Free Whispers of a Legend, Part One-Shadows of the Past by Carrie James Haynes Page A

eatable foliage. A desire to cry
encompassed me for I couldn’t find much. My body ached and my
stomach growled for I was hungry. I had most times given most to
Gunilda who seemed to think we had the ample food we once had. I
had not the heart to constantly remind her of the change in our
circumstances. And try as I might, I realized that I could never
replace Sareta in Gunilda’s heart.
    I had begun to explore. I had no other
choice. I gave little heed to the warning of the ones that brought
us to this hell hole, but to my dismay, the forest seemed
endless.
    During this time I walked and explored,
nervously at first. I learned I wasn’t totally alone. I heard
voices murmuring and at times singing mournful songs. Then
after a time, I gave it no thought irritated as I was. I didn’t
care if there were spirits, lost souls or whatever they were. If
they couldn’t help me get out of this place, I had no time for
them.
    Although once, I gave paused hearing a woman
sing. It seemed to be a haunting song as if a lullaby for a babe. A
beautiful voice she had and it was a song in which I found strange
that I took comfort in. I would sit and listen while the wind blew
gently.
     
    Do not cry, my little one,
Sleep my child with peace,
As I attend to thee,
All through the night and the day,
I will not be away from you.
As guardian angels watch over all,
I'll be as such with my little one.
Watching over you as you sleep.

Sleep within the slumbers soundly,
knowing love surrounds you.
Do not cry, my little one,
The Great one sends me hence,
But my heart will always watch ov'r thee
E'er around my little one,
Close your eyes and dream,
Dreams always, my little one,
And I'll stay watching over thee,
Sleep, my little one!
     
    Humming the tune, Gunilda looked at me
oddly.
    “Why are you humming a lullaby, Kela?”
    “Lullaby?”
    “It is the one your father used to sing to
you.”
    I remembered little of the time before my
parents’ death. Oddly, the thought of the lullaby placated me. And
after a while I ceased to be afraid or irritated or whatever I felt
about the lost souls. The water from the stream running along side
the forest was the only source of fresh water we had. The shadows
loomed within the darkness of the woods no longer felt threatening
to me. Although I had yet to yield to their callings, I felt drawn
to do so. Randomly different forms would materialize in the forest
beckoning to me. I held back for I had no knowledge of their
intent, good or evil.
    Then from the sky I heard a fluttering of
wings. I looked up and hoped emerged when forms became clearer as
they flew closer. Sordarins! My heart pounded madly. Of course they
had returned. They couldn’t leave me here without explanation, but
the Sordarins flew passed our small shelter as if we were
insufficient. My eyes fixated upon them in disbelief. In the
distance I saw the small group land. I could have cried.
    I lay in bed that night deciphering whether
to attempt to make contact with the group. By the morning light my
mind set upon the venture. In truth I had no choice. We had little
food and the shelter had much to be desired.
    In the dim light of the early morning, I
eased out of the cottage. Gunilda lay sound asleep. I laid out the
little food we had for her, a round fruit of which I had no
knowledge except it seemed to be plentiful on the ground and the
last of the bread that we had been left. I glanced back over my
shoulder. I left determined I would be back soon enough with food
for my old nurse.
     
    The sun lay high in the sky before I came
close enough to the sight. My legs weakened for the hike had been
grueling over tattered rocks and streams. I dare not take the
easier route of going through the edge of the woods. It was too
open. I would have been easily seen upon that course. An ominous
sanctuary sat in the midst of the towering cliff of the mountain
before me.
    A crumbling castle embedded into the rocks
fortified with towering stone walls. I cringed