Senara - Chapter One

Broken Sleep

 

               Over the centuries, the ancient evergreens of the Senara forest had continued to reach skyward. From the outside of the forest, their tips appeared to brush against the spun-candy clouds, gently teasing them across the cornflower sky. Inside the forest though, each leafy canopy joined hands with its neighbour, creating a dense shield impervious to all natural light.

                Life was tough for the Senaran fae. The thick darkness and cold temperatures gave rise to the perfect growing conditions for starvation, with only the occasional nut or berry passing through an exclusive filter of evergreen boughs. Yet, as it had been since the origin of all species, evolution continued to be a great tool for survival. The scant, cold months of Dark brought about a state of hibernation for the forest and all her inhabitants; the vibrant beat of life all but stopped as the fae sheathed themselves in silk cocoons to sleep out the bleak, foodless months. Only the great river moved, quietly flowing like the life blood of a sleeping giant. Each cycle, the month of New Dawn saw the return of life to Senara. The fae emerged from their cocoons, as light once more graced the inner forest. But this was no ordinary light, it didn’t originate from the heavens, its source was precious and unique to the Senaran undergrowth.

                Shaylee gave a brief yawn as she stretched, freeing herself from the remains of her warm cocoon. Unfurling her wings, she exercised them a little to restore their circulation before fluttering over to the window, eager to see if the light had yet returned. She usually woke too early and, looking out into the pitch darkness of the forest, she realised this cycle was no different. She felt sure it must be New Dawn by now, but there were no signs of life or light. The only sound was of the river’s slow babble. Shaylee was disappointed and a little fearful; once a faerie left the comfort of their Dark sleep it was impossible to fall back into it until the lightless months returned. She could only hope  her waking wasn’t too premature, and that very soon her mother and father, Liliana and Brokk, would be stirring from their hibernation. Faylinn, her younger sister, would sleep longer, she always did. It was as if she could sense when the first harvest of berries was complete. She would emerge from her swathes of silk, skin still flushed with the warmth of sleep, just in time to tuck in to the New Dawn celebratory feast. Shaylee's tummy growled with hunger and anticipation as she prayed the blackness would soon dissolve to bring forth fruitful times.

              Bitten by the freezing cold air, Shaylee sat in the corner of her room, wrapping her wings around her delicate frame and trying to create a makeshift blanket from the tatters of silk she had foolishly torn open. Cold and hungry, she could do little but listen enviously to the regular breaths of slumber.

by bluemoon (Viewed 322 times)