The Secret Magic: 3: Whisperings
Chapter 3: To Take you Back
By: Karigan Marie
*****
Jade gazed at the hand being offered to her. Justice's creamy white skin, contrasted sharply by the silver nails kept Jade's attention for a handful of moments before thought slowly crept itself back to Jade's befuddled mind. Timidly, she reached out her own hand and placed it in Justice's waiting grip, gripping the flawless wrist in awe; the smoothness was remarkable.
"You're Jade."
Green eyes rose slowly in confusion to meet crystal blue ones. Justice had crystal blue eyes that seemed almost lined in red. Her face was paler than even Atune's, but the dusting of brownish freckles gave the pallor some contours. Her hair, which was mostly blazing red - brighter than the lioness' - with streaks of gold, reached beyond her lower back in long straight silky strands. Her eyebrows were set high and arched beautifully and her small pointy nose could only be described as sweet. She looked to be around twelve or thirteen, physically at least, and stood a good half foot taller than Jade. "Um…what?"
Justice's smirk made itself known again. "Jade. You're Jade."
"Oh…" Jade gave a mental shake and finally found words. "Right. I'm Jade. And you're Justice."
Red eyebrows arched up slightly in amusement. "Right; we covered that."
"Right. Sorry."
Justice pulled her hand away gently. "We should get going." Jade swallowed. That accent was nothing short of overwhelming.
"Going?"
"Right. Going." Justice turned back towards the forest and began a brisk walk.
Jade, confused, quickly took a few steps after her, calling out. "Wait. Where are we going?"
"Into the forest," Justice casually called out.
"What, right now?"
"Better now than later."
"But…" Jade objected as she stepped over a log, "What about Kayandu and Anabaya? And, why are we going into the forest?"
"They're fine. We're going into the forest because you can't stay in the village forever, can you?"
"But…I didn't even get to thank them."
Justice stopped and turned around quickly, a patient smile on her face. "They knew that when I came to get you, you wouldn't have time to say good-bye. Besides, you'll be back." She turned back around and continued walking.
Jade's eyes grew big and she stopped in her tracks. "You…you brought me here? You're the one that found me at the cliff in Carthak?"
"Yes. And no."
Jade, utterly confused, picked up her brisk pace again. "What does that mean?"
Justice pushed aside a small tree and stepped by, never looking back. "You asked two questions. I answered each one."
Jade scrunched her eyebrows in concentration. Her stomach was starting to buzz slightly and her finger tips itched; she rubbed them against the silky material of her shirt. "I'm a little confused," she admitted.
"That's alright. You'll figure it all out soon enough."
They walked in silence for some time, Justice casually plunging forward, Jade trotting to keep up. Thoughts were flying through Jade's head faster than she could keep up with them. Every time she opened her mouth to ask something, it just wouldn't come out; her thoughts would run over and over themselves, never forming a complete sentence. Finally, she got some coherent thought past her teeth. "Justice?"
"Yes?" She leaned down to avoid a branch, Jade followed.
"Why are we…why did we have to leave the village so quickly?"
"I don't come out of the forest and out to the village too often. It's a bit…" and here Jade noticed Justice paused to come up with a good word. "…awkward."
"Why?"
"Because, I'm different than them." And here, Jade detected a bit of amusement in Justice's words.
And it was at this point that Jade focused on one thing in particular. She thought for a few minutes, trying to remember her parents' stories and how they didn't line up to what she was seeing now. She didn't really know how to bring up the subject. "Um, Justice…" She had to stop and rethink her words. But no matter how she phrased it in her mind, it just didn't seem like it would come out sounding semi-intelligent any way she tried. "You're…I mean, didn't….Aren't you not supposed to be…you?"
Justice looked over her shoulder with a frown marring her face. "I beg your pardon?"
"I mean…you're a firebird, right? Aren't you supposed to be one?"
Justice smiled in understanding. "Yes."
Jade waited a few moments for further explanation. When it seemed as if that's all she would get… "Right." Justice shook her head in amusement.
Justice stopped and turned around; her smile one of patience again. "I am a firebird. But I spent two years as a human," she rethought that statement, "…in human form. Your parents helped me turn back into a firebird, yes. But that kind of magic, it leaves an impression; a deep impression. And, I still remember what it feels like to be in a human form, it's permanently etched into my mind. So with whatever magic stayed with me from the original spell that kept me as a human, it just so happens I can shape-shift; back and forth.
"So as far as why I'm in human form right now, you're human. You wouldn't be able to understand me if I were in my Firebird form; at least, not right now. Plus, you look the jumpy sort. I didn't want to scare you away."
Jade, who had been listening in awed amazement, suddenly scrunched her nose. "I'm not afraid of anything."
Justice smiled. "Everyone is afraid of something, Jade. You're no different."
Jade frowned. "Well…I'm not afraid of birds."
Justice smirked. "I never said you were."
"So…," Jade continued, "you can go back and forth. Were you a firebird or human when you found me?"
"I didn't." Justice turned around and kept on their long walk; the trees seemed to be getting sparser, but thicker and that buzzing in her stomach got more powerful, her eyes starting to itch now too. She rubbed at them irritably.
