The TimeKeepers

Chapter 1:The Wind Is My Friend

(Jaymes' POV)

 It is amazing what one can hear whilst listening to the wind. Most only dream of understanding its language; only a lucky few can understand what it whispers in their ear as it gusts past.

I am one of those lucky few.

Wind to me is not merely an unseen current but a tangible force; I can feel its energy rippling in waves, electrifying every particle of my being. To me it is not something to be feared or pushed through, but rather molded and changed to match one's desires. The sweet whistling of the wind as it rustles through the leaves of the tallest trees is music to my ears. But alas then there comes the horrible part of the thing; for a life lived with only the wind and forest as companions is a lonely one indeed. The rough bark of the trees lightly grazed my fingertips as I wandered through the forest I called my home, every leaf and blade of grass I touched flooding my mind with memories. I had roamed these paths so many times I treated each one like an old friend; this one, in particular, I hadn't traversed for a long time.

However, something about today was different; the air's current had changed to something much more sinister. I furrowed my brow as I slowed to a stop, breathing deeply. I say something in the current had changed, but I can't say that's exactly true because there was none. Usually even on days when most people would feel no wind, I still always felt some sort of underlying current. However, I found myself lost in my own bewilderment when for once I felt nothing; it was as if the entire world had stalled. My heart began to thump ever louder in my chest as I awaited the reveal of this disturbance with bated breath. It came suddenly; a shrill scream pierced the air around me, sending a shiver down my spine. In my fear my mind momentarily forgot how to control my limbs and I stood in shocked silence. Then, my wits finally came back to me and I took off into the forest, stray branches scratching at my ankles and stones digging into my bare feet. "Hello? Hello, who's there?" I called in my loudest voice. I paused for a moment, straining my ears for any sort of sound. I fought to still my heaving breathing as slowly sound began to reach me. The sound of wind. I all but cheered in excitement; my old friend back again to help me. My cheerfulness however soon faded when this new current washed over me and I was hit with an overwhelming feeling of nausea. I dropped to my knees, heaving over the ground as tears began to well. There was a sound like an explosion in the distance, and I was suddenly hit by a gale so strong I was blown onto my back. My nausea began to fade and I watched with wary eyes as a great cloud of black smoke stained the sky above me, squeals of hellish laughter emanating from within. Eventually, little figures exited the smoke cloud, twirling in the air and cackling wildly.

Tenebrasque.

I calmly waited for them to take their leave before I stumbled into a run, eager to find the source of the smoke before it faded away. It only took me a few moments to burst into the thicker part of the forest, breathing heavily as I leaned against a tree. I shut my eyes for just a moment to calm down. That was when I heard a rustle near me. My eyes flew open and I instantly prepared to defend myself; however, no one was there. My narrowed eyes flitted from place to place, eagerly searching for a flash of movement or shadow. I nearly jumped out of my skin when there was another rustle mere inches away from me. "Show yourself!" I exclaimed, making sure my voice was as loud and threatening as possible. It was a few moments before a reply was given; a muffled groan rising from the grassy forest floor. Without moving from my position, my eyes followed the noise to its source, and I subsequently gasped.

Laying on the ground, folded in on themselves and silently sobbing, was a girl. What looked to be thousands of tiny cuts and bruises stained her fair skin; her face covered by a mop of blonde curls that bounced every time her body shook with a fresh wave of tears. The eyes that trailed up to my face reminded me of dark pools of sea, currently under siege by a terrible storm that rocked them into waves. They widened in fright at my fighting stance and she shrieked, kicking wildly as she fought to get as far away from me as possible. Instantly realizing my mistake I relaxed and hastened forward to comfort her, reaching out a hand calmly. "I offer my most sincere apologies Miss; I had assumed you were a threat. Here, let me help you up."

The girl stared between my hand and face wearily. "But you might be...one of them." At this she glanced up at the smoke cloud fading above us, wincing as if she were dispelling a terrible memory.

I followed her gaze and let out a quiet chuckle, giving her the warmest smile I could muster. "I can assure you, Miss, I mean no harm. I only wish to help you."

For a moment, the girl's eyes continued to wander; I dare say if I focused hard enough I'd be able to see the cogs turning in her brain as she fought to make a decision. Eventually, she sighed, grabbing my hand rather harshly and pulling herself up with a groan. When she thought she was firmly planted she released her grip, only to fall forward with a gasp into my arms. For a second we both hung in shocked silence as our faces sat inches apart. I couldn't help but chuckle at her expression. "Hm, do you tend to fall into men's arms often or do only I get to enjoy this great privilege?"

The girl's head shot upward at the question, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red. She shoved herself further from my face, refusing to look me in the eye. "Would you mind if I used your shoulder?" she asked quietly.

"Not at all Miss," I replied with a chuckle. With a quick nod, she leaned on my right shoulder as I wrapped an arm around her waist, ignoring her beet red cheeks. Together we slowly made our way back down the forest path, only speaking when she needed to rest against a rock or tree for a few moments. It was during one of these rests that I said, "Er excuse me, Miss, for I have been most impolite; I have forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Jaymes Kipling, a few of my friends and I live not far from here."

The girl looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. "Well Mr. Kipling, my names Annalise O'Leary. May I ask what you and your friends are doing out here in the middle of nowhere?"

I stared at her with my head to the side, a wide grin spreading across my face. "Miss O'Leary, I could ask you the same question."

She narrowed her eyes. "Well, you'd have to beat me black and blue to get an answer. You must remember sir that all I know of you is your name, and I still can't be entirely sure you aren't one of those...things that attacked me. Also, I do not prefer to be referred to by my last name, so Annalise shall do just fine." She finished her rant with a haughty toss of the head.

"I do not prefer to be referred to has Mr. Kipling nor sir, so if we could stick to Jaymes I think we will get along just splendidly. As for those things that attacked you, they have a name. We call them Tenebrasque, and I'd rather be burnt at the stake than be compared to one of them." Annalise seemed to jump at my sudden proclamation; I merely chuckled. "You are not the only one who can be dramatic you know."

At that I thought I saw the corners of her mouth perk up for just a second; not quite a smile, but not quite a frown either. "It is actually quite relieving that I am not the only one with a rather theatrical flair; I'd be quite lonely then wouldn't I..." she trailed off, lost in thought, but suddenly let out a breathy laugh like the tinkling of bells. "I must apologize, I shouldn't speak in such tones." She pushed herself back to her feet, reaching for my shoulder once again. "We should keep going; at this rate, we may arrive in a fortnight. I do hope you have a place where I may rest and heal..."

She said this last thought more to herself than to me but I responded anyway. "Yes, I daresay there is a spare bed Warren would allow you to take, and I'm sure he could mend your ankle quickly enough. But, Annalise, I must ask why you are so content with sleeping around strangers whom you had said but a moment ago that you couldn't trust?"

At that Annalise let out a quiet giggle. "You are more observant than I give you credit for. Yes I did indeed say that, and I stand by what I said too, but given my current state, I am in no position to turn down help. Besides, I'll be wanting to know more about these 'Tenebrasque' you speak of. Now come along, we should keep moving."

I responded with a nod and small smile as I continued to guide her down the path, trying to ignore the way her eyes had changed to the color of a gray sky, or how the setting sun's rays glinted off of her golden curls as they bounced lightly with our strides.