“Where am I?” she asked, her voice weak.
“You are among the Sprites,” a sweet, little voice answered.
“Sprites?” Anna’s eyes tried to focus on her surroundings.
“Yes, yes,” another voice replied.
“Why can’t I see you?”
“We are here,” voices answered from all around. The balls of light slowly dimmed, revealing tiny Fairy-like creatures.
Anna’s heart instantly warmed, knowing she wasn’t alone. “Where exactly is here?”
Giggles echoed around her.
“The home of the River Sprites.”
Anna was beside herself, her insides twisted and turned with excitement. “Are we near the Forked-Tongue River?”
“Yes, yes.” Many small voices answered at once.
“The river is not far from here,” another spoke softly in her ear.
As Anna turned, a petite being hovered next to her. She had the brightest sky-blue eyes and short, baby-blue hair which shimmered like the sun across the water. Her wings were different from the Fairies which resembled the dragonfly. They were more like a butterfly, but a shimmering light blue.
Anna tried to stand, but her head spun wildly, so she sat back down. “I lost my brother on the river. I need to find him and the others we were traveling with.”
“No, you mustn’t leave,” the blue-eyed Sprite replied. “The sun is sleeping, and the wicked roam the forest at night.”
A colorful butterfly appeared from above and fluttered down to land on Anna's chest. In a flash, Ashlyn appeared, sitting crossed legged and grinning at her. “It’s good to finally see you’re awake.”
“Ashlyn! You’re alive.” Anna was thrilled to see the Pixie.
“Of course. The Mermaids saved us before we fell over the Razor Falls,” she replied.
“Mermaids?”
“Yes, they pulled us to the riverbank and the Sprites brought us here.” Ashlyn’s eyes saddened. “Just in time too. Your breath was gone for a while.”
“Was I dead?” A wave of anxiety rushed over Anna as she thought back to the river.
Ashlyn nodded. “But they saved you. We’re in the realm of the River Sprites and this is their home.”
The area was huge, almost the size of their cottage back home. “Are we inside of a tree?”
“Yes,” Ashlyn answered, and Sprite laughter surrounded them.
Anna was amazed at the incredible intricacy of the River Sprites dwelling. Tiny spiraled staircases and homes were built all along the inside of the massive trunk. In between the homes were vines filled with vibrant, exotic flowers.
It was a charming dwelling. So perfect. So magical.
“This place is amazing,” Anna exhaled. “And…the Sprites look a lot like you.”
“We are kin. The Sprites are caretakers of the lakes and rivers in Misteria. Their wings are blue to blend in with the water.”
Ashlyn thumbed behind her. “They are curious and want to know who you are.”
“Oh.” Anna sat up straight and looked around her at the many fluttering beings gathered around her. “My name is Anna Archer. My brother and I arrived in Misteria a few days ago. We entered through a portal from the human world.”
“Human world?” Gasps echoed from all over, and Sprites fluttered around with looks of concern on their faces.
A sprite with silver hair and gray-blue eyes hovered inches from her nose, with arms crossed over her chest. “Those from the human world are not allowed in Misteria. They are dangerous.”
Anna held up a hand. “It’s not what you think. My brother and I followed a Bugul named Tobin through the portal. He was sent to bring us here, on orders from our mother. She came here to save our grandfather.”
A bright light slowly descended from the top of the Sprite dwelling, then stopped directly in front of Anna. When the light dimmed a beautiful Sprite hovered before her. She was about four inches tall, with perfect pointy features, and long silvery-blue hair—the same color as her eyes. Her iridescent blue wings shimmered as they fluttered, and a golden glow radiated from her. She wore a light blue gown embellished with aqua colored gems, and atop her head was a tiny crown of gold.
“Hello,” Anna breathed.
“Hello, Anna. Welcome to our home,” the Sprite said. “I am Celia, mother of the Sprites and Queen of this realm. We are honored you are here,” she said with a bow of her head.
“How do you know my name?” Anna asked.
