Weaver: A Silver Crown

Chapter 4

“s**t, Flit! s**t, s**t, s**t!” He stood up, pacing, dragging his hands down his face. “Mira would kill us if we took her to the village.”

“If?” Fliteen asked. “What the hell does it matter what her name is? And why would she?” She stood, and walked towards him. Let them have their family quarrel; in the meantime, I wanted to finish off another flask of water. Talo stopped in his tracks and stared at her.

“You can’t be serious about taking her still? She’s one of the frickin’ seven high nobles, Flit! High. Noble.” He exclaimed. She shrunk back and didn’t reply. I stopped my scanning for water to look at them when the silence went on too long and found Talo looking at her apologetically, his hands on her shoulders. “We leave her here. We’ve done enough; she’ll find her way back.” He let his hands drop his side and nodded in the direction of the Silver Forest. “Or they'll find it for her.”

“How awfully ominous, Talo Diya. You'd give a real Weaver a run for their money. But if you must know, I'm not going back.” I stated coolly as I lay back down.

“What?” He asked, facing me. “Where do you plan to go then?” The insolent tone to his voice irritated me. “Being past the Silver Forest for a little gallivant not enough for you?” He sneered. I decided I would very much enjoy seeing him choke of his own blood.

“One:” I snarled, holding my hand up with my index finger pointing skyward. “Do not tell me I went gallivanting when you have no idea what I was actually doing. I do not find getting shot in the leg fun. And two:” I pointed my second finger up. “I plan to go to Hu’nian City or perhaps the Singing City…” I paused, looking up in thought and letting my hand fall down. “I haven’t quite decided.” I smiled bitterly at him.

“You escaped, didn’t you?”

“My business is not your concern.” I growled.

“How did you pass the ward?” His eyes flicked to the arrow that had been in my leg, now lying at my side. “The obsidian arrow?”

“And what would a Mixling like you know of Weaver wards and Sivilkan, obsidian arrows?” I countered, knowing I was irking him. He simply shook his head, looking more haggard than before.

“You wouldn't be the first, Anera Querisha, but you are the first high noble I've seen wonder into these woods.” I ignored the way he spat my name and focused on the words 'not the first' instead. He sat and placed his legs out in front of him, resting his elbows on his knees and warmed his hands by the fire. It was quite cold. This 'Forgotten Forest', as they called it, was very open and airy, much unlike the Silver one I'd grown up in. The canopy was open, the leaves and branches spread out and waving sleepily in the nights breeze. Light oak trees soared up high into the sky and they seemed to sigh calmly in the spacious environment. Not a single spider or shadow or cob web to be seen.

When neither Fliteen nor Talo didn't offer anymore, I assumed it was the end to the conversation and I felt too tired to discuss and ask questions about the implications of what his words might mean. Tomorrow, I soothed. I will worry about these things tomorrow. I bit the inside of my cheek as I gingerly sat up. Both Fliteen and Talo suddenly very content to leave me be while they wondered about the small circle of the camp they'd made and set up their beds. The forest ground was soft beneath me as I shifted – the undergrowth dry and warm from my body and the fire a meter away. A shiver ran through me and I shuffled a little bit closer, looking down at the state of my clothes. My shirt was torn, as were my trousers from the wound, my shoes were scuffed and ripped and my weapons belt–

Alarm rung through me; where were my weapons? I could've sworn I'd felt them on me – I hadn't even checked until now. And – and my daggers I'd been holding? Oh Gods, if I'd dropped them... I began patting myself down and looking around when a heavy thud sounded by my side. I looked up into the dark brown, glowing eyes of Talo.

“Clean clothes and some shoes. Not sure they'll fit 'cause they're Flit's but yours look a bit un-sturdy right now. “ I looked down into the pile, my eye catching on the warn brown leather. I grabbed for the belt and found it empty, my frowning face instantly looking back up to Talo's awkward one. “I took your weapons when you were unconscious...” He almost sounded apologetic. “You were hugging these daggers like they were your life source when we found you and I had to remove the blades and bow and quiver to get you on the horse properly. But no way in hell I'm giving a Weaver a weapon.” When I scowled at him and said nothing, he offered, “Not yet anyway.” I hadn't remembered him doing any of that. If I'd been conscious, he'd have been dead.

