Back again

She woke up still choking and gasping for air. Confused still seeing through patches of black. Her eyes were adjusting slowly, and suddenly she realized how bright it was, and she began to squint still not seeing clearly and unsure where she was. Emery, she heard a voice call. It wasn’t familiar to her. Then again Emery are you ok? As her eyes cleared and she looked over standing before her was a deer. How do you know my name she exclaimed? Know your name? Everyone knows your name. Why does everyone know my name? Not knowing your name would be like not knowing my own name. What does that mean, I don’t understand any of this just tell me what’s going on? Well, Emery, you are us, sweetheart. This is what I’m talking about everything you guys say is so cryptic. She said getting more and more frustrated.

She tried to calm herself down. Her breathing was returning to normal, and the black patches had disappeared. Her neck still hurt from her father losing his temper. It wasn’t the first time that had happened. Her father had always had a hard time controlling his temper.

Just then the owl she had seen on her first visit appeared swooping down. Looking frantic and freighted nothing like their first encounter. You must get Emery out of here Stella. Emery looked over at the deer and realized that must be her name. What’s happening Pearl? He knows she’s here. He will stop at nothing to kill here. Emery stood watching this conversation unfold wondering what in the world was happening to her. Stella looked to her lets go quickly follow me, and I will keep you safe. Stella looked to Pearl are you coming with us? I can’t replied pearl my place is in the temple. But he will come for you said Stella with concern in her voice. I belong there I’m an old bird I have lived a long life, and the Dove kept His word I have seen our salvation.

Pearl flew off as she followed Stella into the forest still wondering what was happening. Their salvation how could she be anyone’s salvation? She couldn’t even save herself from the disaster that her life had become. How could she save them? What was she saving them from? So much she didn’t understand as she followed Stella through the forest she wondered what she had gotten herself involved in. As they wondered the forest, they came upon a valley. It looked like a great battle had taken place here long ago. The hills around were surrounded with tombs covered by stones. But as they walked in some of the stones began to roll back and creates of all kinds came out. You will be safe here Emery they will protect you.

They cooked her some food and gave her a bed. She ate and rested there for the night. When she arose early the next morning, she saw Stella preparing to leave the encampment. Where are you headed Stella? I must go check on Pearl I need to know if she is ok she replied. Can I come with you? Well, Emery, it will be dangerous I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Please, she is the first one I ever met here I need to know too. Reluctantly she agreed to let her come along still thinking it was a bad idea.

Stella lead them back through the forest it was a peaceful, beautiful day. It was a nice cool fall day. It was so quiet not a stirring squirrel, or chirping bird just silence. As the wondered on to a familiar trail that they had avoided to this point, she realized they were near the temple. As they approached, she saw smoke rising from the temple it had been raided. They were searching for her. The temple guards lay dead all around. Finally, they came to the temple stairs and began up them. When they reached the summit, they found Pearl tied to a pole she had been burned to death. Emery fell to her knees as tears flooded her eyes she cried out why! All this because of me I brought this death and destruction on you. No Emery an evil king did this.

Suddenly she looked to Emery we must get out of here now. So they headed back down the steps for the forest. As they were nearly to the tree line, an arrow flew by her head brushing her hair as it went by the feather scratching her face and embedding itself deep into a tree. Run Emery cried, Stella. They began to run into the forest Stella using her body as a shield protecting Emery. As several soldiers animals and human advanced on them suddenly from the forest a volley of return fire rang true killing several of the king’s soldiers. As they ran into the forest, a guard detail appeared escorting them to safety.

The captain of the guard a large jaguar named Harper scooped her up and ran into the forest. Finally, after some time, there were no signs of them being pursued. They arrived back at the camp she gently set her down Emery are you ok? Yes, she managed to whisper. As she wandered off back to her makeshift home she lay her head down overwhelmed with the day’s events and emotions. Exhausted the world quickly faded to darkness and she fell fast asleep.