28 Chapter 28 Trembling Anticipation (2/2)

Vonn grabbed his and reached inside. ”They sure are! Let's get them on and pack. It's still plenty early to get a long way before night.”

Everyone rushed around helping to clean up and pack. Less than half an hour had gone by before they were on their way again, the extra squirrels safely tucked away for snacking on during the trip.

As they made their way through the forest, sounds they hadn't heard before started to catch their attention. Creaking and groaning of wood echoed through the forest, and occasionaly they would hear the snap of branches. Pausing about midday, they noticed their first walking tree.

It was gently pushing its way past several other trees, that were not walking, making sure to break as few branches as possible.

”Why do you think they move like that?” asked Mikey as it made its way past them.

”Maybe there's so much magic here, they can't be still,” suggested Gia.

”I can hear it, but I sure wish I could see it,” sighed Tom, leaning heavily on a walking stick he had found.

”It's just a walking tree,” said Carla. ”There's not really anything to describe. A few of its branches are swinging like arms and it has two giant roots that it's using as legs. The rest of the roots, kind of look like a skirt.”

”Great, now I want to see it even more,” he grumbled.

”Why are they all going in the same direction?” asked Mikey as two more walked past.

”Maybe they have a path they follow,” said Vonn.

”Or they're on their way to a party,” teased Gia, tickling Mikey.

Setting out again, they had to watch out for the walking trees to make sure they didn't get in the way of them. There were so many of them, and the giant trees didn't seem to notice or pay any attention to them as they went. It was really difficult and tiring since Tom couldn't see when he was in danger.

By the time it was getting late, everyone was starting to get moody.

”We need to find a place to camp,” said Gia, looking ahead at the open ground around all of the giant trees ahead of them. There wasn't any underbrush because it had all been trampled by the walking trees.

”I know,” growled Vonn, looking around as well. ”There doesn't seem to be any place safe enough to set up the tent, without risking getting stepped on by a tree.”

”This is so weird,” groaned Carla. ”I'm glad trees in the human lands don't walk around.”

”Maybe we just need to sleep up against one of those trees with big roots?” suggested Gia, pointing at one just ahead.

”That sounds like a good idea,” said Tom, breathing hard after being dragged along all day.

They rushed over to the tree between two of the walking trees.

”Oh! I haven't seen humans in a very long time! You must have some kind of charm on you to keep the guardians from attacking you,” said the tree they were huddled up against.

Gia looked up to see the tree smiling at her, with a wide grin. Small branches hanging from his bottom lip made it appear as if he had a beard.

”We do have a charm!” exclaimed Mikey, showing the tree his amulet.

”How fascinating! I will keep you safe from the feet of the guardians if you tell me all about your travels! I can't wait to hear everything!”

As he spoke, the roots they were hoping to protect them from the walking trees rose higher into the air, stretching higher than Mikey's head.

”There, that should do it. I don't think it's going to rain tonight, so you should be fine without that tent I see on your back. I'm afraid I can't help you with warmth though. Fire this close would be horribly uncomfortable.”

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”That's alright,” said Vonn, setting his bag down and looking over everyone. ”We have blankets to keep warm with. I appreciate your offer of safety.”

”We all do,” added Tom with a nod towards the tree.

”And one with no sight! This is going to be good!” squealed the tree in anticipation.