Ellara Brightleaf's Arc

Chapter 1 of 5

Ellara Brightleaf spread the old grove map across her table and tried to find one name that didn't hate her. The grove was hers to save, twisted now into black trees and crawling thorns, and she could not walk into it alone. She needed sword-arms. She crossed out the hunter who'd slammed his door after she mocked his aim. She crossed out the two sisters who'd offered help, until she called their plan foolish to their faces. Her list was all strikethroughs. Her silver fox kit hopped onto the map and sat on the one open spot, like he was the only ally left. "Move," she told him. He blinked and stayed. "Great. My army is a fox who can't spell." A knock hit the door. She lived in a small wooden shelter tucked against the trees, finished in rough planks, and no one knocked here without a reason. She opened it. A young man stood on her step, hands in his pockets, shoulders easy. He was a stranger, the sort of fighter folk in the market praised when they thought she wasn't listening. He looked at her crossed-out list through the doorway and smiled, not unkindly. "You're the elf hiring for the grove," he said. "Erikku Tanaka. I heard you need someone who won't quit the moment the trees start moving." Ellara folded her arms. "I heard that too. Then I heard everyone in three villages decided they'd rather watch me fail." "I heard why," Erikku said. "You told the hunter his aim was a gift to the deer." "It was true." "I'm sure it was." He didn't flinch, didn't leave. That alone made him different. The fox padded to the doorway and sniffed his boot. Erikku crouched and let the kit press its nose to his knuckles. "I'm not here for your charm. I'm here because that grove ate a logging crew last winter, and nobody's gone back. You're the first one stupid enough to try." "Flattery," Ellara said. But her throat tightened. He'd named the thing everyone else feared, and he was still standing on her step. "The grove belonged to my people," she said quietly. "Before the rot. I'm taking it back whether anyone helps or not." "I figured." Erikku straightened. "So I'll come with you." She waited for the catch. There wasn't one. He meant it. Ellara looked at her ruined list, then at the stranger who hadn't walked away. She stepped back and opened the door wide. "Fine," she said. "But I talk however I want." "Wouldn't dream of fixing you," Erikku said, and came inside. The fox trotted after him. Ellara rolled up the map. She had one sword-arm now, one more than this morning. The grove was still waiting, still hungry. But she would not walk in alone.