The Journey and the Mother

Tarwyn stopped after we exited. "Listen, I wasn't acting against you there."

"What?"

"I was just trying to make sure we wouldn't forget our traditions over an old man's emotions. You were given the mark under much less reason than anyone else, for some reason." He glanced at Inowyn. "I can't let that become a trend."

"Fair enough."

"I'm just saying, if we just let everyone get the treatment you've gotten, someone will come along who will abuse it. And we'll have to pay the price as a people."

"I understand. To be honest, all of this has been confusing me. If you ask me, you're making it make more sense. Can somebody explain your customs and traditions to me?"

Inowyn stepped in front of me. "What would you like to know?"

"The mark you gave me… You said it's not given often or easily or something like that, right?"

"Yup."

We all started walking back to the girl's room.

"Why did I get it in under an hour then?"

"I already told you why."

"Yes, but it seems like it was given to me much easier than everyone is telling me it's given. Why?"

"I . . . don't know. I just trusted you I guess."

"Why?"

Inowyn was staring around, contemplatively furrowing her eyebrows. "I don't know. Maybe it's the same reason the forest spirits seem to like you."

"Which is?"

"No one knows," Tarwyn answered for her.

"I guess I'm glad to have it either way. The girl and I most likely would've died without it."

Inowyn smiled, ears rising just a bit. "You're welcome then."

I nodded. "Prewana told me you're training to become a Gythya. What is that exactly?"

"The reason why you'll be able to come and go so easily, and why you already have."

"Which is…"

"I've been training my magic for a long time. Gythya are meant to be capable in many forms of magic: elemental, natural, and divine. Female wood elves tend to be more capable in magic than males. The most powerful of us are given the title of Gythya by our patron god Preyanor. The daughters of our leaders become one. Sometimes others can too, but it's not often Preyanor chooses more than one of us per tribe. I've heard he picks some humans sometimes as well. There are many priests and priestesses under Preyanor, but not many Gythya. Our power comes from ourselves as well as him. He wouldn't've chosen a Gythya if she wasn't already very capable."

"I see." Are the gods real? "So you were chosen? By him?"

"Well, no, my . . . Our mother was, before both our parents died. I'm sort of, just the replacement."

"Don't sell yourself short, sister. You would've become one at some point either way."

"Thanks." She stared at her own steps for a while.

"So you're next in line, Tarwyn?"

"Yes. Whether grandfather dies or leaves the throne, I'll be the next Trewari. I've been preparing for it as long as Inowyn has been preparing to be a Gythya."

"I see. How old are you two?"

Inowyn rose her head back up. "I'm twenty two years of age. And three minutes older than Tarwyn."

"Two minutes."

"Yeah yeah, whatever. We elves take longer to develop than humans, so in relation to that, I'm about the age of a seventeen-year-old human. We still live for ages though. What about you?"

"Sixteen."

"What?!"

"What?"

"I thought you were older. Like in your twenties."

"Why? Do I look that old?"

"No, no. You look young, you just . . . seemed more mature than someone of your age."

"I see."

"For the record, I thought you were around sixteen," Tarwyn interjected.

"Oh did you now?" Inowyn asked incredulously.

We reached the girl's room.

"I did."

"And where's your proof, Tarwyn?"

I entered the door as they continued to bicker in the backgorund like siblings. Everybody was more or less where I left them. Gin-me was resting in silence on a chair, with her arms and legs crossed, eyes closed. I could tell she was still awake. Dannas was tapping random rhythms into a table. Tulas was watching the girl, seemingly making sure there was no drastic change in her condition.

"Time to go."

Gin-me opened her eyes as she gave her attention to me. Tulas had already turned, and Dannas stopped his rhythm.

"What about the girl?" Tulas asked.

"When we're done, I'll return to her. I'm the only one who's allowed to."

"Alright."

We all left the room as a group. We stopped by my room so I could grab my weapons and cloak. Once that was done, we spent the next few minutes walking to an untouched sequoia with platforms running around it.

Inowyn outstretched her arms toward the tree. "This is one of many vacant trees we use for transportation. I've only done this a couple times, so don't stare for long."

She focused, intent running down her arms to the tree. Before long it began creaking, and moaning. Not long after, the trunk curled inward in the center, bending as the wood creaked louder. There wasn't much of an opening, but it was about as wide and tall as an average person.

