Blood was coursing through his veins. All he could hear was his heart pounding and the ferns that brushed against him as he darted through the trees. Minutes had gone by, yet the village was still several miles ahead. There was only one moon in the Serinian sky which did not improve Solace's situation. If only it were in the season of u'landos.
Racing towards a hill that was glowing with pail light with all the strength he had, Solace began to whisper in an ancient tongue, "Sinmar ut tanguo fin gelion as'in hwair tang ancar i lorsuk, tangun as ben kina hu."
As the last word was being said, wind began to blow. Leaves flew into the air as the wind touched them with its soft hand. Spiraling around the hill, the leaves provided a wall through which nothing could be seen on the other side.
Solace still ran as a deeper fear gripped his heart. As he passed a waterfall he turned left. The falling water that seemed to be made of light would have soothed him at other times than this. His breath could be seen in the cold stillness of night. The piercing air cut into Solace's throat, making it bleed.
A river was in the distance. Solace ran as fast as he could, weaving his way through trees to make it to the river in the shortest time possible. The root of a nearby tree caught Solace's foot which made him fly into the rocks and dead leaves and branches. His arms and hands were cut and bleeding and filth was clinging to his hands and legs as his blood drained from him. Wincing from the pain, Solace brought himself back onto his feet.
Running once more, Solace reached the river. There were three boats moored to a large stone jutting out from the ground. He reached for his knife at his waist and grabbed it. As the knife reached the rope, it slipped from his bloody hand. Solace bent over and grasped his knife again. He began cutting it just as it slid from his hand once more. Panic struck him as he quickly ripped his shirt and wrapped a piece of it around the knife's handle. The knife cut through the rope in seconds and Solace began to move the boat from the shore as a rock underneath the water cut his foot.
He jumped into the boat and grabbed an oar with his shredded shirt. Not far from the shore, the ancient boat began to leak water through its aged boards. In his panic, Solace jumped from the boat into the water, intent on reaching the other side. He began to swim faster than he had ever done in his life. Minutes had gone by; Solace reached the shore.
Running again, Solace darted through trees and passed through creeks. Finally, he reached a stone with a silver symbol inlayed into it.
Nearby was an ancient tree that Solace ran towards. As Solace touched one of its many knots, a rope ladder dropped from the treetops above.
Desperately, he grabbed the first silver rung; his hand slipped from the bar; sweat, blood and water were still soaking him. Ripping more of his shirt, he wrapped his hands in the cloth and began climbing. Each step grew more tiresome than the last.
Solace pulled himself onto a sturdy wooden landing as he stepped onto the last few rungs. Nearby was a wooden lever on the side of a silver box. He tried pushing the lever but it didn't move. Leaning on it, he managed to shift its position, and leave a crimson mark that stained the lever deeply. With a metallic thud, the ladder began to roll into its previous position.
Solace looked around him. He was now standing on a hidden treetop village. Silver bridges connected the intricate labyrinth of homes, shops, bakeries, armories and schools. Solace sighed and dropped to his knees. He began to crawl across an intricately designed bridge, leaving a trail of blood with every move he made.
As far as his eyes could see were lights glowing through the windows of thatched houses. Few children played outside; most of the village was asleep. His crawl became slower as he neared a large tree several yards ahead.
Circling the tree was a wall of thick leaves and branches. Peace soothed him as he lost all strength to hold himself in an upright position, collapsing onto the woodwork in a pool of blood.
A hand grasped his shoulder, but Solace was too weak to notice. Solace opened his eyes to see a man with silver hair and pointed ears. He was wearing a long, green, flowing robe and a necklace that shone with the light of the stars. This man was a perfect model of a Helian Elder.
Solace stared deeply into the Elder's eyes. The Elder returned the gaze with compassion.
"Why do you look so exhausted, Friend?"
Solace looked down at his drenched, tattered clothing and bloody arms and feet. Blood was staining his once green clothing into a deep red. Fear caught his heart once more. The last strength in him whispered, "There was one following me."