Sophia had not been wasting her time; she had already called upon the tens of thousands of tiny woodland nymphs to be her eyes and ears, reporting back to her on every movement of the nightwalkers and anything else that might seem out of the norm. She had already been informed that Henry and the others were nowhere to be found, and that Bree had also disappeared. To add further to the bad news, the nightwalkers had become a lot more active and had been seen before dark, which was not in their nature. They are things of the night and had never been out in daylight before. The fact that she had no idea of the whereabouts of Henry and the others concerned her more than she would like to admit, but she decided to keep it from her sister Hazel, fearing that she would do something silly like trying to find them again. She had already been stupid enough to have used the Moonstone which nearly killed her, and Sophia was going to do nothing that would endanger her life further. So instead she told her that she was still waiting to hear of their whereabouts, and that they should hear news soon. She had also spent her time considering her priorities, and the first was to find out what the nightwalkers were up to. She’d have to worry about Henry later. Besides, he was in safe hands with Bert and Ben. She had also decided that sitting around would do no good, and that she would have to do something that she promised herself that she wouldn’t, and that was to get involved again, but she’ll have to leave her cosy little home and see for herself what was happening. So, with that in mind, she suggested to her sister that they get ready and pack for a few days away from home.
“Have you any idea where my boy is?” Hazel asked her sister for the fourth time. Sophia was busy packing dried fruit and bread into her shoulder bag. “I’ve already told you… when I know something, I’ll tell you,” she replied, without looking up. She was becoming increasingly annoyed by her sister consistently questioning her about her son. Just then a number of small, colourful nymphs flew through the opened window and headed directly towards Sophia. She turned to listen carefully as the tiny little creatures buzzed around her head, one of which stayed near her ear. “What’s happening…? Have they found Henry?” Hazel asked anxiously.
Sophia gave her sister a quick glare and then continued to concentrate on what the nymphs were telling her. After a moment or two they flew from Sophia over to Hazel, buzzed around her head a few times and then left. “Elves…” Sophia said. “Elves were seen in the woodland.” She hesitated and then walked over to her sister. “What on earth would elves be doing here…? They’ve kept themselves hidden and isolated from us for centuries… so why now…?” Sophia glanced at Hazel for answers, but she was just as puzzled. Then after a short pause, Hazel said, “Do you think it may have something to do with my boy and the others?” They both knew that Bert had the ability and the know-how to enter the elves’ realm. “Do you think that’s where Bert and my boy have gone?” She trailed off and held her sister’s hand. “Do you think they’ve gone to ask for help?” Hazel asked. Sophia gave a wicked smile. “I think they may have done just that.” She hesitated a moment then said, “But we can’t be sure why they’re here but we can find out… There have been sightings of only a handful of elves and all in different places along the border crossing… That may indicate that they’re scouts.” “Maybe that’s why Henry hasn’t been found yet… He could be on his way back right now… We’ll have to go.”
Sophia knew her sister was right. They needed to find out why the elves were there, but it was just as important to know what the nightwalkers were doing. It was a dilemma for her to know what to do first. She had to tread carefully, knowing that Hazel was still weak and not in the best state of mind, and it would be ill advised to split up. If they were to meet up with Alfwald or worse… get into a fight with the shadow master… she needed her sister to be by her side. The shadow master was far too strong to try to face alone. Hazel might not be at her best, but she was still a formidable ally with powers that would exceed most, even in her weakened condition.
It took them just a few hours for Sophia to get ready and to secure her home from further intruders by placing a stronger invisible magical barrier around it. They were both dressed in woodman’s hunting clothes, brown leather trousers and knee-high laced boots, simple brown cotton tops, again laced to the neck, and lightweight hunting capes that reached to their waists. They both carried a shoulder bag of provisions and a small knife which was not so much for protection, but more for domestic use.
Unfortunately, it didn’t help that they had both set out with different agendas in mind. Sophia was intent on finding out what the nightwalkers were up to: they were more of a threat than the elves. However, it was just as important to find out why the elves had decided to cross over from their world after so long. Perhaps it would be possible to kill two birds with one stone: the elves might have encountered the nightwalkers already and may have some idea why they were so active. It might even be the reason why they were there. Although it was Sophia’s responsibility to care for nature and help maintain the balance as much as it was her sister’s, she was still mad with Hazel for getting her so involved, but angrier with herself for allowing the situation to get as bad as it was.
Until yesterday, she had no intention of ever leaving her cosy little home. She made no promises to help her sister, but yet here she was, leaving her home on the brink of winter, cold long nights and short days, the ideal time of the year for the nightwalkers, but not for her. She loved her home and her quiet life but now… She looked over to Hazel. “It’s all about her son,” she thought. It seemed as if her sister was so obsessed with him and that nothing else in this world seemed to matter more to her. It was as if she was blinded by her love for him, and unfortunately it was not the first time that love had clouded her judgement, and it was times like this that enforced Sophia’s sceptical views of close relationships.
