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Heart of the Forest

(Part 1)

"Hurry up already," the annoyed fox spat out. The small, white cat boy had wanted to clean himself off after the night before. So, after the two started their journey through the forest, he had spotted a small stream nearby. He hung his pants on a nearby tree branch, and was slowly wading into the cool water.

"You know, you could do with some cleaning too, Eman," the boy responded. "It looks like you haven't bathed in quite a while." The boy splashed some water up on his arms and legs to try to adjust to the coolness of the flowing water. He shivered a little as he slipped farther in. He glanced over his shoulder and spotted Eman standing by the side of the stream, watching him with his one eye. "Don't watch me!"

The boy blushed and turned away from his eye. The fox did not move from his spot, but remained standing silent and still, his arms crossed across his chest. He was not really watching the boy bathe. His mind was on other things a million miles away. After a few silent moments, Eman asked, "The Academy really wants you badly, huh, Elliot?"

Elliot was confused by this question. "What do you mean, the Academy?" He turned towards Eman now, no longer thinking about his modesty.

"Don't play games with me, mage!" Eman's voice became more hostile. "You're no cabin boy. You must be very important to them. Why else would they burn an entire town to get you." Eman glared at the boy before turning to walk away. "I've got my eyes on you, mage," he practically hissed the last word before leaving the boy alone. Elliot quickly finished and dressed himself. He found Eman leaning against a tree not far away. With a silent motion, they continued moving through the forest.

Elliot wasn't sure what Eman had been getting at. He had no memory of the previous night, and the fox's extreme change in attitude towards him was unsettling. He preferred it when Eman had thought of him as a mere annoying tag-along. More than a few times, Elliot caught a look at Eman briefly touching the eye patch over his left eye.

As the two traversed through the thick foliage, a question was burning in the young boy. He still had to get back home, and he didn't want the Imperial Army dragging him back. He didn't know what they would do to him if they found him. The Army was under the command of his older brother, Demich, and he was not exactly a forgiving feline. "Can you take me to Capital?" he asked, flinching away from the fox, expecting him to smack him or set him ablaze with his stare.

"I don't go to Capital... not anymore," Eman simply answered. Elliot could tell that his mind was far away now. The mention of the capital city of the Empire must have stirred up some memories for the vulpine. "I'm taking you somewhere else. I have a... friend who would want to meet you. After I drop you off there, maybe he can point you in the direction of Capital." Elliot didn't like the idea of being left somewhere strange by Eman, but he didn't argue. He would just have to find his own way back home from where ever it was he was taking him.

After some time passed, it had become obvious to the two that they had lost their way. They never even started on a path, but now were even more hopelessly lost among the dense trees and underbrush. The sun could barely be seen through the tops of the tall trees, but it had begun falling closer and closer to the horizon. The two stopped their travels and set up camp. Eman gathered some branches and started a small fire to keep them warm, and to ward off the feeling of being watched. Ever since they had entered the forest, a feeling of someone watching them had been looming over the traveler's heads. But as the light grew dimmer, the feeling grew stronger. And on several occasions, Eman had sworn he had seen someone moving among the tree trunks and high in the branches.

Shadows now surrounded the two. The little, flickering fire sent them tossing and turning in every which direction, casting suspicious movement on every tree and stone. They moved and danced with the flames, and drew closer and closer. Eman had just leaned back against a tree to rest when he felt the familiar smooth, cool texture of sharpened metal against his throat. "What are you doing in our forest?" demanded a voice from the dark.

"We're just simple travelers. We mean no harm," he answered back. Looking over, he discovered that the shadows had already gagged and bagged Elliot. Eman raised his arms, stood slowly, and kicked dirt onto the small fire. "Lead the way my good folk."

