I slowly opened my eyes from what appeared to be an eternal slumber. I didn’t recall ever sleeping so well. The last time it happened was when Yurem and I were in the caves but even there, it was lacking. My head is ringing and I feel my heartbeat right on my temples.

The wooden ceiling that was above me was something completely new. The brown oak wood that covered was covered in leaves and the small opening in the wall was big enough to be called a window. The soft breeze hit my face and quickly woke me.

Trying to sit, I feel my right hand restrained. Paying close attention, I notice vines on my hands and feet. They are too tight for me to budge them.

“So you are up.”

The voice that startled me was one I’ve heard before. A voice that made my blood boil. The dryad was looking at me while having a hot beverage. The smoke that came from the cup quickly evaporated into the air leaving a nice fragrance behind. After a quick sip, she stood up and walked in my direction.

“How are you feeling?”

“Where am I?”

“Answer the question, dumb elf.”

“Not worse for wear. I am fine.”

“How’s your breathing?”

“Huh?”

I hadn’t noticed but I could breathe without any pain now. I didn’t have to force myself to not take a deep breath.

“It seems stable, you appear to not have any pain and your lungs have no fluid left. A couple more days and you shall be completely fine.”

“Huh?”

“Is that everything you know what to say?”

“I’m feeling fine. What have you done?”

“Simply gave you medicine and cleansed your blood. Little by little you were getting better. From what I could tell, you were sick for months and the virus was stopping. What happened?”

“Nothing changed. Yurem simply…”

As if a door in my brain opened, my body jumped. Even though I was tied, I tried my best to get rid of my restraints.

“WHERE IS HE? WHERE’S YUREM?”

Shouting to the best of my capabilities, I lost my cool. I have no idea why. It simply happened.

“The boy is fine. He is simply resting. His body was in an awful state and it’s going to take a while for him to recover completely. His mind was also in shambles so I took my time to ease his pain.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The boy lacked nourishment and self-care. From what I saw, he barely ate, let alone sleep. His mind was racing non-stop. When I finally managed to stop his hemorrhage, I took some time examining him. Let’s just say that his mind isn’t a good place to be.”

“Please, explain.”

As we were talking, the vines that were restraining my movements retracted into the dryad’s arm.

“It is not my business to pry any further or to divulge what I have learned.” Turning her heels and rearranging several items on her desk, the dryad only said one last thing. “I have no idea of your arrangement with that boy but all I know is that he is of no threat.”

“He made me some sort of potions for me to drink. In fact, he spent a lot of time caring for and trying to fix me. I still don’t know why, exactly.”

“The boy has no ill intentions. Either way, I shall discuss some things with him when he wakes up. If he wakes up.”

“What do you mean, if?”

“He had several broken bones and torn muscles. With malnourishment and lack of rest, the human body, which is frail compared to ours, can’t recover properly. I wouldn’t blame him if he stays down for at least one week.”

Pointing towards another section of that room, behind curtains, he was there. I think this is the first time I saw him sleep.

Look at him, sleeping like he had no worries in the world.

I couldn’t help myself to smile. He fought so hard to keep us alive and he did so. Even when he didn’t have to. He could simply let me there and run. Yet he kept his end of the bargain.

“You really are an idiot, Yurem.”

Even though I whispered those words, the dryad behind me must’ve heard as she chuckled as soon as I said them.

“So he really is Yurem. And what might your name be, young elf?”

“Soleil. What about yours?”

“So it really is Soleil. I am Rita. It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. It’s been a while.”

“What do you mean with that?”

“Don’t mind me. My dear, introduce yourself, no need to be shy.”

Talking to the other side of the room, the same dryad girl who helped us get into safety was there. I hadn’t paid any attention to her as she was static hugging her knees on an armchair.

“Thalia.”

The same girl that saved me was nowhere to be seen. What was in front of me was a shadow. Hiding, murmuring.

Was she the same confident girl who was in front of us?

“She is.”

“Huh?”

“You have been unconscious for a while and you are unaware of our conditions. So let us talk.”

Pointing at the table in the center of the room, a cup of black tea was awaiting me. Signaling for me to sit, I did as I was told. Despite being made of wood, the chairs were oddly comfortable. The table itself appeared fancy enough that one could say that nobility could offer gold coins for it. If he was up, he would probably make a remark of how this table is more expansive than me. Idiot.

“This is the Brifail Woodland. I am Rita Dindoris. One of the five elders who rule the forest. As you may know, of all the races who live in forests and such, we are one of the eldest races and we responsible for maintaining the balance between all of them. You, for instance, being an elf, are more than welcome to be here. Him, however, it’s a different story. Humans are forbidden and if one enters the forest is to be killed on the spot.”

“If you so desire for him to leave, I have to ask you. Beg you, in fact. Let him recover and we will be out of your way as soon as such. We do not wish to cause harm.”

“My dear, the dice have been rolled. You have already caused enough harm. To her, in particular.” The serious tone of her voice was leaving me on edge. And what harm have we caused to Thalia? " She brought a human on her own volition to the woods. Again, as such, it is considered treason. And she shall be punished for it. The punishment is yet to be decided but there will be one. Death is on of the table.”

“What?” I stood up fast enough to make myself feel dizzy like someone pulled the rug beneath me and stole my sense of balance. “Why would she be killed for something like that?”

“Humans are dangerous. They only seek destruction. War. To feast on the blood of others and to partake in the spoils of the ones who have died. We despise humans. Immoral creatures who propagate hate. You probably know that without me telling you. Right?”

“All of what you said is the purest of truths.”

“But…”

“But he is not like them. Sure, he is rough, mean, rude. Makes me mad. Infuriates me like it is such an easy feat.”

“Yet…”

“Yet… even though I am nothing but his slave, not even once he tried to force his power over me. He cared for me. He tried to cure me of my disease. He fed me, gave me shelter. And…”

“And…”

“And he promised me he would take me home.”

“Oh?”

Chuckling to herself, Rita started clapping like the funniest of the jokes was just told. Even while laughing, her facial structure kept its composure. It was such a beautiful sight to behold, it would make anyone entangled by that view.

“Care to explain what it is that you find so amusing?”

“You are an elf. Member of one of the proudest races of all. Member of the race who despises humans the most yet here one stands in front of me defending a simple human who enslaved her.”

“Yet, a dryad who is said to protect the balance of the races of the forest and one who must eliminate all threats to the same balance, said he is of no threat.”

“You are amusing yourself, dear Soleil. Yes. The boy is no threat. And seeing you vouch so passionately for him makes it more glamorous and certain.”

“I am not following your argument.”

“I have never said I despised this human in particular. Did I?”

“Huh?”

“Every race has dangerous members. Even dryads. Even elves. Humans are a problem. However, not all of them are. If anything, the boy can be part of a solution.”

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Three loud knocks on the door startled me and made the conversation stop. And with panic emerging I began entering on a fight or flight mode.