The Calling - Blood and Snow

10.

The Forest of Vatala had never looked so claustrophobic through the darting watch of Faris, sporadically searching for signs of Axil. No tracks, no traces, no time to lose, no direction, just running as fast as a racing heart. Bird ballads impossible to hear through, trees barricade every view and amidst the unseen lies daunting possibilities.

"Axiiilll?"

Faris calls over and over through the trees.

Miya watches from the camp, rising to keep her companion in need in sight.

"We should check the river."

Miya suggest.

"Do you know the way?"

Agrees Faris in despondency.

"Of course."

Miya calmingly smiles.

The beautiful pallet of Vatala forest hums bleak across the browns, greys and rich greens. White fog of each breath, hard ground and the silent echo accentuate the atmosphere of despair in the hope, and hope, in the despair.

Trees as old as the Earth stand against the winds of time, cold rocks watch another body cross what was never a path. Birds invariably chirp from the most