Dragon Sight

Hearing music from the deepest forest Songs as a seduction of sirens The elf-folk is calling me Tapio, Bear-king, Ruler of the forest Mielikki, Bluecloak, Healer of the ill and sad Open the gate and let me follow the uncarven path the way to the lands Where as a hero I stand The path where Beauty met the Beast Elvenpath It''s the honesty of these worlds Ruled by magic and mighty swords That makes my soul long for the past Elvenpath The moonwitch took me to a ride on a broomstick Introduced me to her old friend home gnome Told me to keep the sauna warm for him At the grove I met the rest - the folk of my fantasies Bilbo, Sparhawk, goblins and pixies Snowman, Willow, trolls and the seven dwarves The path goes forever on The way to the lands path the way to the lands Where as a hero I stand The path where Beauty met the Beast Elvenpath It''s the honesty of these worlds Ruled by magic and mighty swords That makes my soul long for the past Elvenpath. As I return to my room And as sleep takes me by my hand Madrigals from the woods Carry me to never land In this spellbound night The world''s an elvish sight In this spellbound night The world''s an elvish sight-“ Elvenpath “ Nightwish

Chapter III: The Shade and the Untamed Heart

“ You must forgive her.” Silhouette began as soon as they stepped outside the little farm house. Durza looked at her with a light smile on his face. The young woman smiled and placed her walking stick upon the ground and stepped forwards. Her free hand outward, feeling the air around her as she continued her statement,” Grandmother is always concerned for me. She is normally uneasy against strangers. “

“ She did not seem that uneasy with me.” Durza said as he touched her free, gently moving hand. Silhouette paused in walking and glanced towards him, though her eyes were not looking right at him. Durza explained,” I would find it easier on the both of us if I assisted you milady.”

“ You mean I would slow you down if I resented your offer.” She mused. Her hand feeling around his, touching his long black, nicely shaped nails. Then moving her hand back to his slender knuckle.

Durza looked their touching hands, then back up to her face. And spoke,” No, you turned my words around. I think that you most likely have been independent about trying to feel your way around your whole life. I simply want to make it easier today.” He explained.

“ Alright then. If you do so insist. I am sorry that I switched your words.”

Durza chuckled gently,” You do not need to apologize.” He said and dared to entwine his fingers around hers. Silhouette made no movement, nor had she given a look of discomfort.

After a moments of walking, Silhouette paused walking.” Whats wrong?” Durza asked her.

“ We are going the wrong way, the breeze comes from the forest. The woods are the other way.” She explained.

“ Did you want to walk?” Durza asked. “ I was thinking we’d take my horse into the village of Alegesia. “

Silhouette shrugged,” I was hopping to go spend some time at the creek for a while. The sound always brings me peace.”

Durza knew what she meant, he too had once in his found tranquility in the sounds of the forest. These were days before he had gotten into the service of the king.

” Durza.” Silhouette’s voice brought him back from his reminiscent state.

“ What? Oh, yes. If you want we can compromise.” He started. Silhouette smiled and glanced at towards him once more. To show she was listening. Durza continued,” How about we first walk through the woods, then we go get something to eat in Alegesia.”

“ That’s fine. “

“ Alright, but….I need to get my horse first.” Durza said with a nervous laugh.

“ Of course.” Silhouette said and slid her hand from his and took a seat upon the nearly tan dying grass. “ You claim your horse and I will wait here. For you.”

Durza nodded,” I won’t be a moment.” He said and walked back towards the road Where his black steed grazed upon the grass along the roadside. Durza smiled lightly. He liked Silhouette , something he was not used to, this was odd. Had he taken leave of his senses? This he thought as he stood before his horse, “ Enjoying yourself.” He said to the great black beast.

As if understanding him, the horse nodded his head back and forward hard then leaned into Durza as the Shade stroked the smooth fur.” I know you are not kind to strangers.” He muttered to the horse as he tilted the steeds head, where his right hand ran up and down the snout. “ But if there is a time to warm up to a newcomer, that time is now.” He whispered. The horse neighed in response and bounced his head back once. Telling the Shade who rode him, that he understood. “ Good boy.” Durza said, grabbing the reins and guiding the horse down towards the sitting young woman.

“ You said a moment. That was more like five minutes.” Silhouette said with a smile upon hearing the hoof and foot steps coming towards her.

Durza smiled and nodded, “ I apologize milady.”

“ Well you should apologize for making the lady wait.” Silhouette said and laughed, using her staff to stand. There was a silence Durza stared down at her. She cleared her throat and ran her hand back in her long hair,” I didn’t really mean that.”

“ What? No, I know you didn’t mean that…..you’re just….” He paused to rethink what he was going to say. He quickly changed the subject, taking her by the hand he pulled his horse to her,” Genge this is Silhouette.” He introduced his horse to the young woman. With his free hand that touched Silhouette’s he lifted it towards the horse’s snout. When his horse, Genge flinched, Durza let go if the rein and pet the horse’s neck,” Relax, she’s not going to hurt you.” He muttered to the horse.

Immediately, Genge calmed and leaned into Silhouette’s fingers. She was reluctant in caressing the steed. Durza noted this and let go of her hand and touched her waist gently moving her closer to the horse. The shade was tempted to leave his hand there, but he knew he could not and should not overstep his bounds with her. For despite her disability, he felt a strong power within her.

So, he merely stepped closer to Genge as Silhouette gently dropped her walking stick and slid her other hand along the horse’s fur. Feeling the beast to see it. “ He is…beautiful.” She said with a smile.

“ Thank you. This horse only answers to me. It takes him longer then this for him to warm up to a stranger. “ Durza explained taking Silhouette’s hand. And lead her over along side Genge,” Would you care for a ride?” He offered.

Silhouette smiled and nodded,” If that is no trouble. “

“ Of course not. Have you ridden before?” He asked.

“ Yes, when my grandmother’s horse was still alive.” Silhouette answered,

Durza nodded moved behind her. Close behind her, taking her hands and slowly leaning one hand to the front of the saddle, the other hand to the back of the saddle. “ Alright on three, I’m going to lift you by your foot. Then I would like you to hoist yourself up onto the saddle.” He said kneeling down to touch her flat shoe. “ Ready?”

“ I am”

“ Alright, one two three.” Swiftly he pushed her foot up, letting her on top of Genge, one leg on one side, the other leg on the other side. “ My walking stick.” Silhouette said abruptly.

“ Don’t worry, I’ll tuck it in the side of the saddle.” Durza said, doing as he told her he would.

“ Thank you.” Silhouette said and leaned forward, gently entwining her fingers within the silk strands of Genge’s mane.

Durza glanced at her, she seemed ready. So, he walked back in front of the horse and took the rein in his hand and gently pulled towards him as he walked in the direction of the forest. There was only silence between him and the young woman. Durza for a while enjoyed the silence of the forest. The light breeze what blew the branches of the trees to and fro.

But the silence for once drove Durza crazy, so he broke their silence.” So how old are you, Silhouette?”

The young woman relaxing atop Genge smiled “Barely nineteen. And yourself?” She asked.

Durza paused in walking, like wise then with Genge. He chuckled nervously,” My age…uh….judging by my face how old do I look? “

“ When I felt your face to see you, I think you seem to be….mid thirties. Just a guess.” She said.

Durza again chuckled. And considered tell her that he was much older then that. But would she believe it? He had doubt in his mind that she would. So he went with her assumption,” Mid thirties is correct, milady.” He said and continued up the path towards the creek.

End Chapter III