Golem doesn’t like humans. Golem doesn’t like dwarves. Golem doesn’t like fire. Golem like ice. Golem like dryads. Golem like crushed man’s head.

Stone Golem

*

The lupines return to the Glade, accompanied by the High Member’s guests.

This is the phrase that runs among the inhabitants of the center of the Great Forest, united in their houses in trees, as high as skyscrapers. There, in the center of the Glade, it is impossible not to feel the greatness of Nature and the smallness of the creatures in the face of such an amazing demonstration of the ancestry of trees and buildings.

That is because the residences are formed of vines and tree branches, which, with the help of the Druids, were modeled to form beautiful residences in the middle of the trunks and above the crowns. From the ground level to the highest points of the trees, bridges of vines, stone staircases and decorations with multicolored leaves and flowers form a spectacular picture of a city that seems to have come straight from a dream.

And even in such an impossible place, the central construction is even more impressive.

There, in center of everything, without a single leaf falling in the middle of the Glade, is a tree, older than any other. The Ancestral Tree. A real colossus, which could be seen by newcomers since the moment the sun rise over the camp.

The size of the tree is large enough that, at its feet, between its roots, an entire castle is modeled, with the careful allocation of marble stones, limestones, basalt and many others, forming a magical and artisanal construction. Sometimes, in the corridors, it is possible to see a root of the big tree insinuating itself in a corridor, like a piece in a museum, purposely displayed to remind everyone of the place where they are.

And, yet, the ground level is not the only level to have a building. Although the ground level is where all matters are dealt with, a single creature has the honor to inhabit the top of the Ancestral Tree. Isolated, in a residence built by the first inhabitants of the forest, is the dormitory of the High Member, the ruler over all creatures of the forest. The Oracle.

It is in this Glade that rumors circulate about the creatures escorted by the lupines. Among them, there is a rumor that the High Member invited such creatures because she had visions about them. These rumors are whispered among the tree houses, in the shelters between the rocks, on the paths between the bridges made of vines. They pass through the mouths of satyrs and nymphs. They circulate between dryads and fauns. They are repeated by fairies and goblins. Creatures of all sizes and shapes repeat the information, circulate around the Glade and retreat to the shelters themselves.

-They are afraid. Apparently, the Oracle must have hidden the reason for our arrival. – Yvanna murmurs. She and Rinlia are the only ones in the waiting room.

The place where they are is a large white room, furnished with various plants and landscape paintings of rivers and waterfalls. On the walls, displayed as exhibition pieces, without any kind of protection, are large precious stones, in their raw state.

Even though she does not need the money, Yvanna feels attracted by the precious stones, largely due to the boldness of the forest people in exhibiting such riches because she knows that the other races of the place would have no monetary use for such items. For them, precious stones without magical powers are nothing more than decorative item.

-Rinlia? – In an attempt to distract herself, Yvanna decides to turn to the commander, who is silently, in one corner of the room. – What are you thinking about?

The commander blinks, turning her gaze slowly towards the vampire, as if she were waking up.

-Did you say anything?

-Yeah. I asked what are you thinking.

The elf hesitates. She wouldn’t have spoken if it weren’t for the vampire to ask the question.

-Do you remember the time we went out together? Right after I was decorated by the king?

-Of course. You were a commander for some time, but it was your first public honor, wasn’t it? The king himself recognized your strength.

-Yes. We went out because you owed me a drink after I saved your life.

-Yes. – The vampire does not like to admit it. She does not like to be reminded that she is alive thanks to another creature. It gives the feeling that she has a debt that could never be paid.

-That night you said you admired me. – The elf smiles. – I thought it was strange, because you were always one of the proudest creatures I have ever met.

-Well, you deserved the admiration.

-Do you remember what you said to me later? After I asked you the reason for such admiration.

-It was a long time ago, Rinlia.

-Yet, I remember what you said. Because it was something that marked me forever. You said it was because you yourself would never be able to handle the responsibility for the lives of so many creatures in battle. You feared responsibility for a wrong decision, which could cause the death of so many. Your admiration came from the fact that I bear that burden on all the decisions that I make.

-Rinlia-

-That conversation opened my eyes. Despite knowing that there were many creatures under my command and that death is part of the job, I couldn’t help but worry. I made a point of learning more about each soldier under my responsibility for more than one mission. Even though I couldn’t know everyone, I wanted to meet most of them, to make sure my decisions didn’t kill them.

-I understand what you’re getting at. You shouldn’t blame yourself.

-Why not? – The elf’s tone is shaky. She closes her fists and clenches her teeth, straining to control her emotions. Her pearly hair, caught in a ponytail, dangles behind her head. – How can I not blame myself, Yvanna? I still believe I did the best I could, but shouldn’t I have acted differently? Couldn’t I have done better?