Celia’s eyes shifted to Ashlyn, who was smiling widely.
“There have been rumors whispered across Misteria,” Celia spoke. “Is it true that you are Lady Talia’s daughter and descendant of Eason, the creator of Misteria?”
Silence cloaked the tree, and all tiny Sprite ears awaited her answer.
“Yes,” Anna replied. “I am her daughter, and I came here with my brother. But I lost him in the river.” Her heart became heavy, wondering if her brother and friends were okay.
“It’s true. It’s true! She is one of the two,” the Sprites were saying, while fluttering wildly, squealing and whispering amongst themselves.
“Settle down,” Celia commanded, raising a hand into the air.
“I need to find my brother and the others with him,” Anna pleaded, trying to get to her feet. But her arms were weak, making her fall back down. “I need to let them know I’m still alive.”
“You are too weak to travel, and your wounds have not yet completely healed,” Celia said. “Rest tonight, and you can search for them tomorrow.”
“My injuries won’t heal anytime soon,” Anna sighed, touching a large bruise on her leg. She winced at the pain.
“We’ll be able to help with that.” Celia grinned then clapped her hands together loudly. “Let the ceremony begin!”
“Ceremony?”
The Queen Sprite tipped her head to Anna and fluttered upward, disappearing into the darkness.
“Wait, where are you going?” Anna called after her, but she was gone.
Music began to play, and tiny Sprites swirled all around her with mini-instruments. They were in high spirits and jubilant. Some danced, some sang, while a handful of them landed next to Anna, mixing tiny vials of liquid and herbs together.
A team of five Sprites tended to her bruises, while a few more carefully unwound Anna’s bandages. After the potions were mixed, the Sprites gathered them and flew overhead, sprinkling the concoctions over Anna’s wounds.
Right before her eyes, Anna witnessed lacerations start to seal themselves, while scrapes and bruises faded. Ashlyn sat on Anna’s arm, swaying back and forth to the music.
The celebration continued long into the night, and Anna couldn’t help but feel happy. It seemed as if there was no room for sadness in the home of the Sprites.
When it was all over, Celia reappeared.
“Where did you go?” Anna asked.
“I’ve been watching over the celebration from above. Rest now. Tomorrow, you will be new.” She opened a tiny golden vial and when Anna laid back, she sprinkled a fine dust into her eyes.
“What is that?” Anna asked, instantly feeling drowsy.
Celia smiled and fluttered forward, kissing her on the forehead. “A little magic to help you sleep.”
A soft nudge awoke Anna and when she opened her eyes, she found she was surrounded by dozens of Sprites. Daylight streamed through the tiny windows throughout the tree.
“It wasn’t a dream?” She yawned and pushed up on her elbows.
“No,” Ashlyn answered. “I’m sorry I woke you, but you could have slept the entire day away.”
Anna rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “I’m glad you did. We have to leave.”
Stretching her limbs, she didn’t feel any pain. She then sat up and examined her arms and legs. The cuts and bruises that were once there, were all gone. It was as if she’d never been injured.
“Wow,” she breathed. “They healed me.” Her eyes swooped around the dwelling, to all the little faces l
ooking at her with great anticipation. “Thank you all so much.”
“You’re welcome,” dozens of tiny voices answered. “Eat. Eat.”
A bowl had been set next to Anna, filled with a mixture of berries and nuts. There was also a shell filled with water. Anna ate everything, knowing she would need the fuel for the journey ahead. The berries were sweet, and even though there wasn’t much, it filled her belly.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“As long as you needed to be,” Ashlyn answered. “The sun woke a little before you did.”
“Then we should be leaving.” Anna stood and started gathering her things.
“Yes, we should. I’ll be coming with you,” the Pixie said, fluttering up and landing on her shoulder.
“Thank you. It’s great to know I won’t be alone and will be with a friend.”
“You consider me a friend?”
“Of course I do,” Anna replied. “I don’t think I would be alive or will be able to get to where I need to go without you.”
Ashlyn smiled widely. “You’re right.”