“Thank you.” I choked out. He snorted and began to turn away. “I mean it, Talo Diya. I owe you my life.” He raised his eyebrows at me, “And Fliteen. Both of you.” He nodded and trudged away, his presence instantly replaced by Flit's.

“Sorry to sound rude, but you look an absolute mess and you're smelling up the camp more than Shiva and Druro over there.” She pointed her thumb towards the horses and I looked in their direction. A black male and a white female stallion both grazed aimlessly and wagged their tails. I smiled slightly and fought the urge to laugh, but the spark in Fliteen's eye told me she knew I'd found her amusing.

“And what do you propose, oh mighty Fliteen?” I mocked, raising my hands in the air. “Shall I strip nude here and defile your precious brother's sweet stance on celibacy?” Talo snorted from the other side of the camp and I looked at him with a wicked smile that grew even more so when I saw the slight blush above his dark stubble. Flitten laughed – actually laughed – loudly and rolled her eyes.

“I was thinking more along the lines of perhaps a wash at the lake not far from here.” She moved to help me stand and I grabbed her arm firmly. “Think you can stand, or shall I get the sweet celibate to carry you?” I let out a low chuckle and let her pull me up, pushing myself on my good leg. I should've been angry and wary – and my instincts told me to be – but I felt at ease, even without my weapons. I understood Talo's reasoning; I could probably easily kill them even if I am injured. My weapons I could get back and I didn't need them to defend myself. I think I could trust these people; they had answers I was willing to play nice to get.

“I don't think that'll be necessary. No need to fluster him more than I've already done so.” I stated teasingly, hopping on my good leg.

“Here,” Fliteen said, wrapping her arm around my waist and putting mine over her shoulders. She saw my hesitation before I could even hide it. “It's okay Anera, I'm safe, I swear.” I eyed her up and down, noting her baggy shirt tucked into her tight trousers and brown leather boots. Her long, black hair was waving and flowing freely behind her. She had a very sweet, innocent face, I thought, one with little burdens to bear. Her cheeks were rosy, her lashes fairly long and her nose quite small. Her lips were darker and longer than mine and her cheekbones higher and she wasn't much shorter than me either. But she lacked muscle; where I was more toned and matured, she was still yet to gain that. Otherwise, we were roughly the same size.

Fliteen noticed me inspecting her as I sized up her threat. She felt me relax slightly and lean into her, letting her lead me to the border of the ward.

“Wait!” Talo stopped us, his hand out stretched. “Maybe I should go instead.”

“Changed your mind on celibacy after all?” I asked flirtatiously. Fliteen simply frowned.

“It'd be safer if I went. What if she attacks you?” The question was directed at Flit.

“She is right here.” I countered. He ignored it.

“Oh and watch a vulnerable, wounded girl bathing naked in a lake? Since when did you become such a p*****t, Tay?” Fliteen argued, already turning me around. Talo sighed in frustration. I snorted, even as their brother-sister bond sent a pang through my heart.

“Fine, but if she attacks you, yell for me, okay?” It wasn't really a question but an order. Flit simply waved her hand and walked into the darkness.

~

The next morning I awoke groggy and with a chill in my bones. It had taken a long time to finally fall into a fitful sleep. I kept stirring and waking up to the image of my father’s shadowed, gruesome face with a pounding heart and a cold sweat. An hour before dawn, I had eventually given up, feeling unsettled without my weapons and decided to relight the fire that had long since died. Talo and Fliteen had slept soundly, their breathing regular and soft, and the horses had also awoken with me, content to graze and drink.

I sat quietly with my cloak wrapped around me, watching the light slowly creep up on the canopy, and relished the heat from the fire. My feet felt toasty in the leather boots Flit had given me as did my body in the soft beige tight trousers and cream, baggy shirt. We had dumped my stinking clothes in the lake, as well as my leather tunic and hastily bathed before shivering and limping back to the camp. We all ate an apple, some three day old bread and some cheddar cheese before exhaustion finally swept over me and I lay, drying my long golden brown hair by the fire, content let it flow free and curl.

