ELO

  Bakura cried softly. "I've seen people who donned the pale pelt of the king's deer. I've seen them change; instead of passing to the next world, they became bereaved. Their regrets and sorrows followed them from life; instead of forgiveness, they found hatred. I don't want that to happen with you. Even Faelorn, who is filled with justice, has frightened me and has trembled on the brink of bereavement."

  Bree remembered the terrible monster Faelorn had turned into. She closed her eyes, pained. She said, "I came to you because I want to work on fixing myself. Every night I have nightmares about my abuse. My family hurt me; they poisoned me. I lost my voice. Then when I was enslaved, no one bothered to come to save me. I know that I hate them. Hatred makes bereaved. My family cursed me, but if my curse were removed, I think I could forgive them. Thats why I want to visit Tharin by myself. He wants to study it."

  Bakura was surprised by Bree's request. She said, "I don't think you know what you ask. You seek the help of a fae to correct a human problem." Bree determined, took a deep breath, she explained. "I don't want to become bereaved. I have to overcome my regrets and the things that happened to me. The curse in my throat. It's a curse my brother put on me, and..." Bree felt her face crumple for a moment, she pushed on, continuing to speak with her mind. "I have to find out about the curse and remove it. Once I remove it, I will be free, things will get better. Then I won't become bereaved, I'll become like you and the rest of the herd. I want peace Bakura." Bakura's brow furrowed. "Tharin and I have been friends for many centuries. I trust him with my life and the welfare of the herd. The poor creature distrusts everything and everyone. I suppose being exiled from your own kind would do that…." Bakura explained as Bree wore a shocked expression, "Tharin, behaves oddly. He's rather cold as some elves are. He is far more distrustful than most elves and elusive. I trust him with my life, but I do not know if he will help with your problem." Bakura took a deep breath steadying herself. She said, "You have my permission to leave, under the condition that I escort you through the woods and back. You may visit him alone; this is your matter, not mine, and you must find your way."

  Bree was surprised by Bakura's acceptance of her proposal. She took a deep breath, "Can I go tomorrow?" Bakura nodded, "Yes." Bree didn't know what to say. Bakura reassured her, "I am glad that you are taking your fate in your hands. Just promise me that you will be careful, facing your fears, and your regrets in this realm can take a deadly turn. In this place between heaven and hell, your nightmares can become real. I have seen stronger souls fall and turn into the bereaved." Bakura looked at if she couldn't stay upright a moment longer. Bree asked, "Are you okay?"

  Bakura shook her head, "I've been called away from my daily duties to protect the herd from evils that even Faelorn cannot see." Bree took a deep breath, and Bakura turned back to the herd. She said, "Let us rest, tomorrow is another day." she yawned, "I looked forward to some shut-eye by my cozy part of the spring." Bree followed, glancing back into the forest. She spotted Faelorn hanging close by the edge of the woods. He stared at her, and their eyes met. Bree quickly turned away, embarrassed and red-faced. She jogged to keep up with Bakura, not looking back.

  The next day, Elo complained while Bree packed. Bree filled her bag with jerky, her assignments from Joltrun, and the last few dried sun fruits. Filling her canteen with spring water, Elo complained beside her. "Why on earth is she taking you in the forest? It's not safe!" she grumbled, "There are goblins, cannibal pixies, dark fairies, and demon elves! Hasn't Joltrun told you about all the evil that lurks in those dammed woods. What about the witch! She'll be there waiting for you!" Bree, annoyed, signed, "I'm fine, Elo, go watch Eli, I don't need you babysitting me!" Elo grew more demanding. "You going to get hurt out there! I can't believe your so careless. If I'd know how reckless you are, I would have never taken you to visit Faelorn."

  Bree pushed down her contempt. Cael perched on her shoulders. Ignoring Elo, she gentle placed Cael down onto his bed. She told him, "You can't come with me, as much as I like your company. I promise that I will bring you back something, okay?" Cael had a tantrum shouting insults in fae. Bree ignored him and continued packing her bag.

  Elo's incessant complaints, grumpiness, and nagging were starting to get to her. Ever since the incident in the woods, Elo had not stopped shadowing her for even a moment. She felt terrible for Elo; Bakura must have given her a tongue lashing. Perhaps the leader of the heard had punished her subordinate harsher. Bree was not sure, and she had never seen Bakura act aggressively towards anyone in the herd. Why else would Elo be so bossy and possessive?

