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Chapter Four: At The Edge of the Forest

Worlds Will Crumble

By Caroline-StoryGirlCAPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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It was dark when Kendra woke up that morning. She stretched on her soft, feather bed and rubbed her eyes, still half asleep. She checked on Kira who slept peacefully. There was no sound to be heard except the deep breathing of her beautiful daughter.

The hearth fire was blazing last night but now only hot coals and embers brought little warmth to their home. She decided to add more wood before Kira woke up. As Kendra climbed out of bed, she thought she heard a noise. This alarmed her. No one would be awake this early in the morning, not even the animals.

She completely forgot about the fire, wrapping herself in a woolen blanket, she quietly made her way to the window. What was that noise she heard? It sounded like the scream of a wild animal. That was impossible she thought. No mountain lion would venture so close to the village.

As she peered out the window her heart nearly stopped. Although it was still dark, she could clearly see the torch lights of about 100 riders galloping down the road towards their village.

Kendra’s body flew into action. She ran to Kira’s bedside shaking the girl out of her precious sleep.

“Kira! Kira! Wake up!” She cried urgently, “Come with me. We have to move quickly!”

Kira, bleary eyed and confused, didn’t understand why her mother was in such a panic. Kira sat on her bed watching her mother gather clothes and supplies. She looked like a mad woman in her rush to gather everything she could and stuff them into a leather satchel.

“Kira! Move!” Kendra ordered “Get dressed. Put on your leather riding pants, your cloak, and bring your bow and arrows. There’s no time. Make haste!”

Kira was scared but she quickly did as her mother requested. Once Kira was dressed, Kendra grabbed her by the hand and led her to a secret door at the back of the round house. Kendra had the door-built years ago exactly for this purpose.

Both passed through the door and out into the night. No one could see them as Kendra dragged Kira up the hill into the forest.

Kira snatched her hand away from her mother’s grip.

“Mother, what is happening? Where are we going?”

Kendra turned around, her eyes wild with fear, her hair disheveled and unbraided. Kendra pointed just beyond the entrance to their village.

“Look Child.” She touched Kira’s shoulders and turned her around so the girl could see into the valley where her village lay.

Kira watched the scene before her, then looked at her mother in disbelief. It was all true! Everything she listened to those nights about the Foreigners was true!

“Let’s go Kira. Now.” She grabbed the girl and they both ran through the trees of the forest until they reached their secret hideout.

“Kira, look at me.” Kendra stared intently at the girl. Kira tried to pay attention, but she was too scared to hear everything her mother said.

“Listen!” Kendra grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a little shake as if to wake her up from a bad dream.

“I’ve always known this day would come. You’re prepared my precious. I love you and I have faith in you. Stay here. No matter what you see or hear, DO NOT leave this site. You’re to stay here for two days.” Kendra through the leather satchel on the floor of the hideout.

“You have everything you need here. When two days pass, go to the North pasture. Help will be waiting for you.” She turned to leave.

Kira grabbed wildly at Kendra’s clothing. “Where are you going?”

Kendra looked towards the village. The Foreigners were already inside the gates.

“Kira, I must go. It’s my duty. Someday we’ll be together again but I must keep you safe.” Kendra gently ran her hand across Kira’s left cheek. She turned away and was gone.

In an instant Kira’s world crumbled to the ground. Her mother was gone. Would she ever see her again? Her life? What now? Kira surveyed the tiny fortress they had built together and laid down on a woven mat and curled up into a fetal position. She stayed there for many hours, crying harder and harder as the screams from the village below rang in her ears.

Fantasy
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About the Creator

Caroline-StoryGirlCA

Hi there! I’m a fiction writer. Written all my life. Want to inspire if I can. Living on a guest horse ranch in Baja California, Mexico. Married to a Mexican Cowboy!

Website: carolineaguiarauthor.com

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