Chapter 18: Conversations on a Woodland Stroll

Katalin hurried through the snow-laden underbrush, her cloak billowing behind her as she caught up to Gentiana and Garren. A grateful smile graced her lips as she fell into step beside them, the crunch of fresh snow beneath her boots muffled by the gentle blanket of flakes that continued to drift down from the gray, overcast sky above.

"Thank you, Gentiana," Katalin said sincerely, her breath misting in the crisp, winter air. "For healing Wulfgar and guiding us through the forest. We truly appreciate your help."

Gentiana glanced at her, a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity shimmering in her mesmerizing amethyst eyes. "You are welcome," she replied hesitantly, her words halting as if she were carefully selecting each one. "I am happy to come. Time alone from my sisters is... rare for me. And Glacilyn, she likes you."

"Glacilyn likes me?" Katalin echoed, surprise coloring her tone as she raised her eyebrows.

"Yes. Among your people, it's rare to have a woman warrior, yes?" Gentiana observed, her gaze flickering with a hint of curiosity.

"I am not a warrior," Katalin corrected gently.

Gentiana's brows furrowed slightly as she pondered Katalin's response. "No? Not a warrior, but fights like a warrior... that is even more interesting..." Her voice trailed off before she added, "Also, you smell of raw iron."

"Raw iron?" Katalin repeated, puzzlement etched across her features as she tilted her head, trying to understand.

"Yes," Gentiana affirmed, a wistful expression crossing her delicate face as she inhaled deeply. "It makes you more... forbidden. Very sad thing you not a man."

Katalin couldn't help but chuckle softly at Gentiana's unusual observation. "Sad for me too sometimes," she admitted.

Garren glanced between Katalin and Gentiana, his expression inquisitive. "Why are you not allowed to be alone?" he queried, his voice cutting through the quiet murmur of the forest.

Gentiana, turned to face Garren. "The fault of Irylssa," she began, her words cautious. "She disappeared years ago. We thought her dead. When her appeared again and we learn why, Queen was very angry. Forbids any but hunters to go out alone."

Katalin's looked confused. "She disappeared and appeared?" she echoed, her voice laced with intrigue.

"To us, it seemed so," Gentiana confirmed.

Rollo, who trailed behind leading Pickles, interjected, his voice cutting through the winter stillness. "Oh... I bet it was... "

Before Rollo could finish his thought, Pickles shifted sideways, bumping into him and causing him to stumble. With a grunt, Rollo steadied himself, shooting an accusatory glance at the horse before turning his gaze to Wulfgar, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

Wulfgar, seizing the opportunity, urged Rollo to halt. "Stop a moment and help me down, I need to use nature's facilities," he said with a grin, his eyes twinkling mischievously despite the lingering pain from his injuries.

Garren nodded in understanding, his expression sympathetic. "We can all stop," he suggested, his tone accommodating as he glanced at the others.

But Wulfgar shook his head stubbornly. "No. We will catch up. I want a minute with Rollo," he insisted as he met Garren's gaze steadily.

Gentiana reassured the group, her tone calm. "They will be safe. Irlys and Fionna follow behind. They will not let any danger come."

Garren's eyes widened, surprise evident on his face. "We are being followed?" he questioned, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty as he glanced around the seemingly empty forest.

"They clean our path and protect us," Gentiana explained, her words carrying an air of certainty.

Katalin's eyes widened in realization. "Clean our path? They erase our trail so we cannot be followed?"

Garren nodded. "That is kind of your queen. But how do you know they are there?" he inquired.

"I can feel them," Gentiana replied, a small smile playing on her lips as she closed her eyes for a moment. "They are happy, honored to be chosen by the queen. "

As they resumed their journey, Katalin looked back to see Rollo assist Wulfgar in dismounting from Pickles, the horse's hooves sinking into the soft snow.

Katalin then glanced at Gentiana, her curiosity getting the better of her. "You can feel them?" she asked. "The other dryads?"

Gentiana nodded. "Yes. We all sense each other. What direction and how distant. But I feel stronger than a hunter," she explained, her hand brushing against her fur cloak. "The queen feels strongest of all."

Garren's expression grew solemn as he processed the information. "The queen felt Sally... appear?" he questioned; his voice tinged with awe.

Gentiana nodded, her features clouded with regret. "Salvia? Yes. I felt a new presence but did not understand. The queen knew exactly. Irlyssa very much in trouble for never saying."

Katalin's gasped in disbelief. "She never told the queen she had a daughter. Why not?" she asked, her voice filled with incredulity, the idea of keeping such a secret from one's own mother unfathomable to her.

