"An Aura Trap? Thay what ya meant?"
The two girls were safely sitting within the large branches of a tree. The branch was large enough for the two to sit beside eachother, while safely having room to stretch.
"Yea. That explosion wasn't like magic. It practically came out of the ground itself, blowing the carriage sky high."
Lyla bit into a rather large apple, her head tilting back and forth.
"You imbue Aura. That's really all there is to it. Your dad, he uses Earth Aura on his sword. Don't he?"
Aveline nodded.
"Same concept, cept you imbue it into the ground, walls or whatever else you can make into a trap. Gotta use the ol' noggin to make one really good."
Aveline leaned against the trunk of the tree, feeling a little annoyed.
"I thought I had already grasped the gist of how to use Magic and Aura. This new method feels like it can be a game changer, especially in this forest."
Lyla seemed to be thinking for a bit before she finally spoke again.
"So... how does Magic and Aura actually work? I mean, what causes us to learn what we learn?"
"Do you mean the limitations?"
Lyla nodded vigorously, nearly falling over.
"Hmm. Some of it will depend on family. Take my Papa. He can use Earth Aura, and only that. Humans get a one type, multi element limit. So only Aura, or only Magic. Element limits are based on the person themself. Getting more than one is pretty rare in and of itself."
Lyla seemed mystified, her ears perking up high.
"Beastkin, like you or Dragonkin, can learn both Aura and Magic. If raised correctly. Your elements are based solely on race, such as fire and wind for Foxkin. Even my mother is considered part Beastkin, being a Frost Fairy. She can use Ice Aura and Magic, but it has a drastic change on her personality."
Lyla leaned against the trunk now as well, her tail suddenly bursting from its hiding place. It landed on Aveline's lap, and much to Lyla's shock, she began to pet it slowly.
"Two weeks, yet we haven't gone North for more than ten minutes. Saving our Magic Power, running and hiding. That's all we can do right now."
Aveline leaned over, looking over the edge of the tree branch. Far below, a few massive wolves with midnight black fur and deep red claws circled the tree. Every so often they would leap up, scratch and grow angrier.
"Think I could kill one with an Aura Trap?"
Lyla moved beside Aveline, her nose barely peeking over the branch. Her fur across her ears was bristling.
"If you can master it, sure. I've heard of some people moving the trap along large expanse-"
She stopped speaking as a large chunk of ice burst from the trunk of the tree. Aveline was smiling with delight at her first attempt.
"Damn... you are insane."
Aveline smirked, placing her hand on the ice. As one of the wolves jumped, she smacked it with Fire Aura laden across her hand. The ice snapped, falling down and piercing the wolf.
"Erm... I don't wanna go down there now. That made my stomach queasy."
Lyla casually began to rub Aveline's back.
"Then it's good I that you didn't see that bastard."
Aveline let a weak smile free.
"That also used a lot of Magic Power. This forest is... annoying."
Lyla nodded. She helped Aveline sit back up before speaking.
"Sealing Magic so that we are forced to use Aura. I still don't get it myself."
Waving her hand, Aveline replied.
"These trees are basically Magic Eaters. A breed of Treants that thrive on Magic. They ate the Magic in the air, growing to this size and effectively canceling Magic usage. Aura is Magic within our own bodies, which is why we can't really expel it the way you can with a Wind Blade. It would rip your hand off. These Aura Traps are an effective counter."
The two girls began to relax against the tree trunk again, waiting for the wolves to leave.
"Do you think-"
Lyla pinched Aveline, stopping her thoughts.
"They're gonna be fine. You barreled into the only issue, specially since he wanted to sneak attack her. Evil weasel. Your family is fine, but definitely shaken."
Her amber eyes dropped a little.
"Sorry. I'm reminded of my own family, honestly."
Her sad smile caused Aveline to lean against her.
"Well, let's get you back to your family too. Of course, that'll be after we get your collar off."
Fluffing her tail out and around Aveline, Lyla asked a question.
"So... who do you miss most?"
-
"My apologies, Duke Synclair. We have yet to find her. There were signs..."
Kneeling before Thorin, Kyra now kept her dark brown hair over the left side of her face. Her golden eyes stayed on the floor.
"Signs of what? I know you left our employ to find her, but please, do not think yourself a stranger. Aveline and Nilly wouldn't want that. Speak."
His soft words fell on deaf ears.
"Duke Synclair, signs of the man were found. He is certainly gone, yet no signs of... h-her."
Kyra's voice caught in her throat as she choked back tears. With a wave of his hand, Thorin allowed her to leave. Rising to her feet, she bowed slightly before turning and walking out of the open doorway, six people awaiting her lead.
Thorin dropped his head into his hands, sighing deeply.
"Please Aveline, you must be alive. We need you."