the adorable pup covered in soot. The man reached down, effortlessly scooping it into his gentle grasp. 

    As Micah watched it settle contently into the nook of his elbow, she realized her gaze seemed to gravitate to it. She had a strange feeling then, sparked by the flutter in her chest. There was something alarmingly familiar about the wolf, besides the glowing green orbs that studied her. She knew it… her. 

“How do you… “ She paused, not sure how to word it. “summon one?” She finished, her gaze wandering back to the man that reminded her of a china doll lantern. For his skin was pale and smooth like porcelain, so delicate and thin she could see the light beaming through his pores. Even more so now while he was fighting a smile, she knew; regrettably, that her lack of other-worldly knowledge was more then obvious.

“You are very inquisitive m’lady, could it be that you possess the rarity that is intelligence?” 

“I only ask questions that are relevant to the situation, any fool could surely do that or more.” She answered. His expression flexed into a smile, but was gone in an instant, she was almost certain it hadn’t even happened. 

“I fear I could not believe you a fool, besides, you have survived this long out here by yourself.” Micah felt the hairs on her neck stand up. She couldn’t remember ever revealing how long she’d been in the woods alone. 

“How do you know how long I’ve been here?” She blurted, immediately biting her lip regrettably, but his expression never faltered. If anything he looked more confident. 

“I apologize if I have made any inaccurate assumptions miss, it’s just that you are worn, tattered and dirty, and I feel as if that gash in your arm is about a month old, and that in and of itself is impressive.” She could tell he wasn’t lying, though she didn’t know what she could have done now if he were. 

“It’s been two years.” She said quietly, his eyes went wide in an instant and lingered there until he was able to gain composure, she noted it had taken him longer this time. 

“You are lucky to be alive Miss Culdan” He starred at her for a moment as if he wished to say something but couldn’t bring himself to so instead he returned to her earlier question. “It is not as much a summons, but a possession. The animals are passengers . Our peoples go back further then any alliance. The token is a gift of that alliance, and it is given to the kinfolk to help guide and protect them while they learn the ways of their people. Once the spirit takes possession it is anchored to its prodigy. Of course that sort of protection is not without great sacrifice, in this case a mother paid the debt.”

“What do you mean she paid the debt? Are you telling me you sacrificed her soul? Th-that’s horrible!” Micah swallowed down the lump in her throat, her mind frozen on a single thought scraping at the back of her mind that she couldn’t fathom was real. She noticed a slight change in his features, a look of disgust? Disappointment? She couldn’t tell. 

“Perhaps you shouldn’t judge things until you fully understand them. As it appears you don’t even know much about your own kind, let alone mine, so do not be so quick to down us for our most glorified kindness.” He scoffed.

“Perhaps I do not believe in kindness that’s plagued with glory. Kindness should be selfless in origin, anyone who believes otherwise should feel ashamed of calling their actions more then greedy.“ Micah noticed a discoloring in the stone of his face, a silvery blue undertone rising into thee strokes of his delicate features. For a moment she felt absolutely mortified, her goal had not been to insult him, but it seemed this had been the result she had conjured. ”I-I’m sorry, I…” she stuttered but his gentle voice caused her words to evaporate. 

“No need Miss Culdan, you have quite the unique mind. It would be a grave unkindness to the world over if I did not allow you to speak it freely. My apologies my dear, you are an excellent example of your kind, no matter how little you know of them.” His eyes shifted from her to the pup still nestled comfortably in his arm.

“I might know more if present company would not so hinder my education.” Micah heard a small sound escape the elegance of his pale throat, a laugh perhaps? She was almost sure of it. 

“Forgive me, for nothing should stand in the way of a lady and her education.” 

“You are forgiven, that is if you answer me just one more question.”  With that another sound chorused from his chest which didn’t heave even a bit at the action. Though the long golden strands of his straight blond hair seemed to dance against his cheekbones. The shadows created there caused a most handsome contrast to his chiseled features. She felt warmth rise into her cheeks and she was instantly embarrassed. It had been so long since she’d thought anyone handsome, and to pass such a judgment on these other worldly creatures felt strange. Though she wasn’t entirely sure if that was because they were so mysterious and possibly dangerous and she shouldn’t be attracted to them. Or if it was because she had never thought this way of anyone… anyone, but Oli. 

