Fauna, Quest for the Evergreen Tree Chapter 4

Fauna, The Quest For the Evergreen Tree Chapter 4


Willow stared out of Fauna's window, she wasn't sure she liked this huge village with its different quadrants. Fauna was amazing, but she didn't like it when Willow tried to hang around her while she was doing her “duty” Willow turned to face a solemn Reth.

“I am sorry if you are not enjoying your stay here I hope my sister hasn't given you the wrong impression of this family.” Reth apologized, his handsome face tanned from the sun. Willow smiled.

“My stay here has been most enjoyable, and Fauna will warm up to me eventually, another month here and we'll be very close I'm sure.” Reth looked at the ground, his half sister was very stubborn, but he hoped she would warm up to the fair Willow.

“Very close indeed.” Answered Reth gazing into Willow's light blue eyes. Willow blushed and turned to look out of the window once more. Reth walked briskly to his room, cheeks aflame, and heart racing. Fauna raced through the woods, she scampered to the top of a tree and overlooked the northern quadrant. Where was he? Rowen jumped up onto the stone cold walls of the southern quadrant, He gazed toward the southern quadrant where Fauna lived, the shining quartz walls and the sparkling palace where she lived, he looked toward the mountains where a dragon may be sleeping at that very moment. He suddenly had a knife in his throat.

“Caught ya.” said a muffled voice. Rowen sagged, he had left his dagger at home, but the guard didn't know that he knew how to fight. Rowen kicked behind him, air, surprisingly the knife did not slit his throat. He pulled on the arm that was holding the knife and tried to flip the guard, the guard flipped but then flipped him, in turn, dropping him to the ground. Someone began to laugh, it was a forced laugh, probably from someone who hadn't laughed in a long time. Fauna's face dropped to Rowen's which was covered in dirt.

“Nice moves, you almost got me with the flip, Rowen of the northern quadrant.”

Rowen spits the dirt out of his mouth.

“That is no way to greet your kin.”

Fauna laughed again, it wasn't as forced, in fact, it was rather pretty, it bubbled like the brook, that would lead you from the forest. Rowen couldn't help but laugh as well.

“You are not my kin, I don't like to be called sister, by anyone but my half brothers.” The laughing stopped abruptly, forcing Rowen to stop his laugh and almost choked.

“Oh, I'm sorry Princess.”

Fauna grimaced as if the word “Princess” had stabbed her.

“Fauna, just, Fauna.”

Rowen nodded solemnly.

“Of course, Fauna.”

Fauna punched Rowen in the shoulder.

“Lighten up Rowen of the northern quadrant.”

Rowen laughed.

“It's just Rowen, not Rowen of the northern quadrant, you make me sound stoic.”

Fauna smiled. Her smile was subtle just a small curl on one side of her lip.

“I suppose you're right Rowen.”

Rowen leaped onto a nearby branch.

“I hear giants, you comin'?” asked Rowen, outstretching his hand. Fauna grabbed it and flipped herself up beside him.

“Of course! We will race, and here, get your sister something to eat.” Fauna pressed 4 gold coins into the palm of Rowen's hand. Rowen looked at the gold in his hand, awestruck. He looked up to say thank you, but Fauna was ahead of him scampering toward the noise.

“You cheat, wait up Fauna!” called Rowen trying his best to catch up with the speeding elven princess. When they reached the commotion the Giants were fighting, their huge bodies shaking the forest with each blow. A loud screech echoed in the distance. Fauna paled, “Dragon.” she said.