Sound disturbed me from my idle reverie and I look over to find Talo shifting and stretching into a stand. He shoved on his boots and scratched at the stubble on his chin – then he noticed me. His faced dropped, as if noticing I hadn't been some miserable dream. I gazed at him tiredly before turning my attention back to the fire.

“Good morning to you too.” I said quietly, careful not to wake Fliteen. I was rude, but not that rude. Talo simply huffed and ignored me, marching quietly to the border of the ward. “Where are you going?” I called out as silently as I could. He took a deep breath in frustration.

“If you must know, for a piss. Shall I keep a diary of all my in and outgoings for you?” He peered round at me; his voice was dripping heavily with sarcasm, and it took every drop of will power to keep from rising and gutting him then and there. I smiled sadistically at him, baring my fangs, letting him know just as much. He walked away – a bit quicker than before, I noted – and I grinned with delight, taking a deep breath of his fear. He made a good show of hiding his fear over me but I could smell it. And oh it was so delicious, delicious enough to awaken my stomach to grumble. When was the last time I'd actually eaten some meat?

“Gods, is he being a miserable bastard already?” Fliteen asked groggily from beneath her pile of blankets. I was surprised that Shiva and Druro weren't half dead with all the mysterious bits of equipment they pulled out from their bags. A small smile played at my lips and I opened my mouth to answer when Talo strolled back through the ward, whistling a cheery tune. “I swear on all the Gods I'll rip your lips off if you don't stop whistling that stupid song, Tay!” Flit moaned through the muffle of the fabric. Talo bent and whipped the covers off of her, leaving her squirming in the winter chill and scrunching her eyes shut against the pre-dawn light.

“Quit your whinging. We need to make the most of the daylight.” He began rolling up the blankets and I couldn't help but snicker as she lunged for them. He fought her off valiantly and she soon set about packing and tidying. I felt a bit helpless and useless when I merely sat by the fire in silence and observed their pottering and easy chattering. There wasn't much I could be of use with with my blasted limp. If I ever remembered, I'd pray to the Gods to ensure it didn't last too long.

Once the camp was cleared and the horses saddled and packed, and I loosely braided my hair, Talo took down the ward. The sound of birds chirping and singing in the warming dawn sun filled the space and I looked up into the canopy in awe. I'd never heard such a sound before.

“Never heard a bird sing before, Weaver?” Talo asked as he finished tightening the buckle of his weapons belt.

“Of course, but not quite like this.” I explained. When I said no more, he turned with his eyebrows raised.

“And?”

“And what?”

“And what have you heard it like then?” He started idly patting and stroking the horse behind him. I stood slowly and limped over to him.

“Dawn does not exist in the Silver Forest or Threaded City. The only birds I here are raven's – and the occasional birds of prey some enjoy to keep. Most die as they cannot escape the canopy.” I smiled impishly at the last thought. His eyes met mine, questioning, but he already knew the answer. I held his gaze, admiring his strong jaw and tanned skin and the stubble just a little bit too long. His hair was dark and cropped short at the sides and a bit longer on top. He was good looking, I supposed, much different from the pale faces I had grown up with in the city.

“Cobwebs?” He asked, looking disgusted.

“Indeed.” I crooned, my head tilted slightly. I looked towards Druro and stroked his shiny black fur. He huffed at my touch. “The beast likes me, it seems.” I mused, nodding my head towards its swinging tail.

“Ah, Druro likes everybody and everything he thinks'll give him a nice juicy apple.” He patted him strongly as Fliteen approached us, a familiar gleam of weapons in her hands.

“You gonna' wear these?” My eyes widened at the beautifully crafted daggers, blades and hunting knives, as well as my bow and quiver slung over her shoulder. I hastily snatched them off of her before anyone could even stop me and moved to the middle of the camp.

“Wait! Flit, what are you doing?” Talo exclaimed, moving her behind him as I hastily strapped them all into their places.

