8 Chapter Seven

WARNING: this chapter contains references to topics that some may find sensitive.

"I was... dead?" Tear spilled from Sapphire's watery eyes as she looked up at Iris.

"I... I don't know... forgive me for saying something like this... but... I hope you were."

"What?" The sob in Sapphire's voice morphed into a snarl as the words fell from Iris' lips.

"You were badly hurt... and the things... the Orcs talked about what they did to you..." a small sob escaped Iris' voice as she heard the words of the Orcs ring through her ears once more, "but if you were dead when they did it... they wouldn't have noticed anyway... and... you'll never have to remember."

Sapphire recoiled slightly as she began to look ill. Sapphire knew about Orcs, she'd heard so many stories in all the taverns she'd traveled through. They weren't kindhearted creatures, and they were addicted to pleasure.

"I... I need a bath... please..." she whispered, "I need to... I..."

Iris threw her arms around the woman, "I understand. You're going to be ok. I know just the place. But I warn you, it's a bit of a walk."

"I don't care... I just need to be clean..."

They walked for three hours around the village of Moss Grove and then south. The forest got darker and denser. Sapphire looked around nervously, a small wimpier in the back of her throat as she looked up at the dark canopy above. She knew it was around noon. The sun would be bright directly over their heads; it was the hottest part of the day, but not a single ray of light past through the leaves above them.

"Iris, where are we going?" she asked her need to bath lost in her current terror.

"It'll be ok, trust me."

"I hardly know you. I can't trust you."

A lump formed in Iris' throw for a moment before realizing that Sapphire was right. They hardly knew each other, and trust was something you earned over time. Still, you can earn it, and Rome wasn't built in a day.

"You have a point there. We're almost there. It's scary now, but I promise it's worth it."

Sapphire relaxed a little, as the sound of running water reached her ears. At least she knew that this creature really was taking her to a river. She could hear the song of the river, but it was still dark. Having spent most of her life with the sky as her ceiling having such a dense canopy above her felt eerie.

It wasn't long before her alarm bells started going off again. The space in front of them seemed to be getting darker, like they were walking toward a walk.

"Ummmm is that a cliff?"

Iris shook her head, "No, just a wall of vines. There's well... basically the vines rest on a tree that's on the other side of the wall of vines. The vines kinda drape over the trees outer most branches."

Sapphire nodded curious as they came up to the wall of vines. Iris push through the vines, but Sapphire held back. Uncertain if a bath was worth trusting this creature she didn't know. Not all creatures are good after all, and she had never heard of a wisp before. It was obvious though that they were now undead... she hadn't heard many good stories about them so she really wasn't sure what to expect of this Iris person.

"Are you coming?" Iris called through the vines.

Sapphire though to herself, this is now or never. Either she trust this creature or she doesn't. It was scary, seeing an undead perpetually on fire and their heart on display. But when she'd broken down in the North woods, Iris had held her. Comforted her like a mother or a sister would. Iris' embraced had been warm, and caring. So maybe, just maybe this was someone who could be trusted. It she turns back now, she knew that she'd be safe on her own, she'd always managed before. But if she went through those vines, either death or a true friendship lay behind their curtain, and she'd never know unless she trusted this woman.

"This is stupid." Sapphire said as she took a deep breath and plunged through the vines.

Sapphire was blinded for a moment as the afternoon sun's light reached her eyes once more. Blinking back tears, and a sigh of relief as she wasn't grabbed or dragged off into the unknown escaped from her lips, followed by a gasp of wonder.

The sky was still not visible above her head, but instead of a thick green canopy above their heads was a veil of purple and white flowers. It was as thick as the forest canopy was but the light passed through the petals differently. The afternoon light created a lavender glow in the space within the branches. Sapphire wasn't sure what kind of tree this was but could see it's branches spilled down like a waterfall.

A crystal blue river flowed from a waterfall to the west, and Sapphire could see lotus blossoms of pink and red blooming alongside the river bed.

"It's beautiful..."

Iris grinned as she turned around, "Imma head bad out. Take all the time you need. The waterfall feels nice this time of day. I'll make sure no one comes by"

"Do a lot of people know about this place?"

"Yea of course, everyone who serves the creator. This is where they come for cleansing. Actually some of the villagers come here right before their weddings too. I'll make sure you aren't disturbed if anyone comes by." She said as passed back through the vines.

"Thank you..."