Green Eyes chapter 8

Cynth pondered that for a while.

"So when are we leaving?" she finally asked.

"Oh," said Rynth, "Not until tomorrow morning, at least!"

Tante put them to bed - and by the time morning came around, the motherly old woman had everything they needed packed up and ready for them. They shouldered their packs and began the descent down the tree.

When they reached the ground, they paused only long enough to wave back at Tante, then started down the path.

"We've got a job to do," said Rynth, "A mission to perform. Let's do it!"

Cynth wished she shared her twin's eagerness - but everything had just happened way too fast - she still wasn't quite sure to make of it all.

Green Eyes chapter 7

"I'd still like to know what is going on," said Cynth, deciding that it was finally time to voice her confusion.

"Have you told Cynth anything, Rynth?" asked Tante, reprovingly.

"It was to dangerous," said Rynth, "Ilothar's spies could be anywhere! I had to bring her here first."

"Well then," said Tante, "You have some explaining to do while I pack."

"Yes ma'am," said Rynth, then as Tante hobbled away, she turned to Cynth, and began to explain things.

"You and I are the twin daughters of Ine, who was a princess," she began, "When we were young, we lived in a palace with our mother and father. One day, Ilothar, our grandfather, the king's, prime minister, and most trusted advisor, revealed himself to be a traitor. Of the royal family, only you and myself were saved. You were sent to a ally beyond the thin spot, and I was brought here, to be raised by Tante. Unfortunately, when you were being sent through the thin spot, our ally's granddaughter, who was nearly your age, slipped here, and was captured by Ilothar's spies before we realized it."

There was a long pause.

"Now we are old enough to fight Ilothar, and rescue the girl," Rynth continued, "I pulled you back here, so our journey shall begin soon."

Green Eyes chapter 6

"This is Tante," explained Rynth, "And yes, Tante, I was able to rescue Cynth today. Now we can rescue the girl who doesn't belong here."

"I thought..." said Tante, almost reprovingly, then threw up her hands. "Well," she said, "What's done's done, I'd better back you two for the trip." She looked Cynth up and down, and Cynth noticed that her eyes were gray.

"Aren't you going with us?" asked Rynth.

"No," said Tante, "These old bones wouldn't last the trip. I would try to find some one to send with you two, but I don't know of anyone who I can trust to take you." Then, after some thought, she added, "Besides, I don't think I would be able to make it down this tree again. My joints are just too stiff."

For the first time, Rynth looked unsure of herself, then she sucked in a deep breath.

"Well," she said, "Guess that means we'll go without you."

Green Eyes chapter 5

Cynth followed Rynth up the tree, marveling at the identical girl's quickness and agility. Suddenly, Rynth disappeared into a hole in the side of the very thick tree.

Then her head reappeared. "What's taking you so long?" she asked in an almost hissing whisper.

"I guess I'm not used to climbing trees," replied Cynth.

She did finally get to the hole, and, upon entering it, discovered that it led to a nice, cozy room. An oldish woman was stirring something over a stove.

"Rynth!" she exclaimed, looking up, "What are you... Cynth?"

Green Eyes chapter 4

"Where are we going," Cynth asked, trying to catch her breath.

"Away from the thin spot," said Rynth, "We don't want to fall back in and get stuck somewhere else." Soon she slowed to a stop. "The reason you couldn't see me in the other land was because I was not completely there, and nor was I completely here. I was standing in between. I needed you to step forward so I could take your hand and pull you here."

"Oh," said Cynth, "I see, I think."

"We must be silent," said Rynth, "I will explain things when we reach Tante's house, and she will too."

"Who's Tante?"

"Shush."

Obediently, Cynth said nothing until they reached a gnarled old tree, at which point Rynth let go of her hand and scaled the tree without a moment's hesitation.

Cynth took a deep breath, and followed.

Green Eyes chapter 3

A tingling sensation came over Cynth, starting at her fingertips and within moments enveloping her whole body. Then it darkness flooded her eyes. She tried to cry out, but she had no voice. It felt as though an elephant were sitting on her chest - only what was an elephant?

Then the weight dissipated, and she could breath again, and her sight came back, and the tingling feeling went away. However, she was no longer in the woods she had been in.

She was looking at a girl, who looked as like to her in every way.

"Who are you?" Cynth asked.

The girl smiled. "I am your twin sister, Rynth."

"But -" began Cynth.

"You were lost," said Rynth, "Sent away, stolen. The woman you called Grandmother knew, but could not send you back here. There is a child stuck here that you must return the the land I just brought you from. The child of the man and woman you called your parents."

"I don't understand," said Cynth.

"Nor is there time for further explanations," said Rynth, "This is a dangerous place." She grabbed Cynth's hand and drug her away.

Green Eyes chapter 2

Cynth blinked. "Why not?" she asked.

"You'll see," said the voice, "Walk this way, and I will show you."

"No," said Cynth, "My mother said that I'm not to talk to strangers."

"I'm no stranger to you, Cynth," said the voice, "Or, at least, I shouldn't be. You don't belong here, you never have, and you never will. You yourself have often expressed similar, have you not? Moments ago, you were saying that you wished you knew why your eyes were green and not blue or brown like all the others. If you will trust me, and do what I ask, you will find out."

"Why should I?" demanded Cynth.

"Because there are questions that have been bothering you your whole life," said the voice, "Questions I can help you answer, Cynth, if you'll trust me."

Cynth bit her lip, it was true, oh so true. There were questions that she wanted, needed answered, but could she trust this - this bodiless voice to answer them?

"What do you want me to do?" she asked.

"Just take a step forward," said the voice, "Trust me, I won't let any harm come to you."

Cynth took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

Green Eyes chapter 1

Once upon a time, in a land that I'm sure you've never heard of, there lived a girl with green eyes. Her name was Cynth. Cynth lived in a land where people only had brown and blue eyes, so she was despised and ridiculed. Her mother and father and brothers and sisters all had brown and blue eyes, but she had green.

One day, she was walking in the forest, trying to avoid the teasings of her should-be playmates. Tears chased each other down her cheeks.

"Why am I so different?" she asked, "Why do I have green eyes?"

Her grandmother, whose eyes where as blue as the sky, was the only one who didn't consider Cynth to be an absolute failure as a child. Cynth was about to find out why.

"Who are you?" a voice asked, softly, yet loud enough for Cynth to hear.

"Cynth," said Cynth, without thinking. She turned around to look at her addresser, but there was no one there.

"You can't see me right now," the voice continued, "For I don't belong here." There was a pause, then the voice continued, "And neither do you."