The burning fire of his breath broke the waves of Ouros, the strength of his magic broke the storm of the ocean's father. As I stood high on the mountain plateau I could see him struggling against those claws, losing. I pulled out my most precious possession, a dagger, a gift from Leomer, who had never designed a weapon for war, yet gave me this gift. I took his gift, watching the end, then I made my decision. I pierce my heart with my dagger. I take the last step. I RISE.
Apotheosis.
Jonah could feel the gaze of hundreds of creatures, monster and beast, many with evil pleasure. The Lady herself was looking at him, like a cat with a mouse trapped in its paws.
Jonah began to think quickly. He had always been proud of his memory, he had trained it, and today it would save his life, he just had to find the relevant information. Recalling that long chapter on the Dryads, Jonah remembered that they were proud, arrogant Beings, tyrannical against those weaker than them. But if they were quick to anger they had a strong survival instinct, the book did not say cowards but Jonah could read between the lines. And if the more powerful ones didn't submit, they respected a power that was superior to them.
Jonah bowed, his blade still pointed at his heart.
- My Lady, I fear I have failed you, I am sure my Master will compensate you for the mistake I have made.
Almaeris hesitated in the face of her aplomb, a fleeting hesitation that Jonah would never have perceived had he not spent the last few months with unexpressive Eldar.
The dryad placed her Svärdstav back on her lap. Jonah could see the look of contempt on her face.
- You dare to come into my domain, destroy what is precious to me, and make restitution without suffering the punishment you deserve.
With a gesture of contempt, she pointed to Jonah's chest.
- You ring my doorbell and when I send my faithful Belrug he comes back to me wounded and beaten.
She pointed absentmindedly at the wounded beast beside her throne, and it growled loudly, its murderous gaze fixed on Jonah.
Almaeris leaned towards him, managing to make herself look even more menacing.
- Who is this Master, to whom I would demand your life for the price of your misdeeds?
Putting his hand on his heart, Jonah spoke in what he hoped was a humble tone.
- I am in the service of the Emerald Kingdom.
Does would Jonah have view a flash of relief in his eyes? In any case, her reaction was not what Jonah had hoped for.
Settling back into her seat, she added mockingly.
- The Emerald Kingdom has no right to demand that I make such a sacrifice, to forget the consequences of your presence on my domain.
The lady looked down at Jonah's Svärdstav, caressing the blade with envy, he could hear the words she muttered softly.
- I've always wanted one of his weapons. Made of the blood of two gods. From the corpse of Rogosh himself.
Jonah shuddered, there was no way he was going to let her have his weapon. Yet despite his desire, he preferred to remain silent.
He was tempted to do something but the situation he was in did not allow him to hope for a happy ending. Besides, he had to think about Marie, she was still there by the lake. Had Almaeris bewitched her? Was she being held prisoner here? Jonah had no idea how the Dryad's power worked, he didn't even know if she was using the Weave, he was far from having advanced knowledge of the Weave, so he didn't know what was possible and what wasn't. From everything he had learned, weaving was not a way to influence another person's mind, but he could be wrong. He remembered the weave that hid the Eldar from the Dark Path, he was sure there was more to it than a weave of light.
Which meant that if she was holding Marie here, she was using magic. He didn't even have the faintest idea of how magic worked. Once again he regretted the Eldar's refusal on this matter. Knowledge should never be hidden, gained yes, through dedication and study, but never hidden.
Jonah's future was heading in a distinctly unfavourable direction, but if he could bargain for Marie's return to the Emerald Kingdom, he would consider the situation a success.
The Lady of the Forest looked at him again, surprised to find him still present. Straightening up, she assumed a regal pose, still holding Jonah's Svärdstav firmly.
- No matter how much you serve the Emerald Kingdom, even though I'm surprised they allowed a human in their land, your crime is even greater. All Eldar know that they owe respect to the mistresses of the forest.
Looking at her gathered court, who looked back at her in silence, she added.
- For the price of your misdeeds, you will serve my domain, until death releases you from my service.
She finished her sentence emphasizing these last two in such a way that she demanded a reaction. And she got it.
The Lady of Forest's monstrous court awoke, moaning, growling, hooting, neighing, cackling, and many other animal and monster noises that Jonah did not have the words to describe.
Not only did they make noise but they physically announced their approval by stomping on the ground, flying in the sky, jostling each other...
Jonah thought he was in a monster zoo gone mad. Aware that he was in a difficult situation he forced himself to remain calm. And as the madness continued for a long time he met the Lady of Forest's look of satisfaction. He was going to have to find a way to escape while retrieving his weapon, and if that was impossible at least get a message to the Emerald Kingdom. He was fairly certain they would send someone to negotiate for him, the broken empire needed him. He could at least count on that to ensure his rescue. But for now, his priority was to survive, to survive and to get Marie released.