    Micah struggled to surface from her thoughts, all of which seemed to pull her in the same direction. Only now had she noticed that the vibration in his features had been caused by the inclination of his head, signaling her to move on with her final question. His eyes were distracting pools of gold, and she found her own wondering away from them, eyeing instead his slender fingers as they gently raked the fur of the wolf pup in his arms. She thought back to when her father had first given her Liveen, her instant attachment to the animal that she had always seen as her equal rather then a pet. A companion, though even that word, as endearing as it may be never seemed to capture her true feelings. 

“First, I must ask for a better answer to my first question. I understand you take a soul but…” The flicker of joy she had seen in him moments ago was gone, and for a moment he didn’t even appear luminescent as he had before. He seemed dull and lightless. 

“It is true that the ritual requires a soul, but a half living one. Usually the member of the family that is in the Languari is chosen, but only after they have used the vast majority of their light for the craft. You can commit much sooner then that, but it is not recommended, we only take a token when they are very near death and have no other choice. At least normally that is the path the procedure follows but in this case…” He looked down at the pup, its emerald eyes shut with exhaustion. “I’m afraid certain circumstances have warranted an unprecedented disregard for customs.” 

“What are the Languari?” She croaked, feeling her chest tighten with anxiety, but his voice returned to the bright optimistic tone it had held moments ago. This seemed to be a subject he was more comfortable with. 

“They are the healers of your people, it is a most prestigious honor to be accepted into the Languari. It takes an exhausting amount of focus and power to heal those who are broken, whether it be by element or steel. This focus is needed to eventually make the transition into a token, you must not only be of strong body, but mind, and your soul should be strong too, or it will not take. Why are you so interested in this ritual? I must say I expected a much different question.” His voice was audible in the soft silence of the morning breeze, but Micah could no longer focus on its mesmerizing tones. Her mind was on something else; the soul.

The binding spirit.

Liveen. 

    Her pet, her companion, she had always really been her grandmother. She heard a mumble and had to struggle to focus on the individual words. Her mind was swirling, the earth beneath her felt as if it were collapsing into its own molten core. She tried to hone in on the liquid texture of his voice. 

“What did you say?” He hissed again, this time with more force, his fingers clasping at her wrist, while his other hand held the spirit animal these beings had just created. Someone’s soul was in there, trapped, like a caged animal, Worse, an actual animal. She looked up suddenly realizing the force of his gesture, she could just now see the others approaching them over his shoulder. Having finished whatever business they had had on the other side of the clearing. 

“Liveen… I think she might be my, my token. She’s here in the forrest, we have to get her, I can’t leave -!” 

“Hush!” He hissed, something about the way he said it made her follow his instructions without another moment of solitary thought. “You must not speak that name to anyone else.” He continued, glancing only partly over his shoulder as he let her wrist fall free from his grasp. “Micah, you do not know me, but I urge you to trust me. Do not reveal who you are to anyone..“ His voice trailed off leaving her mind flooding with even more questions. Was she in danger? She had no time to react appropriately to his outburst, for the other two men had arrived. 

    Prince Tirran held his arms out to take the pup, it went to him eagerly, snuggling into the stone depth of his chest, it seemed to know him, like she seemed to know it. She wandered idly if it were his mother, for he seemed sad and oddly happy at the same time. 

“Thank you for the gift you’ve bestowed upon my brother…” He began, instantly answering her question as if she had asked it aloud. “Olivandier will be pleased, though he has already completed his training, I fear as the dark ones grow stronger, he will need her now more then ever. “ Micah felt every muscle in her body tense, her eyes wide like silver oceans. Oli didn’t have a brother… did he? Was he really one of them? But of course he was, the green eyes more then confirmed it, and she remembered him saying that he'd been forced to keep things from her, was this it? Why would they not want her to know? She eyed Errivian, out of the three he seemed to be the only real threat to her. Should she tell Tirran who she was? Maybe Oli had spoken of her… maybe he was alive, maybe.. She had to swallow her questions, now was not the time, not in front of Errivian. 

"This gift I'm afraid is all we can offer you, The Council has no interest in your war, Prince" Errivian spat, Micah was not at all fond of Errivian, every time he spoke she liked him less and less. Tirran grimaced, an expression that looked foreign to his features. 

"How strange it is that the two races that created this problem are the first to deny us help in resolving it." The words from Tirran earned a scowl from Errivian, his face dancing with sparks of solar anger, swirling so fiercely Micah thought it might leap from his skin.

 "Do not blame us for your fallen King, he made his own choices!" 

