> "Death created the earth. Life created the sky. Shape was not ours to choose."

Elena and William continue walking across the stone bridge, and onto the dirt path that winds around the city. They continued walking along, both looking out into the darkness, unable to note anything of value or importance. The moon, for all its brightness, was at such an angle that it failed to illuminate the bottom.

As they walked, small dust clouds drifted behind them. They kicked rocks and leaned against the waist-high fence that prevented anyone from accidentally falling into the canal. The night air pressed against them, invading their lungs with cool night air that only the shifting of the seasons could bring. No longer too warm or hot, the night air now brought a cooling, comforting effect that no other seasonal shift possessed.

When they reached the steps, they looked about their surroundings for anything that might be a clue. After no more than five minutes, it was obvious that they would find nothing.

“Well, what now?” Elena asked, looking to William for guidance. He sat on the fence posts, not caring that he was inches away from falling, but that was a benefit to being undead. Maybe Elena would feel such freedom someday, but that day would not be today.

William stood up straight, again looked down into the dark and gloom, and then stood upright. “I don’t think we’ll find anything here directly. But, if he did come through here, then his only real option would be to go out.” He pointed to the walls that surrounded the city. From this point, they weren’t too high, perhaps a few feet taller than William.

Every so many feet, the wall would either be collapsed, or there would be a door. From where they stood, next to the steps that lead into the canal, there was a broken segment of wall, one large enough that it wouldn’t be able to prevent people from coming or going as they pleased.

Beyond the gap, a thin trail began, winding into the hill and surrounded by pine trees. While dark, and offering much to the imagination, it seemed like a good bet for where the Necromancer was coming from, or, perhaps, going to. Elena looked at William and nodded. Her resolve solidified, she then moved to the gap and crossed the broken stones without trouble.

William stood. He then brushed down his pants, trying to get any dirt off, and continued forward. Once he crossed the threshold, he breathed a sigh of contentment. It was clear that he liked the scent of the trees. Elena took a deep breath and found the smell both relaxing and familiar.

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They walked forward, William offering his insight into the trees, and how long they take to grow. Elena divided her attention between him and the trail. She didn’t want to step on a branch, or a bundle of leaves. The sound might alert the Necromancer that they were near, and she wanted to get close to him first so that she could talk to him, and offer her support properly.

Not long after they began walking, the path joined the main one. Cleared of all debris, and wide enough for six people side by side, it made finding their way either. Along the path, lanterns stood, each lit by a light bulb in a familiar orange glow.

“Finally,” William said at last. “I didn’t think we’d find a proper trail.” He stretched and looked at the sky overhead. “Yep, would’ve sucked to continue walking in the dark like that.”

“It didn’t seem so bad,” Elena said, looking at their surroundings. The trees were thicker here, but the path offered a form of order that Elena welcomed.

“Try walking through the dark all night, unable to see in front of you. It’s torture.” William put his hands in his pockets, and continued down the trail, keeping his eyes down for any hints or signs. Elena sprinted up next to him.

“You’ve been stuck out in the dark like that? What’d you do?” Elena was curious, and, now that she thought about it, would be utterly terrified being stuck in the dark for too long, unable to find her way.

“Well,” he began, looking into the distance, “I was running from some people who would have liked me dead. So, I ran until I got lost in the woods. They couldn’t find me, but neither could I, really.” He sighed as if the memory was a simple thing, but to Elena, it screamed of excitement, a journey for freedom that she could relate to.

“So, how’d you get out?”

“I followed the moon. I kept walking until I could see it, then I tried not to lose it. Eventually, I managed to get enough light to find the path and get out of danger. In all, it was more or less a nighttime hike. With these lights here, I would’ve had an easier time.”

Elena sighed, and felt awe at the thought, the chance, of being able to go for a hike or a walk through the hills. “I wish I could’ve done that when I was younger, but my family isn’t the type to value the outdoors. Or, anything, really.”

They continued walking, talking about things of interest. Eventually, they came across a bush that seemed as though it had been moved and returned to its position. Its leaves were more worn and withered. When they looked beyond it, past the light, another smaller trail began, much like the one they had started from.

They turned the bush aside and walked further in. It didn’t take long for them to see more light, and, eventually, ribbons running through the trees in various colors. The path widened and spat them out a few yards before a large tree.

Elena gasped and pointed out how the ribbons, and lanterns dotting the tree reminded her of the decorations for the All Souls Festival that will soon take place.

William walked forward and looked at some of the talismans hanging from the nearby trees, and the grand tree itself. “It’s probably a fortune teller,” he says, dropping a talisman. “Based on the cards, and symbols in the tree, anyway.”

They both walk forward to a worn and withered sign that reads, “The Royal Tree.”