Chapter 12 – A Promise

The next morning the trio of Ender, Percy and Alice met at the southern entrance of Rotherhithe village. Knowing that the distance to 'that' place was short Ender suggested going walking there to enjoy the view. On Ender's shoulder was currently a rope be borrowed and in one of his hands was some box lunches he asked Millie to make.

Percy really wanted to hurry to wherever Ender had went to but after being admonished by Ender for not consider Alice feeling he backed down. Alice was grateful to Ender for always thinking about her. Percy laughed riley knowing that he is hot-blooded nature.

The walk to the forest was pleasant to say the least. The crop fields had just been harvest allowed for the trio to see the forest in the distance. The crops that would have there were now shortened down allowing them to look beyond. In the distance to the east was a meadow and to the west was field that lead to a forest that was further than the closer forest.

The walk to the forest was pleasant allowed for the cool wind of season to blow on their bodies. Ender looked to the sky and saw the clouds drift by. Life is like the clouds changing with the wind. Seven years and though slow he made progress. A tug on Enders shirt brought him back to reality. Before Ender knew it the trio had made it to the forest.

Looking back Ender saw Alice looking back at him with uncertainty in her eye while that Percy was nearly jumping with joy. Percy was looking all over the entrance of the woods while commenting, "My mom always told me to stay within the village I am surprised your mom allowed you to Ender."

Ender chuckled before telling the truth, "My parent's don't know that I go all the way out here until yesterday. Even though I am older and it is relatively here they still got mad. I made a path the last time I came here with my wooden sword so you guys follow me. Do you need help going there Alice? We could take you on our backs so that you don't get scratched?" Ender stretched his hand to Alice while smiling.

Alice started by growing beet red from her head to her neck she looked down shaking her head before grabbing Ender's hand and following behind. Percy walked next to Ender before saying, "You baby Alice too much don't you?"

"You are not considerate enough of Alice aren't you?" Ender quipped back.

"That's true but that's just my hot-blooded nature, hahaha," Percy replied.

"Oh so you know. Well me caring for others I want to is just my nature too," Ender Remarked. "Alice your okay right? Your quite," Ender commented.

Alice quickly shook her head before answering, "I am fine. I am just enjoying the forest. How long until we get to the place."

"Not much further just another fifteen minutes. It was longer until I clear a small path. I think you two will like it," Ender chuckled his answer.

After following the path Ender and his group entered a small clearing. In the center was a tree that looked larger and more sturdy than the other trees around it. The tree towered at least a couple meters higher than any other tree that they passed by so far. The clearing was not large and if you saw all the other trees in actuality they seem to be blown outwards from the center tree. This tree in front of them was actually the tree he uses to break through levels. From the initial tree that was slightly taller than average trees the current tree looked to be a completely different species.

The pair Percy and Alice were amazed by the majesty of the tree. It was not the three years from the initial break through that caused it but rather the lingering might from that day and when Ender broke through not long ago again from Low to Middle Black Rank he decided to inject some of his ether into the tree as thanks. The current tree seem to absorb the ether as thanks and grown bigger and studier. What once would needed one man to hug measure now needed two.

"I call it the Sky Tree. You will see what I mean when get to the top. Let me climb up real quick and tie the rope to make it easier." Ender stated as he walked towards the tree. His remark brought Percy and Alice out of their daze. Like a monkey Ender jumped off the ground and caught a tree branch. Ender quickly like practiced went from one branch to another before he was out of sight.

Ender within minutes reached the top and tied the rope before trailing it down to the ground. On a side branch he hung the lunch boxes. Following the rope down he met up with Percy and Alice. "Percy you should be able to climb your way up easily with the rope. Since Alice is not as strong as us I will carry her on my back." Ender turned around and waited for Alice to jump on.

Alice turned beet red once more and looked down. Percy tapped her shoulder and gave her sympathetic look before walking forward and started climbing the rope. Alice thoughts were in disarray as a line crossed her mind, "Does he know? If he does then does Ender" Looking at Ender that was just waiting shook her head, "I don't think he does." Walking forward Alice started clinging to Ender from his back.

After making sure that Alice was securely on Ender walked forward and started climbing up the Sky Tree Having Alice hanging on did not disturb Ender's progress and he followed Percy up the tree. With the rope the climb was more smooth than using the branches. Ender was considering whether he should of 'lose' the rope but reconsidered after thinking how kinds Old Milton is to them.

When Ender and Alice reached the top Percy was already sitting on a branch to the side looking out to the scene in front of him. Ender shifted himself so that Alice could be placed on top of tree branch of her own. Alice was holding onto Ender while closing her eyes so she was not able see the sight in front of her.

"Alice you can open your eyes, you should be safe now. All the branches here are large and were able survive the explo… I mean wind blasts so not looking would be a waste." Ender implored.

Gripping on the branch below her Alice's eyes began to flutter open. What she saw caught her breath. Alice slowly took in the sights in front of her. Currently the trio was surrounded by what seemed like a kingdom of trees with the Sky Tree as the king towering above all others. Further east beyond the forest they saw leaving the village seemed to be some mountains at furthest sightline. Alice could also look back to see the village of Rotherhithe and all the hustle and bustle of the villagers. The sky that looked so distant below now looked to be a reach away.

"Now you guys see why I like this place. The first time I was here I missed the sight because I was in a rush but the second time I was able to actually taken the sights. I planned to bring you two eventually once we grew older but Percy beat me to the punch." Ender explained drawing Percy and Alice out of their stupor. "However the best sight is when it is sun down the sky's color slowly change creating beautiful scene."

"Is that why you asked your mom to make some lunch for us?" Alice asked while looking up to where Ender was seated. Ender just nodded while looking out to sight before them.

Alice just looked up Ender more than the scene before her. Her thoughts were that Ender was more pleasing than the sights. Time passed and the trio ate lunch and enjoyed the sights until sunset. After suggesting that they should start leaving while there was still light out Percy lead the way down while Ender carried Alice down. Ender also went back up to until and bring down the rope and lunch boxes.

Alice was already yawning and getting sleepy while Percy seemed not as energetic. Ender seemed to have forgotten that the three of them were still seven years old. "Percy can you take the rope and food boxes I'll take Alice on back since she seems to falling asleep."

Percy nodded with approval while Alice grew red once more before climbing back on top. Alice was more tired then she seemed since she started to fall asleep on Ender's back as they exited the forest. Alice also started mumbling in her sleep, "Stupid-head…"

Percy remarked, "She must be talking about you."

Ender retorted back, "Why am I stupid-head? Why aren't you stupid-head?"

Percy replied, "That's for you to figure out. So what did you want from our promise anyways?"

Ender smiled and lifted Alice slightly higher, slowing down reached for his shirt and brought out two small handbooks. "This is for you and Alice I hope you can keep them safe until you think you will need them. Like my parents they are some techniques for the World's Energy. I also want you to keep Alice safe when I can't," Ender shared.

Percy took the books looking confused before questioning "Ender you sound like your leaving soon. Did you parents mention something?"

Ender laughed, "Far from it but you can never have to many insurances in life. Ah but if you and Alice have to split up give her book before separating so it could help."

Percy asked, "Can't I read it now. Would it make a difference? How do you know all of this by the way?"

Alice at this mumbled, "Meat-head…"

Stifling his laughter Ender replied to Percy, "It will make some difference so wait until you awaken. It should be in when you turn 9 or 10 meat-head. Read more books and you will find out."

Percy smiled and shot back, "Whatever you say stupid-head."

The both of them chuckled as they made their way back and dropped off Alice before separating to go to their own houses.