“Oh, don't worry,” I said, flexing and un-flexing my arms, hands and fingers, feeling the weight of the blades in my grip. “I can't kill you now – I'm in your debt.” I stood as straight as I could and placed my twin blades in my belt and took out my bow. Talo’s footsteps sounded behind me. Taking an arrow from my quiver, I instantly had it nocked against the string, drawn and aimed at him; he who was already making his way towards me with a deadly gleam to his eye; he who had stopped dead in his tracks when I whirled on him and he saw the arrow levelled at his throat, close enough to draw blood when he gulped. I smiled wickedly at him. “You go to attack me; I’ll kill you, life debt or no.” I stated bluntly. “If you hadn't had drawn your dagger and taken more than a step towards me, this arrow wouldn't be drawn, and it certainly wouldn't be the difference between life and death for you at the moment.” He took a calming breath, eased from shining arrow point and dropped the dull dagger. It landed with a heavy thud. I didn't take my eyes from his, even as he slowly raised his hands. Fliteen let out a relieved breath behind him. “So what will it be Talo Diya? Willing to spare me and my blades some bloodshed, and show me the way to where I want to be? Or shall I just gut you now?” My eyes were hard as I stared him down, but my smile was full of sweet Weaver venom. He shook his head and turned away from me. What a fool you are, I thought, especially as I can still taste your fear.

“We ride north for the day and then east, back to the village. If you promise not to harm me or my people, I'll allow you safe passage through. Then you're on your own.” He swung onto his horse and looked me in the eye.

“You swear it?” I breathed, releasing my firm hold on the arrow and placing it back. Talo took out his dagger and I tensed, before he slit his palm and let his blood drop to the ground.

“I swear it.”

“Good.” I chirped, walking and standing beside Fliteen, who gave me a weary, girlish grin. “Shall we?”

~

“My crotch hurts… Can we stop yet?” I whined, rubbing at my tender hips and lower back. We had ridden all day and my bottom was growing terribly sore. We had only stopped once to eat, drink and water the horses and Gods what a beautiful reprieve it had been. I had dreamed of soft grass for the rest of the day.

“My, Anera Querisha, what a lovely high noble lady you are.” Talo taunted sarcastically, digging an elbow into my ribs. I hissed in annoyance at him, pinching his side. He had been elbowing me all day. It was bad enough I had to share a horse with him, let alone be so ghastly close. I wrinkled my nose at his peculiar smell. Fliteen snickered from beside me and I looked over with pleading eyes, hoping for sympathy points. Her grin widened and I turned away in a huff.

“I don’t understand why you people use horses anyway. It’s much quicker to just run.” I stated crossing my arms, the throbbing ache in my leg worsening as Talo purposely encouraged Druro into a swift pace. He was the strong horse, plus Talo didn’t trust me to be near his little sister. Bunch of smart-ass p***y’s, I thought, rolling my eyes for what felt like millionth time today.

“Then by all means Anera, you are welcome to run.” He offered gesturing off of the horse, the smug tone in his voice making me want to punch his teeth out with my blade. I growled at him and he elbowed my ribs in return.

“I swear if you elbow me one more time I’ll rip your god damned eyes out you half-witted prick!” I snarled, squeezing my fists hard enough for my nails to scrape off skin. Talo opened his mouth to reply when Fliteen abruptly stopped in the middle of the clearing and swung off of her horse.

“Okay, I think it’s time to set up camp. Your insult throwing and whinging is driving me and the horses insane.” She grumbled, leading Shiva to a spot by a tree for her graze. Talo sighed and swung off Druro. “Tay, make the ward and Anera you do the fire.” She called out, the commanding tone in her voice final.

Talo made a move to walk away and I cleared my throat. “Forgetting something?” I asked impudently. He took a long breath and marched round to the side of the horse then rolled his eyes as he held out his arms for me. I looked away, biting my tongue.

