Chapter 40 - Treetops: Part One

After Nesrin's and Midknight's departure, the group tried to determine their next course of action after turning around and gauging the swamp before them. Everywhere they looked, there was a watery mess; steam circulated off the surface as bubbles sprouted in different parts of the marsh. Although the trees stood tall among the water, they did not want to risk walking through it themselves; the forest was accustomed to the swamp, even if it looked deadly to anything near it.

They decided the only viable choice left was to climb up into the trees. When Evanna looked up, she saw the lower branches were smaller, but as she craned her head and squinted at the higher branches, she noticed they started to become broader and longer, as well as merging together with branches from other trees. After climbing to those great heights, they could place their feet down without needing to balance and could stand normally.

As Evanna continued, she noticed that the merged branches almost looked like a wooden path. However, that path would sometimes randomly split in two from the branches disconnecting. This caused them to hop or jump up to a higher level. 

The group walked in a line, one behind the other, at a slow and steady pace, not wanting to lose their balance even if the branches were wide enough to walk on easily; they did not want to take any chances. Cilv and Evanna were at the front of the group for a change; they seemed to be masters at climbing compared to the men. Axel, in particular, took extra time and care in his movements, reaching out and stepping onto new branches anxiously, testing his weight on them.

"How are you doing back there, Axe!?" Evanna shouted behind her; she twisted her head to look, but Ronan was in her view. She knew Axel was the last in line.

"Yep!" Was all he grunted back,

"Ronan, get Ger to keep an eye on him, is he scared of heights?" She guessed; he was far slower than the rest, and he usually led the way.

"Yep, for such a big guy, you would think he was used to heights, his head always being high up in the clouds and all.."

"I can hear you, you know!" Axel complained in the background, "These.. these are not normal heights," His voice started to stutter.

"Ronan, speak to Ger," Evanna commanded. She knew if fear started to take over him, then they could be at a standstill as they try to coax him into moving again. They were already going slow as it was; she wanted to at least try and make it back to the ground before sundown. Otherwise, they would be sleeping in the trees, and Axel would not like that then! Not to mention, they could quite possibly fall to their deaths.

They spent the whole day walking and climbing among the trees like monkeys. Their breaks consisted of them sitting down carefully and snacking and replenishing their thirst from the water in their waterskins. Nobody complained about how cold the forest was as their bodies were now hot from all the physical activity they were put through. Sweat even started to form on their foreheads after they needed to keep climbing higher at different parts of the day.

When they finally made it to the ground again, it was nightfall, so their steps were placed carefully as they descended from the trees. Axel, who now had to look down at where he was going, clung to the branches and trees like there was no tomorrow. He kept taking deep breaths to calm his pounding heart from escaping out of his chest. Once his feet were on the ground, he pretended to kiss the ground, "I am a man. Not a squirrel. I prefer my feet on the floor!" He grumbled as he rose up from the floor.

After getting a fire started and eating dinner, the group decided to sleep early, their aching bodies warranting it. Evanna's upper body ached the most from having to climb the branches so much; although she climbed a lot as a kid, she never remembered it aching so much. Her mother used to joke that she was a little monkey; Evanna never knew what they were until her mother drew one for her, proving to her daughter that she had travelled far and wide across the lands before arriving at Dunhurst. She smiled fondly at the memory.

Evanna settled down next to Ger, who once again had his back to her after ignoring her throughout the evening. However, she did not mind this time; everybody was tired and barely spoke a word to each other as they ate dinner earlier. She also reminded herself that she would definitely not be sleeping this close to a man if she was back at the palace.

The only time she would be in bed with a man would be with her future husband, which by now, she guessed would be arranged once she returned to the palace. A stunt like the one she has pulled guaranteed her to be put back in her place. Her father, of course, would just be happy that she is back and safe, but to keep the nobles happy, he would have to sell her off and gain more power.

Evanna frowned to herself at what duties lay ahead of her when she returned, but her thoughts were slowly silencing as fatigue began to take over. With her body and mind feeling heavy, she fell asleep almost instantaneously.

**

Gasping, Evanna's eyes flew open, and she abruptly sat up, leaning against the tree behind her, her hand already resting on her swords at her side. Taking in slow deep breaths, she tried to slow down her erratic heart. The cold air filled her lungs, cooling her body down and shaking away the nightmare that ensnared her. The first of many, she thought. Realising how much of an effect Nesrin truly was.

Her eyes adjusted to the early morning light, watching as small beams of golden sparkles scattered across the forest floor. Her heartbeat regularly as she admired the peaceful scenery around her, that was, until a cold shiver went down her spine, alerting her to something or someone watching her. She narrowed her eyes before searching her surroundings for the culprit, checking the shadows of the trees and bushes until they halted, landing on a tree straight ahead of her. Slowly standing up, Evanna reached for her swords on the ground, her eyes not leaving the spot in front of her.

Her footsteps were light and soundless as she stalked towards the tree, making an effort to not wake the others if it was just an animal, but in her gut, she sensed this was not the case. She turned her head to glance in Axel's direction. He again was cradling his axe, fast asleep on his post, leaning up against a tree. Evanna rolled her eyes.

So much for keeping watch.

Then her eyes snapped back in front of her. Finally making it past the others, she started to pick up the pace as anticipation filled her; her heart pounded rapidly, as the closer she got to the tree, the colder her back was getting. Evanna raised one of her swords as she barged through the bush; spinning her body slightly, she brought her sword down. But her hand was immediately stopped, her wrist gripped tightly by someone's hand, disabling her attack. Swinging her other sword, she suddenly stopped, stunned at who was in front of her. 

Long white hair and a pair of intense, crystal-blue eyes stared directly into her own.

Time almost stood still as recognition flashed across her eyes.