  Bree didn't expect Elo to forgive her. The constant, incessant nagging bothered her to no end. She hauled her packs over her shoulder and walked out of the cave entrance. Bakura, surrounded by the other deer, was waiting for her in the meadow clearing. Cael cried in the corner, and Bree ignored him. She loved the little woodling who clung to her like a baby, but she knew he was safer with the herd. He had been traumatized by the witch attack and refused to return to the wood. She was sure he was angry with Faelorn, and the woodling had disowned the forest guardian.

  Bree followed after Bakura, and Elo followed them all the way to the edge of the woods. Bree turned back to see Elo watching her, the doe quickly turned away as if shunning her. Bree still wondered why Elo was both aloof and clingy at the same time. Bree pushed her thoughts aside; she would worry about Elo when she returned. She followed Bakura, who seemed to grow bigger when she entered the woods. They walked side by side, Bree realized that Bakura was easily the same size as Faelorn. Staring at her shiny golden coat, she began to wonder what other powers Bakura had. Bakura smiled, "I am much stonger than I look. If a witch attacks the herd, I can fight them off by myself. I can't fight indefinitely just enough to give the herd an edge so they can flee to another world. I also have a few other weapons at my disposal, most of my powers are geared to helping the herd members find peace."

  Bree asked, "what else can you do?" Bakura smiled coyly, "That I will not tell you. Some secrets I must keep to myself." Bree tapped Bakura's shoulders and signed, "Do witches attack often?"

  "Recently, yes, but over the past ten years, no. When the attacks grow vicious enough, I will take the herd elsewhere. I haven't had much need to migrate the herd; the eternal spring provides better food and relaxation. I have only migrated the herd a few times in my time as their leader."

  Bree gripped her pack; she hadn't thought about the herd leaving. She had always assumed that the king's spring was the safest place in any world. Bakura, hearing her thoughts answered her, "The king's spring is always safe, but sometimes the herd needs change even if there is danger. Sometimes to much time at the spring can cause them to become complicit to forget that they need to change; it puts them at risk of becoming bereaved." Bakura sighed gently. "I suppose I've been too afraid to move the herd into the forest. It's just in the forest, or in any reality we choose to hide in, they are more likely to become bereaved faster. I do everything I can to save each soul, but sometimes, doing it myself is not enough."

  Bree let this sit with her. Joltrun and Bakura had said little of the forest. From what she had gathered, there where many doorways to different worlds and other realities. It was eye-opening for Bree to have learned that other worlds existed. She struggled to grasp the concept of what the world was. Her world had only been a forest and a fishing village. Joltrun educated her on planets and stars. He tried to explain that all worlds were linked by a chain of realities. Elves could travel between worlds and had even discovered space travel and dimensional travel. Whenever Joltrun gave her these lectures, she was always left with more questions than answers. Just thinking of different realities gave her headaches. She learned some worlds had magic, others didn't. Once while walking in the wood, Faelorn had let slip that some worlds were missing. Their entrances into the forest were gone. Another time late at night, Elo told a story of how she had encountered a part of the forest that ended in darkness and opened into an empty void. Bree s
hivered as she and Bakura traveled into the woods. She felt as if they were being watched. Bakura reassured her, "We are mostly alone, there are some fae passing through, but we will not encounter them right away." Calming herself, Bree hurried to keep pace with Bakura's quick, purposeful stride.

  Chapter 19

  The thick branches of trees reached for them like claws. A still silence had fallen over the forest. Bree nervously stuck to Bakura's side like glue. The forest seemed to be changing quickly. What seemed bright and friendly before became dark and foreboding. Perhaps Bree thought it was simply the coven attack that had made her feel the way she felt. Bree spotted a few light fairies and a type of blue pixie she had never seen before. She longed to sketch them quickly and take notes, but her sketchbook was still missing. Bree hurried after Bakura. It wasn't long before she was deep in the forest. As midday rolled around. They arrived at the elven ruins. Bakura said, "Tharin is there today, as is his library. Make sure to first tell him I sent you, though I have told him to expect you. He still might not know or remember. I will wait for you to come back by sunset. If Tharin keeps you late, you will have to stay with Tharin for your safety."