And as the silence gradually fell, when Jonah knew he could be heard he spoke up, even though he knew what he was about to say could get him killed, he couldn't be shy. Bowing, Jonah said.
- If I am to serve you, my lady, I will have to send a message to the Emerald Kingdom that you require my service.
The nasty look Almaeris gave him showed him how unpleasant his intervention was. Yet Jonah continued.
- If I may say so, you are holding a human here, she could carry my message to the kingdom if you release her.
Almaeris gestured in annoyance.
- The little human is free to go wherever she wants, she will be taken to the Eldar. But you, my little servant, have no right to make demands. You still have a lot to do if you want to win my favour. Only then will I be ready to listen to your demands.
Turning once more to the Svärdstav, she added almost absent-mindedly.
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- Withdraw now, I will soon have a mission for you.
As Jonah bowed again and started to leave, she said.
- And remember, you are forbidden to leave my valley. Disobedience will be severely punished.
As Jonah retreated, passing between the monsters around him, some of them shoving him, their eyes wicked, he thought.
All things considered, he had done well, he was alive, Marie was free, even if she had nothing to do with his situation, he was glad of that. Now he found himself a prisoner of a Dryad, surrounded by monsters. If the Dryad wasn't lying, then all he had to do was survive until Marie returned to the Emerald Kingdom and help was sent.
Of course, Jonah didn't intend to base his only hope on this eventual rescue, he intended to save himself if possible.
As he approached the lake that would probably be his home for a while Jonah looked up at the sky. It wasn't even noon yet, it seemed like a lot longer to Jonah.
Marie was not near the lake, as she had been when he woke up. He went looking for her. He finally found her by a tree to the left of the lake from his tree, she was sitting on a chair-like root, with a table full of fruit, nuts and mushrooms in front of her.
Frowning, he approached her. Seeing him approach she turned to him with a smile, before inviting him to join her.
- Jonah, it's good to see you again. Are you hungry? Come on, the food here is very good.
As Jonah sat down in the vacant chair opposite her, he watched her. She was like earlier, if she was under a spell or some kind of magic he couldn't see it. Pushing his ability to see the weave as far as possible he tried to see if any particular weave threads existed around her. Seeing nothing he gave up, as his prism began to throb with pain.
Mary, intrigued by his behaviour, asked him.
- Don't you like fruit? I assure you they are very good.
Jonah realised that he was hungry and took one of the fruits before biting into it. They were indeed very good, cold and wet as if they had just been taken out of ice water, juicy and sweet as if they had just been picked.
As he ate, Jonah tried to find answers to some of his questions.
- So you made a deal with Almaeris to have her escort you back to the Eldar?
Marie gave him a simple happy nod.
Jonah, still puzzled, asked again.
- How did you do that? Why did she agree?
Mary shrugged before answering him.
- I asked. She agreed.
Jonah pursed his lips in concern, there was something not clear about this story. Was he reading too much? Was Almaeris really that accommodating? Her behaviour towards him might have been due to her past actions in the forest...
- How long have you been here?
Hesitant Marie says.
- I don't know, the days pass quickly here.
Not liking what he was about to say, Jonah forced himself to say it again.
- When will you leave?
- When I want to.
- When do you want to?
- Yes, I will.
- Then why haven't you left yet?
Marie turns around and says to her.
- I like it here.
Before he could answer, she continued.
- But you're right, it's time for me to go. I'll go to Almaeris tonight and tell him.
Sighing with relief Jonah said.
- Well, could you give Zarune a message from me when you see her?
- Aren't you coming with me?
- No. Almaeris is holding me, prisoner, here.
- Prisoner? It's a pity, you must have done something serious for her to keep you here.
Unsure of how he should take his answer he continued.
- I set fire to part of the forest
- You started a forest fire? Oh, Jonah...
- I didn't have a choice.
Mary gave him a simple, patient look.
- Anyway, she wants me to stay here and serve her, but as you know we already have obligations to the Emerald Kingdom. And frankly, I'd rather be back with the Eldar even, with, where they're sending us is better than here.
- You're hoping that Zarune will intervene to negotiate your release?
- Yes, I am.
- All right, I'll tell her when I see her.
- Thank you.
The rest of the meal was spent in silence, in a silence that was happy for Marie and worried for Jonah. At the end of their meal, he asked her again.
- So what are you doing here in the meantime?
- Walking, sitting by the lake, thinking about home.
Worried that Marie would react as she always had at the mention of home, he was surprised to see the same serene smile on her face that she had been wearing since he had met her here again. He didn't know why, but the change worried him.
- Sometimes some of the residents visit me. They are nice, they chat with me for a while and then they leave.
- I see...
- You should enjoy the valley a bit too, Jonah. From what you told me Almaeris will soon have something for you to do.
With a last smile for him, Marie stood up before walking slowly towards the lake. Jonah sat in front of the remains of his meal, seeds and fruit.