The two were led through the dark forest with relative ease by the wolves that had captured them. A nomadic pack of wolves had taken up residence in that particular part of the forest, and had been following them since they had entered. It wasn't long before they came upon a small encampment. A few small fires were lit here and there, and small family groups were gathered around them. The tribal wolves, clothed in simple loincloths and marked with colorful dyes in patterns only known to them were huddled closely to the fires. They all looked up and watched as the strangers were led into the camp at spear point. Small pups running in between the fires stopped their playing and stood motionless as the strange looking creatures were brought before the largest tent and made to kneel down at the entrance.

The large wolves that captured them stood behind them, weapons at the ready as the flap of the tent was brushed aside, and an elderly looking female stood before them. With a single gesture, the guards lowered their weapons and backed away. "Now children, this is no way to treat guests in our camp," she said calmly and sincerely. The two rose to their feet. Elliot scooted closer to Eman until he bumped into him. Eman pushed him back before giving a low bow to the female.

"You honor us, Alpha," he said courteously. His manner completely changed now in the presence of the elder.

The female chuckled and waved off his gesture. "Oh child, I am not the Alpha. He has been lost to us for five moons now. I am merely this pack's Priestess," she responded. "Please, please, no need to be so stiff. You both are safer here for the night."

"Safer?" Elliot asked without thinking. He quickly covered his mouth as Eman shot him a glace that said more than any words.

"Yes, child. Terrible things are stalking the woods these days. But let us not speak of such unpleasantries. Come! We were just about to feast. Join us!" The Priestess bumped her feather adorned staff into the soft soil and held out her arms wide to welcome the two.

Hoots and hollers were heard all around the camp as its residents began preparing for a feast to welcome the two strangers into their world. A large bon fire was built up in the middle of the camp where the main activities were held. Large platters of feral deer meat were passed around, along with bowls of steamed vegetable stew, and some kind of moss harvested from high among the branches of the tallest trees.

Eman ate a little bit of the stew, and gnawed on a piece of meat, but otherwise, sat quiet. He was more interested in watching the female dancers dance around the bon fire. Their motions were all so fluid and lively; he couldn't help but stare at their movements. Next to him, Elliot had an insatiable appetite. He devoured almost everything that was put in front of him. His travels had left his stomach empty and wanting.

The Priestess sat down on the log next to him as he ate. "Are you enjoying yourself, little one?" she asked him. She leaned forward and relied heavily on her staff for support. In the brighter light, it was easier to see the lines on her face, and the grey undercoat of fur. Her features, though seemingly happy, held a deep concern. Elliot just nodded, as he had a mouthful of food. "That's good. The pack hasn't been this jovial for quite a while. Evil things have been stalking the forest at nights."

Elliot swallowed his food and asked, "What sort of evil things?" Eman turned his head away from the dancers as this question perked his interest as well.

"Ghosts, and monsters" the Priestess started, "They have been taking members from the pack; anyone who ventures too near the heart of the forest. Our Alpha went to investigate, but he has not returned. We fear the worst has happened." A grim look swept over her face. The festivities continued on around them, but a bubble of fear surrounded the three now.

"Sounds like you might have a possessed mage on your hands," Eman chimed in. After giving his input, he turned his attention back to the dancers.

"We'll find your Alpha for you!" Elliot said enthusiastically. He used his forearm to wipe some stray stew from around his muzzle. A big smile spread across his young face. He finally had a chance to make a difference, and prove himself. All his life he had felt like a burden on other people, but now he had an opportunity to do something important for someone.

And his opportunity was quickly squashed, "No!" Eman had turned back to him. "I don't deal with mages!" He looked down at Elliot before adding, "At least I try not to."

Elliot wouldn't be dissuaded by Eman. He gathered up his courage and defiantly spoke back, "I have taken an oath to help protect all the peoples of this land." His mind had gone back to the day he swore to his father to take up the mantle and protect and rule over the land. The little boy stood up and planted his feet firmly, holding his ground on his decision.

Eman stood to walk away, and said over his shoulder, "So young and they already have you taking oaths." Shaking his head, he began moving away to a smaller, unoccupied fire a little distance away.