“Do you know how to get to the Lady of the Crystal Lake?”
“I do,” Ashlyn replied with a glint in her eye. “But we are on the opposite side of the river. We’ll have to travel around it, which will take us a lot longer.”
Anna was afraid. She’d never been anywhere alone without either her mother or brother with her. But she had to find Will, and then they needed to find their mother.
Celia appeared in front of Anna. “I’m sorry we are unable to accompany you on your quest,” she said sadly. “We Sprites were not created to fight. Malzador and his dark warrior have killed and stolen many of our kin. His powers are much too great for us.”
Anna nodded sympathetically. “I understand, and I’m sorry. You’ve saved our lives and gave us shelter. That is more than enough help and we are very grateful.”
Celia bowed her head. “You will always be welcome and will find safety here, Anna. And so will you, Ashlyn,” Celia said, turning to the Pixie. “Here, take this.” Celia pointed to a normal sized vial filled with gold glittery powder. “Take it. If you are ever in danger, take a pinch of this dust and blow it into the eyes of your attacker. It will temporarily blind them, long enough for you to escape.”
“Thank you,” Anna said, tucking the vial into her pocket.
Before they set off, the Sprites gathered around. “Good luck,” they cheered. “We believe in you.”
“You are famous here,” Ashlyn said.
Anna grinned. “It appears, you are too.”
As they left the protection of the Sprite dwelling and ventured into the woods, Ashlyn, sitting on Anna’s shoulder, said, “We will have to travel through the Mystic Forest to go around the river. But these days, I’m not sure what dwells there.”
“What used to live there?”
“Many wonderful creatures that wouldn’t want to kill you,” Ashlyn replied. “Since the dark warrior began his evil crusade, no one has dared enter. But we have three choices. Cross the river, travel through the Mystic Forest, or go around the forest . . . which will lead us through dangerous, mountainous terrain.”
Anna sighed, not liking any of the options. “Well, I’m not going near the river again. And I’m not going to climb any mountains.”
“Me either,” Ashlyn agreed, pointing east. “To the Mystic Forest!”
They stayed close to a twisted creek and followed it until they reached some marshes. After wading, ankle deep, through miles of wetland, they traversed some grassy hills before making their way through a large, wide-open field. At the end of the field was a towering wall of trees. The trees looked dead and uninviting; the branches were charred and twisted as if someone had set fire to them.
“Is this—” Anna started.
“The Mystic Forest . . . or what’s left of it,” Ashlyn said softly. “It used to be the most beautiful, enchanted forest in all of Misteria. But once evil came to this land, everything died.”
Anna stared into the foreboding forest. Her stomach knotted, making her doubt their decision. “Are you sure it’s safe to go through there?”
“We have two choices,” Ashlyn said, fluttering in front of her with her arms crossed over her chest. “We can either go through or walk all the way around.”
Anna sighed. “I honestly don’t know which one is worse.”
“Me either,” the Pixie sighed. “But after seeing the Hellhounds the other night, I think being out in the open after dark is a very bad idea.”
Anna sucked in a deep breath, trying to muster some courage. “All right, let’s go in before I change my mind.”
Ashlyn gave Anna a nod before changing into a butterfly, only this time her wings were black, blending in with the charred surroundings, nearly disappearing as she flew into the gnarled trees.
Anna struggled as soon as she stepped into the thick brush. The branches were filled with burrs, leaving scratches all over her exposed skin. Not long in, parts of her jeans and the flannel Henry had given her were torn. She thought to put on the Elven cloak, but she didn’t want it to get torn up too. It was the only thing she had left to keep her warm.
They traveled for what felt like hours. All around them were noises—branches snapping, trees creaking—but there was nothing but the twisted trees ahead.
Anna was tired, her body ached. “Are you sure this is a shortcut?” she whined.
“Yes. We’re almost there.”
“Almost?” Anna groaned.
Ashlyn paused and fluttered to her, landing on a nearby branch. “Stay here. I’ll fly up ahead and see where we are.”
