• ~Zephyr ~
    This is the tale of the coming to be of the magnificent Land of Spring, Zephyr.

    Illusen sat stiffly on the wooden swing her father made her, staring blankly at the dirt pathway that led out of the settlement, and towards the small camp named Blossom, the soon-to-be capital of this mysterious land, which had not been pronounced a kingdom- yet- by the males who were adjourning there. The spring air was young and fresh, the trees in their usual blossom, the grass a Kelly green, the sun shining a lovely yellow, and the clouds moving along with the breeze.
    They were all new to this foreign land; nobody knew how they arrived there, or why. Creatures of all sorts- fauns, manticores, talking animals, merfolk, centaurs, and humans- had inexplicably woken up in a land that was not theirs.
    The night before, as Illusen recalled it, was a normal family supper at her family’s home in London, England; followed by some TV watching; ending by heading off to bed, and falling asleep. That was the last thing everyone remembered of their old homes- falling asleep. When they woke up, it was on a soft bed of green grass in a pasture or forest in the middle of no where. Now, all the strange but fantastic creatures were living with one another (most beings had never seen any other besides their own species). The men were all gathered up by a brave centaur, and taken about a mile or so from the forests and pastures, to a valley where they would meet and discuss about creating a government, and building a kingdom.
    That was 13 days ago, and Illusen and her mother, along with several other families, were still waiting for the return of their husbands and fathers.
    “Do you think they found a way back home?” Illusen jumped, startled.
    She turned her head and sighed, “Oh, it’s just you, Kyrie. You startled me just now, you really ought to apologize.” She smiled.
    Kyrie spoke, “I’m sorry, Illusen, I just saw you sitting on this swing and”-the little centaur sighed-“I’m getting scared. What if some type of riot broke out amongst our fathers?” It was Kyrie’s father who had gathered all the men.
    “You’re forgiven… I’m scared too,” she admitted, “but I don’t think they would fight each other. They have to stay strong for their families. You ought to be proud of your father; he’s trying his very hardest to keep everyone in order. I know that I’m proud of my dad. They should all be able to figure out some type of solution together, but for now, we’re stuck waiting.”
    Kyrie sat down on a soft bed of moss by the swing. “I know, and I am proud of my Da’.” she pulled at a patch of grass. “Could we change the subject, please?”
    Illusen nodded.
    “So where are you from, Illusen?” Kyrie’s eyes twinkled.
    “I lived in London, England, in the continent of Europe, on the planet Earth. The only thing you find there are humans, animals, and plants. Humans are the dominant species. Animals are plentiful across the earth; some are used as pets, while others roam free in the wild. And plants- well, you know, there’s trees, and flowers, and moss, and other things.” Tears formed in Illusen’s dark brown eyes. “Where do you come from?”
    Kyrie sighed again. “I come from Finch Valley. It’s a pretty big town, but we don’t get many visitors from the other regions in Lista- that’s the kingdom. I have no clue what a planet is, but in Lista, we have centaurs, fauns, and plants. The centaur and faun population is pretty even, and we all get along, so there aren’t many fights.” she smiled, recollecting the thought.
    A silence entered the atmosphere, and the wind blowing in the air was the only thing recognizable as a sound, though neither of the girls noticed, as they were lost in the memories of their true home.
    “Illusen! Kyrie! Come help us scavenge the forests for edible mushrooms! We’ve discovered a freshwater creek that we can use as a water supply and twigs and flint that we can use to build a fire!”
    Kyrie turned to Illusen, “That’s my mom calling. We should do as told.” Her friend nodded and jumped off the swing, leaving it swaying in the wind, as the two young girls ran to Kyrie’s mother.

    When they arrived at the creek, all the creatures decided to call it Hope Creek, for hope is what it put in their hearts.