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there. Erik wanted to let her
know that he meant no harm. He gently raised his arms and stepped
backwards, but the fairy did not accept his gesture. She blasted
through the room and slammed him to the opposite wall. Before he
could even react, she had already grabbed him by the throat and
lifted him. She was strong enough that she kept him up with one
hand.
    “I-I mean no harm,” Erik babbled out, but
she kept squeezing his neck. He immediately felt a sweltering
sensation on his throat. It was like if he had swallowed a hot
piece of coal. He couldn’t explain it. Then, the other hand of the
fairy burst with sparks. Erik was starting to panic. He kicked his
feet and couldn’t breathe. He moved and twisted, but her hands just
squeezed and scorched and blinded…
    *
    I woke up by slamming my foot against the
inner wall of the stump. I couldn’t believe I had just dreamed
that. I was sweating and my hands were shaky. I could hear the
songs of the morning birds. I rubbed my eyes and shook my head
clean of thoughts. The sun was out, it was time to move.

5- Helping a
Devita
     
    I had dreamed of the first time I saw her.
Her beauty and strength overwhelmed me. I wish I had dreamed a bit
more, but it was morning now and I had to get moving. I removed the
shield from the hole and crawled out of my stump shelter. The sky
was cloudless and the air fresh. It was a brand new day and I had
to continue my journey.
    I was happy to find a red gooseberry bush as
I carried on northwest. I had only eaten gooseberries once before
and they were too sour for my liking. To my surprise, these ones
were sweet and juicy! A big handful made a good breakfast. After
filling my stomach and a half-hour walk, the woods ended and opened
to green plains. Curiously enough, I also heard water. I checked my
map and it was the series of streams I was counting to come
across.
    Called the Riverways, the streams
crisscrossed among the plains, forming patches of land that looked
like islands. All the water came from a far mountain and ultimately
merged with the Crude River. The streams were not that wide and
could easily be crossed by horse, or even on foot. Fortunately,
small, arched bridges of stone were made available for travelers
and carriages. I looked around the area to see if there were people
wandering. News of my troubles at Vieris might have reached around
these parts. But after a careful assessment, it was safe to
continue.
    I walked calmly over the bridges and crossed
over. The streams were loud with the current of the waters, and the
grass on the islands flowed with the breeze. The place was so fresh
and serene, I was mesmerized by it. But that feeling quickly
disappeared when I started to see plants torn apart, and flowers
crudely stepped upon. I guess someone had a grudge against
nature.
    It was then that I heard a hoarse yell from
ahead. It made me crouch beside the bridge’s parapet. I peeked over
and past the next bridge I saw two balorian soldiers running
around. They were chasing some kind of glittering butterfly. They
were in the last of the small islands, and the final bridge to
clear the Riverways was right on its other side. If I stealthily
walked past them while they were distracted, I could avoid a
confrontation.
    I walked to the next bridge and spied from
there. They were arguing and shouting.
    "We need to catch it!" said one of the
soldiers. He wore a brown leather coif.
    "Let's corner it on the other side," said
the other, a chubby man carrying an axe on his waist. Both of them
chased the butterfly to the far corner, away from the connecting
bridges. I didn't know what they wanted with a butterfly, but it
was the diversion I needed to pass unnoticed. I got low and walked
fast.
    I almost reached the final bridge when I
heard a tiny cry. I looked towards the soldiers and got a better
look at what they were chasing. The butterfly wasn’t a butterfly at
all, it was a small fairy! It had golden wings, two white swirled
antennas, and six