“Wait, don’t leave me,” Anna pleaded. It was bad enough she was in the middle of this hellish place. It would be even worse if she were alone.
Right then, Anna heard movement in the trees ahead. She narrowed her eyes in the direction it came from but saw nothing but the dark, foreboding forest.
“Where are those sounds coming from?” She thought to herself.
“If you seek me, you shall find me,” a deep voice answered, causing her to freeze.
“Did you hear that?” Anna whispered to Ashlyn.
“Hear what?” Ashlyn shot her a suspicious glance.
“That voice.” Then Anna realized she had spoken in her mind, and the response was given in her mind as well.
“The only voice I hear is yours.” The Pixie said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Are you sure you didn’t hear anyone else?”
“No.”
“She cannot hear that which has not been spoken.”
Anna gasped. Someone was using telepathy to communicate with her. “Who are you?”
“I am a legend, revered and famed. Many have sought me out, but few have found me,” the voice replied.
A riddle. “How do I find you?” Anna asked.
“Follow your heart.”
How on earth was her heart going to lead her? But regardless, Anna closed her eyes and listened to the woods around her. She heard another sound—a soft thumping—and when she opened her eyes, she began heading in that direction.
“Anna, wait! Where are you going?” Ashlyn questioned, flying after her.
“I don’t know, but I feel like we need to go this way.”
“Why?” Ashlyn huffed with her tiny hands fisted on her hips. “You told me to lead you, and that’s what I was doing. Do you not trust me?”
Anna stopped and turned back to the Pixie. “Yes, I trust you. But I heard a voice and it told me that in order to find it or him, I need to follow my heart. I feel like we need to go this way, so now . . . you’ll have to trust me.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing. I don’t want to get eaten by fire eyes today.”
“You won’t.”
“Fine.” The Pixie sighed.
Anna led the way before finally pushing out of the mangled trees and into a small forest glade. The area was bright and colorful and untouched by evil.
/>
In the clearing, the setting sun speckled the ground through an overhead canopy of leaves. The trees in the glade were alive and full, the grass lush and green and edged with many types of exotic flowers. A small river flowed directly through the center, filled with smooth, polished stones which sparkled like jewels in the fading sunlight. Beyond the creek, water cascaded down a rock formation, creating a fine mist.
Above the waterfall, movement caught Anna’s eye. She took a few steps forward and then froze in place. Before her, stood the most magnificent of all mystical creatures. Its coat was unblemished white; its silver mane and tail glimmered like the finest of silk, waving gently in the cool breeze. An iridescent horn spiraled from the middle of its forehead like a noble crown, while silver hooves softly pounded on the riverbank.
“Hello,” the creature spoke, with a slight bow of its head.
“You’re a Unicorn,” Anna exhaled.
Growing up, the Unicorns were her most favorite creatures in her mother’s stories.
“And you are a child, alone in the Mystic Forest. Why are you here?”
“My name is Anna.” Her voice trembled as she spoke out loud. “My friend Ashlyn and I have lost my brother and our friends while on the Forked-Tongue River. We’re on our way to the Lady of the Crystal Lake, and thought this was a short-cut. I’m sorry if we’ve intruded.”
“You have not intruded. It’s been a while since I’ve had visitors.” He turned his head and with his muzzle nudged a large smooth rock next to him. “Come. Sit.”
“Are you talking to him?” Ashlyn whispered.
“Yes.”
“There are only a few who can hear the Unicorn.”
Anna smiled, proud she was one of those few. She climbed up the small hill and sat on a rock right beside the mythical creature.
“What’s your name?” Anna asked politely.
“Zohar,” he replied with a gentle bow of his head, his ebony eyes meeting hers. “You seem familiar to me. Have we met before?”
“No. I arrived here only a few days ago.”
“You’re not from Misteria?”
She shook her head. “For the past twelve years, I never knew this place existed. My brother and I came here from the human world to find our mother. She’s returned to save our grandfather, and now we’ve heard the dark warrior has taken them both to the castle.”