Airel, Leaf & Web
Excerpt from A Soul Group’s Journey:
*I was there when you and Web climbed to the top of the old tree to see which one of you was the bravest.*Star paused to allow Airel to remember the event.*Who was the bravest Airel?*
The enormous tree Airel lived in as a child and some of her adulthood, sheltered her whole tribe. The elves lived in dens dug out under the roots and in tree houses among the limbs.
Airel was fostered by an elf named Ezra, who was the mother of Web. Airel and Web were sisters in every way. They played, ate and hunted together. Every day was an adventure when they were cublings in Ceyenda forest.
Web and Airel had a male friend named Leaf. Leaf was a very fun and imaginative cub.
One day the three of them were lying on the grass under the Tribal Tree looking up at the limbs.
*Do you think if we climbed the tree we could touch the clouds?* Airel asked looking up through the limbs trying to see the top of the tree.
*I think we could touch the stars.* Web said picturing herself on top of the tree touching a sparkly star.
*No one is looking, we should start climbing so we can reach the top before the sun sets.* Leaf advised as he sat up and looked around to see if the elders were busy with their tasks.
*I will get some mushrooms and berries, Airel you fill your water skin. Leaf you watch the elders and find a good place for us to start climbing.* Web instructed sitting up. She looked around for her mother, Ezra. Web stood up and walked slowly toward her mother’s den.
Airel and Leaf walked toward the water barrel. Leaf dipped Airel’s water skin into the barrel to fill it while the two of them watched their elders. Airel knew if they made too much of a disturbance they would be called to do some sort of chore that would keep them from their adventure.
Web signaled them from a low branch, Airel and Leaf walked over to her and climbed up. *Let’s go.*
The trio made good time for the first part of their journey up the tree. None of them really knew how tall the tree was as they had never see n the top even while they were laying on forest floor or when they were climbing in other trees. They passed many tree houses and many elves they rarely saw or never saw before. The tree houses were all different. Some were very elaborate and large. These houses took up many limbs and usually had potted gardens on many levels of their houses. Then there were the small houses with porches that looked like they were not lived in much.
When Airel saw that the branches were starting to get thinner she looked up and she saw the sky. She thought how pretty the sky is from the branches of the tree. The birds flying and insects flying about and small animals scurrying on the branches with them, Airel started to appreciate her journey in this moment. She took a deep breath and sat down on a limb. Just to look around and see this part of the tree she had never seen before. She wondered how many elves had seen this part of the tree.
The leaves on the great tree up here were green instead of the purple color they were closer to the ground. The insects flew, crawled and hopped around. Their colors were vibrant. Airel know a vibrant colored insect should not be eaten. She let them walk all over her though appreciating each one. The bark on the top of the tree was thinner too. She could peel it here. The bark smelled good. She took the piece she peeled and put it in her pouch so she could smell it later.
Web sat next to her looking up, *We are nearly there, it looks as though the sun is going down. We should hurry so we can touch the stars.*
Leaf stood up and looked around. He pointed to a branch that went upward. *That branch looks safer than any of the others. We need to start being careful, unless we can float. Some of these branches are very brittle.* Leaf told them pointing to some thinner branches.
*I can float a little.* Airel said climbing onto a branch and then dropping off of it. Airel focused very hard and drew in energy from all around her. To Leaf and Web’s surprise she did float even after she opened her eyes.
*Who taught you that?* Web asked watching Airel settle daintily on a branch.
*Lynx said my mother knew how to float. He didn’t tell me how though so I have been figuring it out.” Airel said smiling. *It has taken me a while to do just that little bit of floating.*
*That floating can come in handy; you should practice all the time Airel. You never know when you might have to float.” Leaf observed. Then his face changed as Web and Airel’s face. Their parents were calling telepathically to them. Now was the time to make the decision of ignoring them and going to the top or going back down and not being able to touch the stars.
* I want to touch the stars,* Airel stated and went over to the branch and started walking toward the top of the tree.
*If we get up there and it is dark we will have to wait until the morning to go back down.* Leaf said looking at Web and Airel.
*That is alright with me.* Airel said.
Web nodded her head. *Let’s move, tomorrow we will be in so much trouble. I hope we can reach the stars.*
On they went and right when the sun hit the horizon they reached the top of the old tree and looked out. There they saw how immense their home was and the other trees like their home. They saw how interwoven the forest was from their vantage point and it took their breath away. It was another world on top of their own with different animals, and insects. As the sun set the stars came out. Web and Airel could not touch the stars; they were astounded by the beauty of the night sky. The three moons were up high one was full and the two smaller moons were at a quarter full. The sky was velvety blue and the stars sparkled so much they did not need light to see each other.