Gentiana sighed, a hint of frustration creeping into her tone. "Stupid girl in stupid love. She fear Glacilyn bury the humans in snow and ice to free Salvia."

Katalin's eyes widened in horror. "She would kill everyone?" she asked, shocked at the idea of the entire village being wiped out.

Gentiana looked at Katalin, puzzled by her reaction. "Of course," she replied matter-of-factly.

Their conversation lapsed into an uneasy silence, the only sound being the soft crunch of snow beneath their boots. The weight of Gentiana's revelation hung in the air, casting a somber atmosphere over the group. After a moment, the trio behind them caught up, the rhythmic thud of hooves and the jingle of harnesses breaking the stillness of the forest, a welcome distraction from the heavy topic.

Looking back, Garren addressed Gentiana with a polite smile, his eyes softening as he sought to change the subject. "Lady Gentiana, I do not want to be rude, but would you be offended if we made a fire when we camp?" he inquired, his tone respectful.

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Gentiana shifted uncomfortably, her expression troubled. "I don't like fire," she admitted quietly, her voice hesitant, almost apologetic.

Garren nodded. "I understand. But it will be a comfort to us, and especially to Wulfgar," he explained, gesturing toward Wulfgar, who rode Pickles a short distance behind, his injuries still evident in the way he held himself.

Gentiana considered Garren's words for a moment before responding. "Yes. I know our... tenders of the sheep and the gardens enjoy fire. It is because you are cold?" she asked, her tone curious.

Garren smiled and agreed. "Yes, exactly," he confirmed. "A fire will help us stay warm and provide a sense of comfort during the cold nights."

Gentiana nodded in acknowledgment. "In other nights, you can make fires, but tonight, you will have warmth and comfort better than fire," she assured them, her voice filled with conviction.

Garren and Katalin exchanged glances, their eyes meeting in a moment of silent communication, both surprised and intrigued by Gentiana's words.

Katalin spoke up, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "We are going somewhere specific?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on Gentiana, eager to unravel the mystery.

Gentiana turned to Katalin and nodded, her amethyst eyes shimmering with a hint of mischief. "Not somewhere. Someone. You will meet another of my kind," she clarified.

"Another winter dryad?" Garren questioned trying to make sense of Gentiana's statement.

"No. Not my kind. Another of my kind," Gentiana responded, placing emphasis on the word "another", her tone suggesting that the distinction was crucial.

Katalin's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "Not a Winter Dryad, but another dryad?" she guessed, her voice filled with anticipation, the prospect of meeting a different type of dryad sending a thrill through her.

Gentiana smiled fondly, her eyes twinkling. "Elowen, she is a wood nymph. Very friendly. I will tell her she cannot keep any of your men," Gentiana explained, her voice tinged with amusement.

Katalin chuckled nervously. "Um... thank you. I am fond of them and would hate if someone tried to keep them," she admitted, nervous at the idea of losing her companions to the charms of a wood nymph.

Gentiana glanced over her shoulder at Rollo. "I tell her not to keep the boy too. Just in case," she added, her words playful yet sincere.

Behind them, Katalin could just hear Rollo mutter under his breath, his voice laced with indignation, "I'm not a boy."

Katalin suppressed a laugh, her lips twitching with amusement at Rollo's reaction. She turned to Gentiana, giving her a grateful smile, appreciating the Winter Dryad's consideration. "Thank you, Gentiana. I am even fond of the boy," she said, her voice warm with affection. And after a pause, she added in a teasing tone, "A little."

Gentiana nodded, her gaze distant. "Not too bad with just Elowen. Not like before with the many soldiers."

Katalin looked puzzled. "Not like what with the many soldiers?" she asked.

"Many ripe men... and the queen forbidding all to take mates," Gentiana explained, her voice tinged with sorrow. "I feel the frustration of my sisters... and their longing. Very hard."

"I'm sorry, I did not know," Katalin responded, her tone sympathetic.

Gentiana's expression hardened, "It was wise of the queen to ruin the strong one," she said. "I fear some would insist on having him."

Garren, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "Ruined him? When she kissed Sir Randall and did... whatever it was she did?" he asked, seeking clarification.

"Yes. There for purpose. Get Salvia, Go home. Punish stupid Irlyssa," Gentiana confirmed.

"What will the queen do?" Katalin asked, her voice laced with apprehension.

Gentiana, with a casual shrug, replied, "I do not know. She is very angry, but she is good and fair. I am not worried."

Garren, ever practical, redirected the conversation. "What will happen to Dover?" he asked, seeking clarification.

"He will heal and rest. And share Irlyssa's chamber. Maybe Glacilyn makes her share him. That would be fair and good punishment. Yes?" Gentiana proposed, her voice tinged with a hint of happiness at the prospect.