Since he was trapped here, in relative safety, he could take the opportunity to reflect on some ideas he had about weaving. He also had to assess the limits of the Lady of Forest's domain, to know how far he could go, and who was watching him so that he wouldn't run away. He also had to find a way to retrieve his weapon, which would be difficult if Almaeris kept it near her.
As he walked through the valley, he thought about weaving, experimenting with it, while avoiding fire weaving. He stayed close to Marie even though she was lost in thought most of the time. As evening approached, Marie left for the root throne to signal that she would leave in the morning. Jonah wanted to go with her, she told him it wasn't necessary, but Jonah was adamant. Marie shrugged her shoulders.
- As you wish, but it will be quick.
As they both approached Almaeris, Jonah noticed that the monstrous court was much smaller than when he had arrived. The monsters must have come for him on purpose, now they were back doing what a monster does. Probably looking for food.
The Dryad was still on her throne, when they arrived she looked up.
- Good evening," said Marie
- Little one. What can I do for you?
Jonah was surprised by the tone Almaeris used to speak to him. Gone was the cold, haughty, sensual tone she had used with him. Now she spoke with calm and wisdom. Jonah could almost hear a certain wariness.
- I have to leave tomorrow.
- I see. My knights will accompany you on the way. The forest is dangerous, and you will be out of my domain, so be careful.
- I have every confidence in your knights, Almaeris," Marie smiled at her.
The Lady of the Forest nodded.
- How long will it take her to get to an Eldar village? Jonah interjected.
Almaeris gave him an irritated look but replied in the same calm tone.
- At your rate, it will take you four days to get there, little one. Don't worry, my knights will provide for your every need.
Marie gave him a grateful look.
- Will you come and say goodbye to me tomorrow?
Almaeris replied with a thoughtful look.
- I will be there.
Waving goodbye, Marie turned to leave, waving to some of the monsters around her. She even petted a large grey wolf, which must have reached Jonah's belly. The wolf let her.
Jonah kept his eyes on the Lady of the Forest, trying to judge her behaviour. As Marie walked away, he could see the complicated look on Almaeris' face, and when she realized that Jonah was looking at her she gave him a venomous look, a look that was much more in line with what he expected from her.
Yet while Marie was still there, she said nothing, Jonah left to follow his friend, with the certainty that he would end up paying for his insolence. He just took one last look at his Svärdstav, which was planted in the bark near the throne.
As they walked back to the lake Marie said to him.
- Will you eat with me tonight?
Jonah agreed, joining her at the same place as his lunch. After a meal that lacked meat, Jonah returned to the same tree he had left in the morning.
He lay down, unhappy not to have his gun near him anymore. He had become accustomed to sleeping clutching his Svärdstav and its absence only made him more aware of the uncertainty of his situation.
In the morning he woke up just in time to see a pack of wolves, accompanied by a dozen satyrs coming out of the woods with Almaeris. Colourful birds flew around them, some even daring to cling to Almaeris' antlers. Fortunately, the trees in the forest were huge, otherwise, it would have been difficult for him to travel with the size of her antlers.
He could see Marie rising from the lake where she was sitting, in the same place as yesterday. She must have got up very early.
Reaching Marie as they joined what would presumably be her escort, Jonah couldn't help but let a flash of frustration light up his mind. Did Almaeris never part with Jonah's Svärdstav?
- I can only let you go with this sad company, little one. The rest of my knights are busy elsewhere I fear.
Mary, still smiling, replied.
- That's quite enough, thank you Almaeris.
Nodding her head, the Lady of the Forest said.
- Well, then, goodbye.
- Goodbye.
With these last words, Almaeris waved to the group around her. Jonah moved closer to Marie before taking her in his arms.
- Be careful," he whispered.
Mary patted his arm reassuringly before leaving.
As Jonah watched them leave with concern, he found himself alone with Almaeris. Once they were hidden in the forest, she returned to him with a mischievous look.
- I have a mission for you, my little servant," she began. "A nest of ants is disturbing my border and attacking my trees, destroy it.
- Ants? How big? How many are there?" asked Jonah, unsure.
- The smallest ones come to your knees, what about the numbers? Never mind kill them all, one of my fairies will be with you, to make sure you complete your mission.
Jonah glanced at his Svärdstav.
- I'll need a weapon...
Almaeris laughed a wicked, sensual laugh.
- Aren't you a Weaver? Weave.
With that, the dryad walked away, and shortly afterwards, before Jonah could even have breakfast, he was picked up to complete his mission.
Fairies were nothing like the nice ladies that some of the movies Jonah had seen tried to make him believe. They were more like small humans with waspish eyes and a mean streak, who delighted suffering. The fairy who accompanied him fit his criteria well.
Jonah wasn't looking forward to having to fight an entire anthill alone and unarmed.