Chapter 31
"We're almost there," I heard a voice call down.
I heard Beth grumble but also sigh in relief. I couldn't disagree with her. After all, I myself wasn't in the mood for any more climbing.
Beth got to the top before me and then hoisted me up. I couldn't help it. It was hot, I was sweaty, I had bug bites and I was used to the luxury of servants and fluffy pillows. I began complaining. "I can't see why we have to climb all the way up here to…" but I stopped.
It was beautiful! An entire city in the tree tops! I looked down at how far I'd climbed. I couldn't even see the bottom. It was THAT high up. I swallowed my fear and urged myself to take my eyes off. Finally I managed to tear my eyes and thoughts away from it and brought my attention otherwise.
"Raina?" Beth asked. "What's up here?"
I came over to her instantly aware of a flat surface. There was wood planks beneath us, hard and sturdy, though I really wondered how much weight it could hold.
"This way," I heard Juniper usher. Suddenly she was silent. Her footsteps became softer and we went along the planks swiftly but stealthily. What was this about?
As we walked by I began to notice little wooden houses all along the way. There were people inside or outside, and they were always looking. Unfortunately they were whispering too but in a….different language of sorts. I couldn't understand what was happening.
I had a feeling though, that if I really did understand all of this. All that was happening, all that I was going through, all that was being kept hidden from me, I'd probably not want to be here at all.
Of course, that was only merely a thought.
We came up to this circular area. There was a fire in middle and I looked at it curiously, wondering how such a large fire could be maintained in the trees. It only kept me a moment though, because I saw Juniper come up and speak to someone in a karge chair. It was a very old man, I saw now as I came around the flames, he held a wooden staff in his hand and was nodding at what Juniper was saying. He kept his hand curled around the staff, which, as I came closer to listen, I saw had the body of an eagle engraved through its spine. It wound around it, with its wings spread and it seemed to be looking at me.
I simply came up and listened. Beth stood beside me, watching Juniper.
"We finally made it," Juniper said.
"Ah yes, but you were almost too late this time," the old man scolded in a calm, wise voice.
Juniper nodded. "I know. I apologize. It was foolish of me."
"Is that the girl?" He asked, looking in our direction.
"Yes. Her brother shall come soon."
"Cal and her should not be together. Something may occur that might affect us getting into the castle."
"I realize that, but there's no stopping Cal. He wants to protect her. He thinks its her you know, not him."
"You seem to think so too."
Juniper hesitated. "I'm….I'm not sure."
"Well when you are come to me. We need to know as soon as possible and we will definitely know by the next moon."
Juniper nodded. Then, leaned closer to him and whispered, "where is she?"
"The aurora lights will show, and when they do, you'll find her."
Juniper nodded. "That's all I need to know for now."
The old man nodded. "We shall see to it that you find refuge here."
"Much appreciated," she replied and then walked back.
The old man gestured to someone that was sitting amongst the fire. They began speaking in that foreign tongue. Juniper was back with us.
"Follow them," she told me and pointed me towards a woman and little girl. They were looking at us curiously, the little girls reached up towards the woman and she took it. They turned as if expecting me to follow. I wasn't going alone though.
"Come on Beth." I urged. She turned to walk by me.
"This place is a little creepy isn't it?" she observed. "Everything is so quiet. You can always tell it's too quiet when all you can hear are the creeking under your feet."
"And the whispers," I added.
"You noticed those too? I thought I was just hearing things." She giggled.
The woman we were following occasionally glanced back to make sure we were following. I sighed, looking up at the covering of tree branches above us.
"It's so beautiful Beth, I wish you could see it."
She smiled. "I can smell all of the forestation. It's so close."
"Yes, it's not as far up as usual. All of that climbing."
Beth nodded in assent. "Raina?" She asked after a moments silence.
"Yes?" I answered. The sound of night surrounded us, with crickets chirping in our every step.
"Remind me to never climb a tree again," she said and yawned.
I laughed. "It's not something I'd do as a hobby either."
"So where are we going?" she asked and that caused me to look ahead. There was the lady, waiting in a doorway. We turned into it, finding two beds waiting for us. They looked warm, with the chilly night air around us and I walked in.
The lady nodded and turned. "Thanks," I said as she moved away. I couldn't tell if she heard me, but then again, whose to say she could even understand me at all. I simply walked over to the bed, with Beth coming up behind me on the other. Practically collapsing on it, I fell asleep in an instant. No problem falling asleep, a hope for no dreams. The silent whispers and taunting crickets faded away and I drifted off.