The Legends of Famora: Dangerous Waters

Chapter 5

Taroh's POV

                Taroh inhaled deep breaths as she sat crisscross in the spot she smoothed clean among the pebbles, twigs, and leaves. Usually, reaching out into the depths of the lands soothed Taroh, but tonight she could feel Dennis watching her carefully. She cleared her mind and reached with her mind’s eye across the forest. Her sight was different when looking through her mind, as if a bright white light hugged each scene as she floated about. She could hear the trees calling out for comfort and health. One in particular had caused Taroh to tear up, as she felt the hopelessness and grief coming from the hunched-back oak.

                “I was once king of these woods you know.” He told Taroh, and she paused in front of him. “Now I cannot feed the birds or the squirrels. The life is leaving us, young spirit. We need you.” The tree begged for Taroh to feed them life and love.

                “There, there.” Taroh sent a stream of energy to the tree. Almost instantly his bark seemed brighter, large olive leaves began to appear from the branches, and cracks in the trunk sealed up. “Please, do not lose hope.” She comforted him.

                “Thank You, Love” The tree said, and Taroh felt the magnitude of the oaks gratefulness. “If there is ever anything I can do…” The tree told her.

                “Well there is one thing. I am looking to see who has been following me and my friend.” Taroh told him. “Have you or your friends seen anything?”

                “Ah yes. No I have not seen anything, but I had thought the presence I felt was you, little one. Now I see there is another out there. Now that you have revived me. She is different from you and your friend.” He informed her.

                “She?” Taroh said quizzically.

                “Yes. She. She is desperate, more so than even the two of you and my brethren around us.”

                “Where is she?” Taroh asked.

                “I dunno. I can just feel her, but I will let you know if we see anything.” He assured her. “I am happy to help the one who heals us.”

                Taroh left him to do his tree things, and continued her search. She felt the presence all around her as if it were being reflected from everything in sight. Taroh struggled to pin-point the presence but saw nothing but a soft brown doe eating away at the bits of grass in a small patch by a pine tree.

                “Hey there.” Taroh said to comfort the doe, but she bolted the moment Taroh began to reach out toward her.

                Taroh came out of her trance, and furrowed her brows. Usually, the animals around the village would reach back to her. Deer were known for being skittish so she didn’t put too much thought into it. Dennis was still watching her as she stood up from the ground to stretch her muscles. A dark blanket had enveloped the sky while she had been out. Time seemed to escape her, as her spirit had wandered away from her body.

                “Well?” He said. “Did you see anything?” Dennis really was a beautiful man. His dark brown hair fell across his shoulders like streams of the river. With Crystal blue eyes that seemed to look into her soul and soothe the hidden secrets of the unknown. Being with him, she almost forgot she had a mission, to find her birth parents. He and his aunt had a way of making her feel like she belonged. She knew they kept something from her. Taroh had studied people for so long in the shadows, but she felt it wise not to mention anything. Last thing she wanted, was for Dennis to run off and leave her vulnerable to isolation and Barron’s wrath.  

                “There is definitely something out there, but not like anything I have ever encountered before.” Taroh said yawning, and made herself comfortable by the fire.

                “How can you sleep right now? Knowing something is out there, it could be the Barron’s men!” Dennis said exasperated. His eyes bulging out from his head. That’s when Taroh noticed the odd ears that had been hidden under his thick mane. The distinctively pointed with a hooked tip, and stretched half way up his head. She had never seen anyone with such features, but they suited him and made him even more beautiful to Taroh.

                “Whatever is out there, is a she.” Taroh told him, and to add to the question flickering in Dennis’s eyes, she added. “Plus the forest will let me know if there is anything to worry about. Now that walk about has me exhausted. So imma get some shut eye.” She finished. She knew Dennis wanted to know more, but he was clearly still keeping secrets from her, so decided to tell him only the essential details. He ought to be able to rest knowing the forest will protect them. Taroh thought.

                Taroh giggled to herself as Dennis harrumphed, sitting up straight and eyeing the surrounding.

“I’ll keep the first watch.” He made a point to say out loud.