The Forgotten Zodiac

After Allie's question, L'arc stepped forward. "That's what I'm here for," he said, hoping his presence didn't intimidate the young girl. "Your father sent me on his horse to get you. I'll take  you home," he said, kneeling a bit to get more on her level. "He's worried sick about you. It's good to see that you're all right."

Allie blinked up at him, then smiled. "Daddy is always worried sick. He's silly. I have Shiny!" She giggled. "I'm perfectly okay. You have daddy's horse? That's wonderful, Fredrick is super fast. Shoom!" She made a funny sound effect, then jumped forward and wrapped her arms around the Tree Spirit in a tight hug. "Thanks, tree lady. I'll never forget about you."

"That is all that I ask, little one." She smiled wisely and hugged Allie in return.

"Okay! Let's go home now!" She smiled, taking L'arc's hand.

L'arc smiled at her, then looked up and nodded at the tree spirit. "Thank you," he said, then rose to his full height. "Follow me, and we'll get you home faster than you can blink," he said.

"Yay!" Allie beamed, running ahead to the rope ladder. She slid down easily, and stared up at the horse. "Hi, Fredrick!"

"Hello, little one," The horse replied happily. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes! I am!" She giggled, climbing up onto the horse's back, although it required help from Verolen.

"You can carry her and L'arc, Fredrick. I'll run back on foot." Verolen shrugged.

"I don't know about that, Verolen," L'arc said, hesitating a moment. "We are in the forest, you know... and you're... hang on." L'arc made a vague motion at the ground, and vines grew, forming themselves in the shape of the Forester symbol of peace. "Take that with you, it'll make me feel a lot better," he said.

"Sure." Verolen shrugged, smiling a bit. "Thanks, L'arc." He stooped and cut the symbol free, tying it around his neck. "I'm off. See you back at Halberd Hall." He waved, setting off at a steady pace.

"Demons," Fredrick snorted. "Come on then, L'arc. Let us continue back to the human camp."

"Right. I trust you know the way?" L'arc asked, giving the horse's neck a small pat. "You lead the way," he said.

"Me? Lead? Feh! I just go, and you follow me around regardless of whether or not I want to. Because you're riding on me!" Fredrick tutted.

"We can get off, if you want?" Allie frowned.

"No, no. It's my job, you see. I do complain, sure, but there's nothing I like doing more than carrying people around." The horse chuckled, setting off towards the camp at a steady canter.

L'arc held on to Allie as Fredrick moved off, making sure she didn't fall. "You still got your beetle?" he asked after a little while.

"Yep!" She smiled. "He's on my shoulder. He latched on reeeeaaaallly tight." She giggled, holding on as tight as possible to the reins, although she wasn't controlling Fredrick at all.

Before too long, the camp came into view. The sun was setting by this time. "Mommy!" Allie said happily, sliding off of Fredrick as he slowed to a stop. "Mommy, mommy, I had an adventure!" The woman quickly swept her daughter up and hugged her close, tears starting to flow again.

L'arc smiled and dismounted Fredrick. "She's fine," he assured the woman, then gave Fredrick a pat. "I suppose you and I can go and get her father, yeah?" he asked.

"That would be advised," Fredrick nodded. If he were human, he would probably be smiling. "I don't think I'll be able to talk for much longer, though. It was an honor carrying you, L'arc."

"Thank you, mister!" Allie waved as Fredrick trotted off again.

L'arc waved over his shoulder at Allie as he and Fredrick headed back off to Halberd Hall, hoping that by now, Verolen would have returned and Rush would be better.

Verolen hadn't returned yet, not surprisingly. He had been jogging, after all. Reetah was waiting with the human man, however. "Did you find her? Please, tell me, is she safe?" The man questioned quickly, staring up at L'arc, terrified. Terrified that Allie wasn't found, that she was dead, something awful like that.

"She's fine," L'arc said, dismounting the horse. "Safe at home, I promise you," he nodded, passing over the horse's reins to the man. "She found her way to Treefort, and the councilmembers there kept an eye on her until Verolen and I found her. I took her home, and Verolen should be back here any time now. No need for you to worry about anything," he reassured.

The man sighed with great relief. "How can I ever repay you? How?" He questioned, pulling on the reins and climbing up onto Fredrick's back. "I...I owe you my life..."

"Just... don't worry about it," L'arc said, waving off the man's comments. "If I need to call in a favor, I will, but don't worry about it. Just... raise your kid to love the forest, yeah? All we really want is peace," he said.

"I the same," The man shook his head. "That symbol on our carriage has protected us so far. I was considering painting it on our clothes. It's a symbol of peace, isn't it? Well...I thank you regardless. And if there's anything you need, do not ever hesitate to ask it." He set the horse off quickly, not wanting to wait around any longer.

When he was gone, Reetah blew out a puff of smoke towards the sky. "I heard screaming. From inside. Sounded like Rush; as there's no longer any screaming, I certainly hope they have things under control..."

"As do I," L'arc said, looking at the door in concern. "I hope Nana wasn't bluffing when she said that she and her sisters could fix it..." he muttered.

"I certainly hope not." Reetah tutted, sighing in annoyance. "I wish they'd just get it over with..."

"We're almost done, stop your whining," Nana snapped from just inside the door. "Honestly, you people are so impatient."