She suddenly realized then it had been quite some time since she heard ‘the voices’ in her head. She felt relieved but it also felt like something was missing. Maybe she would try what Ilarial had mentioned to her. Since she took the medicine that Ilarial gave her to control the voices, it was easier to think. She thought now she would try and speak to them with specific requests, and listen then for a specific answer. Ilarial had said that this exercise would help her get to know the voices and hopefully learn to use her spirit guides, to her own advantage.

Are we safe? Shade waited, quieting her mind and listening for the response.

Yes, they said as one.

She jumped. The answer had come like a voice on the breeze, or like someone whispering into her ear. She spun around but saw no one. She glanced over to Soap who was behind another tree to her left. He placed a finger to his lips, signaling for silence and turned back towards the front of the group. Wow, a one-word answer. It was enough to make her freak out, Ok, well that was a good little exercise. She watched Ewan give them an ‘all clear’ signal. She then stood up and shuffled back into line behind the warriors.

The sun felt warm on her back. They worked their way across the field, and made sure they were not in the center because they would be exposed. They were near the edge and it would take longer to get through, but it felt safer knowing cover was nearby. Shade inhaled the fresh air of the countryside. Flowers, pine trees, and deadened mulch were on the ground and mixed with dirt, but perfumed the air. The forest was surreal, compared to her usual reality of constant smog, exhaust, honking cars and the smell of iron in the city. Out here none of that seem to exist and she let herself enjoy the beautiful afternoon. Dragonflies and ladybugs buzzed around her, and disappeared into the forest. She wondered if they were close to a body of water with so many dragonflies about. She was surprised to not see any other of the tiny winged fey she had encountered with Jack. There was no one besides them around. Where is everyone? Are there more fey out here?

Yes, they are watching, wondering who you are. Wondering why so many are treading the trails with you.

Shade smiled, the voice was gentle and did not scare her like the voices had before. It seemed like a light caress, a lover’s promise in a whisper. She knew then that it would never be like before; Ilarial had channeled the guides to help her better and understand them with the use of the medicine. The voices would not be an overbearing force on her ever again. She had to remember to thank Ilarial profusely for this gift. Do you have a name? Is there more than one of you?

Yes, there are three of us that remain with you. Each of us will answer you in a specific situation. We each are helpful in certain things. I am Duende; the others are Astrid and Elaby. We are your spirit guides. There were more but Ilarial has forced them away for they are too much for you to handle. We are entrusted with your wellbeing Shade. Ask us what you will, we will always answer.

Shade shivered despite the heat of the sun. Their whispers were like the gentle chill of winter, the feeling ran along prickling her skin, and was full of magic. She wondered if she would ever get used to these changes. The group re-entered the forest on the other side of the clearing. The cool cover of the forest canopy felt colder than it had before. Shade noticed how much darker it seemed on this end. It seemed quieter too; only a breeze rustling through the leaves broke up the silence. Even the forest floor was barer with packed dark dirt and had occasional twigs littered about. This was not the same territory. She wondered if this was the start of Teleen territory or maybe even something else.

“Keep together everyone. We are near the borders of the Teleen’s property. It is guarded well by their soldiers that were banished fey and are ghosts alike. Welcome to the haunted forest.” Ewan snickered, obviously thinking that everyone enjoyed his humor. No one was laughing. Shade hurried up to him as the group tightened. She was curious about the place, figuring he would be the one to ask about the name of the place.

“Ewan!” She slowed her breathing as she neared him; he had been a lot farther up in the front of the group than she had thought. She hunched over, holding her knees as her breath returned to her.

Ewan paused and looked at Shade. His eyes shined even without the sun breaking through the canopy, like small flashlights glinting back at her from his black irises. He was big; he had to be at least six eleven. He hovered over her, like he was one of the trees himself. His broad shoulders were wide and strong muscular arms followed. He mostly looked like a tall, husky human male. His stubble was almost long enough for a beard and was dark black, like his hair. He had a long ponytail tied near the base of his neck; it was black as night and lay just below his neckline. He had a rounded nose and full pink lips. He wasn’t that bad looking, his height and largeness made him scary though. Ewan never bothered with any glamour. “Well, little one, what heeds you?” Smiling brought out deep wrinkles around his eyes and laugh lines that creased at his mouth. This man had a smile that showed he enjoyed living. He nodded and started walking again when she had caught up and they were now moving together in stride.