"Now, now, it is partly our fault Errivian, this curse would not be theirs to bare if it were not for their willingness to protect us." 

"I don't recall anyone asking you.They brought this upon themselves, foolish tree huggers, love is a human emotion, we are to be counted among the gods!" 

" I think you have been inhaling too many bath fumes lately Errivian. You aren't supposed to eat the petals." Prince Tirran laughed as Errivian rolled his eyes. 

"That's quite enough you two, I swear your next words will be the last you speak today if they are of ill intent. Not many of you remember this but we are allies, you should not be treating each other so crudely. "

'Like you were around in those times either. Face it Finithe, you're just the old mans b***h!" Errivian spat, Micah watched as who she now knew as Finithe's eyes flashed white with anger and the quiet calmness of his face twisted into hard lines. He looked as if he was gathering strength to say something but instead his hand lifted and Micah had only enough time to make out the sharp point of what looked like a glowing needle before it was thrown savagely at Errivian, who had no time to counter act. The needle shot into his bottom lip and out of his top, it twisted and quickly absorbed into his skin, giving his lips a golden glow. His eyes widened, his now flaming hands grabbing at his mouth.

 "I warned you Errivian, I will be telling the 'old man' of this if you do not calm down, he will not be so forgiving..." Errivian looked defeated, he could not speak, and it was obvious he knew he was no match for Finithe. His head was down, eyes lingering on the fire in his hands as it disappeared. 

"I wish I could have done that myself" Prince Tirran enthused but it was short lived as he earned a look like daggers from Finithe.

    Micah felt a smile cross her lips for a fleeting moment before her mind wondered back to Liveen, she really needed to go and get her before they left She cleared her throat looking into the golden swirls of Finithe's eyes.

"Can I ask a favor?" she croaked earning a knowing and warning look from his toned features.

"You want to go back for your token don't you?" he sighed remembering their earlier conversation about Liveen. Micah could tell he did not want her to mention her name, as if it would give away her identity. Though her mind raced with questions, she was smart enough to know that the reason her family had kept her blind to this side of her life, and the danger she could be in if she exposed her identity were related.

She tore herself from her thoughts, deciding a nod was the best way to answer the question. Finithe gave another sigh and flicked his hand out towards Errivian the light simultaneously shooting from his lips.

"Although I would very much like to be there when you reach the city, i have business with the prince to attend to in Eden rather immediately. I can not help you gather your things. Errivian, you will take Micah wherever to grab what she needs, and you will not complain." A harsh glare spilled onto his complexion as he continued. "You will take her DIRECTLY to the high warlock, when you get to the golden city. Please take a vial of my blood so you can summon me once the council gathers." With that he pulled an hourglass vial out of his chest pocket, the contents a swirling gold. Micah bit back her reaction as the memories of Oli flooded back. The vial was identical to the one he had stowed away in the table at her tree house. If she could get there she could see Olivandier again.. in that moment she decided. She was going to do whatever it took to get back to her home, even if it meant she had to deal with Errivian the hard way.

    Finithe reached a hand out and touched Micah's face, a warm light moving from his palm and disappearing into her pale cheek.

"It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Errivian will see to it that we meet again in the Golden City" Micah gasped as she heard his voice continue in her head but his lips were not moving. 

Do not let them know who you truly are princess of Eden, we will get you home to your people if you can trust me . You are far more important than you know. 

    His glowing golden eyes searched hers for understanding and after a moment he seemed to pull it from her gaze. With that he raised his hand again a beam of light flashed and a swirling golden substance formed a pool in the air in front of him that he urged Tirran through. Tirran looked back at Micah and winked, had he known who she was the whole time? With one final gesture him and Tirran were gone, and the swirling golden mist dissipated. Leaving Micah standing there confused, and alone with Errivian. 

    Micah was in a daze, her mind was racing. She had so many questions, had the last half hour even truly happened? Had she eaten the wrong mushrooms again? The sudden sound of thunder shook her from her thoughts as Errivian moved closer to her.

"Alright half breed.... where are we going?" His acidic tone tainted her thoughts of Olivandier, her eyes narrowed and her lips twisted into a sadistic smirk, this was her chance.

"Follow me..." she insisted as she pushed into the darkness of the trees just in time for the first rain drops to hit her face. She knew there would be no way he could keep up in the forest, she would be on her way to the tree house in no time. Oli would know what to do, she just needed to get there...