"Now!" Inowyn commanded.

Without hesitation, Dannas walked into the curled opening. As he walked through, the tree curled further at his speed closing just behind him. Everyone else walked through just the same, one by one, until I was last.

"How will I let you know to bring me back?" I asked.

Inowyn's voice was strained. "Good question. Could've asked earlier. Can't hold this forever."

"Right. Five days, Abraxas's home. Does that work?"

Her voice was more strained. "Sure. I'll see you in five days, Ladon."

I nodded.

I walked through. The wood opened up just in front of my forward step, and closed just behind the step before. After a second or so, the red wood of the sequoia's interior, and the scent that came with it, shifted to oak just before the wood opened up in front of me, to the light of the outside. As I stepped out of the tree I looked back to see an oak in the soil, finishing its final curls and creaks into normalcy. I turned back around to see the group not far from me, and Moltenbell just up the road.

Gin-me looked at me before turning to the town. "This is where I part, boys."

"Goodbye, Gin-me."

"Yeah, see ya." She waved without turning back as she walked away. "Don't forget about that rematch!"

I huffed a single chuckle, before turning to the rest. "Alright. Let's get back to the wagon."

Tulas nodded as Dannas stretched. After a moment, we started walking south on the road.

"That never gets less fascinating," Tulas remarked. "That tree thing. It only feels like a few steps, then suddenly, you're miles apon miles away."

"I was hoping to stay there longer," Dannas added. "I liked it there. If I ever get to go again, I'd want to explore."

"Me too," Tulas responded.

After a while, we reached the wagon. My white shirt was still in it, and untouched, luckily. We didn't have much time left in the day, so we set up camp. I hunted alone, and brought back our food for the next few days. The wagon was empty, minus our new food, so even with the weight of both of them sitting on it, it was much easier to push. Thanks to that ease, our traveling pace was faster as well.

After a couple of uneventful days and nights, we made it back to Therrins End. We stopped shortly before reaching the gates. Clouds were gathering along the western horizon, by the mountains. They were dark and gray, with a wind that smelt of humid rain.

"Let's do this quickly. It'll rain tonight."

"You're a weather sayer now?" Tulas asked, with a hint of harmless mockery.

"Look west. I'm sure you'll see it."

He turned to his right. "Well I'll be damned. Yeah, I see it. It's about time our farms received rain. Are you sure it'll come tonight?"

"Not completely. I haven't been in the area long. Could be sooner or later."

"Alright." He turned to the gate.

Dannas and I went to the front of the wagon as Tulas neared the gate.

"We're back!! Hello! We're back!!"

A voice shouted back from the other side of the gate. "State your name, and your business! Not much room in town since the dragon's about!"

"It's me! Tulas Greenly! I'm with the rangers! We've got the wagon back!"

"Oh! Open the gates!!"

The massive stone gate shifted slowly across the smooth, dry dirt to the sight of a leather-armored guard in the center. We entered the town as a wind, cooler than the day, flowed from the fields across the town, and to us, bringing a cool air, that without, would've otherwise left us to sweat.

"Welcome home, Tulas. You might want to get home soon. Word on the square is your wife might kill Margerie. Seventh time this week. I tried stepping in . . . but I'm sure we both know how that went."

Tulas groaned. "I keep telling her not to bet with Margerie. She always loses. I told her Margerie knows her tells. I leave for one week." He sighed. "I suppose I'll have to join the battlefield then. Thank you, Parn. If I die by those women's hands, you get my recipes and buisiness."

The guard nodded. "Can't complain there, father."

Dannas left the wagon. "YOU'RE A FATHER?!"

Both Parn and Tulas turned to us. "Does my being a father surprise you that much?"

"N-no, I guess not. You just never talked much about your life, I guess."

"I'll tell you more later, Dannas. If we have the time."

"Alright." Dannas went back to the wagon.

Following Parn and Tulas, Dannas and I pushed the wagon past all the more-than-sturdy buildings. Each and every house and store looked as though their base structure would still remain after a terrible fire. This town was certainly much more well off than Moltenbell, though I doubt Gerickst will let that stand forever. Eventually we made it back to the stables the wagon came from. The donkeys from before were still there, and fully rested at that. Soon after we returned the wagon to its place, Bryant came walking around a corner of the street, smiling through his now-exhausted face.

