As the morning hours passed and the sun began cresting on the horizon, Isabella waited for the sunrise sitting perfectly still in the meadow with her legs crossed. Aware that daybreak offered her a natural compass for the day’s travel, she woke early afraid to miss the morning spectacle. It was nothing short of difficult to pry herself from Ronan’s warm body. Isabella gazed over at the tranquil warlock fast asleep on the grassland. His fever had broken, color returned to his face and she swore that his expression in sleep was peaceful. They had successfully made it through a rough patch and now his health had taken a turn for the better.

In no hurry to disturb him, Isabella decided this morning she wanted to pay her gratitude to Mother Earth for their blessings. Discovering the hot spring last evening may have very well saved their lives from the frigid cold. And her connection with her spark of energy brought renewed faith in the powers bestowed upon her. The first rays of sunlight began spreading out across the land pushing away any remaining shadows. Isabella closed her eyes as a wave of sunshine fell on her face warming her skin and building up her vitality. Appreciation for the natural world flowed through her.

Embraced in serenity, listening to the birds chirping, Isabella sensed her white spark tug at her for attention. Handling her magic within her provided her comfort and soothed her anxiety. When her spark rose to the surface as she held Ronan in the pool, Isabella was surrounded by an overwhelming love and a powerful force of healing that she could share with the warlock. Now content in the sunshine, she was conscious this passion was channeled directly from the universe. With her mind attuned to her energy, Isabella opened her eyes delighted to glimpse at the spiderweb of white energy lines speckling the landscape.

The spark of life flowed through her into the ground, up the trees and into the sky. Isabella understood that the white spark was not dependent upon her. It was the force of life that connected all living things together. Isabella recognized that no creature small or large was insignificant as we are all attached together. It was a significant realization for the raven-haired witch finally to feel a sense of belonging. For such a long time, Isabella felt alone in the world, abandoned by her family. Thanks to Mother Nature, her perception of the world and how she fits into it has completely changed.

With the quietness of her surroundings, Isabella felt adventurous on practicing her newfound skill of manipulating wind. Bringing her hands up slightly off her lap, she stretched her fingers and focused her thoughts on her spark. Directing her attention on a few leafy branches further away, Isabella slightly pushed her right hand ahead of her. A small gust of wind pushed against the branches as it began swaying in the breeze. Pulling her hand closer to her changed the directions of the gust as it wavered towards her. Grinning, Isabella looked around for another target to test her abilities.

Visible in front of her lay a small pile of leaves dried and discarded from the previous season. As she began moving her hands in a clockwise motion, the crisp leaves began slowly circling into a small vortex. Satisfied, Isabella began stretching her arms out further from her, curious if she could move the dried foliage by the breeze. The leafage floated in the wind and carried off into the direction of her hands. When she dropped her hands back to her lap, the floating leaves fell to the ground below. As Isabella gazed out at the countryside, she speculated about her strength on maneuvering the wind. She rose to her feet deciding to put her powers to the test.

Standing in spot with her arms taut by her side, Isabella focused her mind, and then released her magic with all her might. Overpowering gale force winds shook the trees as debris from the forest floor shot up into the air. Astonished by the windstorm, Isabella lost her breath during the shifting of the air. Her dress pulled tightly against her body as her hair rose straight upwards. But then to Isabella’s shock, her entire body slightly pulled off the ground. Fearfully, she halted her grasp over the gusts dropping back on her feet and returning the natural habitat back to normal. Isabella began questioning the strength of her magic. Could she lift herself off the ground? Was that even possible?

Watching her feet, Isabella directed her energy slowly at first which blew straight up her dress. Feeling embarrassed, the raven-haired witch ran her hands down her skirt glimpsing over at the dark-haired warlock. Unbelievably, he remained deep in sleep as Isabella caused cyclones over the area. Beginning to worry over the warlock, she figured the time to pack up the camp and head out was drawing nearer. Deep in thought, Isabella then realized her balance felt a bit different. Checking her feet again, she saw that she was hovering a couple inches off the ground. The witch chuckled to herself that she could float in the air as she released her grip to settle back down onto the dirt.

