"Follow me," Marc said to the girl who looked so pale gripping at her staff. Her pinkish hair matted with sweat. Her eyes were unsteady and her breathing was ragged. She didn't move to his order, so Marc stood there waiting. Eireen didn't know how long he had been waiting for her to slowly recover. When she finally rose her head, she saw how his dark chocolate eyes were watching her.

"Can you move now, Silver?" he asked tonelessly, but his eyes were gentle. Eireen nodded and started to move her legs to follow him.

"Where are we going?" asked Eireen, panting. They had walked for more than an hour. The ground was smooth under their shoes, the light of the sun filtered by tree foliage on each side of the trail they had been through. Marc didn't answer her question. He silently moving forward, but from time to time he glanced at the girl behind him. Making sure she wasn't left behind. It was in the first week of Augst, and one of those summers when the temperature never really became unbearably hot. The forest path was wide and civilized. But all of that started to change after another twenty minutes of hiking. The path started to twist, snaking around the ancient trees. The roots criss-crossed, gnarled and uneven. The trail rose in steep and uneven rocky steps. The sky vanishes almost completely, only a few fragments of blue remain-like scattered pieces of an impossible puzzle. The air was rich with the fragrance of leaves and loam. Outside was the noon daylight, the powerful rays of early summer, but inside the forest everything was cool and the colors have the softness of that time just before twilight. The only movement was the occasional birds, startling in trees or a squirrel dashing up to a nearby trunk.

"How far are we going? I must return before my next session with Master Lyall," asked Eireen once more, puffing. The hiking was starting to take a toll on her. Marc stopped and without turning his head he offered his hand to her.

"Don't worry about it," he said finally after two hours of silent hike. Eireen stopped and stared at the boy, confused.

"What do you mean?" She glanced at his hand, "I will be in a lot of trouble if master Jace find out I skipped a training ses--"

Her words were cut off by a bird who suddenly perched on a nearby branch. It was so close, she was sure that she could reach it if she just put her arm up. The bird on the branch moved its head from side to side curiously. Eireen could see its glossy black eyes staring at her, its body was no bigger than an apple, and it has elongated tail feathers and wings. Its short beak was curved and strong like a wolf claw. Then it started to sing, beautiful high notes filling the air. Eireen's eyes were so engrossed by it. After singing for a while, it spread its wings and in a flurry of blue, it ascended to the treetops and out of view.

Eireen sighed, "she is beautiful," her right-hand absent-mindedly went to her chest, to where the legendary stone perched, "and free."

"It is," said Marc, a soft smile lingered on his face as his eyes stared at the sky as if he could still see the bird. Once more Eireen stared at the boy, it was her first time to see him smiling. The boy cleared his throat uncomfortably when he realized her stare.

"Let's move," he offered his hand again, "just another thirty minutes hike."

Eireen glanced at his hand, it took her a minute before she finally placed her hand carefully on his. The moment their hand touched a subtle blush submerged on Marc's ears. He cleared his throat once more and started to tread the steps with urgency. It almost felt like he was dragging her. Eireen tried her best to keep up.

"Could you please slow down?" she begged between her hitched breath after around twenty minutes tramping. Marc stopped and turned his face.

"S-sorry," he stammered and let go of his hand the moment he saw the girl condition. Dirt and dust were all over her, there were also some scrapes and scratches on her legs and arms.

Eireen peered at his guilty face and she couldn't help a chuckle escaped her lips.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"It's okay," she finally said, "I just hope the place you wanted me to go will be worth it. Since I will need to face some penalties for skipping the training when I return later."

