Tamsin Swiftwing's Arc

Chapter 6 of 10

Tamsin reached for the lowest branch of the oak tree but her fingers slipped. She tried again, stretching higher this time. The branch snapped under her weight and she fell backward onto the grass. Her elbow hit hard. Pain shot up her arm as she sat up, breathing fast. The five aqua ribbons fluttered above her, but now they felt like they were mocking her instead of celebrating her progress. She stood and brushed dirt from her leaf dress. Her grandpixie's letter had made everything sound simple—follow the path, collect proof, find the spell. But tonight proved she wasn't as ready as she thought. She limped back toward the forest, needing to clear her head. The blue mushrooms lit her path until she reached the tower again. Beyond it, she spotted something dark resting on a stone altar she hadn't noticed before. A small pixie lay there, perfectly still. Its cap was withered and gray. Tamsin knelt beside the altar and touched the cold stone. This pixie had come looking for something too, just like her. It had failed. She pulled her hand back and stared at the lifeless form. The forest didn't care about plans or letters or confidence. It took what it wanted from those who weren't strong enough. She turned away from the altar and walked back through the vine wall. The mirth spell would have to wait. Tonight had shown her the cost of rushing forward before she was truly ready. Near the altar, a fern grew with rigid metallic fronds that ended in glowing red tips. Tamsin watched the light pulse like a warning. Beautiful things in this forest could hurt her. The dead pixie proved that. She had spent days collecting proof and tying ribbons, thinking each trip made her stronger. But strength wasn't just about going farther into the darkness. It was about knowing when to stop. She touched her sore elbow and looked back at the altar one last time. Tomorrow she would rest. She would study her maps again and plan better. The mirth spell had waited in these ruins for years. It could wait a few more days while she learned to be careful instead of just being brave. Past the metallic fern, she spotted a wooden training dummy standing near a cluster of mushrooms. Crystal targets adorned its surface, shimmering in different colors. Tamsin approached it slowly and touched one of the crystals. It flashed green under her fingers, then faded to white. This device tested magic, measuring a pixie's readiness before they went deeper into danger. She should have found this before rushing to the altar. She should have proven her skills before assuming the ribbons were enough. The dummy stood silent, waiting for her to try again when she was truly prepared. Tamsin turned toward home, her confidence broken but her goal still clear. The mirth spell was out there, but she needed to train harder before the forest would let her claim it.