A Chance Meeting

A branch broke beneath the man. He paused; worried that he had given away his presence. Then he remembered he wasn't trying to be quiet. He stopped and shook himself. His mind was always so quick to imagine adventures and things. Got him into trouble more than a few times. Glancing up to the sky, he noticed unique colours from the corner of his vision. Turning, he found a young lady asleep on a large branch of a tree.

The man didn't know what to make of the young lady. She wasn't dressed as a begger although her clothes were a little worse for wear. Her skin didn't have the weathered look of working under the sign and even the way she slept seem to give off an aura of higher breeding.

Walking to the other side of the branch he gasped. She was a mage. The tattoo ran down the side of her face, disappearing into her clothing. He had never been this close to a mage before.

Quelling his fears, he studied her more closely. The tattoo was an intricate pattern of swirls, circles and flowy lines. It was beautiful. It added to her beauty without taking over her face. He wondered if all mages had such beauty. Then he realized she might not truly look this way. She could be using her magic to change her appearance. Yet, she looked so innocent.

From down the road he could a group of horses in a swift trot coming closer. Looking up, he realized she had awakened at their approach. He stood there memorized by her eyes. They were a brilliant emerald and seemed to hold the world.

Realizing he was in view from the road, he delicately stepped around the tree, staying within view of the mage. She watched as the group passed by, not noticing her at all. Once they were out of range, she jumped down, landing lightly on her feet.

Her hair fell around her shoulders, shining against the sun. She was even more beautiful then he first thought. She walked with dignity yet seemed friendly. Pausing, she turned around looking directly where he hid. Reacting, he ducks further, not sure if he was seen. She kneels down, cupping her hand around a flower yet to bud and begins concentrating. Suddenly, the flower began blooming, opening itself up as much as possible.

Satisfied, she stood and walked away, heading in the opposite direction of the earlier group. Looking at the flower, he got the distinct feeling the show was for him.

Realizing she was moving off, he launches himself out of the bushes and turns in her direction to see nothing. She had disappeared. Yet somehow, he felt he would see her again.