AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No.” His simple reply sent a chill down my spine.
Einri halted and motioned for us to stop as well. We stood silently listening while the milky light grew dimmer. Will and Einri both tilted their heads like they were listening to something the rest of us couldn’t hear.
“What’s wrong?” I spoke as quietly as I could, feeling like the sound echoed through the mist.
“Somethings not right.” Einri replied just as quietly, and I nearly rolled my eyes at the obvious statement.
We began walking again, the fog becoming an oppressive weight on my shoulders. It was like a blanket had been tossed over this part of the forest, but instead of providing warmth, its purpose was to suffocate.
I stopped once the oppression became so much that it was hard for me to draw breath. Will looked over his shoulder at me and I noticed the black of his eyes were larger than normal while a hint of gold danced in the irises. His wolf was close.
Glancing up I saw a sturdy branch above my head within jumping distance for me. Before I made the conscious decision, my hands were wrapped around the limb, rough bark pressing against my palms as I heaved my body up.
Tuck hissed at me while Will watched me climb, not saying anything. He knew what the trees meant to me, how freeing they made me feel. He understood the itch that overtook me whenever we were near a forest.
The higher I climbed the thinner the fog became making it easier for me to breathe and think. Mist drifted between the trees in a soft breeze clearing a path through the branches that I could easily follow with my eyes.
“What do you see, Row?” Will called quietly from the forest floor.
“It’s clearer up here.” I answered looking over my shoulder at other tree trunks.
“Can you see where the fog is coming from?” Einri’s voice called through the gloom.
“No, but I see a clear path through the trees. I can guide you from up here.”
A beat of silence then the murmur of voices as I assumed Will explained what my meaning was. They were all too heavy to climb into the trees. They’d have to trust me, something I knew Einri would have a hard time doing. The thought made me smile.
“Lead the way.” Einri grunted with impatience.
Instead of answering I leapt to the adjacent tree, the soft soles of my boots scraping the bark beneath them. I heard the crunch of leaves below as my companions followed my path beneath me from sound alone. A prickle started at my nape when I realized I was literally being stalked by wolves. For the first time I was thankful for the distance between us.
We continued like this for about a mile when I spotted the first tree top dwelling. My heart soared then lurched when the wispy cloud shifted offering me a clearer view. The brown roughhewn boards of wood with green mossy bark roofs had been replaced with black. The door hung off its hinges swaying back and forth as the air currents shifted.
No.
“Stay put for a moment.” I called down to the others.
It took me three jumps to reach the platform the dwelling had been built on. Scorch marks climbed up the railings, but I was surprised to find no evidence of actual burning. It was like flames had engulfed everything, enough to turn it black but not enough to burn it to the ground. Something had started a fire then blew it out before it could cause irreplaceable damage.
Turning I walked along the hanging bridge heading toward the next house. It was similarly scorched, and a bad feeling sank into my gut.Where was everyone?If a fire had raged through Greenwood and it was quickly extinguished, then where were all the people?
I made my way back to the first dwelling, using caution as I peeked inside, bracing myself to see blackened human bodies. The items inside looked untouched. Nothing was disturbed. At first glance it would appear that whoever lived here had left quickly without taking anything.
“Arrow?” Will’s voice called, and I hastened back out to the tree I’d left them at the foot of.
“I’m here.” I answered as I dropped the last couple feet to the forest floor.
“Are we close to Greenwood?” Tuck asked around a yawn.
“Yes.” It was the truth, but I wasn’t sure how to explain what I had discovered.
“The patrol should have been alerted to our presence by now.” Einri spoke from a couple feet away, his eyes nearly glowing in the fading light.
“I’m not sure how to say this, but I think something happened to the Greenwood,” I began, still trying to make sense of it myself. “It’s probably best that I show you.”
I led them to the base of the tree where the house was. With practiced ease Einri and Tuck climbed the tree without guidance from me, unlike Will who needed encouragement the whole way. Heights were not his favorite thing.
Tuck helped Will over the railing while I followed Einri as he inspected the building, his eyes roaming the flame-licked wood and singed roof. The air shifted again, and the smell of wood smoke tickled my nose. I placed a hand on the wall and felt the cool wood. This had happened hours ago, possibly even yesterday.