"We are here," he said pointed forward. Her rosy eyes followed the direction he pointed. The path in front of them was a silk scarf over green hills; it undulated with the earth, leading into the horizon of land meeting sky. It could have been woven for thousands of years, perhaps in a place where time is truly forever, a place of eternal serenity. It promised that each footfall would be cushioned by the lush of soft velvety grass. The meadow was a glorious expanse of grass and meadow flowers, grass rustling gently in the breeze. There was a narrow brook flowing through it. Tall water-mint with pale lilac flowers, like dozens of tiny bells, were growing at the edge of it. In awe, Eireen's feet moved by themselves -almost running- toward the shallow basin that was surrounded by the tallest of pine trees. Her eyes glowed in excitement as they were guzzling down the beauty of nature. She turned around and saw little pink butterflies lazily flitting around the lush grass and dipping their tiny feet into a clear, bubbling brook. The sky was deep blue with cloud scattered, bouncing across the heavens like dancing sheep. With a sigh, she stared upwards as the sunlight basking her face in its yellow rays of glory.

"This is beautiful," she sighed gratefully as she turned her attention to the younger man that already placed himself on top of a large rock in the middle of the meadow. Marc tilted his head toward a space next to him, as if signalling her to come and join him.

Eireen pulled herself up and sat beside him, that's when she saw it. In the distance, amid the green of the forest was a reflective white strip. A force of nature, both beautiful and brutal. Tranquil from a distance but it would be deafening up close. The waterfall looked like a silent white stream cascading over the rocky outcrops. It took her breath away, it was simply a magnificent sight. They both sat quietly mesmerized by the view.

The sound of running water in the brook has hypnotic quality as music. Both Eireen and Marc were comfortable in their silence. Taking in all the fresh air in and expelling it slowly.

"Thank you," Eireen whispered. Marc just responded with a tiny cough and they returned to their quiet mind retreat.

"Sometimes, a good break is needed," said Marc softly, he turned his head toward the girl on his side, "this is my secret spot, but I don't really mind sharing it with you."

Eireen whipped her head and face the boy. It was something she never expected from him. Their relationship so far stopped at the point a trainer and trainee. Though she must admit after that incident where he found her crying after her nightmare a few weeks ago, he has been nicer to her in his own ways.

A gentle smile rose in Eireen lips as tears slowly trickled on her cheeks. She felt his sincere gesture. She wasn't as alone as she thought to be. Someone actually cared for her. Marc's eye widened seeing the tears. His mouth gaped in panic.

"A-are you worried about the punishment? Don't worry, I- I have told Lyall that you have extra training hours with me. H-he is more than happy to be released from duty."

Eireen shook her head. She giggled seeing him panic. As much she wanted to stop the tears, they were unstoppable.

"These are happy tears, thank you Marc. For being my friend."

Marc just gulped and nodded. He quickly diverted his eyes back towards the curtain of white water.

They stayed there without saying anything to each other anymore until the sun almost down. As they made their way back to the palace compound, suddenly Eireen stopped. Her face went dark. Marc who was walking behind her realized the change.

'Eireen...' her mother voice rang in her head. It was a month ago when she decided to gave her true name to her mother. It took her some time to finally gave in. She hadn't given her true name to her mother because she didn't like her to worry about her. But... in the end, she got to admit she needed her mother. The ability to communicate regardless of distance had become invaluable.

'Mom?! I am here,' she replied. But no matter how many time Eireen sending her message, her mom didn't respond or say anything back anymore. A dread feeling crept down her spine like a careful spider leaving a trail of silk. She felt her feet on her skin, descending until she was almost frozen to the spot. Her stomach was full of lead; her mind was worryingly empty as an ominous feeling filled her heart.

"Are you okay, Silver?" A small tap on her shoulder jolted her. Marc eyeing her worriedly.

"We should return now. I have an awful feeling," said Eireen as she quickened her pace to an all-out sprint. She wheezed as her burning lungs gasped for air. Her legs felt numb and unsteady, painfully sore. Her throat felt dry, more than once she went tumbling down because of the uneven path. The warm humidity of the forest made her felt sticky and suffocated. Her clothes and hair, slick with perspiration, clung to her skin. Sweat rolled down her skin in thick, salty beads. She was vaguely aware of the sting on her scraped knees and elbows. But she didn't care, the only thing in her mind was her mother.