Even though I had come to terms with my injury and needing help, it didn’t stop my cheeks from burning with embarrassment as I eased my left leg over and then slid reluctantly into Talo’s arms. He placed me down softly and snorted at my blush. I winced at the pain in my leg. “Thanks.” I mumbled before patting his shoulder and removing his hands from my waist. His eyes were blank as he watched me. After a moment’s pause, he nodded and strode away. I tasted the tang of magic as I shuffled over to grab Druro’s reins and limped stiffly to Shiva and Fliteen who had now moved further. I scowled and rubbed my leg idly.

“Hey.” I greeted quietly, careful not startle her from her precarious crouch in front of a little stream at the side of the camp. She hastily filled her flask with water, grabbed Druro’s reins from me and led him closer for watering next to Shiva.

“Hey, how’s your leg?” She asked, her eyes flicking with concern to my hand gingerly massaging the ache in my thigh.

“Aching.” I admitted with a small smile. I couldn’t quite put my finger on Fliteen, but her presence made me feel at ease. I did not feel so cautious being truthful with her. Throughout the day we had joked and laughed together. Her witty humour and impish grins bringing back childhood memories and becoming more delightful by the passing hours – opposed to the grunts and impertinent comments from her brother.

“Would you like me to rub it? I’ve been told I have healing hands.” She grinned, wiggling her fingers and inching closer to me. I chuckled and sidled out of her grasp. She let out a breathy laugh and smirked, shaking her head to herself. “If anyone heard that sentence out of context, they’d surely be very concerned of my intentions.” I burst into a snorting laugh, startling myself. I hadn’t realised I was capable of doing such a thing. Fliteen giggled too, her eyebrows raised with surprise.

“Well, if they were peeping in on two fine ladies having an improper conversation, I would consider them the ones with questionable intentions.” I said, straightening and sweeping my gaze over our surroundings. Even if it had been light hearted, the words still bought caution ringing through and into my instincts.

The forest was quiet and empty, as it had been all day, but picturesque in the light of dusk. I studied the high branches of trees, eyeing for birds. I hadn’t heard much wild life in the forest, mainly in the morning, but there was something about its silence and tranquillity that put me on edge. Fliteen seeing my eerie look cleared her throat.

“Did you hear me?” She asked, tensing up herself. “What is it?”

“It’s just… really quiet.” I admitted, sweeping my gaze back to the trees from her face. She laughed then. Somehow I had missed the punch line.

“It’s always quiet here. It’s not called the Forgotten Forest for no reason.” She clicked her tongue and turned back to the horses, an amused spark to her eye. “Don’t forget you’re on firewood duty.” I started to groan but she shh’d me. “It’ll do you good to give your muscles a stretch. Then we’ll eat something.” Oh Gods.

“Please tell me it’s not bread, cheese and apples.” I groaned, feeling my mouth moisten and my stomach rumble at the thought of succulent meat.

“Afraid so.” She murmured and traipsed the horses back through the ward Talo had finished forming it seemed. I went about collecting wood before the dark fully set and the chill swept in.

~

I shivered slightly as I felt the zap of the ward on my skin. Both Talo and Fliteen’s eyes were instantly on me as I trudged towards the camp fire, dripping blood. Then their eyes flicked to my hands, carrying three dead Raven’s.

“We have spies.” I mused, dropping them to the ground with a sickening thump. Talo’s eyes hungrily watched where they landed. Fliteen looked at her brother with concern. “I figured we could eat their messenger’s.” I walked to the side of Fliteen and untied my cloak, eager to peel it off. Talo stood and picked up the birds.

“Were they carrying messages?” He asked, sniffing them. I shrugged off my cloak and put my hand in the pocket, pulling out one rolled up piece of paper with spider-like writing. My father’s. I held it out to him.

“It’s written in some code I can’t decipher and only one of the birds held a note. The other two were there to throw me off.” I explained, watching him take it from my finger, glance over it and then hand it back. I took it from him and placed it between my breasts for definite safe keeping. I’ll look into it later, I promised. I looked up to find the questioning and shocked face of Talo gawking at me, his eyes flicking between my face and my breasts. “Only just realised I’m a female have you? Care for a closer look?” I teased, squeezing them to make them look bigger. Fliteen laughed, observing his blush. He cleared his throat and scowled at me but I could smell his desire and he knew it too. I smiled coquettishly at him. He ignored me.