“I was just wondering. Why do they call this the haunted forest? What do you mean it has ghosts? Will we see any? Will they hurt anyone?” She fired her questions at him all at once.

Ewan’s deep booming laughed echoed around them. The forest made no reply. “Slow down miss, won’t want to wake the dead would we? Nothing to fear now, there are ghosts and spirits aplenty here, hence the name. But since we will leave this forest for the Great Teleen caves before nightfall, we will mostly miss them. They can harm you, but only if you fear them and let them overwhelm your mind. So just ignore them, show no fear and stay calm, they will mostly leave you alone.” He grinned down at her.

She liked him instantly. He was like a large teddy bear. At least he was nice; he made her feel warm and safe. “Do we have a long way to go to the caves?”

“Hmm, well I’d say two to three hours journey, we will hit the hills first and then the incline to the mountains of the Teleen. They live in massive caves that run miles underground. You’ll be most impressed.” Ewan’s face stilled. He glanced at her, and his eyes intensified. “Miss Shade, may I ask a question,” he continued the trek forward, glancing forward only to assess each step.

“Yes, of course Ewan, feel free.”

“Are you alright with this, being the chosen one and all? Do you want to turn back yet?”

Shade’s eyes widened as she stared at him. She was scared. She didn’t want to go, but how could she say no? Her voice failed to answer.

“I thought so,” Ewan nodded, keeping in step with her, dodging the large tree trunks in their path. It was much easier to walk on the packed earth that was so dark and rich. The previous shrubs and plants they had to cut down were such a bother. The trees seemed to grow larger here too, flat out gigantic.

“Ewan, I can’t say no, something just tells me I should be here. I don’t even know how to explain it. It is as if I’m being pulled involuntarily along for a ride I didn’t sign up for; but I cannot unwrap myself from it. Besides, maybe I might find out who my real father is and more about myself too. I do want to learn my fey powers, if I have any. That would be kinda cool. I have so many questions about things now and no answers yet; and I’m guessing this is the best way to find out.” She stared at the ground. She felt weary already, and they hadn’t even gone too far.

Shade stopped in her tracks. The hair on her neck stood on end and a sense of being watched crept up her spine. Her eyes widened as they darted, glancing around them.

“What’s wrong Shade, feel something?” Ewan stopped also, listening hard and signaling a full stop with his hand, at the group. Everyone crouched by the trees looked around, studied the woods and they were still. No sound, not even the birds chirping could be heard; the silence felt deafening, heavy and forlorn.

Shade still felt a twinge of fear. She shook her head, and the sweat began to bead on her forehead. What is going on? She felt something hot pour over her, sticky as it clung like thick syrup. She felt her panic boil up inside. What is this? What’s happening?

Ewan called out to the trees, “That’s enough of that now, the girl is harmless. She is with us. We are Guildrin Clan, en route to Teleen. Bring down your guard. We are invited.” Shade looked about, and saw nothing but tree bark and dirt. The wind gusts picked up and swooshed around her, bringing her hair to float around her like an aura. Shade stood with eyes wide and her heart jumping. The group unsheathed their swords and bow and arrows. They were readied and pointed. Pointed at what? She felt something was near but couldn’t see anyone or anything.

“Back down now or we will fight.”

“You dare defy me, mistress of these woods? You should have asked me, not the Teleen to pass. You insult my authority. Queen Zinara grows careless of her lands, and she forgets me. Forgotten, I shall never be.” The wind swirled around the group, sending everyone to their knees. “Beg forgiveness of your Queen now, Lady Blythe, Dryad Queen of the haunted forest.”

Ewan slowly bowed his head, kneeled on the ground and signaled to the others to do the same. “Forgive us, dear Lady Blythe, Queen of the Dryads of Haunted forest. We meant no disrespect. We ask to pass through your territory to the Teleen Caves. We had no knowledge of your return to these parts; afraid we were, as was your sister, that you had abandoned the Guildrin clan. We beg mercy of your majesty.” Shade looked up through her lashes to see if anything appeared, the wind made her blink constantly, her eyes watered from the whipping air.

