Keeper of Life - NaPoWrMo Entry

She shuffled down the hall, the wooden planks under her hooves groaning with even her small weight. The manor that was set inside the large wall was older then the city collar itself. Yet this stone structure had always been home to the Guard Commander. A station Commander Bright would pass to his successor. Bright already had somewhere lined up to live inside the city near the castle on the edges of District Two. It had little shrubs and a lovely garden, and most importantly it wasn't half way across the city to the nearest school. But for now little hooves stepping on the newly laid floor were all that was heard.

She paused by the window that looked to the outer wall then hurried to her mom's room.

“Mommy,” she pushed the bed, “Mom!” A worm fidgeted under the blankets, her mother let out a small groan.

“What's the matter Lilly?” she asked with sleep worn words.

“I had a nightmare,” she replied prodding at her mother once again. “It had Dad in it.”

“Your father is fine Lilly now go back to sleep,” she said adjusting the pillow.

“But... I can't sleep.” Her mother finally rose up and tried to brush off the sleep so she could focus in the dim light. Small trails of emerald luminescence ebbed into the room from the hall lantern.

“Lilly, they're just dreams,” she said lifting her daughter up. “Your father is fine and I'm fine. The Tree is always there to protect us.” She brushed her daughters mane. “I'll always be there to protect you okay? You have to remember, they're just dreams honey.” She placed her daughter on the ground again. “Now we both have a big day tomorrow preparing for the winter solstice festival. Your father will want to see your project,” she said. “Now good night.” There was an air of finality in her words that Lilly didn't fight. She turned and walked back through the hall filled with its squeaks and squalls.

Her bed felt more uncomfortable then last time but she had finally fell asleep. The attempt lasted only about twenty minutes when she awoke covered in sweat, the images of her father being ripped apart still filling her mind. As she stepped out of bed her head spun and her vision blurred. With deep breaths she regained control and tried to suppress the tears.

She was going to sleep in her mothers bed, she was going to make her way to her parents bedroom yet her feet had taken her downstairs. Oddly the newly laid wooden floors were silent this time. Unknowingly she looked up at the double doors that would take her outside. Why was she here, why hadn't she walked to her parents room. 'I have to find Dad,' a thought entered her like it wasn't her own. Yet she agreed. She couldn't fall asleep until she saw he was safe, that he would be okay.

She had no way of knowing how exactly this trip would end, but perhaps she was better off not knowing. And like so many decisions of youth she set out without a second thought. The double doors coming silently together behind her as if cushioned.

Her paces were short and slow but they were eventual and determined. Her small figure easily evaded the detection of the guards that were posted beside the massive gate, their stances hazy from the endless silent guard duties. The shadows hid almost every movement yet she tried to cling to the corridors of light the ember lanterns created.

There wasn't a time in recent memory that told her what these lanterns really looked like. How long had it been since she had been outside at night? Now that she was surrounded in the soft ember glow the night didn't seem so bad. Why didn't she do this more often, it was almost peaceful.

“Miss Lilly what are you doing out here?” a voice asked. She instantly jolted aware, the hair on her mane standing on end. She was caught, what was she going to do, what now, what would her father do?

“I'm supposed to see my father,” she said in an attempted regal tone.

“Is that so?” the guard replied, brow raised. “At this time of night.”

“Of course, I'm allowed to stay up late now that the winter solstice is coming,” she said instantly proud she'd thought that up.

“Oh, where's your escorts?” he asked her.

“Well I...” she brushed her feet on the ground. “I kinda told them I wanted to do this by myself, so I ran off. But now... Now I'm lost. Can you help I need to find Dad,” she lied.

“Very well,” he said. “Hey Colit!” he called. “Cover my shift, I gotta bring the little one here to Commander Bright.”

“Don't go earning too many brownie points eh,” a voice called back. “Don't worry, I got this.”

He called back thanking Colit. “Okay common let's go,” he said taking stride beside her and walking into the dimly lit yard.