“Are they safe?” He asked, defusing the situation and sniffing at the birds another time with his eyebrows raised.

“No poison or sedatives, I checked.” I knew the smell of every poison and harmful drug in the realm, even those on the Gronany continent and those that were almost impossible to detect. But in a race that shifts into creatures that produce a high number of the poisons and deadly potions available, you are forced to learn such ways.

“I’ll prepare them. Then we should eat and get some sleep.” I nodded and sat down next to Flit who grinned at me, getting out vials of healing herbs from the pouch she had tied to her belt. I wished I’d have had time to grab mine on my way out of the city. It would’ve saved a lot of trouble.

“What shall it be then–“ She went to ask as I begun untying my hair and letting it hang in loose curls.

“Oh, and Anera?” Talo called from a little corner where he was sorting through blades best to butcher the birds. I looked over to him, my face blank. “Don’t go wondering off without telling us again. We had to start the fire without you.” I smiled slightly and rolled my eyes, then nodded in affirmation.

“What he’s trying to say is, he was worried.” Fliteen clarified.

“Worried she’d gotten herself stuck in ditch to then starve to her death.” He argued defensively, glowering.

“Such little in faith in me you have!” I exclaimed, putting my hand to my heart in mock sadness. “Afraid I wouldn’t come back to you both?” They both turned back to what they were doing and said nothing, even though it had been in gest. I let the subject drop and carried on picking out an herb to soothe the throb in my leg this evening.

That night, I fell asleep with a full belly of meat and a small smile on my face as I gaze up at the stars through the canopy, Fliteen and Talo’s soft breathing lulling me gently into sleep in the ever growing shadow.

~

“Rule number one: do not upset Mira or my grandmother. Both are equally as terrifying if you do.” Talo shivered slightly, shaking away the thought. “And rule number two:” He continued, craning his neck round to scowl at me, his breath fluttering my hair. “Do not wallop anyone in the village that just happens to piss you off.” I scoffed and loured at him.

“I am a High Noble's daughter, you know. I do have manners.” I said, digging my fingers into his sides as he clicked his tongue to set Druro into a swifter pace towards the village entrance; an entrance I was yet to be able to see. He snorted at me as I peeped out around his side and squinted into the distance, seeing only 4 large tall trees soaring high into the sky and very large spacious clearings between. I even spotted a river not too far from the area.

“Where exactly is this village again?” I asked suspiciously, eyeing the area big enough for an entire village. Plus I was curious as to when we’d get there and I could get off of this blasted horse.

“Very soon.” Was all Fliteen said. “In fact, looks like we’re here now.” She bought her horse to a stop and swung off, landing with a heavy clomp. Talo did the same. I flicked my gaze between them both.

“I can’t help but feel like I’m missing something here.” They both grinned and looked up to the sky, where I saw nothing but canopy and blue beyond. I frowned in confusion.

“We live on Weaver land, so we live in Weaver fashion.” Fliteen explained. My eyes widened with understanding.

“Ah,” I mused, “The area, including the trees, are warded?” Fliteen nodded as she walked over to the trunk of a tree and knocked on it. A thin thread of glistening spider silk fell down from above and she whispered something to it. It then proceeded to travel back up.

“I’ll take the horses to the stable.” Talo blurted with his eyes on mine as he held his arms out for me. I let him help me off and place me down. He took the reins of Shiva and Druro and tugged them along. I watched him go and fade into nothing. I blinked, feeling a bit spooked by the whole thing. Powerful magic sits here, I heard my instincts echo inside me.

“Some with strongly mixed blood enjoy living in the trees; my grandmother is one of them. I’ve called on her to give you access past our ward, that way you’ll be able to see everything here. Only those she gives access to can see.” She elucidated for me.

“You grandmother has that kind of magic?”

“She’s an Oracle.” She informed with a small, proud smile. I raised my eyebrows with genuine surprise then. From what I’d heard, Oracles were extremely rare. The magic was practically extinct. I huffed in amazement. Who would’ve thought we’d have an oracle living on our lands?

