The Book of Lush: Chapter Two

The next morning, Elizabeth woke up on the cliff’s edge, overlooking the beautiful waters below. Taking in her surroundings, she climbed to her knees and looked around. Aside from the birdcalls in the forest around her, there was no other sign of life. He must have left overnight she thought. I pang of sadness entered her heart. Such a handsome knight…

Climbing to her feet, Elizabeth stretched in the Cirrus sunrise. All around her, life was beginning to awaken. Flower blossoms opened, soaking in the sun, while the chirps of the Linden Birds began to fill the atmosphere. Elizabeth removed a pouch from her neck. Loosening the strings, she withdrew a single seed. Even in the morning light, it seemed to carry a faint glow.

Falling to her knees again, Elizabeth began to dig a small hole in the ground. She dropped the seed in, and patted the dirt back into place, humming as she did so. She could feel the ground below her pulse with power as the seed entered its veins. Beaming proudly, she stood again.

Following the path she walked with Martin, Elizabeth found her way back to the first seed she planted. From the upturned ground was sprouting a small, glowing bulb, a little smaller than her fist. Within it were dancing lights, glowing softly in the shadows of the trees. They seemed to glow more as she approached.

“Hello little one,” she murmured, extending her hand to the bulb. The glow grew stronger as she touched it, sending shadows dancing along her arm. She remained that way for several minutes, captivated by the sight. After quite some time had passed, she stood and began her walk back to the castle.

The Book Of Lush: Chapter One

“Little flower in the night,

Do not fear evil’s might.

With nature’s fury we will fight,

Darkness will flee at our sight.”

“That’s a very nice song, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth jumped at the sound. Looking behind her, she found Martin looking down at her, clad in his knight’s armor. On his face was his usual smile, teeth glistening brightly in the setting sun. Elizabeth muttered a long string of fumbled greetings, blushing slightly. This only seemed to amuse the warrior even more. Looking beyond, he noticed the small pile of dirt behind her feet.

“What have you been doing all this time?” he asked curiously.

“I’ve been planting a seed,” she replied, still blushing.

It wasn’t a complete lie, though there was much more to it than that. Of course, Martin wouldn’t believe her, even if she did tell the truth. Regardless, the warrior seemed to accept her answer.

“That’s nice,” he said, pushing his dark brown hair away from his eyes. Elizabeth couldn’t help but be mesmerized when he did that. His eyes, glistening like radiant gems…

Realizing that she was staring, she began to stammer apologies. Martin just shook his head and laughed. Taking her hand, he led her out of the forest. Shocked at his gesture, Elizabeth stumbled several times before restoring her feet to working order. She asked him where they were going, but he avoided the question each time.

They walked like this for several minutes, until he stopped in a clearing, quite some distance from where Elizabeth had been planting. They stood at the edge of a steep cliff, with a small stream running below. Martin gestured for her to look over the edge. Confused, she did as he said, crawling to the edge to carefully look over.

“Wow…” she breathed, taking in the sight. Even in the Cirrus sunset, the waters below glowed a brilliant blue. Crystal clear, she could see to the bottom, even from such a height. Plants and moss extended for several feet from the water’s surface, giving the cliff face an emerald-green coloring. From behind her, Martin chuckled.

“It’s beautiful!” she cried, still taking in the sight. As the skies grew darker, several smaller tree-like plants began to glow. She closed her eyes, allowing the sound of the stream to envelope her.

“I thought you might like it,” Martin whispered from behind her. Elizabeth could only nod. He fell to his knees and joined her at the cliff’s edge, watching the stream with her. And so they remained for several hours, oblivious to the passing time.