Well guess I’m interjecting just one more time. We all know he’s going to be just fine. Bezaiel like I said is the lynch pin in this whole story, he’s not just going to die like me after a few pages. But we have to leave these two here for a bit and turn our attention to the second Prince of this strange tale. The Druid, Niklus Morel. Who at the time Bezaiel and Daymin were fighting goblins was just beginning his own journey.
His father spoke not a word to him as the travelled the path through the woods. Nikulas knew he was cross with him, he’d snuck off again avoiding his work in the mushroom caves, to tend to a wolf mother and her pups. There had been a storm last night and Nik was sick with worry that their den would flood in the middle of the night.
He’d left and stayed the night with the wolf family, only to return to his village to the stern looks of his mother and father. Before he knew it he was being marched through the woods on one of his father’s long walks.
“You interfere far too much in the natural order Nikulas,” his father scolded as they walked. “Your teachers say as much, questioning or ways and shirking your duties,”
“Dad, we are druids, isn’t most of what we do interfering in the natural order of things?” Nik replied.
“We are here to be guardians. Shepard’s of the forest. If those wolves had been meant to die in that storm then our duty to them would have been to commit their bodies back to the earth, so that they could become new life.”
“Dad, I know our ways. But knowing that I can do something to change their fate… the teachers don’t get it, all we could be doing.”
“Niklus ,my son, you shall learn fast that even with our power we cannot save everyone. Some will die and wither away that is just life.”
Nik nodded and he fell back into silence. His father was right he knew that, but it would never stop him from bringing birds home with broken wings or making berries for the squirrels on cold winter days, or from bucking his teachers for that matter. He needed a few joys in life.
They walked on into a part of the wood that Nik didn’t recognize. The trees strange and older than the part where the circle lived. Where was he taking him?
“I told that boy West you wouldn’t be seeing him for a while.” He father broke this silence once more.
“Dad you can’t be serious! I thought you liked him.”
“I do but it’s not really fair to him, not seeing you for the next year.”
“Next year!” Nik stopped “hold up, don’t I get a say in this?”
“The Grandfather Tree has called for you. I’m taking you there to begin your training.”
“Only elders get called there…” Nik was at a loss for words.
“Yes my son, the Grandfather tree thinks your are worthy of being tested. I personally think 16 is a little to young but so the forest proclaims.”
Nik stat down on a stump and ran his fingers through his hair, the weight of his father’s words pressing down on him. He’d been called to the Grandfather Tree, the most sacred place in the High Forest. Him, one who always slacked on his lessons and ran from his work to wander the woods, taking West along on those outings, making his stray from his duties too. His teachers loathed him, the elders more so. A rotten apple they called him, spoiling those around him. To be called to the Grandfather Tree…
“Dad I can’t, it’s a mistake… I’m never going to be an Arch Druid you and I both know that.” Nik looked up at his father. “I don’t have that sort of motivation or drive. I just want…”
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“And yet the Tree has called you boy,” he father cut him off. “Take the honour proudly, for we both know what will happen if you fuck this up.”
“Yeah I’ll be next years mushroom crop.”
“That you will,” his father pulled him from his seat. “Or you’ll come back from this a man Nikulas. By the forest I know you will endure. You are clever enough lad, just apply yourself.”
“I really don’t have a choice in this I hope you know.” Nik sighed. “Lets go then.”
“Not all our choices we get to make for ourselves. Sometimes we can only work with what we are given.”
“That makes no sense if I have no say its not really a choice…”
************
The walk took them two days, Nik stayed quiet through most of it listening to his father recounting tales and teachings of their Circle and this forest. Stories that Nik had heard a million times before, but maybe this time he listened a little closer than he had before. He was heading to the Grandfather tree.
The farther they walked the larger the trees got, more twisted were the branches, the trunks covered in thick green moss. It was warmer here, and he took off layers as he walked. This was the old growth, from which the forest spread out over so many generations. Nik felt the lifeforce in these trees, the power. He ran his hand along the trunk of one on them and mushrooms grew suddenly in the places he touched. Never had things grown so fast for him. Never had he felt closer to nature than he did right now.
“This is where is leave you.” His father stopped. “I am not chosen and cannot venture much farther into the old growth. You can find your way from here.”
“Dad no,” Nik turned back to him. “You can’t, it can’t be that much farther…”
“Go Nikulas,” he nodded. “Come back to us a true Shepard of this forest. Come back to us a man.”
Nik hugged his father tightly, wanting to let him go. He’d be all alone soon, no one to guide him or tell him when he messed up. Could he really do this, now that he felt the power he was walking towards. His father broke the hug and kissed him on the forehead before turning and touching a near by tree. Opening up the forest gate, Nik saw his village through the door way once again, as his father stepped through, a home he wouldn’t see for a long time.
**********
Nik kept walking, alone now in their ancient place. Hearing the voices of the trees now. Marking them truly as ancient and knowing. Only the strongest of his circle could hear their voices without casting a spell. He shouldn’t be able to hear them but he did.
Child come, we’ve been waiting. Grandfather is ready to welcome you…
The voices whispered to him. A voice like his mother’s. Comforting him as he marched on.
So young, so strong, so kind. You’re roots are strong and soon with branched will reach high to the sun.
Lights danced about him now. Green and glowing like fireflies pushing him on, daring him into a race. Nik’s steps quickened to almost a run trying to keep pace with them. He shifted. Taking the from of a deer and bonded through the underbrush as he chased those lights.
He lost track of where he was going, the path lost under his hooves, all he did was follow the lights. He pushed out from the trees into a clearing. There he saw it the massive towering shape of the grandfather tree. Taking over the landscape.
Nik dropped his feet shape and stood in aw looking up and the ancient tree. More that 30 feet around towering high above the canopy of the forest, the prominent facial feature present in the bark. Just like all the story his teachers had told him. This was the place where life began. He shouldn’t be standing here.
He dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the ground. Averting his eyes from the sight of it all. He should just go home, better yet, run away and never come back. That would almost be less shameful. To say he ran from the Grandfather Tree…
But his legs wouldn’t move like he’d been rooted to the ground.
A seedling is before me, a deep voice echoed around him.
“You called me oh Mighty grandfather tree.” Nik shook. “My name is Nikus…”
Rise seedling so I may look on you.
Nik got to his feet, keeping his eyes cast down as those green lights swirled around him, moving a long his skin.
Human, male of 18 summers, trouble maker, covered in brambles but with a kind heart. The drive of a rabbit, but without the desire to spawn. Never will your loins bear fruit. Lazy and lacking motivate to move yourself further into the sun. But wise and thoughtful in all you do.
“Is that your assessment then?” Nik shifted as his truth laid out before him.
There is no rot about you, so you can learn. I will teach you all I know and help you grow.
“But why me?” Nik looked up. “I’m nothing special. I don’t listen I run off from my lessons…”
But your heart is with the forest. And that is what matters most. Nikulas, by the time you leave me your roots will run deep. I will make you strong, a leader for your village. Do you wish to eat if my fruit and gain this knowledge?
“Can I change my mind?”
You can.
“As long as I have that choice.”
You always will be free to choose you path here Niklus. For this will be yours to watch over one day.
“Great no pressure at all.” Nik nodded. “It’s only a year of my life. Let’s get started.”