He wiped some sweat off of his forehead as he approached. "These preparations are going to be the end of me. Thankfully, we're past the bulk. I see you've all returned. And the wagon's in one piece too. Thank the gods. Any trouble along the way?"

Tulas stepped toward him. "There were some challenges here and there. Nothing the rangers couldn't handle, Councilor Bryant."

Dannas showed off his risen thumbs and big smile.

"Good. I'm glad you've all returned. Therrin's End misses your goods, Tulas."

Tulas rolled up his sleeves. "I better get baking then."

"Fantastic." He turned to Dannas and I. "Thank you two, for your hard work. I think it only took about a week, which is impressively fast for that journey."

Dannas proudly placed his hands on his hips. "No problem, Councilor Brian. It's what we rangers do."

"It's Bryant. Anyways, you two have safe travels, wherever you're off to next. I—" Suddenly his eyes lit up with some realization. "Right! You two wait here just a moment. There's something I wish to give the both of you. To commemorate our town's appreciation."

Dannas put his hands out. "Oh you don't have to; we don't do this stuff for payment."

"And you don't need to do it just for charity either. Wait just a moment."

He rushed off, down the stone road, past the same corner.

Tulas lit his pipe, took a puff, and watched it exit his mouth. "You know, Ladon, I have a lot to do, but I think I have to thank you before I go."

"What for?"

"My life has been normal since I was born. Fun, and fulfilling at times, sure, but normal. The only fairytales I knew were the ones of books and passed-along stories. I never thought they were truly real, but I think I always thought that some of them were. There were definitely some I wanted to be real."

"Uhuh?"

"Since you and Dannas entered my life, I've seen the stuff of fairytales more than once. You practically are one, Ladon, as far as I'm concerned. I wish I could write about our journey and send it to the world, but I'm happy to at least hold the memory. Thank you, Ladon."

I still wasn't sure what I did. "Sure."

"Well I'm off then. See you later, Ladon. Goodbye, Dannas."

"See you."

"Bye!" Dannas said, lacking as little energy as ever.

Tulas walked away, not reaching far before he stopped. "Oh, and if either of you are in town again in the future, feel free to stop by my shop: The Brick Oven Bakery."

"Sure."

"What do you bake?" Dannas asked.

"You'll have to find out when you come back."

He walked away, sighing very audibly at what's to come for him. Dannas and I waited at the stables for a couple more minutes before Councilor Bryant returned. He was holding something shiny in his right hand as he cleared the distance.

Once he got close, he opened his hand. "Here. These are for you two." In his hand were two hammerhead-shaped brooches with a pin running down the middle through the bottom of the head, where a handle would connect. "These brooches are shaped in the symbol of our town. If you're wearing these, you'll be able to come and go from this town as you please, regardles of the times. Some people will even give you discounts."

I nodded.

"Thanks, Councilor Brian."

"It's Bryant."

The brooch was perfect to help my cloak stay closed, so I used it to pin my cloak together. Dannas pinned his on the chest of his light armor.

"I can't recommend spending long here though. That dragon's sure to come any day now."

Dannas spoke. "We were planning on leaving soon anyways. We gotta head back to camp to complete the mission."

"Alright then. Goodbye, Rangers. I have more business to take care of."

I nodded.

"See ya!"

Bryant walked away, back where he came from.

"I'll take you both back to the gate," Parn said from behind.

Dannas jolted from fear. "Gods, I forgot you were there, Pirn."

"It's Parn."

"Yeah, that. Anyway let's go."

The three of us walked back through the town and all of the busy people who were working, rushing around, carrying things. It's like the whole town works together in preparation for disaster. There were even kids running around, playing all sorts of games. Before long, we made it back to the gate, which had already been opening since we approached. We left Therrin's End, hearing the slow shift of the closing stone gate. We entered the forest and started heading straight north

Dannas sighed. "I'm gonna miss Tulas."

"It's not like he's dead."

"Well yeah, but it was nice having him around, you know?"

"I get it. He's a good guy."

"Are we stopping by your place on the way to camp?

"No. We're going straight to camp. I'll go home after I become a ranger."

"Alright then."

We continued through the forest, passing an uncountable number of trees. After a couple hours, my nose picked up a putrid scent. The smell easily made this creature's position clear as it smelt as if urine and feces were somehow fermented into something worse. I heard the grunts and sniffing of an animal I didn't know, along with several highpitched squeals. It kind of reminded me of a hog, but different—bigger.