Katalin hesitated, unsure how to respond. "Ummm... I suppose it would?" she conceded reluctantly.

From behind, Rollo chimed in, his tone incredulous. "Share him?" he echoed, disbelief evident in his voice.

Wulfgar, catching Rollo's comment, interjected sternly, "What did I tell you?"

Rollo quickly backtracked. "Nevermind," he muttered under his breath.

"Anyway," Garren said with a grateful smile directed at Gentiana, "Dover is no longer our problem. And thanks to you and your sisters, we don't have to worry about being chased by soldiers for a while."

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A few hours later as the daylight waned, casting long shadows through the trees, the group forged ahead. Gentiana's voice, tinged with a hint of anticipation, broke through the quiet murmurs of the forest. "We are near. Do not cross the water," she cautioned, her words carrying a sense of urgency.

Pressing forward, they soon reached a small stream meandering through the forest. Its gurgling waters seemed to beckon them forward, promising something beyond. On the other side of the stream, a small clearing emerged from the dense thicket. Amidst the clearing stood a magnificent oak tree, its branches covered in leaves and stretching toward the sky with an air of ancient wisdom. But what caught their attention most was the surreal scene within the clearing itself.

Despite the wintry landscape surrounding them, within the confines of the clearing, it was as if spring had arrived early. There was no snow, replaced by a carpet of vibrant green grass. Flowers of every color dotted the landscape, their petals dancing in a gentle breeze, a kaleidoscope of hues that seemed to pulse with life. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blossoms and the song of a single bird, a stark contrast to the chill of the winter forest. In the shade of the magnificent oak tree, a large brown bear lay slumbering, its massive form rising and falling with each deep breath, seemingly unperturbed by the winter that held the rest of the forest in its icy grip.

When they reached the edge of the stream, the group paused, taking in the enchanting sight before them. Katalin's eyes widened in wonder, her breath caught in her throat, as she marveled at the impossibility of the scene. Gentiana, her demeanor almost embarrassed, added, "Remember, Elowyse is NOT a like me. She is a wood nymph," her words carried a hint of unease, as if she were trying to prepare them for something she herself wasn't entirely comfortable with.

As the group observed the tranquil scene, a sudden movement caught their attention. Emerging from behind the towering oak tree, or possibly directly from it, a figure materialized, stepping gracefully into the clearing. She was a vision of ethereal beauty, her age impossible to guess, veiled by an aura of youthful vitality that seemed to radiate from her very being.

With cascading waves of dark green hair framing her delicate features, and skin as verdant as the forest itself, the wood nymph exuded an otherworldly charm. She moved with a captivating grace, her every step a dance of joyous abandon, as if the very essence of the forest flowed through her veins. Clad in scanty leaf clothing that barely concealed her lithe form, she seemed to embody the untamed spirit of nature itself, a wild and carefree creature of the woods.

Her laughter rang out like the tinkling of woodland streams, filling the air with an infectious merriment that threatened to sweep away all cares and worries. It was a sound of pure, unadulterated joy, a celebration of life in its most primal form. As she danced and twirled, her movements were fluid and uninhibited, a testament to the boundless energy and vitality that coursed through her.

Spotting Gentiana standing in the stream, the wood nymph's eyes lit up with delight, and she began to dance towards her, her movements light and airy, as if she were a leaf carried on the wind. With each skip and hop, she seemed to revel in the simple pleasures of existence, her playful demeanor a reflection of the eternal youth and innocence of the forest. Her emerald eyes sparkled with mischief, promising a world of wonder and adventure to those brave enough to follow her lead. As she danced, the bear roused itself from its slumber and lumbered after her, its heavy steps padding softly on the lush grass. It even seemed to sway along with her dance.

As she approached, the wood nymph's gaze flickered over the group, her curiosity raised by the presence of these strangers in her domain. There was a wildness to her, an untamed spirit that refused to be bound by the conventions of the world beyond the forest.

With a joyful laugh, the wood nymph splashed into the stream, enveloping Gentiana in a warm and welcoming hug. The two seemed to melt into each other's embrace, a reunion of kindred spirits bound by the threads of nature. Leaning back, she exclaimed, "Cousin! How wonderful for you to visit," her voice filled with genuine delight, a melody that seemed to harmonize with the rustling of leaves and the bubbling of the stream.

Then, casting a glance over the group, she added, "And you brought dinner!"

Just as Katalin was fully recognizing what the wood nymph had said, her concentration was broken by the bear letting out a loud and powerful roar that echoed through the clearing, sending a shiver down her spine.