I went to ask more but the soft falling of spider silk alerted me. Fliteen whispered to it and nodded, and then turned to me.

“My grandmother has let you through.” She told me, opening up a door in the trunk, that hadn’t been there a moment ago. “It’ll take a little while for everything to set in for you, try not to move.”

“Move? Why–“ I yelped as I stepped towards her and crashed into something, a warm wall of flesh. I jumped away and shrieked as I heard someone grunt behind me, their phantom hands on my shoulders to steady me. Fliteen laughed.

“Thanks Al.” She chuckled before disappearing through the door in the tree. I blinked and rubbed at my eyes, looking around the huge forest space. But it wasn’t quite forest any more. Slowly, I turned in a 360 and noted the changes that morphed and winked into my sights.

Doors beautifully carved out in the four trunks of the trees began to appear, there little round door knobs smooth and the carvings in the wood depicting Fae and animals alike. Buildings of smooth stone, brick and wood appeared between them, pathways from their doors intertwining and leading into the middle where a stone fountain sat. White brick pathway faded in beneath me and people shimmered in and out of view around me. I scrubbed at my eyes to gain focus.

A tall stone wall circled the perimeter, guards and lookouts sitting in little roofed towers chatting nonchalantly with a fire between them. Some had bows on their backs and some had swords at their sides, the black and silver armour made of fine leather. The fluttering of wings, steps, children’s laughter and chatter enveloped me – so much different to the roars, silence and clang of swords in the city.

Auralight bobbed up and down throughout the little streets, setting an amber glow and homely haze in the shadows cast in the afternoon setting sun. Curtains were drawn in windows of people’s homes, flowers blooming and the breeze flowing freely into their houses. From a distance I heard the smelting of weapons in a blacksmith and the sweet hum of a melody sung by a pretty voiced woman. I took a breath in awe, ignoring the cautious stares of villagers and smiles of children. Gods, I thought, it’s more like a mini city than village.

People mauled about, collecting water, gathering food, children playing by their homes and splashing in the fountain. I looked up to the trees above, seeing bridges, pathways and wooden buildings connecting and leading to each other. There were four big trees in the whole area; one for each corner by the side of the two exit gates that had a large pathway leading from one to another, the fountain meeting in the middle. I spotted the glisten of spider silk in the trees and rapid flapping of humming bird wings with the rare shadow of a figure hovering or darting about.

Villagers had stopped flickering in and out of site by the time I stopped gawking at the spider web of bridges and stairs in the trees. Their cheeks were rosy and eyes twinkling with life and happiness and peace. Something I had escaped the city in the hopes of finding. I fell into an amble along the path, away from the gate behind me that banged to a close. Cast iron Auralight lamp posts were dotted along the way, flowerbeds blooming around them. This place was well kept and well-made I observed as I dawdled past buildings selling meats, fruit, vegetables and baked goods. The town seemed to go in a circle around the fountain, and then the houses and gardens closer to the edge of the wall. Whoever had designed this place had done it well.

I continued my slow pace, trying to limp as little as possible, but I did not hide it well before a knowing, straight backed old looking lady approached me. People aged differently depending on their power. She eyed my leg with a frown.

“Does that bring you much pain, girl?” She asked, her hand held out towards where the wound had been. I stepped away cautiously, my body tensing, ready to spring into battle. My hand was already on the pummel of my blade before I could stop it. The image of swiftly darting round her and slitting her throat splayed across my mind. I fought the urge to cackle.

“I'll do you no harm, dear.” She assured me with an articulate, feminine voice, an entertained twinkle to her eye. Her eyes were as dark as the black in her greying hair pinned neatly behind atop her head. Even though they were wrinkled, beautiful eyes crinkled at me as she smiled broadly, wide enough for her white shining fangs to poke through. No ears though, I noted, breathing deep to obtain her scent. She wore a grey, long sleeved flowing gown of quality material that was tied with shimmering spider silk around her slender waist. A fur lined black cloak hung from her shoulders and her wrinkly spotted hands were clasped gently in front of her. I gasped as her scent washed over me. Realisation and recognition shone in her witty eyes.

 This woman was my father’s mother.