Shuffling her feet on the ground, she attempted the feat again and came off the forest bed a foot into the air. Isabella higher up struggled to balance herself as she focused on slowly returning to the ground. Exuberated, she pondered if it changed when she walked. Walking with intent towards the dark-haired warlock, she took a step and lifted upwards carrying herself across the grass and down again stumbling her landing. She missed that Ronan was asleep missing her practicing her magic. But Isabella looked forward when he got better to see her new skills. That meant she needed to get them back on the trail heading towards his village, Darini.

She did not have very much to pack up this morning as hopefully by nightfall they would be safe amongst his family. Isabella used her talents to skip across the air and land on the ground beside their horse. Patting down the animal’s neck, Isabella smoothed out the reins and harness over the steed’s neck and back. Once completed, she led the horse closer to where Ronan lay resting on the grass. The raven-haired witch approached the warlock crouching down beside him. Gently nudging him, she called out. “Ronan. Ronan, darling, can you wake up?” The black-haired man’s eyes drifted open slightly as he muttered. “Hmmm.”

“Ronan, we are almost home.” Isabella cheerfully exclaimed to the warlock. His eyes fluttered close as he strained to open them again. “Princess, I am sorry, I am so tired. Leave me here, and I will follow you later.” Caressing the side of his face, Isabella explained. “I am not going anywhere without you Ronan. Just hold onto me, alright.” Bending down, she placed his arms on her shoulders and wrapped her arms around his waist. The drowsy warlock stated. “Wait, Isabella, I am too heavy for you.” Excited that she could use her new skills, she whispered to him. “Do not worry my love.” Concentrating on her spark, the raven-haired witch was able to utilize her wind to assist in lifting him up from the ground.

He muttered to her with his eyes closed. “How?” With the combination of her magic, she carried him to the waiting steed and lifted him up onto the animal’s back. Pulling herself up to sit in front of Ronan, she moved his arms around his waist and stated. “Darling, hold on to me.” The dark-haired warlock pulled her close in his embrace and exclaimed. “You are so warm.” Isabella appreciated the cuddle as she began leading the horse out of the area. Isabella recalled the warlock explaining his village was due north and it was close to the large river that ran through the woodlands. She had enough instructions to hopefully get them close enough to his home.

As the sun shone brightly, Isabella with a renewed sense of hope began leading them through the woodlands. She calculated they would need to make up a few hours north to make-up the time lost the previous day from outrunning the palace sentries. When the terrain was smooth enough, Isabella pushed the horse into a gallop adding a touch of wind to assist them. The changing landscape fascinated her as beautiful treed foothills came into sight. The lush greens of trees and vegetation reminded her of the rolling hills close to her home. Isabella could not even say she missed home as she had no family waiting for her.

Her companion cuddled up to Isabella remained quiet through the trip as he drifted in and out of sleep. Excitement pulsed through her veins that soon she would have extra help in caring for Ronan to ensure he recovered from his injuries. When Ronan was healthy, then could Isabella feel she had successfully escaped from Nathanial. Free from her husband’s icy grip, she could concentrate on living her own life. Where she could begin learning more about herself and her own magic. The sun moved quickly through the sky, and to Isabella’s dismay, they were still riding as the sun began to set.

Since their travels from this morning, she had not spotted signs or signposts for a village. Isabella noticed mountains further off in the distance and feared she had overshot Darini. The raven-haired witch was about to wake Ronan for more directions when she spotted a figure in the tall grass. Standing in a grassland, Isabella spotted a blonde woman in a light blue dress with a beaded bag slung across her shoulder. This was the same woman who kept reappearing and disappearing. Turning the horse towards the grassland, the young woman moved as Isabella began playing cat and mouse chasing the woman in different directions until she came to a cottage with lanterns blazing. Sitting atop their horse outside of the hut, a grey bearded man ran out the door and saw them exclaiming. “Ronan, is that you?”