"But…than who did?"
"It's a long story." Justice placated.
"We're on a long walk!" Jade really wanted some answers.
"We're almost there." The corner of Jade's eye caught a slight quick movement. When she turned to look, she didn't see anything. As soon as she turned back to follow Justice, something on the other side of her caught her attention; but again, nothing was there when she turned to look. "What are you looking at?" Justice had ended up a bit far ahead and had stopped to wait.
"I just…I thought I saw something."
"Saw what?"
"I don't know. Just something. But every time I take a closer look, it's gone."
Justice looked around momentarily before taking a huge annoyed sigh. She set her jaw and grimly growled in the back of her throat. "A Piper. Just ignore it."
"Why?"
"Because they're more trouble than they're worth. Believe you me. You don't want them near us."
Jade looked curious, but decided to take the advice, even when she noticed something jolt across the corner of her vision again. She stepped over large vines and roots while following the older girl. She'd never seen such plants as she was now. The thick vines ran along the bottom of the forest, the trees, and high above, through the top, hanging from branches, allowing small colorful animals to climb on them. The buzzing in her stomach was growing and expanding into her chest, the slight vibration starting to warm considerably. Jade wiped some sweat off her forehead. They pushed through a sever patch of bushes as they climbed up a steep incline. Jade couldn't see much in front of her, so she focused on that around her.
The bush blossomed bright orange orchids, their petals soft and velvety. Red spots near the center were dusted with yellow pollen as extremely fat bees worked to get at the sweet nectar. Jade had to stop and take deep breaths when the buzzing heat turned downright scorching inside her. Her hands shook with energy and she could feel her knees wobbling. "Justice…"
"Just through here." Justice urged. She pushed through the bushes, disappearing behind the branches.
Jade sucked in air as her ears started ringing madly, her eyes watering. She stumbled forward and pushed through the bushes.
It was like a riotous explosion inside her body. Her vision turned brilliant green for endless seconds as she felt intense magic spill, not only out of her, but into her as well.
Justice had turned around to wait for Jade to finally push through into the great forest. She could feel the girl's magic beginning to cause havoc on her body and as much as Justice wanted to give her a few minutes to collect herself, she knew the feeling wouldn't go away until she got into the forest. When Jade had pushed through the last of the new forest's bushes, Justice was surprised. She hadn't expected so much energy to congregate in one single girl.
Her magic had recognized the closeness of the great forest, and the great forest, in turn, had recognized her coming closer. When she finally stepped on the powerful earth, both magic's had leapt together, clashing inside the poor girl's body. All around her, dark green strips of light ripped through the trees and vines and roots towards the small figure, slamming in without mercy. Her own brilliant green magic had done its own leaping; she could see wild strands of light rushing out all over.
The girl's mouth opened in a silent scream, not of pain, but surprise. She didn't expect this, Justice thought. Finally, the light died out, and the forest was back to its normal vibrant self and the poor girl looked as if she'd just run a marathon.
Jade swallowed past the lump in her throat. It had felt like nothing had ever felt before. She had felt…like the Gods themselves had touched her mind, her heart, her very being. Magic so intense, she could hardly take it. When her vision cleared, she finally looked around. Her jaw dropped in awe.
The trees before her were the most amazing things she had ever seen. They were taller than she could see, and so thick around, 15 people holding hands couldn't circle it. Their bark was deep reddish brown, with no branches near the ground. Huge vines swept across the tree line up high, the sun shining down, filtered through the small slits provided and lit the forest floor in eerie light. A small stream ran through the trees, its crystal blue water shimmering as it flowed rapidly on its way. She could hear countless birds calling all around her. She could even see a few as they flew over head. Their wings held so many different colors, she couldn't count. The air here was thicker than even that of Solandia. Every inch of breath she took was filled with droplets of water, clinging to her flushed face and body.
And all through these wondrous sights and sounds, she could feel the very essence of the forest, the very magic that oozed out of every single crack of wood, every vein of every leaf, every inch of every root. It made something inside her come alive, her magic. Whereas before, it had been firmly settled in her stomach, she felt it now in the very tip of her fingers, the very bridge of her nose, the arch of her back, felt every inch of her body hum in synchronized unison with that of the forest. And even though her entire being was going mad with feeling, it was calming.
She used to lie out in the grass when she was younger, letting her magic ease in and out of her, allowing her body to relax. It had always been a small respite, but never really enough and she would seek more comfort by running her fingers through the blades of grass, hoping that the shaking in them would sees. And now, she felt the same, felt the magic easing in and out of her with the air around her, felt her body relaxing, loosing the knots that had always been inside her body, all the while, making her buzz with life. A single tear, sparkling with green, slid down her cheek. Her mouth opened in a small sob of utter relief. For the first time in her life, she didn't feel as if she'd explode from the inside out. For the first time in her life, she felt… quiet.
*****
A/N: This is a lovely chapter, isn't it? I hope you like it…and remember. Review!
Have fun!
Karigan Marie
Upcoming Chapters:
4 - Here are the Facts (about you)
5 – To Feel Like This
6 – One Piper, Two Pips
7 – You? Syphon?
8 – The Visit