L – Lake

This story was written for the 2025 April A to Z Blog Challenge. Twenty-six words, one for each letter of the alphabet, were pre-selected by a random word generator (MacChatGPT) and were included for each section of the appropriate letter in the Challenge. The chosen word is highlighted within the text. To start the story from the beginning, go to https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=4443.

When last we met in Part 11 – Kind: 

After the destruction of the field of blue flowers, Adriana tries to find her way out of the Forbidden Forest.  She has no luck. Exhausted, she spent a restless night in a hollow tree, haunted by strange dreams. Finding some stale bread in a tree cache the next day, she hoped it would help her survive until she could find a way out. She never gets to eat it, as she encounters a bird, Sparrow-White, trapped under a fallen tree. She saves the bird, feeds it the bread, and it offers to help her when needed. She seizes the opportunity and asks for help getting out of the forest. 

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Destiny Part 12 (lake)

Sparrow-White flew up to Adriana’s shoulder. Perched there, it asked her why she was in the forest to begin with. 

Adriana related her story. She told of the destiny she had chosen, the magic that transported her here, how she found her way to the queen’s palace, the story that she was told about her origin, and lastly, the events within the Forbidden Forest that led her here. 

Sparrow-White listened intently. When Adriana had completed her tale, it spoke. “I have heard of such a baby. The story you speak of has been passed on through our family. No doubt, some relatives of mine helped guide you to Queen Isolara’s palace. You could not talk to each other since you did not have the blue flower of speech yet. I am pleased that they found a way to communicate with you.” 

Adriana quickly responded, “It’s the blue flowers that make it so I can understand you?”

“Only one of them,” Sparrow-White replied. “The others may have different qualities. Not knowing which ones you picked, I cannot say what they do or if they do anything at all. I recommend taking good care of them and being careful who you share them with. Certain blue flowers can be deadly.”

Sparrow-White paused for a moment in thought. He continued, “Guiding you out of the forest is not a problem. The question to answer is where to guide you to. Those flowers you carry have limited worth, as they will lose whatever power they may have sooner than later, as they are no longer being nourished by the field they grew in. If they are important in this quest, and I believe they are, we must make haste.”

“I don’t think returning to Queen Isolara would be a good use of time, then,” Adriana said. “There must be more here that I need to learn.”

“I agree,” said Sparrow-White. “There is a woman who lives nearby. She is very knowledgeable about events of the past. Perhaps she will be able to help you. She is somewhat of a recluse.”

“Then lead on,” Adriana said. “I appreciate anything that you can do for me.” 

Sparrow-White took off into the air. As he floated down one path or another, Adriana followed. It wasn’t long before they came to a lake. 

It was a clear, calm lake, but as they approached it, the water became turbulent, though the skies remained clear blue. An old bent-over woman hobbled out of a worn-down cottage by the lake towards them. 

Seeing Adriana walking towards the lake, the old woman yells, “WHO DARES COME HERE AND DISRUPTS MY PRECIOUS WATER! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!”

To be continued in M – Marvelous