Amber listened for noise over the crow caws and squirrel chatter that echoed through the trees. The trail was faint--there wasn't enough spring grass left this late in the year to draw grazing deer this deep into the forest.
She was expecting to flush an ambush, not to stumble upon one in progress. Men shouting and the dull thumps of fists and boots on flesh, but no steel. Hiding behind an old sycamore, she peered around to see half a dozen men attacking one man, his comrades fallen and unmoving.
Don't get involved, she admonished herself.
You don't have time for this. She ducked past and crept through the underbrush, cape snagging on thorns that hadn't held her back until now.
The man cried out, and the heavy thud told her he had fallen. She stabbed her staff into the hard-packed dirt and bowed her head, huffing out a harsh breath.
Dammit.
Whirling, she raced back, the path now clear as she charged into the clearing. The men glanced up and one even laughed before she flicked her fingers and they flew up and back, crashing into the trees behind them.
She stood over their final victim and spun her staff, building a wind tunnel that continued to push them away until they turned and ran. Holding her star high, she looked down to find him staring up at her wide eyes wide.
"You're a Power!" He coughed, left arm clutching his side.
She sighed and reached out a hand, pulling him easily to his feet.
"Come on," she said, disregarding his statement of the obvious. "Let's get out of here before they return. And before dark falls."
Without looking back, she turned back to the faint trail and walked on. After a moment, she heard his faltering steps behind her...
#
And so, with a loving heart, I offer you
Namaste
I’ve heard many translations. Here’s my favorite:
The light of the universe that shines within me recognizes
the light of the universe that shines within you.