The vampire approaches, placing her hand on the elf’s shoulder. Rinlia breaks free, walking a little and stopping after a few steps, turning her back to Yvanna.

-Those boats that sank in the lake. Do you know who was inside them? Darthel, a human who could find a needle in a haystack in a few seconds; Sazar, the elf who saved the lives of many soldiers when she protected one of the towers of a village on the borders of Fiandel alone. Do you know who else was there? Yoef, a half-dwarf who saved my life in the battle we had at the edge of the Great Forest by putting his own body in the path of a boar while I was casting my magic. These are only three. Three of so many soldiers, like Barsen and Gasser, who I don’t even know if are dead or alive.

She stutters, looking ahead. Yvanna does not interrupt, looking at the elf’s back.

-Many soldiers died, Yvanna. As if it were nothing, at the speed of a blink of an eye. They had families, friends and people who cared for them. They had dreams, ambitions and desires. They had a future. A future that will never happen, because of my decisions. They were our brothers in arms and now they are bodies at the bottom of a lake. And I am here. If I had been there, with them, at least I would have paid the price for my mistakes, but now-

The elf is unable to proceed. Yvanna has seen this reaction a few times. Not in public, but on the few occasions when the commander decided to express her feelings.

The vampire approaches, without saying a word, hugging the elf from behind, closing her eyes and resting her head on the blond hair. She takes a deep breath and, feeling the elf’s hands accepting the hug, she says:

-There is a reason why you were chosen to make the decisions as a commander, you know? It is the same reason that I became your friend as soon as we met.

-Oh, yes? And what reason would that be?

-The same reason that made me admire you: You care, Rinlia. More than anyone could imagine. You know the consequences of a decision and you know the risk that each attitude carries. It is because you know this and, yet, you want to save your subordinates and serve for the kingdom to which you belong that you are a fundamental part of everyone’s future. Not only important for my future and for those who survive and return to their houses, but also for the families and friends of those who will not be able to return. You are necessary because only those who know the weight of a life are able to fight again, responsible for the lives of others. Otherwise, you would treat missions as playthings, using your subordinates as board pieces in a sick game.

Rinlia calms down with her friend’s words. She smiles slightly at the words of encouragement and, after a few moments, disengages herself from the embrace, facing the other.

-Thank you.

-You still look worried.

She nods, agreeing.

-You said it yourself. I worry. It is part of who I am. But I am better now.

The two face each other, smiling for a moment, finding security in the presence of the other. It is at that moment that the door to the throne room opens and a dryad, dressed in leaves, approaches the elf.

-Mother Nymph will see you now. Only you.

-It’s all right. – Rinlia tells Yvanna, who is about to protest. – I will be back soon.

The vampire hesitates, but ends up nodding and taking a step back while lowering her head.

*

The throne room of the Great Forest is not a place frequently visited by creatures from other kingdoms. The lack of diplomacy between the creatures of the forest and the “Civilized Kingdoms” means that few individuals can reach the Glade and even less of them can reach the Ancestral Tree.

This is the reason why foreigners who have entered the Throne Room in recent years can be reduced to a handful of messengers and merchants. An army commander from another nation is such a rarity in the place that the sovereign herself could count on her fingers the number of times that happened.

Still, Rinlia enters the throne room. She sees the great hall, very well lit by magical orbs that are positioned alongside the rectangular extension of the room. She admires, with wide open eyes, the silk and gold curtains that delimit the lateral spaces, in which the few members of the Council stand – a famous deliberative organ with a position inferior only to that of the High Member. She sees, in front of her, the corridor made by a bright red carpet, of a fabric that the elf does not know, in which her feet sink until her boots disappear into the fur.

Ahead of her, the show does not end. At the extremity of the hall, by the end of the corridor, a staircase extends itself to the roots of the Ancient Tree, as a reminder of the place where the entire castle is built. At that point, two pillars occupy the ends of the staircase, ornamented with rubies, pearls and crystals, throwing small sparkles of multicolored lights in all directions.

And, between the two crystals, descending through the roots of the tree, a monument is presented in the form of a throne. The roots intertwine and, directly from the tree, the throne is modeled in an elegant and imposing way, as if Nature welcomed the task of providing the symbol of royalty, giving the environment an actual divine aura, reinforced by the light of the crystals and the strong light that is casted from all sides.

And if, on one hand, the throne and the whole environment have a divine aura, the creature sitting on the throne is the true personification of what is ethereal: At the throne is seated a creature with delicate features and round, vivid eyes, that shine an intense tone of blue; her hair goes down over her head to a point below the waist with a naturally wavy shape, swaying in light brown color as the light breeze passes through the room, in a soothing way; her face has rounded features, her nose is upturned and that makes so her face, simultaneously, has an expression of affection and intelligence. Her general appearance resembles that of a woman in her twenties. A long, silk dress, with very long sleeves, finely worked, white and semi-transparent, spread over her body, leaving her skin partially exposed, revealing her beautiful curves – a revelation that does not seem to embarrass any of those present.

