Chapter 24

Artemis stayed in the Winter Woods for another hour, searching for answers to the one question which matters the most. However, as before, no one had any information to give to her. Deciding to go home, she sulkily flew over to the direction of the border. As she flew, the skies became darker and darker, then she somewhat noticed the snow falling harder than before.

She trudged on, figuring it would be best to keep moving in order to stay warm. After about twenty minutes though, she soon realized she couldn't see anything, but the snow. This was when worry crept up inside of her. Looking this way and that, she decided to just walk and hope for the best. However, this proved to be even more difficult as the coldness became stronger.

There wasn't any protection for her against the snow, except for the occasional tree. But, there wasn't anyway for them to protect her from the bitter cold. Mentally kicking herself for being stubborn and not leaving when Dash told her to, she continued her frigid walk. As time went on, she began to lose feeling in her hands and feet. Knowing it was best to keep moving instead of panicking, she willed her shivering body even further into the now snow storm.

Then, her feet gave out from under her and she was rolling down a hill. There was no way for her to stop her descent or crashing into a fallen tree. Trying not to worry about not feeling the pain from crashing into the large oak, Artemis began the process of trying to get up. Yet it seemed her body did not want to cooperate and she was left with no other option but to lie in the snow, hoping someone would come help her. Minutes went by, her eyes became heavy, and soon she was asleep in the cold wilderness.

It should have been her imagination, but Artemis knew the smell of smoke was real. How? Well a person a can't smell in dreams, now could they? Groggily opening her eyes, the light from the fire hurt her eyes until she blinked a few times. Finding herself stiff, she managed to roll onto her side to find herself not in a cave, but what looked to be a tunnel.

Wondering how she had gotten there, she then felt something she had never felt before. It felt similar to what she felt whenever she was around Terrence, a connection but ten times stronger. Somehow the connection allowed her to feel the presence of whom she believed to be her savior. The person was an older sparrowman with black hair and beard which had a little bit of grey in it, but it was his piercing blue eyes which caught her attention. Also the obvious water fairy attire, which looked to be frayed as if it had been worn for too long, made him seem as if he had been through a lot.

There was no way she had ever met this person before, but for some reason she felt the same as she did with Terrence, like she had known him her whole life and had many adventures with. It was a connection somewhat like having a sibling and yet, so much different. The stranger moved closer to her and Artemis couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by his presence.

He had a cup in his hand and kneeling down next to her he said "Drink this, it will help with the dehydration and the cold." and handed it to her.

"Thank you, umm..." Artemis replied, watching as he went to sit down next to the fire.

"Alfonse." Was his answer to her silent question to what his name was.

The drink was a mixture of water and herbs, which really brought her temperature up. Continuing to drink what she figured to be tea, she eyed the stranger with curiosity. There was obviously something on his mind, which seemed to make him fidget in slight frustration.

Sighing in frustration, he finally asked what was on his mind. "What were you doing out there? You could've been killed."

"I had to find some information about something, but I didn't realize how late it was getting and so I got lost." Was Artemis's answer.

"What information from the winter fairies could be so important to an animal fairy such as yourself?"

Looking downcast, Artemis turned away from him "It doesn't matter anymore, it seems nobody has the answers I seek and the one person who does won't talk to me."

"Dewey right?"

"How did you know?" The animal fairy questions, shocked by his own.

"I saw you at the library with your friends today."

Artemis then remembered it was he whom she saw Dewey have a silent discussion with the moment she walked into the winter fairies library. However, she didn't see his face before.

"Now I may not be the Keeper of all fairy knowledge, but I have been in Pixie Hollow longer than most and I think I may be able to answer any questions you may have."

The animal fairy had both a bewildered and hopeful expression on her face as she threw disappointment and caution to the wind as she asked her question "I'm trying to find a group of fairies known as Hawk Riders. Do you know of any?"

The water fairy's face had a tired and pained look on his face as he hesitantly answered "I do."

Eyes going wide, Artemis couldn't help but ask "Who? Where are they?!"

Then it dawned on Artemis, the connection, the subtle hints here and there. Finally there was the confirmation.

"You." Was all she managed to mutter.

"Me. It's been a long time since I've had a conversation with someone other than Dewey, but it's been longer since I've had one with a fellow Hawk Rider."

"How did you know I was one?"

"Unlike other fairies, Hawk Riders have the ability to sense each others presence and the only way to become a Hawk Rider, is to be chosen by a hawk."

Excitement overwhelmed her, as she clumsily got on her feet to sit next to him to say "You have to teach me how to be a proper Rider!" then seeing his face, she went on. "Please, I have to know my place in this world and if it means being a Hawk Rider, then you have to teach me."

He looked at her and in his eyes she could see pain and uncertainty, but she matched his gaze with all the pain she had felt her entire life and the determination to make sure she never had to go through it again. A few seconds later, he sighed and said "Meet me two days from now at the border at the far edge of the Autumn Forest and the Winter woods, make sure you have your hawk with you."

"Why two day?" Artemis couldn't help but ask.

"It's been a long time since I've trained a new Hawk Rider, I need the time to prepare for it. The snow storm is over and you're as close to the border as you can get without being seen. The first rule of a Hawk Rider is to never share any information to an ordinary fairy of the secrets we share. Which means you will have to keep what you are a secret to everyone." Alfonse states.

As soon as he said this, she couldn't help but feel sheepish as one certain 'ordinary' fairy was probably back on the other side of the border, with the full knowledge that Hawk Riders exist. Yep she was off to a great start on following the rules.

Author's Note: Well this came out quicker than expected and I'm finally... finally... getting to the part where Artemis finds out of the existence of a Hawk Rider. Yep we're getting into the territory of every stories cliché of a student being taught by a master and eventually going off to save the world. I hope you guys are excited for it, because I sure am! Anyways I want to thank Laurel Vincent for your review of the last chapter, I'm glad you liked it even though I wasn't too crazy about, but it was necessary for this chapter to be put up afterwards so I can't complain too much :D. I hope you all liked this chapter and I shall update hopefully this weekend, which I hope you guys will find to be neat but I won't tell you why. Also if you haven't already, please take a look at my poll as this story is 3/4's finished and I'd like you guys to vote on what I should work on next! Bye!