Lirien, along with everyone else, stood in stunned silence, their faces etched with shock. The young dryad had just expelled them, passing judgment on their worthiness, declaring the end of the elven community in Arcadia.

Tears streamed down Lirien's cheeks as Nalaniel began to laugh, an infuriating display of his ignorance.

Nalaniel stepped forward, his smile directed at the dryad. "The spirit? You expect me to believe in some all-powerful spirit governing the forest? Stop spouting your nonsense, brat. Return to whatever hole you crawled out of and—"

Lirien sensed it a split second before it occurred. Thick roots erupted from the ground, launching soldiers in every direction, while Calanthir's movement was so swift that he appeared to blur.

In the blink of an eye, Nalaniel found himself ensnared by the binding roots, firmly pinned to the ground, with the dryad looming over him like an executioner. "You made your choice, elf," Calanthir declared, his voice laced with authority. "You severed your connection to the forest, forsaking it for gold, influence, and power. You discarded the very essence that made you formidable. Look around you. The elves were once much more than this—ruins scattered throughout Arcadia stand as a testament to what you once were."

Nalaniel choked, the dryad's hand firmly clasping his neck. "You will leave, elf. You are no longer welcome." With those words, Calanthir released his grip, and as Nalaniel tried to speak, roots enveloped his mouth, silencing him.

Calanthir walked purposefully toward the gathered crowd of elves, their expressions filled with fear, brokenness, and despair. Yet, the dryad wore a gentle smile. "Not all of you have strayed so far," he said, locking eyes with Lirien. "And neither have you, dear Lirien," he added, turning his gaze to a young child. "Nor have you, little Relin."

Relin blushed, bashfully acknowledging the dryad's words. Calanthir continued, "Many of you have not lost your connection. For those who wish to strengthen their bond, you will be welcomed in Arcadia. But there are those among you who have forfeited that chance, corrupted by greed."

He shifted his attention back to the councilors and pointed directly at Nayal. "You will leave," he commanded. Then, he directed his finger at the man standing beside her. "And you."

As Calanthir singled out specific guards and individuals from the crowd, Lirien could sense a palpable diminishment of their presence, as if their ties to Arcadia were severed one by one.

In that moment, the angry-looking individuals stood alone, isolated as the rest instinctively distanced themselves from them. The stark reality of their situation hit Lirien with a jolt. Life, nature, and Arcadia itself could be unforgiving, exhibiting both harshness and mercy. However, Arcadia also held the power to bestow life, nourishment, and growth upon its inhabitants. Those individuals, like a malignant cancer, threatened the very fabric of their community. Lirien harbored no sadness in bidding them farewell.

As the intensity of the situation subsided, Calanthir appeared visibly spent, his energy expended by the daunting task at hand. Lirien approached him, gently supporting his slender frame. Though physically small, Calanthir emanated an aura of strength and significance that made him seem larger than life to Lirien.

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Calanthir seethed with anger, his realization of what it truly meant to be a caretaker resonating within him. He was no mere individual; he was a conduit, a vessel through which the very will of the forest flowed. The weight of this responsibility filled him with awe.

With unwavering conviction, he had banished 32 people from the elven village, and there may be more to come, though he hoped their numbers wouldn't grow too large. The remaining inhabitants would be given an opportunity to restore their bond and rediscover themselves.

Despite his weakened state, fueled by a lingering fury, Calanthir pushed Lirien gently aside and stood on his own as a woman adorned in jewels approached, seething with rage. "You think you can do this to us? Think you can just make us leave?!" she spat.

Calanthir nodded firmly. "I do," he affirmed. The woman laughed arrogantly. "And who is going to make us? You?"

A smile devoid of warmth formed on Calanthir's lips. "That is one possibility, but there are plenty of options. For instance, there happens to be a sizable wolf pack nesting nearby. I could probably persuade them to assist in this matter."

The woman sneered, her confidence wavering. "We are not afraid of wolves! We are elves, not some sniveling humans."

Calanthir's grin widened. "And how strong are you without your weapons? Does any of you possess magic? How long would you last against those formidable fangs?"

Hesitation flickered in the woman's eyes. "You... You wouldn't send us out there without weapons, surely?" she questioned.

Calanthir shrugged nonchalantly. "You won't be harmed if you make a straight line out of Arcadia. But should you veer off that path..." He left the threat hanging in the air.

The woman took a step back, her confidence faltering. She gestured toward the guards who were slowly recovering from being thrown around. "Kill this interloper!" she commanded.

A large man stepped forward, his smile directed at Calanthir. Lirien swiftly positioned herself between him and the guard, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "Please, Falanvor, put your weapon down," she implored.

The man tilted his head, contemplating the situation. Then, with a shrug, he tossed his spear down before Lirien. "I will obey because it is you, Lirien. The guards will not serve a dryad!"

Lirien sighed in relief, and Nayal spluttered, "What are you doing!? Kill the little brat, he is—"

Before Nayal could finish her sentence, Lirien stepped forward and delivered a swift punch, rendering her unconscious.

Falanvor grinned, a sense of satisfaction in his expression. "That was satisfying, but what now, Elder? If we allow the dryad to force these people out, we will be left in the dark!"

Lirien's smile widened. "No, Falanvor, it's quite the opposite. Calanthir doesn't seek to rule us as a people; he only enforces the laws of Arcadia."

Falanvor furrowed his brow. "And what are these laws, then?"

Lirien's smile grew even wider. "As far as I know, there is only one: do not harm the forest."

Falanvor nodded, absorbing the gravity of the situation. "That entails a significant amount of change, Elder. Will we be able to accomplish it?"

Calanthir moved forward, stepping around Lirien with unwavering determination. "You will," he asserted, his voice filled with conviction. "And I will stand by your side, lending my assistance. Those who dedicate themselves to the preservation of Arcadia will not be forsaken. They will not suffer from hunger or illness, that much I can promise you."

Falanvor looked at him for a long while, then he bowed in respect, ‘’that is all we could ask.’’