That figure on the throne has own several titles over the years: High Member, High Councilor, Oracle and Mother Nymph are the more popular. The name, however, is one: Nida. Only one name, as nymphs have no practical use for a surname. Her age is unknown and, although her appearance is very young, the nymphs’ longevity is generally known, so that her true age is certainly much higher than anyone would initially imagine.

At that moment, in the eyes of a creature that lived as long as the nymph, even an elf is just a child. The acts that brought the elf to her presence for such a meeting are so usual that she does not even think of using devices such as arrogance or social positions in order to afflict or subdue her guest.

-Before we continue – the nymph’s voice seems to have texture. Something similar to the fluffy carpet at the feet of the elf. – I would like to confirm some facts. Do you agree with that?

The respectful tone surprises the elf, who approaches the point where she should remain before the nymph, kneeling and lowering her head.

-As you wish, your highness.

-Get up, my child. I am not a queen and you seem to have suffered too much before getting here. It is not necessary to stay in that uncomfortable position.

-Thank you very much.

Now standing, the elf maintains a rigid stance, fearing that a wrong gesture could offend the nymph.

-Let’s continue. – Nida gesture, dismissing the elf’s words. – Your name is Rinlia and you are a commander in the service of the Kingdom of Fiandel. You are being accompanied by three creatures, am I correct?

-Yes, that’s exactly it.

-Do you now how I got such information?

The elf hesitates, but opts to answer honestly.

-I assume that, as an Oracle, it was through a vision.

-You are correct. I see that information about me still circulates in neighboring kingdoms, even in times of peace.

-Yes. – Rinlia hesitates again, but decides to take advantage of the moment. – The fame of the most powerful Oracle in history will certainly last forever.

-Oh, I would not be so sure about that, elf. – The nymph smiles, rising from the throne, making so everyone kneels before her presence. Rinlia does the same. – Everyone, leave us alone. The matters to be dealt here should not be heard by the Council.

There is no hesitation. Rinlia is surprised to see that even the most powerful members of the Great Forest – the famous Council of the Forest – didn’t dare to question the nymph’s words, leaving her alone without even thinking about the reasons why she didn’t want witnesses to her conversation with a foreigner commander.

-Stand up, child. – The nymph slowly descends the small staircase. Even in all her experience, Rinlia feels her heart beat in awe at the immense presence imposed by the nymph’s existence. – Now, tell me: My fame in the lands of Fiandel has anything to say about how my previsions work?

-Yes. – The elf struggles to breathe normally as the other approaches. – It is said that the views of an Oracle are occasional, without being able to choose what will be seen.

-And does anyone know how the future I see comes true? – The elf can’t answer. – I assume, then, that nobody knows for sure. I am not surprised, since even I have no concrete evidence on how it works. After all, it’s the old question about fate and its possible mutability, isn’t it? Can we change fate, or are we just making it happen when we try to stop it? What do you think?

-I... I believe that, even if there is a destiny, we can change it. We just need enough strength to do that.

-As expected of a citizen of Fiandel. – The nymph’s smile seems to have its own lighting. She is at the bottom of the stairs, just one step above the elf. – When I met Njalmar, he was just a young, naïve dreamer. It is impressive how much he managed to achieve. Peace, prosperity and, even today, he’s respected. You are an example of how his philosophy of life spread to all branches of his kingdom. I would say that his fame is as big as mine. We both reigned in peace for a long time. Do you know what does that mean?

-No, Your Majesty.

-Peace is not a permanent state of affairs. It goes away, just like everything else. It is a cycle that begins and, eventually, it ends.

Nida is silent for a few moments, looking at the edges of the room, as if seeing invisible creatures in the surroundings. She turns to the elf and goes down the last step, placing her hand over the elf’s cheekbone.

-Oh, my child. If only you knew about the future that’s coming. How much time do we have? I will give you a mission, but even I don’t know if that mission can save both of us or if it will lead us towards an inevitable death. Do we have the strength and influence necessary to get the future we want? Or are we just actresses in a tragedy?

-I…

-Oh, my child. If only you knew the pain, the suffering and the tears that will come. If you could see the end of this cycle and the beginning of the next, you would be in tears. The days to come will bring battles of historical proportions. So much chaos that not even my visions will help. Nor will Njalmar’s strength make any difference. Our fame and power will be useless.

-I…

-Oh, my child. I have a mission for you. I will do what I can in the present. I will leave the future in the hands of Destiny. And I really hope that the memories will be enough to cheer us up when the time of the Tears of Blood comes to us.

*

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