3Chapter Two
I gently wrapped my arms around the branch next to me and pressed my lips into the soft bark mumbling to the tree in hushed tones.
Slowly the tree bent its branches to pick up the cloak. I snatched the black cloth and tied it securely around my body and tried my best to cover my markings.
I jumped from the tree and swung on the many branches until I reached the ground. I softly planted my feet onto the ground and turned towards this stranger with a new found anger in my eyes.
I could see his eyes widening at the sight of my eyes, I could intimidate the bravest man with just a glimpse of my eyes, I have been told something about them demanded respect and loyalty.
"Who are you to come into this clearing and treat me like some sort of wild animal to tame?"
I glared at this arrogant man, my eyes unwavering. "Once again, my lady, I must insist that I meant no harm. I am only curious as to why a lady such as yourself would be in a tree".
"Where I decided to spend my evenings is none of your business. Now I must ask you since you are in forbidden territory, why you have ventured into these woods? Do you not know that the infamous Robin hood and his men lurk in these woods, stealing from unexpecting travellers?"
Sure I was laying it on a bit thick, but what can I say, I love being dramatic when scaring foreigners.
With a glimmer of mirth in his smile he softly replied, "Yes, I have heard of the stories of the famous robin hood. Since you seem to know so much about these woods maybe you can point me in the direction of his camp. For he is precisely the reason I came."
Anew, anger coursed through my veins. I would have to work with this man!? Just my luck!
"Has something I have mention offended you? You seem quite speechless." Before I could prepare a devastating retort I was interrupted by a deep voice yelling through the trees.
"Airi?… Airi! There you are!" There was Tristan darting from the trees running up to me.
"Airi, thank goodness your ok! I…who is this?" I looked over to the man, who seemed quite amused at the moment. "I, am Ashlin, a humble traveller. It seems now that I have the pleasure of your name Airi,"
Tristan was going to die the minute the sun rose. With my identity logged away in his memory he could do alot of damage at camp if he realises who I am. I performed the first action coming to mind, sarcastically releaving myself of his presence. "Why yes you do! Now if you would be on your way the camp is in that direction" I stretched my hand out in the opposite direction, suddenly freezing.
On my arm, the vines had grown to reach my finger tips. Slowly curling and twisting themselves around my ring finger. Before I could blink, Ashlin had my tattoos underneath his own fingertips.
His warm fingetips traced over the intricate design while Tristan just stared at the new marks. I tugged at my arm ripping it from his grasp. In an almost muted tone I heard him mumble "Finally".
At that word I turned and fled from Ashlin, from Tristan, from the man who may or may not have known who I am. The cloak billowing behind me I sprawled myself upon the nearest field, too scared to cry. Twelve years of hiding all for naught. Sinking into the grass I lifted my left hand. Vainly I tried to rub the marks off, mumbling incoherent words, and realising my situation.
How in the world could I go back to camp? I would be killed if any of the men found out! Dryads were not welcome creatures. My nose found its way to the grass, burying itself into the deep folded of memorable smells. When my mother was alive she would always tell me that grass was mother natures most trusted friend.
Meekly I would ask "why mother? Grass isn't very special? It isn't very pretty like the flowers or leaves!". Chuckling she would answer, music flowing from her voice, the sign of elder drayad versed in the ways of the earth. "Because although it lacks beauty, it's loyaly shows it's true worth. Grass is the only plant that will always be there to catch you when no one else is".
Memories of her clouded my vision as I fell asleep in the same fashion as every night. From haunting memories squeezing my heart until I couldn't breathe. For days I remained in a haze, all memories of this time passed away with sleep but I am certain that they occurred.
As I slept, I could feel nothing but the soothing finger of my mother guiding me to consienceness. Caressing my skin as only she could, as my though began to organize in my head the hands changed. Instead of the warm soft hands I loved, the hands turned rough and cold yet they were soothing all the same.
A deep voice penetrated the fog of memories, bringing me back from oblivion. "Airi, the dawn is here and the sun is ready to welcome you back to our world" I knew those words anywhere. Robin good morning greeting from my childhood long ago. My eyes sprung open as I looked into those green emeralds, ones almost identical to that of my fair mother.
"You only ever greet me in that manor when you have done wrong dear Robin, what my I ask has caused you to believe that you need to be welcomed into my good graces?"
The silver specs seemed to twinkle as their master's laugh rumbled throughout his chest. "You were never to be fooled Airizeale, it is not what I have done, it is what I have not. After Tristan informed me of your three day disappearance, and told me of your encounter with our newest recruit Ashlin, I began to believe that another has been let into the ranks of the privedged and that if I had only been here I would have been able to find you sooner."
His eyes held the sincerity that I needed to see. He always refered to those who knew of my true form as those in the ranks of the privileged.
There was a total of five privileged. Robin, Tristan, My mother, Phillip the resident species expert, and Ashlin. Phillip was only allowed the knowledge because of the fact that a regular doctor would not suffice for my needs. As I lay on his lap in my misery I felt the material of my cloak rising up my arm.
The touch of caloused hands running over the newly formed marks make me flinch. "Airi, I think we need to have a talk about these growing vines, I need to show you something important, something I should have given you a long time ago".