Page 23 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
“You are recovering.If you grow tired?—”
“I’ll tell you.”
I nodded, then held out my hand to Marvelle, who was enjoying his morning acorn.Setting the creature on my shoulder, we made our way outside.Closing the door to the cabin behind me, I paused a moment.
Closing my eyes, I lifted my hands and spoke the protective spell over the cottage.The deep forest magic rose from the ground below me, filling me with magical green energy, which I set on the house.The charm would protect the cottage from discovery by outsiders but also from fire, falling branches, or anything else that might go wrong—including the vengeance of brownies.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw the magic had worked.The cottage seemed to waver in the sunlight like you might see on a flat stone on a hot summer day.
“Ready,” I said, then turned back to Sylvie, who was looking from me to the cottage.She had a thoughtful expression on her face and then looked down at her hands.“What is it?”
“I felt your magic and… I remembered something.”
“What?”
“Using my magic through my hands,” she said, turning her hands over.“I remember evoking my Sylvan gifts in that manner.But for what purpose—” she shook her head—“I can’t recall.”
“It will come to you.”
She smiled softly.“Soon, I hope.I’m getting very late for…something.”
At that, we both laughed.
“Then let’s not delay more,” I told her, and we set off again.
As we hiked through the forest, we had idle conversations about the beauty of the color of the autumn leaves, the unique songs of songbirds in the woods, and the many beautiful butterflies.I saw the shyer creatures of the forest lingering, watching as we passed.The fairies hid in a thicket of briar roses, eyeing Sylvie carefully.Small wood sprites who helped me tend the forest looked out from behind leaves and logs, shifting their colors to blend in with the landscape.They watched, but I could tell they were not afraid.
“The forest is very alive,” Sylvie said, looking up at the aspen leaves, which had given a slight shiver as we passed.“I don’t remember Greenspire, but itfeelsthe same.”
“Much like Greenspire and Woodsong, Silver Vale is a living place.The tree roots entwine with the plants, the mycelium, and more, and they work symbiotically to maintain its well-being and its magic.”
“It’s beautiful.It feels like home.”
“All Sylvans, like dryads, are drawn to the forest.We heal there.Even if we leave for a time, we are always drawn back.”
“Sometimes on the back of a runaway horse.”
Kellen laughed.“Yes.Indeed.”
“And any sign of the noble steed who led me straight into your lap?”Sylvie asked.
I looked over my shoulder at her, pleased to see a playful smirk on her face.
“None from the brownies, who are unreliable no matter how guilty they feel.So I’ve asked the other eyes in the forest to search.”
“Yes, other eyes,” she said, looking toward the leaves overhead.“I feel them… But no trolls, I hope.”
“Trolls?Well, they only like to eat cheese and Sylvans.So…” I replied with a grin, glancing at the satchel she carried.
“Very funny, dryad,” she replied, giving me a wry smile, her blue eyes sparkling.
I winked at her, making her giggle.
We walked throughout the day, stopping by a stream to drink water and have a few bites of food, then carried on.When we began winding the narrow path up the mountain to Moonglade, the sun began to set.The whole forest glowed with golden light.When we were high enough, we could see the vista Silver Vale, the massive trees, mountains, waterfalls, and winding rivers.
“It’s beautiful,” Sylvie said, eyes scanning the landscape.“I’m winded, but it’s beautiful.”
I took her hand, catching back the words I wanted to pour from my mouth, spouting off about her beauty like some tavern bard.“We’re almost there.”