Suddenly, the wind stopped. The change in the air felt even denser than it had before. Everyone looked up and gazed upon the Queen of the Dryads, she was perched on a large branch just above them. Her skin pale and glassy white, like she was made of porcelain. Her dark green eyes were large, so large in fact, the whites of eyes could not be seen, and yet somehow they had slit-like appearance. Her long dark blond hair draped around her carelessly in soft wisps down to her legs and was like a cape, flying in some self-contained breeze. A crown of twisted twigs and angel’s breath lay on her head, spilling down, like entrails in her hair. The sheer dress she wore was more like torn worn silk, swaying around her in the breeze and held together by a belt of roped vines. She looked just like a faery would look, ethereal and almost unreal. Her skin glowed like moonlight reflecting on the surface of a pool of water. Shade gasped with amazement. She thought, at first, it was glamour but she felt no such magic floating around Lady Blythe. Her magic was the woods, the trees, earth, plants and creatures. All were flowing with energy that was tumbling towards her.

The faery snickered. She tilted her head, studying the group and narrowing her large eyes, almost insect-like, but much prettier. They filled Shade with dread. Her face morphed into malice. “You are pathetic. Forget me not; I won't soon forget you either. Give me the halfling girl and you can go.”

Shade’s eyes widened as she stood up and stepped back. She froze mid-step and couldn’t move, barely breathed. A sticky, thick magic clung to her again now, paralyzing her in place. Lady Blythe was smiling wickedly above her and shook her head. “Yes, Shade, that means you. Either you stay or they die.”

“But, why? What did I do? I don’t even know you. Why do you want me? I have no magic.” Shade felt frozen. Her legs did not work, nothing worked. She felt as if she were suspended animation, trapped in the stillness, as one would be in ice.

“Your majesty, Shade cannot stay here; she is sent by Queen Zinara herself on a quest to help free us of the Lonare’s treacheries.” Ewan spoke, not raising his head to the fairy queen. As though doing so might offend her.

“Silence, giant. I do not need your blubbering statements. I know full well what Queen Zinara means to do. I don’t frankly agree with her strange decisions but I know this halfling serves more than just one purpose.” She gazed at Shade, her lips thin and tense. Shade felt light headed.

Trick her, trick her into thinking you are only a mortal, no powers. Trick her at her own game Shade, quickly! An inner voice yelled with urgency.

Shade came back to herself, still frozen but more clear-headed. Her guides warmth and voices swam in her head, helping her breath in her frozen body. How do I trick her? She would know if I’m lying, don’t they all? How?

Offer her yourself fully. But trick her into giving you a riddle, we can answer any question. If you answer right, she must let you go.

Shade swallowed hard and peered up at the Dryad Queen. She felt her evil swirling around in the air.

“Lady Blythe, your majesty. Please, I will come to you freely. But tell me, don’t you like riddles? Anything I might not be able to answer? How about a deal? If I answer it right, we all go free, with safe passage through your land. If not, I am yours, with no quarrels, at least we can make it fun, you know?” Shade gasped as the air felt tight and she felt like she was drowning.

Lady Blythe stared at the girl, contemplating her words. She studied with her sharp eyes drilling into Shade. A moment later, a creepy growing smile spread across her face.

“Why how quaint, how did you know my love of riddles? How delightful! Very well, then.” She paused for a moment, looking pensive and scratching her chin. Her eyes excited as she cleared her throat. “I got one for you. What can walk the earth at dawn, dances in the noon sun and then never again at dusk.” Her wicked smile snarled at Shade. What sort of riddle was that?

A vampire.

What? A vampire? Really? This is ridiculous I...

Trust us, Shade, please.

“Okay, I know that, a vampire. The answer is a vampire.” Shade’s breath whispered from her lips as the thick magic surrounding her squeezed the last bit out. The queen would have to let up on the air prison if she was to inhale once more. Nothing but silence came from the Dryad Queen. Her face fell into anger and her eyes flashed like luminous green fire. She was furious.