A Plan and a Village

Flops sat next to the dryad as they knelt next to their companion's corpse. Sheer amber tears slowly ran down their face. We had brought them back to the area of the fight. Stolas took away the Atrophied corpses while Alder sat with the dryad. I watched from a distance, resting against the Great Ursidae. 

I couldn't even begin to imagine the loss all of Elfil Forest must be going through. Death, after death. The creatures fighting for their lives against an incurable rot. The Great Ursidae let out a huff, pressing closer to me. It had calmed down, no longer angry and on a rampage. My shoulder throbbed. Alder said he'd heal it more when we got to the village. For now, I'd have to deal with the dull pain.

A small glow started to envelop the dead dryad's body. Alder stood up, picking up Flops and walking over to me. He sat down. My eyes were wide with curiosity as the living dryad wrapped their body around the other. The light was emanating soft waves of heat. It almost felt like a warm breeze.

"In Elfil Forest," Alder spoke softly. His hand absentmindedly pet Flops. "All creatures are imbued with magic."

I listened silently. Alder's eyes were filled with a bitter type of sadness. A tired type of sadness.

"While I cannot feel each individual piece of magic, I can feel all of it together. And sometimes that magic will wane when a creature dies. It has been happening a lot more lately. The Atrophy is killing off the forest. We will need to do something soon."

"So what's your plan?"

"That is."

Alder motioned towards the sky. Stolas was flying towards us. Small sparkles flitted around him. Fairies. My body tensed automatically. I stood up, backing away several steps. There was no way I was taking any more chances with those tiny parasites. I could still hear the buzzing in my ears and the sharp sting of their teeth from all those months ago.

"It is alright, Cahira." Alder set Flops down before getting up. "They will not hurt you."

My nose scrunched in distaste. "I don't want to go near them."

Stolas landed with a graceful thump. "I'll simply eat them if they try anything."

"Hey!" A fairy wearing a flower for a dress crossed his arms. "We don't wanna get near her either! She massacred us!"

I didn't dignify that with a response. Though, I wouldn't call that a massacre. More like self defense. They were going to kill me first anyhow. Alder held his hands up in a placating gesture. The fairies bowed their heads. The dryad walked over to us. The body of the other dryad was nowhere to be seen.

Alder let out a soft breath. "The Atrophy is spreading. While Stolas and I travel to Othesh, we need everyone to converge at the tree. It will be safer there."

A fairy clutching a pine cone piece started to scribble frantically. "What else, my king?"

"We need any inhabitants who are able to set up more talismans to widen the perimeter around the tree. Stolas has also made more talismans to help you push the Atrophy north. Towards the ocean."

Stolas reached into his pouch and took out a stack of papers. "Use them wisely. We can't come back and give you more. And no matter what, do not touch the Atrophy. Most of you have witnessed what it does."

"Thank you." The dryad took the stack of papers. They looked down at them before looking over at Alder. "Please, my king. Find a way to end this."

The group of forest creatures leave soon after on the back of the Great Ursidae. It was a solid plan and would give Alder more time to get help. We begin our journey once again. The mood had gone down significantly since the fight. My mind went back to how he said he felt all the magic in the forest. It must have been so terrifying for him. He was so used to all this power and life. With it suddenly getting drained and corrupted, he must be going crazy.

My uninjured hand found his as we walked. "Are you okay?"

"I am alright, little blossom."

I frowned. "You sound so tired."

Alder smiled sheepishly, his hand squeezing mind. "It has been a while since I have had to do so much. Traveling, fighting, using my magic more than normal. I will admit that I feel fatigued."

"We should be getting to the edge of the forest soon." Stolas remarked. "There's a village just outside."

I pressed as close to Alder as I possibly could. I was ready to be out of Elfil Forest. Alder probably wanted to go back home. It almost made me feel guilty, as if this was somehow my fault. Maybe if I acted as a messenger or if only Stolas escorted me, then Alder could have stayed back and protected the forest.

My thoughts were interrupted as rays of the setting sound hit my eyes. The dense curtain of trees waned to reveal a beaten path that led to a village. A burst of energy flowed through me. I tugged on Alder's hand, wanting him to move faster. Flops mirrored my excitement by hopping forward happily. 

"The village!!"

Stolas groaned and closed his eyes. "Finally. I could use a good mug of mead."

"And I could use a good song!"

Alder chuckled and trailed behind me. "Easy, little blossom. You are still injured."

"There's nothing more healing than a good meal and some music."

"I suppose I can't argue with that." Alder conceded.

Stolas scoffed. "I certainly can."

"Oh, shut it."