After learning he was a druid, the demeanor of the women changed entirely. No more were they hungry-eyed predators. Now they waited as if for command, still staring down, still on their knees.

“I apologize, druid,” said Thea, “but my sister has never been…seeded so vigorously. She will need time to recover.”

It was the kind of ego boost that didn’t require acknowledgment. And as good as it was, Mason noticed some ghostly text floating in the corner of his vision, and his eyes widened as he stared.

[Title earned! Quench the unquenchable: Sexually satisfy a nymph. Increased virility.]

He blinked, and snorted, not entirely sure what that meant. But for now it wasn’t important.

Calypsa cuddled up next to him, her warm, soft body soon pressed against his side, her hands gently stroking and massaging his chest as he lay down and exhaled a deep breath.

“I could use some information,” he said.

“Of course, druid,” Thea smiled. “We have considerable knowledge of this forest, of primal magic, of birth and rebirth, of…”

“Let the druid ask his questions,” Calypsa muttered from the ground.

“First, what are you?”

Thea look confused. “We have told you, druid. We are daughters of Gaia, sisters of the earth,…”

“Yes.” He nodded. “What I mean is…are you…players? Civilians?”

Thea stared at him without comprehension.

“Did the system create you? Do you have certain rules you have to follow?” He wasn’t quite sure how to ask ‘are you some kind of intelligent robots?’ without sounding extra offensive.

Still the girl or creature stared at him in utter confusion. “What is a system, druid? I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you mean.”

Alright. Nevermind that.

They said they had considerable knowledge of the forest, and Blake was in this forest. Probably. Better to stick to something immediately useful, he decided.

“I’m looking for someone,” he said. “A young man named Blake. Would you be able to help me find him?”

Thea frowned.

“You are the only man whose name we know, druid. We do not leave our grove, except to walk between the Great Trees. But that isn’t currently possible.”

“What do you mean walk between the great trees? And why can’t you do it now?”

The nymph looked sad, and Mason had the immediate urge to comfort her. He drew her against him, and somewhat amazingly felt a small twitch between his legs as her soft body squished tight against his skin.

“We nymphs can travel the Path of the Wyrds,” she explained. “It takes us instantly from any of the Great Trees spread across the world.”

“But they have been corrupted, and occupied,” Calypsa rose up with a luxurious stretch, some strength returned to her voice. “The druids of old are gone, and evil has returned to the world. Ours is the last Great Tree we know that can still be traveled safely…and even then…the rot has begun.”

There was moisture in the nymphs’ eyes now and Mason felt something primal in his chest to defend them, protect them. “What is this rot? Is it the other dungeon? That is, the other place I felt when I touched the tree?”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Yes,” Thea nodded sadly. “A foul energy has come to our grove. The lower creatures are all infested, the dryads and satyrs who lived there wrestling with sickness that stains their souls. I fear they are all but lost. We were forced to flee here, and shut them out.”

“But it’s only a matter of time?” Mason inferred.

“Yes.” Thea smiled. “But we are wielders of life magic. And your potent seed will help us keep the rot at bay. For awhile, at least.”

“I think I’ve cleared one of these Great Trees already,” Mason thought back to the gnolls. “Perhaps I can do it again.”

Both nymphs sat up with eager eyes. “You did? Where was it?” Thea asked.

“What did it look like?” Calypsa added. “What infested it?”

“Woah, woah,” Mason sat back up and sighed. “It was…South West, several days on foot. But I run pretty fast. Though I was carrying someone.”

“Ah. A woman.”

Mason raised a brow and Thea shrugged.

“We could smell her on you.”

“So the tree,” he continued. “It was huge, though not as large as yours. It was filled with gnolls, and had a big, green pool of foul waters, surrounded by…”

“The Tree of Asimos!” said Thea, and Calypsa nodded. “You cleared it?”

“I…think so? I killed all the gnolls at the end. It was empty when I left.”

“Oh, sister,” said Thea, her eyes shining with pleasure. “A real druid has returned to us! Like the legends of old. Fate has brought you, Mason. And now you will restore the great trees for Gaia. Starting with ours.”

[Objective received: Restore the great trees of Gaia throughout the Western Forest. Quest reward: Walking the Wyrd Way.]

Mason’s eyes widened when he looked at the reward. Did that mean he could travel through these trees like nymphs? Some kind of…instantaneous movement? Like teleportation? If so, well, that was amazing. But who knew how many trees there were and how far apart. And how difficult to clear. The last one had nearly killed him. He’d gotten more powerful since then, obviously, but then maybe so would the challenges.

He looked at the nymphs, so expectant, so filled with hope, and he sighed. “OK. I will. But it won’t be quick, or eas…”

They squealed and even Calypsa scrambled to his side, crushing themselves against him.

Mason was at last reminded that Haley was still outside the tree, probably lost and terrified.

“My…woman is outside, alone. I have to leave. She won’t have any idea what happened, I have to…”

“Oh she is quite safe,” said Thea.

“How do you know?” he watched her eyes.

“Because she is trapped in the mists of our great tree. We can see her even now. She is frightened, as you say, but very much fine. You can lead her out when we’re finished.”

Mason relaxed, but still pushed away the nymphs’ hands.

“No. I will lead her out now. So you can’t tell me how to find my friend?”

“We’re very sorry, druid,” said Calypsa with a tone that implied it was true. “But we can tell you there is a dwelling of men to the West. Your friend might be there.”

Mason nodded, pleased this matched the scout’s information.

“I may have to fight those men to rescue him,” he said. “Is there anything you can do to help me? Once I’ve saved him, I’ll see to your tree.”

Thea frowned but looked at her sister. “Calypsa is a warrior, but if she left I would be almost without protection.”

“Could you both come?”

“No,” she shook her head. “At least one of us must be here to maintain the magic sustaining the holy tree. But…we could risk Thea accompanying you. For a little while.”

Mason frowned. He didn’t want to do that and put Thea in any danger. “No. I don’t want to risk you, or your tree. I’ll solve it on my own and come back. I promise.”

Again tears formed in the softer nymph’s eyes, and the clung to him as if he were driftwood in some dangerous sea. He suspected at least part of how he felt was magic toying with his mind, but he couldn’t help but feel protective of them.

“Oh!” Calypsa rose and hopped up, moving to a different section of the cave. She returned with what looked like a crystal hanging on a vine. “This will help channel your power, druid. It is a natural charm, and will harness your magic.”

Mason took it and smiled politely. “I’m sorry but I’m not sure I understood that. What does it do specifically?”

The nymphs shrugged. “Every druid is different. Only you will know how to wield it, Mason. But please accept it with our thanks, and blessing.”

[Received Primal Charm.]

“Thank you,” Mason said and meant. “I won’t forget.”

The nymphs beamed, and exchanged a look.

“Are you certain you don’t wish to rest and recover a little while? You can bathe in the holy waters, and drink and eat to your contentment, and…”

“No, thank you.” Mason rose, then glanced at the pool. “Well. I wouldn’t mind a quick dip in that water, if that’s alright?”

Thea smiled and rose up to take his hand. “Come, druid, it will renew you.”

She led him to the faintly glowing waters, and he stepped into the tepid pool without hesitation, descending until it rose up to his chest. He dipped below the surface and did his best to scrub at his body with his hands. At least when he was back with Haley, he wouldn’t smell quite so much like nymph.

He rose back up to find the creatures both beside him. But he pushed them away.

“Very bad,” he chastised, standing and putting on his clothes. “My friend is out there. I need to go.”