Drip!
Drip!
The temperature had fallen as Alia neared the waking willows and now as she wandered among the wisened woods, the horse's hooves were slipping and sinking and the beast was becoming stubborn from fear. She soon gave up and dismounted.
"Hello!"
HELLO! HELLO! HELLO! Her voice echoed back to her. She trembled beneath her armor and not just from the cold.
"I just want to talk!"
I JUST WANT TO TALK! TALK! TALK!
She continued to move forward searching each tree like one would search faces.
"You said we had something that belonged to you, I want to know what you meant, I want to understand". The ground before her suddenly shifted and she stepped down a root to find herself staring at a breathtaking sight. There in the center of the forest, stood a slender tree, tall and elegant. Its branches stretching far adorned with small white petals some of which had fallen like a circular carpet around the roots. Around the tree was a clear pool that reflected the branches of the trees. And she knew this or it for it was a being, was what she was looking for.
"Is this what you want?" She held the scepter up coming closer. The wind rustled the leaves gently but nothing happened. She ventured still closer, her right ankle plunging into the cool water, she pulled it back in surprise.
"Hey! Can you hear me? "
CAN YOU HEAR ME? ME? ME?
That was it! she refused to be ignored any longer. The water appeared shallow! Wading into the chilly water, she strode determinedly for the tree. Only things are not always as they seem and her following step left her flailing for ground. As she realized with a panic she could not swim! The water came rushing into her ears and she gasped for air before she was fully submerged. She watched in horror as the light above faded, fighting against the liquid, fighting against gravity and currents as she sank deeper. Was this her end? At the bottom of some foreign pond? With no one to tell the tale? Tears pricked in her eyes and her lungs were clawing for air and when she found she could no longer hold out, something grasped her by the ankle and she found herself rising, quickly!
The world went black.
When she finally came to, she was at the roots of the trees.
"Funny, if ever I had known it was that simple to get rid of you!"
She shuffled to stand and face the speaker, it was the Willow from earlier, his hair spooling and his teeth grinning.
Alia coughed.
"Yes, I really shouldn't have done that. But I come in peace, I only want to talk".
She held up the scepter but seeing him flinch quickly lowered it. "You said we had something that belonged to you... is this it?
"The scepter?" He regarded her from beneath his lashes.
"Yes, she is just like you only a bit different, I don't know how" she suddenly wasn't so certain of what she thought. The Willow came closer, to stare reaching out a slender hand to stroke the wooden hilt. His eyes went blank for a second before he recoiled in astonishment.
"It is her! Only, tainted by the jewel".
He fixed her with a challenging stare only, Alia had no fight in her.
"Great well I've returned her, only promise me one thing, that you will leave the people of Gauberhodgy alone now"
The Willow cocked his head.
"You are willing to just hand over the greatest weapon in Gauberhodgy just like that?"
What was so strange about that?
"Yes it does not belong to me anyways, plus she deserves to be with her people. Just promise me".
"What would we have with you now that you've returned the princess".
"Thank you....oh and there's one more thing, Roland has taken my people captive and I could really use your help in driving him back to Hebran".
The Willow shook himself in thought then with a curt nod, he agreed.
"You have returned what belonged to us, we will return the favor and even the good!"
"Ah yes starting with this Queen". The voice had come from another willow, the princess to be exact. And with that said, a light appeared and seconds later, a complete replica of Alia, only a bit older and tired wearing a tattered gown.
"Queen Jensari!" Alia rushed to help her to her feet. Rounding on the Willow, "how come ".
"Well you see, when someone I find no longer worthy, tries to wield my magic, I simply lock them away in my magical realm". She smiled sweetly at Alia.
"Truly unworthy" the Queen began, placing a hand on Alia's arm. "I knew the scepter belonged to the willows, I was just too afraid to let go. I didn't know how I could protect the people without it". She casted her gaze to the ground wringing her wrists. "If only your highnesses can ever forgive me"
The willows eyed each other.
"YES!" the princess nodded. "I figure I was well taken cared of in the castle".
"Good, then I guess I have nothing to say". The older willow whispered.
"Well since that's all behind us, I think it's time the real Queen returns to Gauberhodgy!" Alia declared.
Jensari did not look so certain, but Alia was right, It was her responsibility!
"Yes, how have the people been, oh and Silverus?!"
"They are fine " Alia smiled "especially now that you are here!"