"Yuck! Do you smell that, Ladon?"

"I wish I couldn't."

"What do you think it is?"

"Not sure. It sounds big."

"Kinda smells like a pig. Wanna investigate?"

"Sure."

We slowly crept closer to the intoxicating smell. I pulled my bow out just in case. As we got closer, we carefully crouch-walked to a tree we'd see it from. I leaned from the right side of the tree while Dannas leaned from the left. We saw an incredible boar, laying down on the grass, back facing us. What made it incredible was its size. It was maybe the size of the shadow wolf Soras killed, if not somewhat bigger. Although we couldn't see the source, the highpitched squeals still sounded numerous and loud. We pulled back behind the tree.

I whispered, "I've never seen a boar like that."

Dannas whispered back, "Shit. That's a hildisvini boar. We need to leave; we need to go. Now."

I nodded. If its behavior is anything like a regular boar, then it's incredibly dangerous.

We slowly backed away from the tree, step by step, carefully ensuring our silence. Just when we thought we were in the clear, Dannas stepped on a twig, snapping it. We both froze as we watched the boar slowly rise to its hooves, revealing a litter of seven piglets, each the size of a regular pig. The mother boar turned to us, keeping her litter behind.

"Oh gods. It's a mother too?"

"Fuck."

"Maybe if we move really slow?"

"No. She'll charge us."

"What do we do?"

"Stand our ground."

The mother hildisvini boar started growling a loud, deep, gravelly growl.

Scales started forming up my arms, shoulders, up my neck to my chin, and down my sides and legs. "Fuck."

"Oh no."

We started slowly backing up to a tree. The mother boar began her charge, galloping incredibly fast for her size. We quickly rushed up the tree, haphazardly climbing up into its branches. I put my bow in my quiver. Just after that, she charged into our tree, violently shaking it. I held onto two branches to keep my balance as I watched Dannas lose his.

"Shit shit shit shit shit shit!!" He fell, spinning with his momentum to land his shaky feet on the forest floor.

The boar changed her attention to him. He froze. Without hesitating, I jumped down, and pulled him out of his fear before we both had to sprint away from her next charge. Sprinting past tree after tree, jumping over every yet-to-be-crushed bush, we ran away. Dannas was fast, but not fast enough. The boar was catching up quick—even charging through the smaller trees.

"Do we kill it?!" Dannas screamed up into the air.

"No! She's a mother!"

"What do we do?!!"

I stopped, sliding my boots into the loose dirt, kicking up leaves and twigs as I came to a halt.

 Dannas stopped about five meters down the way. "What are you doing?!!"

I stared down the boar as it got closer. "Climb a tree! I'll give you ti—"

I caught the boar by one of her left and right tusks, hoping to hold it back. Sliding further through the dirt, I managed to bring the boar to a halt, not without pulling the stitches in my back. It was only a matter of seconds before the boar lifted me with her head, throwing me behind her. I landed on my back. Quickly, before she could charge Dannas who had just started climbing, I got up and grabbed her by her tail, stopping her from moving forward.

"Hurry up!!"

Dannas scrambled up an oak as I continued to hold her back. Before long, she grew smart, turning around, ruining my grip, as she smacked me with her two right tusks, knocking me off my feet against a tree. She then charged at me. I scrambled around the tree as she impacted it headfirst. I quickly ran to a different nearby tree and jumped, grabbing a branch and pulling myself up before she could catch up. The Boar hit my tree before backing up and walking around us, guarding her territory.

Dannas was hyperventilating.

Eventually, she tried to claw up his tree, bending it downward with her weight. Her weight wasn't quite enough to snap or uproot it, so she gave up. She continued guarding for a few more minutes before finally turning tail, walking and huffing away, back in the direction of her children.

"Oh thank the gods."

I let out a sigh before hopping down with a pained grunt.

Dannas hopped down his tree. "Are you alright, Ladon? She hit you pretty hard."

My scales started shifting back to skin. "It hurt, but I'm fine. I think I pulled some stitches."

"Alright. Let's get to camp then."

I looked up to the forest roof to find the sun. I already knew we were in the afternoon, so once I found it, it was easy to find north.

"This way." I walked north northwest.