The Winged Ones

I sat up, gasping. It was bright, and the birds were starting to sing. I looked around. I was sitting on some animal furs, in a hut. I saw the two sleeping figures of the Carr’s. A pile of clothing was by my bed, with a note attached to it.

Good Morning, Mia!

It’s Hazel here! Here are some of my old clothes for you! That green dress will do you no good in a day of Greentree! If you want to freshen up, there is a waterfall not far North of here! When you are done, just wait by the big tree for someone to give you something to do! See you soon!

~Hazel

I smiled, and took the clothes and went outside. The sun had just come through the tress, so I knew it was fairly early, and it looked like no one else was up.

“North...” I muttered, trying to picture where that could be. I suddenly remembered that in grade 4, we had done something on this!

“Just look where the sun is, in the morning, and turn 90º left.” I said to myself, doing the actions.

I started to run in the direction of where I thought North was. Who knows why I was running, I felt amazing that morning! I came into the forest, and then slowed into a walk. The sound of water was near. I crashed through the trees for a bit, and found it.

It was a pond, with floating lilies on it. In a corner, a small waterfall trickled from a dark rock. The water was clear, and the bottom was of soft sand. A rock had a cloth, and some object that looked like soap set upon it.

I smiled, stripped down, and slowly walked into the pond.

The water was cool against my skin. The lilies parted as I walked to the waterfall. I grabbed the soap, and started to wash myself. It smelled like lavender. I attempted to brush the knots out of my hair, but got annoyed and just braided it.

I floated in the water for a bit, feeling very calm.

“Maybe it’s better here.” I stood up in the pond very quickly. Did I just think that? Do I think that? No one here bullied me, and people knew I was there, unlike back on Earth...

I quickly discarded the matter and decided to get ready. I grabbed the cloth and dried myself. I picked up the clothes, and had a good look at them. A white tank top, with long brown pants, and a black jacket were the clothes I put on, and looked quite well on me, I thought. With my braid and clothes, I looked very adventures, and nearly dangerous. I liked it.

I navigated my way back to Greentree as the sun was just coming over the trees. When I came to the clearing, there seemed to be a big kafuffle.

I ran up behind Hazel, and tapped her on the shoulder.

“What’s going on?”

“There seems that some castle guards have been sighted near Greentree.” She whispered.

“How close?” I got a bit panicked.

“About a day’s walk, if they find it.” She said back, quickly adding on the end bit, trying to calm me down.

“They’re coming for you, Mia.” Darren suddenly said, turning, and looking at me gravelly.

“Then I’ll run, and take them away from Greentree.” I said.

“NO.” Jake said, loudly. “No,” He repeated, quieter, “I didn’t see many of them, only about twenty guards, so we’ll stand, and fight. Mia can run and hide for a day or so with Hazel and when we win, they can come back.”

“I can fight! I know how to use a sword!” I protested.

“But if they’re looking for you, they’ll be going for you. I don’t think you can take three at a time. They’ll all be stronger than you.” Jake said, glaring.

“You can’t expect me to leave everyone to fight for me? I have taken sword lessons!” I argued back.

“I have to back up Jake on this one. He’s right, Mia. It’s only for a day, if they do come. It might take them a week to find Greentree. The forest is far away, and when Jake first saw them, they were about at leats a day away on foot!” Hazel said, trying to say it brightly.

I looked at Hazel, and then Jake. His eyes were hard, like purple crystals.

I took a breath, and nearly said it, before I heard a crashing coming from the forest.

I turned and gasped.

Men came running from the woods, waving their weapons.

"THERE SHE IS!" One yelled, pointing his spear at me.

Their shields brandished the symbol of Sayuka.