  Bree took a deep breath; as she neared the ruins, Bree felt dwarfed by their massive size. She could see the broken city and feel the climate change suddenly as she passed through the barrier. When Bree looked back, Bakura was gone. It took a moment to realize that she had stepped through time and space. If she stepped backward through the barrier, she would see Bakura once more, and it would still be late summer in the forest. In Tharin's realm, to Bree's surprise, it was precisely the same spring weather as on the first day she visited. Bree took a deep breath, her heartbeat raced with her nerves. She followed the trail she took that day, admiring the buildings as she passed. As she arrived at the library, her eyes dared to glance at the building with the fallen machine. Her heart pounded, and memories of terror flashed in her mind. She pictured grating demonic teeth and a cage for a belly—thick tentacles for dragging her into enslavement. Bree remembered blood splattering everywhere.

  Bree shook her head, not now, she wouldn't let it happen, not here. It was just a memory of the past, Bree reminded herself. Forcing herself to be calm, she walked up to the massive twin library doors and knocked hard. There was no response. Bree tried again, listening carefully, her eyes trained on the wood of the door. She banged again and then pushed just a little. The door swung open, just a crack. Bree pushed harder, and the massive heavy door gave way just enough for her to shimmy in. The door slammed behind her, and she took a deep breath with the exertion. The library was well lit. Glowing balls of glass hovered high above her head. They cast warm reddish amber light on pale walls. Bree tiptoed nervously. Books lined every wall, stacked on each other, crammed into small shelves. A sculpture of a dragon lay gathering dust in a corner. A globe hovered spinning wildly. Everywhere she looked, Bree was enchanted by the magic of the library.

  She was overjoyed by the beauty around her. She loved reading but had really only read two, three books in her life. She longed to touch and flip through the many books on the walls. Bree walked enchanted, stunned by the elegance of the furniture and the craftsmanship displayed by the artifacts. She thought to sit and wait, but couldn't help but run her hands over the books as she walked down the stairs. Bree found herself a floor down, which was the fifth floor.

  She saw a large oval door that was wide open and saw a merry little room. Baubles sparkled on shelves, a generous wooden desk sat in the middle, and several orbs like devices chattered and whirled around a screen. A map of the elven world greeted her eyes, and Bree stared at it, fascinated. It was decorated with naked wood nymphs, frolicking fairies, and even strange little goat men.

  Tharin's red phoenix chirped at her, the grand bird sat grooming herself on a bejeweled perch. Feanu squeaked loudly in greeting, hopping down to be pet. Bree caressed her running her hands, through the birds feathers gently. Bree thought, "I wish I could draw you, your even more beautiful from the first time I saw you." The bird chirped, puffing up, accepting the strokes with selfish glee. Suddenly the phoenix rustled her feathers and flew up to the domed ceiling startled. Bree sensed someone behind her. A thin silver arrow was held to her throat.

  A voice hissed, "speak your reason for invading my sacred space, stranger," Bree stiffened fearfully. Feanu chirped happily, and the elf pulled away. Tharin flipped her over with his nimble fingers. He looked her over distrustfully. Strangely he acted as if he had never seen her before. He glared at her. "You should have waited by the door instead of snooping," Bree argued, signing, "I didn't mean to trespass. I was looking for you. I was enchanted by everything. It's just so beautiful here."

  Tharin ran his fingers through his luxurious silken hair. "Well, yes, I suppose I don't blame you. My office is rather magnificent." Feanu fluttered back down from the ceiling and settled on to the tall elves' shoulder. The bird began grooming the elf's hair, and he ignored her. He settled behind his desk and poured himself tea from the kettle that sat beside his desk. He said, "Take a seat," he served her a spot of tea in a golden teacup. The phoenix leaned her beak into the elf's ear and made gentle chattering sounds. The elf leaned forward and said to Bree."Now, if I recall, your next lesson with me was in a fortnight, so why on earth are you here." Bree took a deep breath, steadied herself, determined. She began signing, "I came here to ask for your help. You offered to remove the curse on me when I first arrived here." The elf arched an eyebrow, he smiled coldly. Bree stared at his face; he looked different younger and more slender. He said, "Now, did I? Well, I suppose I'll have to consult myself If I did." Bree was taken aback, she signed. "My first day here, when I met you with Faelorn."

