Landwalkers R Us

The new layer of green leaves and twigs crunched under Alana's feet as she made her way through the forest. Ancient branches shifted in the wind and the girl stopped for a moment to place her hand on the trunk of an Oak.

'Hello Sister' It rumbled beneath her touch. 'What brings you to the forest? Nothing is wrong I hope.' The bark was warm beneath her hands, full of live-giving and warm energy. A small electric zap travelled through her body and she was no longer tired.

"Nothing is wrong Apache." Alana stepped back from the tree, lest her hand disappear into the gnarled trunk. "I just came out for a walk. It's different here then it was at home, but at least the tree spirits are friendly." Having moved several different times in her life the female had met quite a few tree spirits, not all of which were friendly. It had been many centuries since the nymphs walked the earth freely

'You will not find many who are unfriendly in this forest Little Sister.' Apache shook some dead leaves of his branches, being careful not to hit the girl below. 'But that is just in the forest. I have no knowledge about those landwalkers who dwell in the school. Word travels slowly out here.' The oak paused for a moment, as if considering something. 'But it gets here allright. Tell me, are you adjusting well? Any new landwalker friends?'

Alana paused for a moment. "A few Apache. None that I'm really close with." She shrugged, pushing the thoughts of her failed attempts of socializing out of her mind.

Alana couldn't help it, she felt flames licking at her skin and smoke curling in tendrils around her feet, and it immediately sent her panicking. She hopped into Apache with a shrill scream, looking for anyway out from the burning and horrors. The tree on fire screamed along with her, pounding into her mind and sending dull shakes and shivers along her body. Finally, when she couldn't take it anymore, Alana dove out of the oak and raced along the old pathways until she found the tree on fire.

'Burrrrrrns!' He screamed, limbs thrashing wildly in the otherwise calm air. Because she had hid in Apache for so long she had missed the figure who had set fire to the tree, but in a jumbled series of mindmessages, she got a picture of who she needed to find. A boy, it had been a boy. She placed a hand on the only uncharred section of the tree and hopped inside, cooling it with the select magics she knew she posessed. She sensed it was hopeless but kept trying until her life was so endangered that she had to get out, and fast, lest she be killed along with the tree. Unable to do anything at the moment, Alana fell to the ground and clasped her arms around her knees, rocking back and forth and crying.

Alana shivered at the feeling of a human touching her shoulder. She winced slightly but managed to unclasp her arms from around her knees. She was sure that her face was blotchy and her eyes were red from crying but she didn't realy care at the moment. Without a word she stared at the boy, not really aring to speak. What did he want?