Hidden Tree

Chapter 1

Year 1, Spring 50: Serenity

Serenity woke up in her bed surrounded by the furs of her past hunts. Her fox, Elflin, yawned and stretched beside her.

“Another day Elflin.”Serenity said as she sat up and looked around her room.

Her house was built by her father, when her family found this island long before she could remember. Her family was very religious and had come here looking for a special religious idol, The Tree of Life.

“What do you want for breakfast Elflin?”Serenity stood up and began to put on her work clothes.

“Serenity, we should head out early today and search.” Elflin said.

Serenity smiled, “You know, I’m glad I have you to talk to. I think I would've gone insane if not for you.

“Serenity… I’m serious.” Elflin scowled.

“Elflin, it’s not going anywhere…”Serenity muttered as she grabbed a basket out of the kitchen and walked outside. Her farm was on top of a large plateau in the middle of the island but was well hidden from any angle of the ocean. Elflin followed her and keep close by her side.

“There are a million trees on this island, it has to be one of them.” Elflin was persistent but he had a good reason. The religion of the foxes was that they were placed on earth to protect the guardian of the tree, and for a long time Serenity's family had taken that role. Elflin had always been there, he always told Serenity stories about her father, and how he was very important. Her father was a guardian of the tree, and it was her turn to watch after the tree now that he was gone. Elflin never told Serenity what happened to her father, no matter how many times she asked.

Serenity's days were all the same, her and Elflin had a routine. They got up early, took care of all the animals and then watered the crops. It was a lot of work for one person and a fox, but they got the work done everyday.

When her and Elflin were done collecting eggs and feeding and washing the animals she put on her hunting clothes and Elflin followed her into the woods. Their mission was to find the tree of life, and Serenity didn't really know what she was suppose to do after that.

“So we have covered the northern forest and its not there. Just three more areas to search.” Elflin said as if they were almost finished, but it took them a good five years to search the north part of the island.

Serenity sighed. If her father had already found the tree, why didn’t he leave a map to show her where to find it? Elflin didn't answer her questions though. He always said that she would find out one day, and that really made Serenity frustrated.

She sighed as they walked, Elflin skipping merrily along beside her, occasionally poking his nose into small animal burrows and tree hollows. She loved to watch him, he was by far the most entertaining thing on the island.

Year 1 Spring 60: Colonel Alexander Grey

“The Legion army had settled in the Capitol and were trying to gather troops to fight off the invading barbarians, but being as the Legion is so religious, most of the people don’t want to fight back. They say it’s a sign from their gods.” The supreme council leader, Eir, explained to General Zojja in a unbearable monotone voice.

“The second in command, Colonel Alexander Grey, won’t give up so willingly, and he joined the legion army at a very young age. With only three years in the service he had already made his way almost to the top but it didn't faze his willingness to fight for the Legion. He treats every soldier with respect, and some even say that this is the reason he isn't the first in command, General. Thus end Sir Rua’s report.” Eir, the leader of the supreme council, glared at General Zojja.

The council room was large, with a long desk in the back where the council sat. Light seemed to radiate through the windows and illuminate the entire room. The light seemed to dance on the gold that was weaved into stone pillars supporting the roof. General Zojja knelt before the council with a annoyed expression, wondering how long this agonizing meeting would last.

“And this is why you believe that Colonel Grey is a perfect match for this mission?” General Zojja shrugged off the glare, and with a bad attitude he sarcastically replied to everything the council said.

“Why yes General, I’m surprised you could understand anything that didn't involve a sword and brute force.” Eir smiled, seeming to be impressed with himself. He wasn't afraid of General Zojja. Eir believed that brains would always overpower brawn, and if that was the case General Zojja would be the weakest soldier of Legion.

“Ready your things, the General wants a fleet of 200 sent out to Jackles!” Colonel Alexander Grey called out though the barracks. “It will be a long journey but we will stop every night to rest. First night at Gillica, second at Ject, and the third night at Halfway Harbor-”

“Sir, I hear that place is haunted sir.” Blurted out one of the soldiers.

“How so, soldier?”

“Well, I don’t know the story exactly but it started a long time ago, before my grandmother was even born. Long ago Halfway Harbor was peaceful and perfect, where everyone lived with plenty of food and homes. While the mainland was perfect, they had one scar that tainted this paradise. The island. It was maybe, a mile from the coast of the mainland, and they were connected by submerged strip of land. Every dry season the land would come to the surface and the path was revealed. The natives, believing the island harbored evil, would hide in their houses and pray the evil wouldn't visit their homes during the night of the crossing. Spending hundreds of years in torment the Halfway Harbor stories became more ridiculous till people stopped visiting all together.”

“Well, up against those barbarians, a haunted town should be the least of your worries, private. Now, keep quiet.”Colonel Grey continued with the briefing. Each soldier still had their minds lingering on Halfway Harbor, some frightened more by the island than the war itself.

“We leave at day break.” Colonel Grey left the room and everything fell silent, just like the calm before the storm. Colonel Grey, being for a small town on the other side of the country, had only heard of Halfway Harbor from the general, and not about the island, but just about a way to secure supplies in the war. He didn't know what to think of the place, but he did what he knew best, opened a book and read about it.