Chapter Text
“Do you even know what you are saying girl?”
“Yes mamae.” the small elvhen child nodded, her dark hair bouncing vigorously. “I believe it, Wisdom said that the Teachings had been twisted over time. It told me-”
The child was cut off by a hard slap to her face. “You'll never speak of such lies again Kortae, am I clear!”
Wide eyed and a hand against her burning cheek Kortaes' bottom lip trembled. “But Wisdom...”
“Am I clear!” her mamae raised her hand again.
“Y-yes.” came the soft reply as the girl hung her head hiding the tears that now ran down her face.
***
The endless green forest welcomed Kortae when she finally managed to drift into slumber. It was the part of the Fade that had become a second home to the young girl. Here, although she still had to control her feelings, she could release some of her pain and know that none of the more aggressive spirits would tempt her.
The warmth she felt from this grove always helped to calm her, it was her safe place. The Glen had slowly reshaped itself to fit her since she had first stumbled upon it. No matter where she went or how far she journeyed into the fade, Kortae knew that she had to only think of this place and she would return there.
“Welcome back.”
“Wisdom...” Kortae tried to smile, however it came out a a grimace. The orange spirit held out its wispy arms, with a sob the young elf rushed into them.
“Whatever is the matter Da'len?” With broken words and heartfelt sobs Kortae told the spirit about her mothers reaction to the old stories not noticing how the trees around them turned brown and black. “She struck you? What story had you finished retelling when she grew angry?”
“I don’t remember.” she hiccuped stepping back from the wispy hand stroking her hair.
The Fade slowly returned to the vibrant green it held whenever the young dreamer visited as Wisdom distracted her with stories of a foolish male elf who tripped over his own feet at the worst possible times when the spirit stopped mid-word.
“Wisdom?”
“You need to leave Da'len.”
“Alright, I'll wake-”
“No!” Wisdom yelled, “Not just the Fade child. You need to leave your clan.”
“But where would I go Wisdom? I'm only thirteen summers old.” Kortae asked her arms wrapping around herself.
“Find clans willing to listen to the old Teachings child. They have never been just stories. It will not be an easy undertaking, most of the clans that would listen have hidden themselves well. But if you don't leave child, your clan will kill you. I will not lose another Dreamer to foolishness, wake up and GO!”
The words had the power to push the child out of the Fade. Wisdom turned as the glen the child imagined slowly started to vanish. A dark Shadow sat far back, it had been watching them for quite some time. With as much menace as it could Wisdom spoke; “It would not be wise for you to hunt one of my Dreamers my friend.”
“I have no intentions of hunting the little elf.” the shadow responded, it's voice gravelly from disuse. “I was merely curious.”
“Why?”
“How long has it been since we had a Dreamer powerful enough to shape the Fade?” it asked instead. “Also one that will stop and talk with the Spirits, one that questions the so-called 'Teachings'.”
“She is one of mine.” Wisdom stated, something akin to pride in its voice.
The Shadow inclined its dark head, “That she is. So much wisdom for one so young. Maybe in a few years...” The Shadow vanished with the glade, leaving Wisdom to ponder its words.
* * *
Kortae sat up, her eyes wide open and a hand covering her mouth. Willing her heartbeat to slow she rolled off her furs and quickly bundled them. Grabbing her pack she quickly shoved them inside with two sets of clothing. Grabbing her staff from its place against the side of the tent Kortae snatched out enough food to last a week before she slipped under the side of the tent.
Pulling the straps of the backpack over her arms the young elf quickly made her way towards the forest, easily slipping past the hunters who were on lookout. Reaching the Edge of the clearing Kortae stopped before heading into the trees. Harsh whispers on the wind reached her.
“She must be dealt with.”
“She is but a child Keeper.” Kortae smothered her gasp hearing her mothers voice.
“We can not let her fanciful stories spread through the clan. It will cause chaos, some may believe her lies. If you can not kill your own offspring I shall.”
“I will do as you say Keeper.” Kortae felt her heart break as the sounds of the Keeper and her mother grew softer and without a backward glance the young elf steeled her heart and silently left everything she once knew.