  "Faelorn now? " he said. Bree looked confused, and the elf was simply amused. "Ah, well... it's difficult to explain to a mortal such as yourself. Your simply not capable of understanding." Bree stared angrily and continued signing, "you wanted to study the curse in my throat, and I'm here to tell you that I would like your help." The elf smiled oddly at her, watching her with distrust. He snidely said, "That all nice and good, but I have no use for that now. I'm sure that whatever version of me offered to look at your curse was simply intrigued. I am, however, at this time unavailable to work with one such as yourself."

  Bree stared in disbelief; she wondered what he meant by 'version of himself.' Desperately she signed, "Bakura said you would help me. If I don't get rid of it, if the nightmares it's causing don't stop. I might become bereaved." The elf shrugged, "Not my problem. I have strict rules. No interfering in the affairs of Man. Whenever my kind does that, it's always world-changing or simply disastrous." Bree glared at him and signed, "You offered to help me more than once."

  The elf continued, "none the less darling..." he signed to her. "I will not help you; now, you are dismissed. I have much work to do." Bree was fuming. Not only did the elf refuse to help her, but he made her feel small, and he was incredibly rude while he did so. Bree got up, taking her bag, and left storming out. Bree stopped at the staircase. Clutching the railing, she took a deep breath gripping her throat; maybe she should try again and reason with him later. She walked down the steps, and as she made it to the main floor. Tharin's red phoenix was at the edge of the banister. Ruffling her feathers, she looked at Bree with a cocked head. Bree passed her feeling defeated, but the phoenix hopped onto her shoulders and began to groom her. Bree stroked her crest some more. She thought, wishing she could speak to the phoenix. "I have to go back home to the forest; he made it clear he's not going to help me." The bird gestured to a door that opened in front of Bree. It was a door under the stairs that she had not seen before. Bree looked at the bird. "I know that you are smarter than you let on. You're a fae," She signed to the bird that fluffed up and chirped flying through the open door. Bree stared at the open doorway. She thought to herself. "Well, why not? Bakura said he wouldn't hurt me. How much trouble could I really get into if I stay just a moment longer?"

  Bree entered under
the stairs and into another room. She stared. The glass garden had had a tree, and Bree found herself staring at the bottom of that same tree. She realized that she was in a room beneath the glass garden. The tree's thick roots were smeared in salves of all kinds, and different roots were in what looked like vats of tea. Bree sniffed the basin and frowned; she recognized the scent of several herbs and made a face. They were the kind of herbs given to someone when they were sick.

  Bree stared at the roots and slowly realized that they where covered in miasma. The poor tree, she thought. Faelorn had told her that trees were sentient and that they felt pain. This tree had been so massive and beautiful Bree thought that perhaps this tree was a fae among its species. Remembering that she had removed the miasma from a forest tree when she was being attacked by witches, Bree thought to place her hands on Tharin's tree. How had she done it? Bree thought. It had been a clumsily instinct, something from within. There was a chance that she had only imagined it. Bree had not been able to return to that part of the forest and check. She had tried to do it several times since, but no amount of thinking about magic had made it appear.

  Since that day weeks ago, she wondered about the magic in her blood and if it was real. Her grandmother had always bragged about her bloodline. Bree wondered in the dark of the night if somehow, the forest's magic had rubbed off on her. She had no answer for it. Supposedly in the myths about her family's origin, she descended from a magical saint. Bree nervously exhaled. She could try; the poor tree looked pitiful, it's roots shriveling. The phoenix chatted encouragements, and Bree walked right up to the tree. What harm could it do? At worst, Tharin would catch her. Placing her hands on the trees shriveled roots, Bree focused, thinking back to when she healed the tree during the fight. She strained her mind hard, laboring the muscles in her arms. Determined believing that magic ran in her blood, she reached within her being. Suddenly green light exploded from her fingertips and into the tree. She could feel the tree and all the life force within it. Energy flowed from inside her then into the tree, and the tree suddenly hungry moved quickly, the roots wrapped around her arm. Bree took a deep breath, don't panic. Good fae don't hurt people; they are peaceful. She let her energy flow and found that the tree was communicating. She could feel it, using the energy within her. She pushed out the miasma. Black mold fell away in clumps, and the roots began to shake the black miasma off. Bree trembled with exhaustion sweat running down her face. The tree smiled at her, and Bree stared. Bree realized that there appeared to be a human inside the tree.