Nine

Sierra Howe had spent a good portion of the day at school trying to think of ways to get some of her classmates on board with saving their favorite childhood place, rather than paying attention like she was supposed to. Most of her teachers had reprimanded her for daydreaming instead of following their lessons, but Sierra had to admit that she truly could not focus, not with the destruction of the woods happening right beside her and there was nothing she could do about it. Well, she could do something, but she could not do it alone.

"That's all for class today," her teacher, Mr. Bartlett said as he dismissed the class. "Remember to do the reading and have a nice day!"

The students filed out fast, leaving barely enough time for Sierra to ask any of them to help her. She knew her best friends would help, but they needed the help of so many others before the people of Newsburg could do anything to help Somewhere. Sierra sighed and gathered up her books and her coat.

"Miss Howe," her teacher smiled sincerely at Sierra. "I seemed to notice you were distracted today, any particular reason why?"

"Um," Sierra did not know if it was a good idea to explain it all to him or not. Would he understand what was going on? "It's nothing really..."

"I can tell when something is wrong with somebody," Mr. Bartlett balanced on the side of his desk with his hip. "I hope it's nothing too serious?"

"It's really not," Sierra said, even though it was a lie. "I guess I'm just having another realization that I'm growing up too fast."

She looked out the classroom window at the woods once more before nodding and smiling at her teacher and leaving the room.

Sierra met up with her two best friends Thomas and Lindsey and shared a few laughs with them before bringing up the more serious matter that she hoped they would help out with.

"Guys," she said, about to launch into the explanation of a lifetime. "I need your help."

-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-

Rowan leapt from behind Sindri to his right and attacked the strange goblin like creature that was going after them. The other royal guard members fought tirelessly all around them to protect their leader, Sindri, and his friend. Sindri and Rowan fought like it was a dance. Lily used what combat skills she had been taught by her brother to ward off the creatures nearby. She could not help, but sneak glances at her imprint. Sindri pulled arrows from his back along with fighting with his dagger. The fairy sure knew how to engage in combat. Rowan was equally as skilled.

"Sindri, behind you!" Rowan called out and Sindri ducked as Rowan lunged and stabbed the creature that was about to jump on him. Sindri smirked and slid around her to plunge his weapon into the chest of another. Lily smiled at his form and continued fighting until she had slain every creature before her.

Rowan stabbed the last goblin and she and Sindri wiped the blood and dirt from their clothes as best they could before making their way over towards the rest of the men and Lily. Lily smiled and touched Sindri's arm when he approached.

"I think that was the last of those," Rowan said, out of breath. "Gods, where are they coming from?!"

"The mutations of creatures come from lies," Sindri explained. "The more lies the people are told and the more magic that is chipped away at by those humans in the woods, the less protection we have from whatever nasty creatures the other humans dream up."

"So," Rowan said. "What you're basically saying is that until Puck or his human friends figure out a way to fix this...we're screwed?"

"Essentially," Sindri sighed. "Yes, we are."

"Well," Lily took Sindri's arm without meaning to. "Let's hope Puck and Dean and their little group of friends figure out a solution. They won't let us lose our home. I know they won't."

"Right now," Sindri said, eyeing the mess before them and motioning for his guards to leave to their regular duties. "They're the only hope we have."

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