Calanthir gazed at the elves before him, admiring their slender frames and striking features. But he couldn't shake the feeling that they were malnourished, and their leather armor covered in overlapping scales only seemed to confirm his suspicion. He was taken aback when they knelt before him, and he wasn't sure how to react.

The tallest elf, a woman who appeared to be in her mid-twenties but exuded an aura of authority, caught his attention. He decided that being polite would be the best course of action and bowed respectfully to her, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. Quickly, she returned the gesture, and the others followed suit.

"Well met, my name is Calanthir. May I ask for your names?" he asked.

The tall woman, whose name was Lirien, seemed on the verge of tears, but she managed to compose herself and introduce her companions, Aranel and Faelvin. "We are honored to welcome you to our humble corner of the great forest," Lirien said. "I had never thought to see a dryad here again."

Aranel and Faelvin gasped in shock, their eyes widening at the mention of Calanthir's kind. But he gave them a friendly smile and focused on Lirien. "I have recently taken up residence in Arcadia, and when I became aware of the spreading corruption, I came to see what I could do about it," he said.

The three elves were jubilant at his words, but they managed to maintain their composure. Lirien bowed again. "I cannot express how happy I am to hear that," she said. "Arcadia has not been the same since your kin left... We... things have changed for the worse, I'm afraid."

Calanthir moved towards the elderly elf, his footsteps light and graceful. He reached out a hand, placing it gently on her shoulder as he spoke, "Elder Lirien, I must ask you not to bow to me as if I were your ruler."

Lirien looked up at him, her expression a mixture of surprise and confusion. "But the dryads of old ruled Arcadia," she said, her voice trailing off uncertainly.

Calanthir sighed softly, his eyes downcast. "Yes, that may be true, but I am not here to rule. I am a caretaker, my role is to care for the forest and protect it. Nothing more, nothing less."

Lirien was about to bow again, but Calanthir's raised eyebrow stopped her. "Forgive me for saying, honored dryad, but that is not what my parents taught me as a child. The dryads never interfered in our society, it is true, but whenever they decreed something, that was the law as far as the elves were concerned."

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Calanthir tilted his head in admission. "There is some truth to that. The Arcadian spirits rule the forest, and the caretaker is their voice, and an extension of their will. But I would like to create a working relationship with you. I have no interest in interfering in your affairs."

Lirien nodded in understanding. "You are humble, as befits any great ruler. Thank you for your kindness."

Calanthir was a little confused. He had just tried to explain he was no ruler, but this elf had apparently understood his words in a very different way. He considered correcting her, but he had never been one for long conversations, and he couldn't be bothered to try and explain again.

He turned and studied the forest. He felt the evil emanating from it, the corruption infusing the plants, the trees, and even the animals. He could feel that fury begin to bubble inside him again, and he wanted to act. He was unsure of how to proceed, but perhaps a bit of caution would be prudent. Without turning around, he spoke to the elves. "You built a barrier to hide behind. What happens if you go out there?"

Lirien seemed shamed at his words. They hadn't been meant as him admonishing them, but had obviously been taken as such. "There are creatures out there, Honored dryad..."

Calanthir cut her off with a gentle voice. "Just Calanthir, if you please."

Lirien stepped up beside Calanthir and offered her gratitude. "Thank you," she said. "As I said, there are corrupted creatures out there. They attack as soon as we step too close, infecting those they bite with darkness. We have lost many of our people to them. So we keep our distance, but the darkness just keeps spreading."

Calanthir nodded thoughtfully. He knew he would need the elves' help to combat the evil that had taken root in the forest. He had some ideas, but he would need backup. As he stood there, considering his options, he couldn't help but wonder at how calm he was about all this. His memories were hazy at best, and he knew he had never done anything like this before.

He thought of Beatrice, the only clear memory he had left. He didn't remember their interactions or their life together, only the person she was, what she represented, and the love he had carried for her. Those feelings burned as brightly now as they ever had, and as he watched the darkness swirling before him, he realized that he had transferred that love to the great forest of Arcadia.

No matter who he had been or what he was now, he knew he could not lose another loved one to this sickness. The same darkness that had taken Beatrice was afflicting Arcadia, and he would not let it win.

Determination surged through him, and his mana began to swirl inside him instinctively. It coalesced around him, creating a sphere of life where only life could exist. Lirien gasped, watching in awe as the snow melted around him and plants sprouted up as if spring had arrived in a twenty-foot radius around him.

As he reined in his magic, the flowers remained, a testament to his power and determination. "We will fight this darkness together," he said, turning to face Lirien. "I need your help."