2 The Gift

The next day the sun woke her with the feeling of warmth on her face. She stretched 'This is going to be a big day I can feel it.' With a surge of excitement she sat up, gathered her hair and tied it back in a low ponytail, kicking her feet out of her bed. Once her feet hit the the floor she was off. Only stopping at the water basin to wash her face. The water was cool and refreshing. Throwing on her outer dress and shoes on she was ready to go. Time to go and see that mysterious boy again.

Of course, on the way out the kitchen door trying to not be seen and snagging a bit of breakfast, the high priestess caught her. 'I was so close' Shandra though. 'Where are you sneaking off to on this beautiful morning. I hope you are not putting off your studies?' the high priestess spoke with a smile in her tone. 'In to the forest....to study.' Shandra smiled as she took a bite out of the biscuit in her hand. With another smile she turned and ran. The high priestess just chuckled, shook her head, and headed to start her morning.

When she got to the tree line she turned and looked at the castle, the place she has always called home. She knew she had to study she was the next high priestess but she should have fun as well...right? She turned back around heading to the clearing — The boy's clearing.

She stopped a few times to talk to a doe and her fawn. The fawn still had his spots. 'You are not that old are you? Welcome to Avalon.' Shandra bowed and pat the fawn on his head. With a twist of her hand a flower crown appeared on his head. The doe nuzzled her cheek. Shandra smiled and pat the doe on the head. She loved the animals of Avalon. Although she had never ventured beyond the gates. It was dangerous outside the gates: a land full of war, poverty and destruction of Mother Earth.

She finished her biscuit and walked by the creek for a while, passing more deer and raccoons drinking from its water. She paused by the creek side and lowered herself down onto a rock so that her clothes would not get wet. She cupped her hands and dipped them into the cold stream and drank the refreshing water. It sparkled as it passed over rocks which made the rocks look like gems. It was mesmerizing to her. Smiling at the water she rose to her feet. 'Off I go exploring' she told the raccoon on the bank with her litter of babies. With a quick turn on her heels she was off in to the forest.

She found the tree from the day before. There was something on the lower branch of the tree. Shandra paused for a second closing her eyes, silently pushing her senses out to see if there was another person around that wanted to harm her. She felt nothing near by. Opening her eyes she slowly walked over to the the tree. 'What is that?' she thought. 'Is it a bag?' She looked all around but could not see a trap or who had left it.

Her biggest downfall, her curiosity, was getting the best of her. She reached for the bag, pulling it off the low branch. She looked around again. 'Why would someone leave this nice bag here?' The bag was dark, tanned leather with a brass clasp that kept the flap from opening. The strap had some pretty, swirled designs. The leather was soft. She opened the bag's flap. Inside she saw a tan leather book, a blue quill and a small ink bottle with black liquid in it. She closed the bag. 'This is strange' she thought. She climbed halfway up the tree and sat on a sturdy branch. She opened the bag again, this time reaching in and pulling out the book. She opened the book and read the first page.

'Hello there,

I am sorry I scared you off. My name is Darwin. We just moved to this side of the mountain. I hope you come back. It would be nice to have someone close to my age.

Hope you write back.

Darwin'