The Reveal

I step out into the clearing outside of the white canvas tent I awoke in. Walking so slowly that a turtle could pass by any second. Glancing around carefully I take in the full extent of the camp. There were three white tents surrounding a large fire in the center. Logs were placed as seating around the fire, where I was headed I assumed as Nero steered me in that direction.

Three men besides Nero were in the camp with us. One of which was Darren and what looked to be his brother James, as he'd mentioned, they were twins. The third man seemed older than them all with grey speckled throughout his black shorn hair. His Hazel eyes were hard to read as we made eye contact with each other, caution mixed with curiosity and something else swirled in their depths and hid behind his generous smile.

The older mans pearly whites gleamed in the sunshine as he walked toward us with his hand held out to me. His skin looked as if it were darkened by years of sun exposure, but was surpizingly soft as I took his outstreached hand in mine. A comforting smell of wild onion and smoke assaulted my nose as we touched, giving me a sense of old wisdom.

Removing my hand I looked into his eyes only to lose myself in the shadows weaving in and out of the light of his irises. The shadows turned into people and the beams of light melted into ember and flame. A faint drum begins to beat in the background as the people honor their surroundings, bending and swaying as flowers do in the wind.

I was suddenly jerked away from the hypnotizing scene in his eyes by Nero's voice.

"His name is Ryan, he helped me with your poultice and stiches." Nero stared at me with confusion etched into his features before he quickly moved on to the rest of the camp. Looking back at Ryan again he didn't seem bothered by my questioning stare, in fact he had a smirk on his face as if he were enjoying my reaction. Slowly pulling my gaze away from Ryan I listened to the rest of the introductions from Nero.

"As you know thats Darren and next to him is his twin brother James."

James seemed shy as he didn't make much eye contact but he did acknowledge me with a tilt of his chin in my direction. Darren nudged him then and handed him a bowl of what looked like wild greens and berries. James took the bowl and thrust it in my direction.

"For you milady." Grateful for the effort put into my gift from James, I gently took the bowl and smiled sweetly meeting his darting eyes just long enough for him to hesitate and return a small smile. With introductions being finished, Nero guided me toward one of the stumps surrounding the fire at the center of the camp.

"Eat then we can take that walk you wanted." Walking over to James and Darren they began to talk just low enough that I couldn't hear what was being said. Giving up on eavesdropping I began to focus on my meal. I say a tibute to the gods and thank them for sparing my life, and bringing these men that surround me into my life, for I wouldn't have survived without them. I frown at the realization. Keeping my eyes on my bowl of food, I shove a berry into my mouth.

The sweet flavor bursts across my tongue and a small tingling sensation begins. Letting me know that my powers are still working and still capable of drawing on the healing properties of the plants I consume. If only they could have proved useful with the wolves.

Closing my eyes I push my powers to every lick of pain in my body, and the cooling tingling sensation encapsulates me a moment later. Continuing to eat my berries and greens, I glance around at the men working in the camp. The twins were now doing minute tasks around the camp to keep busy. However Nero was now in Ryan's ear about something. Wishing I had been granted the power of eavesdropping I grumpily shove another leafy green into my mouth and try to read their lips without success.

Setting the now empty bowl down with a sigh of frustration, I stand wearily to my feet. Thankful that my gift is good for something if not protecting myself.

"I think I'm ready to go on that walk now." I call out in Nero's direction interrupting their secretive conversation.

***

"Do you know how close we are to the river? It's just straight ahead right?" Sage looked up at me with a small tired smile. Sage seemed like a sweet innocent woman, but something about the glint in her eyes told me she had something up her sleeve. Keeping a straight face so as not to give away my suspicions I nodded my head in her direction.

As we got closer to the clearing by the river Sage became more tense. We came to a slow stop a few feet from where the trees stopped and meadow began. Turning to look up me, her smile was now gone and replaced with a furrowed brow.

"Before I show you anything I just want to say how grateful I am that you saved me from those wolves. But most importantly I would like to apologize for my actions from this point on, and I hope you can understand that I had to do this for my own protection." Tears gathered in her eyes as deep green swirled into her irises and concentration molded her face into one of strength and beauty.

"Hey...it's okay.Sage." Stepping forward I lift my hand to her cheek. "What are you talking about? You have nothing to apologize for." Letting her head rest in my hand a tear escapes from her glassy eyes, but she pulls away.

"I'm so sorry." Her words were filled to the brim with pain and self hatred. Those words were devastating to hear coming out of the most captivating person I have ever met.

I open my mouth again to ask why she is sorry, but I can't get a word out before something grazes my ankles. Looking down, my eyes widen at the thick vines wrapping around my legs. They pull tight almost knocking me off balance. Looking back up at Sage confirms that the vines are her doing.

A startled "Huh" is all I can manage as I realize what is happening to me, and a gruff laugh escapes me. Tears are streaming down her now blanched face, her eyes widen at my laugh but she doesn't let it phase her.

"I don't fear you little pixie." I can't stop the small smile that spreads across my face as I look down at the sight of what she can do. Everything below my shoulders is covered in vines wrapped so thick I can't see myself through them and can't move any limbs. The vines stop advancing and I look up at her.

She looks completely drained from whatever she just did and I worry if she'll be able to recover with the wounds she has already sustained. The dark green has taken over most of her irises at this point. Lifting her head high she stares up at me with a challenging glare.

"Don't look for me. I don't want to hurt anyone...Goodbye Nero." Her words, harsh in the beginning, slowly melted into a soft whisper. Suddenly my legs were jerked from beneath me causing my head to crack against a rock.