AO - 14

Ashlee heard the cart rumbling on the rough track as she plodded ahead riding Dragonwave. She could see the Mountains of Nan-Surinen towering in the sky. The track soon dissolved into the Forest of Kelewan and was obviously unsuitable for a cart. She paced Dragonwave along the Forest fringes until the cart caught up. She turned towards them.
"I could open a path through," she said confidently, "but that would mean me being knocked out for a few hours. Tierra, I'll need you to babysit Dragonwave." Dragonwave snorted at the insult, then quieted at Ash's severe reprimand. "You will be nice."
Faust gave looked up at her. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"What?" she asked cheekily, her emerald eyes glittering with renewed mischeif, "Tierra riding Dragonwave, or me controlling the forest?"
Tierra looked up from playing with Olwë. "I can handle Dragonwave, for a bit anyway." She grinned but was shortly cut off by Olwë trying to eat her finger. She put him on her shoulder and got up to collect the reins.
Ash slid off the black steed's back and handed the reins to Tierra. She gauged the width of the cart and sat down with her legs crossed on the forest's edge. She turned to look at Faust, Nervote, Jeffery and Andreas, all in the cart. "If you leave me behind I won't be impressed," she said.
Orion fluttered around. "These forests are old. They're minds are as twisted as their roots. If you merge with them they won't be impressed either."
Ash shook her head. "I've taken risks all my life, I'm not about to stop now." She's took several deep breaths and held out her arms. She started to glow gold and blue as she summoned all of her magic.
"Great Trees and Spirits of the Kelawan, I summon you to aid our passage!" she cried.
Tierra shrugged at the elven magic and slid on to Dragonwave, who reared and fussed but calmed down quickly. She nudged him to the cart. "You guys better keep her safe." Olwë flapped around in an odd sort of agreement. "I'll follow."
Andreas looked around. "So what do we just walk throguh now or does anything else happen?"
Suddenly the forest seemed to holdign it's breath and everythign grew dark.
Faust screammed as the shadows of the trees reached round and grabbed Ashlee sleeping spirit.
The real Ash stood up as the Forest made its propostion. Ash relayed the Forest's demands to the others.
"The Forest of Kelawan demads a voice. Link to bargain with the wood murderers and fruit thiefs!" she cried. She turned to the others, her skin glowing and her eyes sparkling with an eerie blue fire. She shuddered as the Forest used her to communicate. "Choose! Either struggle through the twister roots and undegrowth in the drak depths of the Forest, or lose one of your number and travel safely!" Ash shuddred again and stumbled. Her eyes were green again; she was Ash once more. She saw the hesitation in each of her companions. "You can travel without me, but not with me and through this place." She sounded confident but her eyes transmitted her real fear.
Faust stood up to talk to the trees.
"Great beeches and elms, oaks and birchs, Ashes and willows. our friend means much to us. You voice could be given by any body. Why must it be her?"
The trees where silent in thought.
Tierra broke the silence by struggling to calm Dragonwave. She then looked up at Ashlee. "Sorry, I can't quite take this in, explain?" She looked nervous and fidgety.
The trees seemed to breath and Ashlee opened her mouth to speak.


• AO - Chapter 3 • <<--- AO - 13 :: AO - 15 --->>.: Alpha - Omega :.