"Wait," Haven said, "does that mean we have to move?"

"Of course it does Haven, don't be so dense," Aspen replied harshly

"Do not speak to your sister that way Aspen." Archer's tone was fatherly and loving, but firm.

"Well everyone is saying it aren’t they? Autumn is dying and we don't have the money because the harvest failed this year.”

"Aspen!" Marigold exclaimed. “Please stop, you’re not helping.” Aspen huffed out a groan, slung his chair back from the dinner table and stomped upstairs.

Haven sat in awkward silence staring at her half eaten dinner. “Mom?”

Marigold wiped the water from her eyes and placed a warm hand upon Haven’s. “It’s okay baby girl, he’s just upset,” she said before shifting her countenance while glancing at her husband Archer.

Archer wiped the soft cloth napkin over his mouth before dropping it to his plate. “I’ll go talk to him.”

Marigold turned back to Haven, “let’s get you upstairs and ready for bed.” Haven felt the tension in her mothers forced smile. She knew things were hard this year so she pretended she didn’t notice.

“Aspen,” Archer said, knocking softly on his bedroom door, “got a minute?” Aspen rolled onto his back and sat up, throwing his legs off the side of the bed. “Sure.”

Archer carried himself well and maintained a commanding presence when entering any room, but this time was different. Aspen immediately noticed his slumped shoulders bearing up under some invisible weight.  His countenance weary, his brow wrinkled, and his slow steps all betrayed the confidence he normally conveyed.

“Aspen,” he sighed out after sitting down on the bed. “I know you love your sister and there are a lot of things happening this year that make it difficult, but you have no right to treat her that way.” Archer’s rebuke was softened by his firm squeeze on Aspen’s shoulder.

“I know," he said, rubbing his leaking nose. “I’m sorry. I meant nothing by it. It just seems like life continues to get harder.”

Archer wrapped his son in a hug. “You’re what …. seventeen now?” Archer asked playfully. “The older we get the more difficult life becomes. Sometimes we do not like it, but we are called to face it with strength and conviction.” The smile he offered was filled with surety and joy calming Aspen’s anxious countenance. “Now, there is still a bit of light left and we both know how much Haven loves to explore the outdoors with that wild imagination. Why don’t you two head out for a bit while mom and I talk. It might make you feel better.”

“Archer,” Marigold walked in. “It's late.”

“My dear, it is only seven and there is plenty of sun left. Let them have a little fun.”

Haven tore through the back door followed by her listless brother. Marigold grabbed Aspen’s arm. “Be careful and take care of her.” Her eyes were full of deep affection for her children but also touched by sadness.

“Aspen!” Haven called from the backyard. “Let’s go, I wanna see that weird tree in the middle of the woods you told me about.”

Aspen tilted his head donning a smirk, “I must go, my very demanding sister awaits.” Then he cordially bowed and disappeared out back.

The yellow and gold tones emitting from the setting sun cast shadows all over as they passed the large mound of raked up leaves they piled together earlier in the day.

“Aspen,” do you think I’ll…” Haven stopped and swallowed hard.

“Of course you’ll be fine. You have to be, you’re turning sixteen next week.” 

The cool evening caused the fallen leaves to become brittle and every step further into the woods produced a resounding crunch or crack.

“Haven, you know I didn’t mean it right?”

“What, you mean calling me dense.” Haven knew how much her brother loved her and this is why she forgave so easily. “I know. You just got upset. It’s okay, really.”

An autumn breeze picked up materializing their breath in the air. “Brr” Haven rubbed her arms vigorously.

“There it is, check it out.” Aspen gestured to a massive trunk with a dark crevice and huge contorted limbs that climbed into the sky.

“Whoa. This thing is freaky. Do you think anything lives in there?” Haven pointed to the shadowy chasm as she tip-toed closer for a better look. “It’s bigger than you.”

“Rawr!” Aspen billowed as he grabbed her shoulders trying to scare her.

“Aaaah!” Haven spasmed out of fear and fell backward. “You jerk!” she said, clamoring back to her feet, before wiping the dead leaves and twigs from her sweater. Haven shoved Aspen toward the tree. Suddenly, he disappeared into the blackened rift of the deformed trunk.

“Aspen, Aspen!” Haven bit her lip nervously. “Aspen, this is not funny!” But there was no response. A chill settled in her bones and the wind picked up. Muttering something about older brothers and the stupid games they played calmed her nerves. “Aspen!” she called one last time now only within inches of the trunk before a hand reached out, latched onto her arm, and pulled her in.

“Aspen!” Haven screamed before landing on a soft pillow-like pile of leaves. The air was foggy and twinkled with variegated electrified pulses. “Aspen!” She billowed, but was cut short by a hand clasped over her mouth.

“Shh.” He motioned a finger to his and gestured in the opposite direction. A singular large shadow rapidly approached before seemingly splitting into various abnormally tall silhouettes. Haven tried desperately to control her labored breathing. As he retracted his hand Aspen clenched his teeth and fists preparing for a fight as the group closed in around them. Snarls and growls carried upon the fog and dread produced a thundering in his chest. Then their visitors came into view.

