Dark Valley

The moon began its nightly courses across the night sky. The cotton white celestial body flickered its soft blue light into Emmalyn’s face as she sat under the beautiful tree, ‘’the Green Goddess’’. Her back rested against the coarse bark that encompassed the mighty trunk. With her eyes lifted above, she let her mind wander.

It had been a few years since her mother passed away, buried near to where she now sat. Instead of looking over at the weathered and faded marker, Emmalyn continued to look at the dancing shadows in the leaves above her as they swayed in the soft breeze. Soon, she would need to leave again and trek to the village for supplies.

The journey itself wasn’t hard. It would be much shorter if she didn’t double back as many times as she did, or try to lose anyone that may follow her. For her, the necessity for secrecy was paramount. Her mother had impressed upon her at a young age that they lived in a dangerous place. They would hunt her if they knew who she was and what she could do. Her survival was paramount.

They posted guards at the entrance to the valley. The militia viewed the inhabitants of the valley as monsters. That’s what most of them were. In generations passed, they banished the monsters that plagued the outside world to this forgotten place, this valley between endless mountains. Humans were the only ones who arrived. They never left the valley after landing.

She took in a deep breath and held it for a moment. Her mother’s favorite flower scent filled her nostrils. It reminded her of the time she brought those flowers for her, the time her mother was dying. The floral scent reminded her of that day. Instead of feeling sad, a smile touched her lips. Emmalyn was glad her mother was free from pain.

Emmalyn sighed before she lifted herself from the ground. Winter was coming, she could feel it all around her. The small plots she tilled for crops wouldn’t survive the winter. Things were reborn in the next season. She would plant the crops, grow the seedlings, harvest the bounty, and clear the land once the plants died. It was the endless cycle of life.

There was no one besides herself for miles. The trees grew together, creating the sense of security she needed. She always gave thanks to the Green Goddess for keeping them from common sight.

Emmalyn walked back to the tiny home she lived in. It blended in with the surrounding forest. Another way to keep her hidden. A small fire warmed her small dwelling, giving off light from the flickering flames. She sat on her bed in the one room home as the warmth of the fire filled the room.

The new day welcomed Emmalyn. Immediately, she felt a sense of dread. She knew what the day would bring. Her thoughts drifted to the journey to the village. It was something she despised, leaving the safety and comfort of her home. The walk was only a short distance.

A light gust of wind blew through the valley, running softly through the branches of herbs that were growing in her window sill. She picked out some for the journey. With little time to waste, Emmalyn needed to leave before the sun was too high.

The sun was still rising in the sky when she left her tiny shelter; her supplies packed. A smile tugged at her lips. She touched the rough bark of the Green Goddess.

“I’ll return soon,” she whispered. It was a promise she always made.

The sun had fully risen, sending blinding rays into the air. A cool breeze caressed the trees and herb gardens. Emmalyn was glad she wore her heavy coat. Snow had already dusted the surrounding landscape.

As she walked along the dirt trail, she contemplated what she needed in the village. She started looking in the forest for any signs that she was being followed. Emmalyn had taken to disappearing into the forest when the mood suited her. It wasn’t to hunt for other sources of food in the forest. She would seek the calm of the woods around her.

With little time to waste, Emmalyn ventured into the forest. She searched long and hard, leaving nothing behind. There were no signs of other beings, none to be found except for the scents of mushrooms and berries. She stopped in the middle of the forest. With her eyes scoured, she turned her head to her side. Nothing. Silence.

The dark-haired woman padded away to the side, avoiding the trail she had used for the past few years. She walked with ease and grace, almost gliding under the soft grass covering the forest floor. The smells of pine came over Emmalyn as she passed a few large trees covered in needles, cones, and snow.

Hiding in the shadows, Emmalyn watched a small squirrel darting around, finding the cracks and crannies in the enormous tree trunk. The little creature scurried about, in and out of the smaller openings in the trunk. It amazed Emmalyn with the agility it possessed. Her eyes scanned the ground for any signs of others. She focused her ears on the sounds of the surrounding forest. Nothing. Still, there was an uneasy feeling crawling over her skin. Continued silence.

She turned and walked back to the path she had been on when she lost track of time. Struggling with her thoughts, Emmalyn was unsure of where to go. The uneasy feeling from earlier that morning still tugged at her mind. For a while, she continued, still searching.

Emmalyn shook her head as though she needed to clear the worry away. It was a distraction, something that used up her energy when she should focus on making her way to the village.

With renewed determination, Emmalyn made her way back to the path and continued on. Abenwae was only a few short hours away. If she wanted to make it before dusk, she would need to stop letting her thoughts set her pace. With her eyes cast down, she watched her feet for the next few hours it took to bring the outer wall of the village into view.