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since I wasn’t sure I could keep my hands off of him, and stood looking a little dejected, not sure if he should stay or follow us.
                “So are you coming?” I asked reaching out my hand to him.
                I was rewarded with one of his sultry smiles.  He took my offered hand and together we started down the trail.  I was so focused on the feeling of his hand in mine that at first I didn’t notice the change that had come over the forest.  I probably would have remained oblivious if Cerus hadn’t stopped on the trail. His fine features had turned sharp and alert. Raising his head he almost looked like he was scenting the air.  Trying to understand his sudden transformation I looked into the canopy above.
                The first thing that I noticed was the shadows seemed darker, deeper almost.  It was barely afternoon, so the darkness was out of place.  The usual sounds of the forest were missing as well. The more I looked around, the more uncomfortable I felt.  I looked back at Cerus. He was definitely on the defensive. He was reaching to pull me behind him, but I was too busy looking around for Sam to take notice of his urgency.  What happened next is still a little fuzzy. The best way to describe it is this; the forest went crazy.
                Small birds started swooping and diving over our heads causing us to duck and fling our arms over our heads.  A strong wind blew up bits of leaves and debris, further clouding our vision.
                “Sam!”  I screamed to him down the trail.  He was ducking and flailing his arms trying to scare the birds away.
                Just as suddenly as the attack began it stopped.  Slowly, carefully, Cerus and I stood.  The forest was still dark and quiet.  Something else was coming.  I started to take a few steps toward Sam when Cerus reached out to grab my arm and pull me behind him once again.  Standing on the path, between Sam and us was a sinister looking man.  Where Cerus was pale moonlight and silver, this man was black as midnight.  Dark skin, dark hair, red glowing eyes and the biggest sword I had ever seen.  I couldn’t help but stifle a small shudder as the feeling of pure evil radiated their way from the man toward us.
                “Stay behind me, and stay quiet” Cerus whispered.  “You are not welcome here Jariah” he remarked more loudly.
                “Now, now Cerus.  Is that any way to greet your brother?” Jariah asked in a rasping hiss.
                “You are no brother of mine.  Leave this place.”
                “Or what?  I only came to see what all the fuss was about.” Suddenly Jariah materialized on the path behind me, reaching out to twirl my pony tail in his hands, “Really I don’t see anything special here.  Are you sure she’s the one?”
                Gasping I quickly turned, not wanting Jariah at my back and once more took shelter behind Cerus’ muscled form.
                “This is the last time I will tell you nicely Jariah.  Leave this place at once.  Brother or no, even you are bound by the laws.”
                Jariah’s expression darkened even further before quickly being hidden behind a twisted smile, “The laws won’t protect you forever, Cerus.  Even now the shadows grow stronger.  I wonder, brother, if the Terra council will protect her as fiercely as you do.  Her mother betrayed the sanctity of the forest bringing her into the world.  She’s nothing more than Halfling trash.”
                “If that’s true then why do you want her so bad?”
                Jariah’s expression darkened even more.  The trees seemed to turn in on each other and the air became thick with darkness.  He raised his sword and charged toward Cerus.  Out of nowhere Cerus produced his own blade and pushed me off the path into the bushes