"Oh, rogue!" the Priestess interrupted. "It is said that at the heart of the forest, a great treasure lies in wait for someone to claim it." She added the last bit to intrigue Eman. And intrigue him it did. He paused for a moment before giving a little shrug and moving on to that quieter part of the encampment.

"I see dark and terrible things in your future, little one," the Priestess quickly changed attitudes. Her new, dark tone frightened Elliot somewhat. "You travel with a dangerous and mysterious person, young prince." Elliot was shocked. He was about to demand how she had known, but she put a finger to his lips and smiled back at him. "Fear not. I will not tell a soul until my own returns to the Mother. All I wish to say is that you should be careful during this journey. You have an important role to play, and it is coming up sooner than you would think." She stood and turned to leave, still leaning upon her staff. "Now, eat as much as you wish, and enjoy your night, little one. You have a tough road ahead of you."

A little distance away, Eman had found a small, empty fire to sit by. He had removed his small blades from under his sleeves and was polishing them up. He sat alone, and in silence as he worked. The drum beats and all the movement at the bon fire were too distracting. As he was working, a fit looking, young female wolf had noticed that he was all alone. She wandered over to him, observing his work. "Those are much too small, Little Red One," she commented on his blades as she rested a hand on the pommel of a large sword resting on her hip. It was the only thing she wore.

Eman lifted the blade and flipped it in between his hands with practiced skill. "It's not so much the size of the blade, my dear, but how it's used," he said with a sly smile, "And who are you calling 'little'?"

"It is what the pack is calling you. You are like us, but not like us at the same time. It is easier to call you what you are," the female answered. She stood straight and stiff, and her eyes kept darting out into the darkness of the forest from time to time.

"Why are you not dancing with the others?" Eman asked, trying to break the ice and lighten the mood some. He glanced over at the other females dancing wildly around the fire to the beat of the drums.

The light brown furred female sighed at his question. "I would be if these were calmer times. But I am a warrior, and I must keep watch. We have lost too many members; most of them pups who stood no chance." Her eyes drifted down to the floor, then over at the other dancers at the fire. "I was not chosen to be entertainment tonight... or any other night."

Just then, Eman stood, and with a quick movement, was right in front of her. He reached out a hand and grasped her own. Moving closer, he wrapped an arm around her waist. He smiled at her surprised look. "Relax, alright. I'm not going to hurt you," he comforted her. "I may not know your dances, but I can show you something that is very popular in the cities." He reached their hands out to one side, and began slowly stepping to the beat. It took her a moment to catch on. Finally, she reached an arm around him and started stepping in beat with him.

"This is how they dance in the cities?" she asked. It was a simple and clumsy form of a ballroom dance, but it was the most calm and elegant dance she had ever seen.

As she grew accustomed to the movements, they picked up speed. "Now see there? That's the ticket!" Eman said. He tried a few more complex moves which didn't turn out so badly. Being farther away from the rest of the crowd, no one seemed to notice the two dancing by themselves.

Several minutes passed when the female finally said, "For such a small creature, you move so gracefully." Eman looked up at her, seeing that the female stood a few inches taller than he.

"Like I said before, dear; it's not the size that matters." The female looked down into his emerald eye. It was clear that she found this odd, little creature interesting.

"Can you show me more things from the city?" she asked. She stood back a few feet, and for the first time, looked shy. Another devious smile escaped Eman's lips as he nodded. The female quickly grabbed his hand and led him towards her tent.

Back at the bon fire, Elliot was playing with some of the wolf pups. They liked to chase and nip at his long, wiggly tail. He would dangle it for them, and then just as they leapt into the air, he would pull it away. This activity occupied much of the night for Elliot. He looked up to check on Eman, and noticed the female warrior leading him into her tent. He sighed, and felt a little sad that Eman was giving someone else his attention. He looked up at the dark, night sky and pondered for a moment about things. His musings were interrupted as an enthusiastic pup caught a hold of his tail, and held on tightly. He wiggled free from his teeth and told the pups he had to go to bed. He found the small guest tent that had been erected for them with no problems. Curling up underneath the provided blanket, he drifted off to sleep, alone.