Not being the maternal type, Sophia couldn’t understand why her sister was as she was. As far as she was concerned, Henry was his own man and as such should be responsible for his own actions, and more than old enough now to fly the nest. However, her sister didn’t seem to be able to let go of him; but Hazel would some day have to snap out of it… and it would have to be sooner rather than later: if not, they could all find themselves in a lot of trouble, more than they were already. Hazel had agreed with her that finding the elves was paramount, not just to enquire about the nightwalkers, but also to find out if they knew anything about Henry and the others. However, they didn’t discuss their differences because in the end it really didn’t matter. They both knew that somewhere along the way they would run into the shadow master’s minions long before they reached the crossing, so any plans they may have made would be probably be thrown out of the window. With Sophia taking the lead and Hazel following, they set out towards the crossing. The weather was damp and overcast and seemed to match both of their moods. Hours passed without either of them speaking, both concentrating on sending out their senses into the woodland around them, scanning for signs of danger. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long before they came across devastating evidence that the shadow master had been stalking the woodland.
They had only been walking for a few hours and wasn’t that far from Sophia’s home.
They stood in horror, looking down at the trail of rot and decay that was over ten feet across and snaking its way through the woodland as it followed the shadow master trail. Both sisters felt sickened by the dead and lifeless earth beneath their feet and the wilted, dying trees that lined the trail. The air was filled with the smell of death and decay. A quick glance over to her sister and without speaking, Hazel took off her shoulder bag and placed it on the ground. She then walked to the middle of the blackened trail and knelt down. Leaning forward, she pushed her hands deep into the lifeless soil, but immediately removed them as if she had been stung by something. The soil was so badly affected by the shadow master’s dark magic that it burnt her hands. She looked at them a second then closed her eyes.
Starting from her hands and th
en expanding outwards, a green glow slowly encased her. Leaning forward, she pushed her hands back into the ground, but this time, protected from the dark magic by her own and with her eyes closed, she concentrated on releasing her own healing powers into the earth with the hope of repairing it. She opened her eyes just long enough to see that Sophia was now doing the same just a few yards from her. At first nothing seemed to happen, but then the green glow emitting from their hands started to slowly crawl across the darkened soil like an eerie, living mist, penetrating deep down into the earth. Both Sophia and Hazel looked relaxed and at ease. They were both in their element: repairing the woodland and the earth around them was the main reason they were created. This was what they did best. Fighting the darkness and defending the environment around them was unfortunately also part of their duties as guardians of nature… But healing the land was their true calling and it gave them pure pleasure and enjoyment to do so.
Moments went by as the two sisters knelt, concentrating on healing the damaged earth, forcing the damaging powers out of the earth. They were also both aware of everything around them. The woodland creature that had gathered just outside the damaged areas watched as the two sisters worked their magic but alarmingly they were also aware of two or more dark creatures lurking within the protection of the undergrowth, their dark eyes watching their every move. However, it was clear to both Hazel and Sophia that they were no threat, not yet at least.
The creatures would love nothing more than to rip them both apart, but knew the two sisters were far too powerful for them to attack, so had no intention of confronting them, even though they were otherwise engaged. So instead, they just watched longingly from the safety of the shadows.
The damage to the earth was a lot worse than they had at first thought, but Hazel and Sophia continued healing the dead earth that surrounded them. Eventually, the earth slowly started to spring to life. At first, small shoots of grass appeared here and there, then tiny buds on scattered branches. Even though it was nearly winter and the trees had started dropping their dead and infected leaves, they sprang back into life and started sprouting new buds. With the smell of rot and decay nearly gone, new life sprouted up all around them. Eventually the green glow dispersed and they both sat back on their heels and looked around at the beautiful colourful transformation that surrounded them. Instead of being exhausted from the effort and energy they had put in to healing the earth, they felt exhilarated and refreshed, washed in the comforts of nature. It took little effort on their part to heal nature: if anything, they both felt better for doing so, and being so closely connected to nature physically once more nourished them like roots to a tree.
They both stayed where they sat for a while, just enjoying the moment, their heads swimming with pure excitement and joy. It had been a long time since either of them had such a close attachment to nature, and both felt a hint of guilt for being away for so long. They had both abandoned their calling for far too long, each for different reasons: Sophia, due to her increasing dislike and lack of trust for the human race and what they did to the earth, whilst Hazel’s was to try and hide Henry from his responsibility. And if they were both honest with themselves, they would both have to agree that they had been unhappy and had suffered as a consequence of trying to deny who… or, more importantly, what they were.
However, they were back now and ready to do whatever was necessary to protect and care for the land around them. Hazel was the first to make a move, getting back up onto her feet just as a large, dark shadow loomed above her, circled and swooped directly towards her.
