LILYA: The Ballad of A Tree-Lover

DISCLAIMER: Court Duel and Crown Duel are Sherwood Smith's. Bummer, huh? I know this is short, but it's just a prologue. Oh yeah, and I'm new at this, so constructive criticism is welcomed : )

Lilya sat, curled up tightly, her flushed cheek pressed against the base of the great goldenwood tree. Briefly she glanced up at the high windows of the throne room. Moonlight streamed through the windows, illuminating her tiny figure engulfed by the shadow of the enormous tree. The light from the moon made the tears shine on her cheeks.

She let the lids of her eyes fall slowly, until all she saw was a sea of darkness. Turning her body towards the tree, her fingers felt over the soft bark until her arms encircled what little part of the trunk they could encompass. She shivered violently, then let out a sigh.

Focus, she murmered in her mind. Let yourself melt away.

Her vision was darkened but Lilya's other senses were heightened. It seemed a warmth was emanating from the tree, that inside the tree there was a core of light, a living, pulsating power that exuded the warmth. She pressed her face harder into the exterior of the tree, the soft bark scratching her delicate nose and cheekbones, till the flush on her cheeks rose crimson.

One hour, she told her subconscious firmly. With that, she let go as her spirit sank into the depths of the tree.