Page 94 of Journey to the Elderoak
“Alright then,” she said as they continued deeper into the forest.
Luna’s voice spoke in her head.I love you, Ava. You’re going to conquer this. I know it.
“I love you too, Luna. Watch over Titus while I’m gone.”
He just wants to chase butterflies all day. He’ll be okay.
It was a beautiful, yet strange journey. The woods remained dense the entire way and they barely spoke, both full of nerves and racing thoughts. The tree roots wove together, making their travel difficult as they clamored over them. Ava stumbled several times, but Casimir caught her and encouraged her to keep going as he held out his hand and helped her through the lichen-covered maze.
They walked through a group of smaller trees with branches so thick they blocked the sunlight. Bright violet mushrooms grew along the base of their trunks, releasing their spores as their feet disturbed the soil.
“How are you feeling?” Casimir asked, holding out his hand to help her over a fallen tree.
“Perfect. Great. Best I’ve ever felt. I’m not nervous at all. Cool as a cucumber.”
“I have no idea what that last thing you said means. Another one of your human expressions?”
She laughed quietly. “Yes. But, I’m being sarcastic anyway. I’m terrified.”
“I know,” he said, voice full of tenderness.
She hopped down on the other side, about to say something, but out of nowhere Casimir shoved her against a nearby trunk and covered her mouth.
“Don’t move,” he whispered.
Her eyes widened as she nodded. He removed his hand, caging her with his body as if he was guarding her from something. Vines rose from the ground and twisted around each other, encasing them. Ava’s heart leaped in her throat, on the verge of panic, but Casimir looked at her and whispered, “Those are mine. I’m camouflaging us.” He put his finger to his mouth to remind her to be quiet.
She didn’t move a muscle as the vines surrounded them, blending them into the tree. Though nothing seemed amiss, she could tell by his demeanor the danger had not yet passed.
Then, she heard it. Something moving through the forest. Massive, and taking slow steps through the trees. Branches cracked and the ground trembled as it trudged along, crushing the roots. Through a gap in the vines, Ava could make out something giant. As tall as the tallest trees in the forest, it walked upright on two legs with long arms dangling by its sides. Covered in roots and moss, leaves sprouted from its head. Its human-like face scanned the forest as it passed by.
Casimir pressed closer, reassuring her they were safe. The creature moved on and disappeared deeper into the woods, but they remained frozen under the vines for a while longer, ensuring it was gone.
Danger now passed, Casimir released his magic and they were freed from their temporary cage.
“What was that?” she whispered.
“Tree giant.”
“I take it they aren’t friendly.”
“No,” he said as he adjusted his sword at his side. “But they aren’t very smart so they’re easy to hide from.”
She scanned the forest. “How much farther do you think?”
“Not far. I can feel the tree.”
Her nerves were on fire as they resumed their journey. She was so close to her goal and yet it felt so far away. Unsure what she would even face in the hazardous woods surrounding thesacred tree, she urged herself to have courage. It would be over soon.
The rest of the forest remained quiet, and they saw no more tree giants, much to Ava’s relief. Casimir stayed vigilant, scanning the trees for any other signs of danger.
Half an hour later, the woods opened up, trees thinning out though it was still dim under the canopy. Ava could feel something pulling at her, tugging her forward. She knew they must be close.
“I can feel it,” she whispered.
He looked at her. “You can?”
“Yes. I had dreams about the tree when I was living on the farm. I could feel it calling to me.”
