Created By

Spellbinding

Rate this Story

Embed

Deep in the depths of a vast and mystic forest, the sun's smoothing rays shown delicatly through the branches. The dew was fresh amongst the leaves, and a soft mist gently passed the ancient tree trunks. The wind sung in sweet whispers, creating a duet with the cheerful songbirds.

In the center of the forest, a magnificent pine tree stood with it's majestic branches stretched out in pride. Apon the limbs grew plants which elegantly streamed down, as if attempting to draw one's attention to the tree's enormous base. Large roots spread out and bent and curled until they disappeared below the surface. Layers of moss and dried pine needles surrounded it's massive foundation, and created a comfurtable resting place for any passing woodland creature. Yet, the one whose head rest apon the evergreen's needles and lay beneath the branches' shade was no mere beast of the forest, but a man.

His gleeful golden-brown hair curled in ringlets before his high brow, yet maintained perfectly straight and orderly atop his head. His eyes, even though it was well past noon, were peacefully closed to the vivid world about him. His pale face appeared quite youthful, perhaps around fourteen, yet rather hansome for such a tender age.

His garments were tattered and torn, but his attire did appear to be high class and extremely expensive, causing him to stand out perhaps more than he wished. Even though the obvious wealth, he carried few belongings other than the clothes apon his back and a common lameller shoulder strap. However, one belonging which he did carry would draw many curious woodland creatures from their daily lives to marvel at it's beauty, for around his neck hung a pendant, designed with careful detail. Apon the silver surface were many breath-taking carvings done in great skill and an emerald jewel in it's center which brightly shimmered in the sun's warm rays.

A curious raven swooped down from it's perch and gently glided on it's silent wings. She flaped her wings two last times before she landed apon the blanket of pine needles before her. She opened her dark beak and let out a long dark cry which echoed throughout the woods, as if announcing the discovery of her treasure. She then lifted her wings again and hovered above the ground as she flew closer to the shiny trinket.

The curious raven delicately landed apon his chest and rested her wings on her back. She took a step closer, probably so she would be in good range of the shimmering wonder, yet abruptly took flight in fear.

"Blood! Blood! Death! Blood!" She seemed to call as she disappeared above the towering trees. Her crys were true, for apon the man's chest rested one footprint the raven left, saturated in blood. If one took his pulse, they would feel nothing but the bitter, cold and empty veins. If one listened for his heartbeat, only silence would greet their ears, for this being was no longer in the realm of the living. Yet, nor was it entirely in the realm of the dead.

And unease filled the air, as if the whole forest was holding it's breath in anticipation. Something was coming. Something was about to happen.

(Author's Note: Here I fear it needs help and begins to break apart. If someone can think of a better transition from this character's description to the next, it would be greatly appreciated. These characters are friends of the first and are waiting for the current news of the search party to be brought to them. Once he arrives, the fiesty young woman character demands to take the search into her own hands and rides off into the forest.)

At the forest's mouth, two riders sat atop their horses waiting. One rider was a young woman wearing an elegant gown of pure white silk, which flowed whenever the breeze blew. She lifted her delicate hand and placed it above her slender brow to keep her stray golden hairs from dangling in her eyes. She quickly blinked her sea green eyes to fight away a stubborn hair.

On a silver stallion beside her, yawned a brown haired young man. He wore full plate armour made of silver and wore a sword at his side, even if his features suggested him not a day over fifteen. His lazy dark brown eyes were outlined with dark circles due to fatigue.  (...to be continued)