“What… are you?” Haven asked careening for a better look. The once tall shadows broke into groups of three and four as one creature jumped down from the shoulders of another, and another, and another. They stood no more than two feet off the ground.

“We are King Iatross’ servants, the Naamen, my lady Autumn, there is no time. We must get you to the king.” A short pudgy creature with a large leaking nose and floppy ears said, before grabbing her hand and pulling her along.

“Whoa whoa whoa!” Aspen protested as he moved in front of the group. “You’re not taking my sister anywhere. I don’t care who your king is.” Then he looked around and scratched his head. “Where are we exactly?” Though he could make out trees, streams, and mountainous terrain, it all appeared liquified as if they were in an oil painting covered in water.

“My lord and lady,” another creature said, bowing “you are in the otherlands and in terrible danger. Please forgive our intrusion but we must get you to King Iatross before Asthenes finds you.”

Just then a small brightly illuminated mushroom fell into the midst of their circle. “Run!” the creatures shrieked in unison, but it was too late. A cloud of spores exploded knocking them all to the ground. Yellow, orange, red, and pink leaves quivered about in the air. 

Reeling from the pain, Haven clasped hands over her throbbing ears and curled up into a ball while Aspen did his best to shield her. Attempting to regain his senses, Aspen spun quickly surveying their surroundings, but in the aftermath of mushroom spores and fog saw only struggling shapes. The clanking of weapons and buzzing of flying creatures reverberated across the landscape. In an instant it was gone and deafening silence washed over them.

Haven was hunched over wincing as she clung to her stomach. Her ragged breathing slowed and her eyes closed. There were superficial cuts on her face and bruising on her arms.

“Autumn!” Aspen cried stooping over his sister. “What’s wrong, are you hurt?” One of the Naamen hobbled over to Aspen and placed a hand upon his back.

“My lord, there is not much time, we must get her to King Iatross.” Then he sighed, “Aspen, this is not your fault.”

“I don’t understand,” Aspen sobbed. “What is happening, why are we even here? She was fine just a moment ago. We need to get home.”

“That you do, but right now we must go, before they come back. Autumn is out of time.”

Aspen cradled her in his arms, climbed to his feet and started to follow his new friends toward a far off distant dwelling where a single beam of light radiated in the otherwise darkened land.

“Hurry, this way,” the Naamen called as they scurried through trees and brush. Aspen fought weariness and an overwhelming sense of despair with every step. Like his father Archer, he was determined, but sheer will wasn’t enough to keep him from dropping to his knees. “I can’t… go… any further.” He huffed out through laborious breathing. “I’m so… thirsty.” 

“Aye, it is Asthenes’ way. Here, drink this.” The leader held open a small leather pouch to Aspen’s dry cracked lips for a drink. Cool satisfying water flowed over his parched tongue and seemed to invigorate him and his strength returned.

“How much further is it?” He gasped.

“Just over the hill.” Suddenly, a soft melodic tone fluttered through the air on a cool breeze.

“The music, it will keep Asthenes’ dark servants at bay,” another small creature said.

“That means we are close, praise King Iatross,” said another.

Soon after entering the golden dwelling Aspen was escorted before the King.

“Welcome my son.” Iatross said.

“Please, these…” Aspen gestured toward the Naamen, “whatever they are said you can help my sister. I think she is dying.”

King Iatross sat in contemplative silence as he maintained a steely gaze upon Aspen.

“Please! She is dying, they said you could help! Why won't you do anything?!”

Without a word, a small aura of luminescence encircled King Iatross. Brighter and brighter it got until Aspen had to close his eyes and turn away. Instantly, an explosion of light scattered in every direction and Aspen awoke startled in a chair next to an empty hospital bed. The flickering lights, humming of various machines, and beeps overwhelmed him with confusion. Then he heard it, a bell being rung just down the hall. Springing from the chair he flew through the doorway and into the hallway. There, near the nurses station, in a wheelchair lowering her arm sat his sister Haven Autumn Joy. Aspen wiped the water leaking from his eyes and embraced his sister.

“Mr. and Mrs. Joy, the surgery was successful. We were able to remove the tumor in its entirety.” The doctor breathed a sigh of heartfelt relief. “Any longer and she may not have made it.” Then he turned toward Aspen, “your sister sure is lucky to have a brother like you.” The bewilderment was tangible in the way Aspen titled his head and narrowed his eyes.

“I don’t understand.” He said.

“Aspen, you don’t remember.” His mother’s soft loving tone diffused his apprehension.

“Autumn passed out when you all were out exploring last night,” Archer filled in the blanks. “If you had not carried her home as quickly as you did…” then he teared up. “Let’s just say she was running out of time and you wasted none of it son.”

Two weeks later, Aspen sat around the fire pit at church holding a cup of warm apple cider. The orange flames danced and flickered in the evening breeze casting a myriad of shadows all around. Aspen thought deeply about his experience in the woods and what actually must have transpired. Perhaps his imagination got the best of him.

“Well,” Autumn said, tapping him on the back before sitting next to him. “You think we’ll ever see them again?”

“What do you mean?” Aspen glanced curiously at his sister. “Who?”

“The Naamen and King Iatross.”

Aspen smiled, “I’m counting on it.”