Chapter 4 (part 1)

Getting through the thicket was a bit tricky. It was gnarled and clumped together so tightly, it was a wonder that even the smallest animal could get through. Tempest had break most of the vegetation it held just to make his way through. After, he stepped out into an small open area. As far as he could tell anyways. He walked to the right, counting in his head. The little fairy took note of his concentrated expression and rolled her eyes. “It isn’t that hard to walk in a straight line.” she remarked.

Tempest glared at her, but said nothing. Instead, he tightened his grip a little bit. Flora gasped out as she got squished a tad more. Then he loosened his grip as he saw a faint hint of purple. The Tree, was a rather good sized tree. For what he could see, the lower branches were inches from the high clinging mist whereas the rest of the trees had most of their branches below. It stood straight up and it’s bark had a deep violet hue. There were a few areas that were bare, displaying the trees real color; a nice vibrant purple.

Up on the lowest branch, peering down on them was an upside down head. Two large gold eyes stared at them within gray mottled feathers. Crrrhwweww, the head spoke from its pointed black beak. More of it’s body became visible as it edged over for a better view. Gray and black with hints of white. Head upside down with it’s body bent. It’s like someone had stepped on a toy owl and all attempts to fix it made it worse. It opened it’s wings. One seemed fine enough for flight, while the other twisted forward and then back. So instead of gracefully flying down it half fell, half hovered down towards them.

Cackrrrwhew! Came the sound of it’s strange screech. Tiny feathers leapt from it’s body as it managed to land right on Tempest’s head and began to claw at him. As he tried to defend himself, Tempest let go of Flora. Immediately she began to laugh and started to fly off. Unfortunately for her, she got tangled in what seemed like a spider web at first. As she stopped struggling with it, gave up and actually looked at her bindings; she realized that wasn’t the case. “Oh fairy winkle…” She silently cursed under her breath.