Mia went under water and swam tot he spot where she had last seen the creature. She was half expecting it to still be there waiting for her after she broke it's trust and brought Lin along. But luckily it was there. It was going round and round in a circle as if agitated. It turned around as soon as Mia came near. It swam fast towards her. Mia halted at its sudden advance. She tried to explain the situation to it. But it wasn't interested. It came towards her, grabbed her hands and pulled her along. By this time Mia was able to communicate with it fluently through telepathy though it was only under water. The creature was a little preoccupied with something. She didn't understand what. Nevertheless they went on across different waters. High and low, dark and light, strong and weak, the waters all had stories and lives in them of their own. Mia wanted to stay back a little and marvel them a bit more, explore them a bit more. But they didn't have time for that. It was quite sometime tha

Mia went a few more steps closer to it. She straightened up her posture, forgetting all the strategies she had in mind before by simple looking at its sheer splendour. She moved up close enough for her to touch the glass like partition in the mirror like object that was acting like a barrier between her and the tree. She moved in close and accidentally tripped. She held out her hand hoping to hold the mirror like object to get a grip, but instead she was sucked in. She was transported inside the mirror and was standing face to face with the tree now. It was a tree after all. Huge, enormous with trunks that glittered. It's leaves looked like the kind of a succulent. They were even more colourful than the rainbow."You decided to come indirectly. That is quite brave for a tiny little soul like you" The tree exclaimed as she was about to touch it's trunk. She was startled again though it wasn't for the first time she was hearing it speak. The method of communication was same between them

"Mia you know I am better at lies and deceptions than you. " Lin said , holding her tight with his glance. "So dont even try to. You will only be wasting your energy trying to push me away or hide anything from me. I know something terrible has happened back there. I know how difficult it might have been. And I also know you might have been forced to make certain decisions that might be worse than the disaster we are trying to evade. Mia look at me. "Lin pulled her face close to his " You don't need to fight alone. You have me. I will be your soldier, I will be your shield. Don't try to fight alone, Mia please. Everything has a way out. No matter what decision you made, I will be there . Just tell me Mia. What happened back there. Tell me. "His voice was getting desperate. Mia could sense that he was getting a hint of what sort of a tragedy awaited them, but she could not confide in him." Really? Since we are doing a little round of sharing secrets, why don't you tell me what you, a

Lin had called two of his most devoted subordinates in the border adjacent to the desert. The apparition technique was an unique feature of the fox tribe. The wolves were faster but they were too heavy to master the technique of apparition.The foxes had developed many other secret techniques over the years after the war between the tribes, though many didn't know about them. Not even in their own tribe. The secret technique of communication through thought transfer was also one of those."Did you bring what I asked you? " Lin asked the two."Yes of course" They handed over a tiny pouch which Lin immediately hid under his shoes."Be on alert. Send the troops if I send the signal only. Don't rush no matter what you hear or who contacts you. Only act on my signal. Understood? " Lin asked."Yes my Lord. " The two replied in unison and then disappeared in thin air.Lin too came back to his room instantly and found Mia still fast asleep.Roe on the other hand was really disturbed after seei

Over the next few days Crystal stayed in the wolf camp. She was well looked after and fed. She was even able to take baby steps around her bed. The wolf king would often come back and check on her. He had given up his camp for her to stay in and himself stayed in the adjacent one. He was very polite and warm towards Crystal, but never out of the line. There was a news about an infiltration in the nearby valley. The king had to leave along with the soldiers. But Crystal was not yet in the position to walk by herself. So the king instructed two of his trusted men to stay back and take care of her." I will come back in a few days. Till then rest assured that they will take good care of you in my absence. "He looked up at Crystal with spark in his eyes, " Crystal, I hope you recover well till I am back. When I return, there is something in my heart that i would love to share with you. Till then take good care of yourself. " He pressed her hands in his and kissed them.Crystal felt a stra