Instead of moving out of its way, she put out her arm as an invitation for Breeze to land. A second later, the large, grey owl spread its wings and landed gently. Hazel smiled and spoke to the owl gently, whilst Sophia watched as she bonded anew with Breeze. Sophia knew of Breeze, of course… and of other animals that had a strong bond with her sister. Sophia had accepted a long time ago that her sister had a stronger bond to all living creatures… more so than she… But that was part of who she was. It was Hazel’s responsibility to care for all the woodland creatures, whilst she had a far greater role: to care for the woodland and the earth itself.
It was a role that she found increasingly more difficult with the rising population of people and their need to increasingly rape and rob nature and the countryside. The pain and the sorrow she felt witnessing the destruction of virgin land was one of the main reasons she gradually pulled away from her responsibilities and tried quite successfully to hide from the world outside. Until now she had been successful in denying any responsibility for the state of the world, but she had always known that one day she would have to take up her role again as a guardian and stand against the dark powers.
But she had hoped it would have been when she decided to do so and on her own terms, not because things had got so bad that the darkness was now a real threat to the woodland and the world beyond. She knew that Hazel felt the same as she did. They were more than partly to blame for problems they now faced, and should anyone get hurt or, worse, die because of it, the responsibility would lie squarely on their shoulders. Little did she know that three elves, including their king, had already been killed by the followers of the shadow master, and it would be only a matter of time before others suffered the same deadly fate.
CHAPTER SIX
That night found Sophia and Hazel huddled together under a mocked-up canopy made up of dead branches and moss. The weather had shown signs of change during the afternoon and the wind had increased, bringing with it dark, heavy rain clouds. Even though they were just still a few miles away from the crossing, the two sisters decided that it would be wise to build a shelter before the weather really set in. They hadn’t thought to bring anything for shelter, so they had to make do with what they had to hand. If they hadn’t used a small amount of their magic, the shelter probably wouldn’t have been waterproof, but for now it kept them dry, if not a little cramped and restricted on space.
Hazel sat with Breeze perched next to her, staring out into the dark, stormy night, mesmerised by the sound of the rain falling around them and enjoying watching the raindrops dance on the small puddles on the wet, leafy floor. She took a deep breath, taking in the sweet smells of the damp night air. It had been some time since she had spent a night in woodland, and despite the circumstances was enjoying every minute of it. Sophia, however, was not: she felt miserable and uncomfortable and had a face that matched the weather. She already lived in the woodlands and, although she enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells and everything else nature offered, she still preferred the comfort of her own home.
They had eaten a light meal of bread and cheese, followed by dried fruit and washed down by a sweet mead and water, not at all satisfying but adequate considering their circumstances. It had taken them most of the day to reach the edge of Nappers Wood, having stopped several times to help heal trails and patches of earth damaged by the shadow master’s passing.
Once they had finished setting up camp, they settled down in their cramped little shelter, and for the first time in years they had time to talk. It was a little strained and with no pleasantries, but at least they were talking. Mostly they discussed what their next move should be, and after some debate both finally agreed a course of action, which was to find out why the elves were scouting along the crossing between their realms and the woodland. That way, hopefully they could kill two birds with one stone. They would know why the elves were there, and secondly find out whether or not they had seen or heard anything of Henry and the others. They were to set out at first light and make their way to the crossing which should only take an hour or so to reach, and from there attempt to find out where the elves crossed. They were both concerned as to why the elfin king and high council felt it necessary to get involved. A lot of questions needed to be answered, one of which was: did Henry cross over with Bert and Ben to ask them for them help? If so, why…? And secondly… why ask the elves…? They wouldn’t usually get involved in
human matters: they had good reason to hate man, and – as far as they both knew, have done so for centuries. The rift occurred when the spear of Aelfgar was taken from them by force centuries ago, and they’ve never forgiven or trusted humans since. It would be against their better judgement to get involved. As for the matter of finding out what the night crawlers were up to… Well, that would have to wait. But unfortunately for them… they didn’t have to wait long.
Suddenly they both sat forward, Breeze gave out a harrowing call and flew off to land on a higher branch. They had sensed something… Something dangerous watching them somewhere out in the darkness, concealed by the storm and shadows of the night. Hazel immediately put up a defensive shield around them whilst Sophia concentrated on finding exactly where the creature was. It became quite apparent to her as the minutes ticked by that whatever it was that was out there wasn’t quite ready to attack. More worrying, the creature didn’t try to hide its presence, so either it wasn’t interested in them, or more likely felt that it was strong enough to be a match for them both.
Sophia had no problem tracking its movements, even though she couldn’t actually see it. She could sense its strength and knew that if it did attack they’d have quite a fight on their hands. Moments went by. Hazel still concentrated on shielding them, whilst Sophia watched and waited for the creature’s next move. She had already called upon her own powers and was ready to strike should the creature decide to attack.
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