Light shone down through the thick leaves like little spotlights on the leaves below. The shade was cool and birds were singing as Carly wandered through the woods around Maybelle’s house. She had never seen anything quite so beautiful as these woods. Delicate ferns spread their fronds like arms reaching to the heavens while little while flowers played peak-a-boo in between shamrock shaped leaves. Everywhere giant trees stood like sentinels, watching over the life below.

Photo by Christy Tuller

She felt as though she was in another world, but I guess in a way, she was. Since the events of a few nights ago, so much had changed for Carly. She no longer had her mother, and she had been told that she was to be queen of a land that she had never really known exsisted. She stood watching two chipmunks play tag, lost in thought, and enjoying the cool air. She didn’t hear him approach but somehow sensed that someone was there.

“Hello, My Lady. I am asked to bring you back to the house.”

Carly turned at his voice and looked into the face of a very handsome young man with the most stunning blue eyes she had ever seen. She had never met him before and though he had called her “My Lady” she wasn’t ready to go with him until she knew it was real. She trusted very few people these days. As if sensing her uncertainty, he held out a roll of parchment to her. Eyes never leaving his face, she took it from him and opened it. Carly read quickly then said, ” I know my own way back. You may leave and tell Kiev I am on my way.”

“My Lady, I am asked to bring you back myself.”

“I don’t need an escort! Now go!” She was getting a bit angry with him, she wasn’t ready to be around anyone yet and wanted a few more minutes to herself as she walked back to the house.

“As you wish.” At that he turned and strode from the little clearing he had found her in. She breathed a sigh of relief, waited a few moments for her stomach to settle, then walked out the way he had.

At the house she found him sitting outside the door, as though he was waiting for her. She barely glanced at him as she went through the door. Inside Kiev and the rest of the council were waiting for her.