In The Woods

“Oh please Hunter, the woods are not that scary at all.” Sage was causally amused by him.

He leaned in to grab her waist. “How about now?” is said while a smile crept in on his face.

She turns around and says “Maybe a little.”

They were young and careless because they didn’t know any better. The flirtation

turned into something more.

She snuck into the woods and they laid in a pile of newly fallen leaves. She looks up at the sky and turns towards him. “Do you think I will be any good?”

“I believe you will be the best mage we have ever known.”

“It’s weird that I am supposed to learn every spell. I am to become every animal and every thing in order to follow and understand the order of things. She keeps saying there is a rhythm and the goal is to respect it, cherish it, and only bend it a little when needed. I am sure things could array without understanding but I am not looking forward to being every animal or everything.”

“That sounds exhausting.”

“Tomorrow is another day. I am starting with small woodland creatures like squirrels, rabbits, and then birds.”

Sage was joined by other students that either had elite connections or had shown talent. Lance’s family money covered his complete lack of skill and helped him shape a perfect blonde coif of hair. Christmas’s family was poor and she went by the name Miss. There was Maggie who also had skill and possibly money to cover up her less than perfect reputation for getting things right. Lastly there was Albert who was ordinary in every way. He was the son of the teacher and showed no signs of skills or promise in the arena.

“In order to be an animal, we must watch them. Understand them. And embody them in our minds, hearts, and souls. Today we will be observing the smaller woodland creatures. The smaller the size the easier it is to start the practice of being them.”

Sage’s eyes twinkled briefly as through the trees she caught a glimpse of Hunter. She hoped he was enjoying his training.

“Sage, would you like to reiterate the movements, eating habits, and living spaces that squirrels often inhabit.”

She shook her head as if a spell had been broken. “Yes, I would appreciate that opportunity.”

After her explanation was completed, she noticed how much she wondered if the hunting party was nearby or far away. Albert looked at her and pushed his glasses up while he said “I believe they are nearby. We are both trying to observe the wildlife albeit for different reasons.”

She nodded and walked away to wander about and maybe spot Hunter once again. The team was engaged in looking for scat.

An unpleasant smell filled Hunter's nose, when he saw Sage he asked “what area did you come from?” She looked puzzled then looked down at her shoe. With a look of annoyance she said I came from the east west between those trees.”

He smiled and ran off to see if he could catch the critter before anyone else came along. Sage felt disappointed and alone so she wandered back to her classmates.

When she got back, all of her classmates were gone and the head mage Clarissa was annoyed. I understand you are young and have an interest in other classmates. I highly suggest you explore our class for more meaningful lessons. Everyone else has nearly mastered becoming squirrels and rabbits.”

She turned into a bird with speed, grace, and ease. The freedom of flying and being able to take on the most challenging task first felt equally liberating.

It didn’t take long before she knew how to turn into all of the animals and the current assignment was a deer. She turned into one and found herself struggling to turn back. Maybe she wasn’t attuned enough with who she was or maybe there were lessons to be learned. At least that's what the teacher said when young mages stayed in animal form.

Sage followed the other deers and enjoyed the brook near town. It didn’t take long to get lost in the form.

A week passed and the hunting team was working on finding deer. Arrows are flying high and the pace she takes on is quick. When she stops, there is Hunter whose arrow pierced her heart.

He would have never learned of his mistake except the spell was broken with her dying breaths.