The New Druid

A sheep pressed its snout on her shoulder and Una’s red eyes looked up to face it. “I should have never come here.” She whispered to the sheep. It baa’d and put his nose on her once more. She smiled and placed her head on the sheep, petting it to comfort herself. “I will not fail. I didn’t give up everything to die.”

She ushered the sheep into the aura filled room and rushed over to the mushroom garden. She inspected them closely but couldn’t remember the one Eburacon had healed her with before. There was a small book beside the mushroom garden and she picked it up. The sheep baa’d happy to be drinking the glowing blue water. Una moved over to the armchair Eburacon had used before. She sat and opened the book.

hello, if you are reading this I suppose I am dead. Don’t be sad about it. Every druid has their time, and mine has gone on far too long. As you’ve probably figured out by now being a druid is not all fun and games.

Una shook her head. If he only knew.

If you’re anything like I was when I first learned this power, you’ve probably injured one or two of your forms.

Una tried to fight a smile, but it felt good to know she wasn’t alone.

So first things first, I have four different patches of mushrooms, give them a splash of water from the pool every day or so. If you don’t water them they will die, and it will not be easy to replace them. So don’t let that happen. The first, the purple ones with yellow rings are for healing. Do not eat the stems. You must place the stems in the fourth bin, I’ll get to that later.

Una stood up and left the book open on the armchair, she plucked a mushroom from the dirt and separated the cap from the stem. She dropped the stem in the fourth bin and eyed the cap with a disgusted look. She plugged her nose and threw the fungus into her mouth. She swallowed and stuck her tongue out in disgust. There was a warm feeling in her stomach, and her whole body tingled. She closed her eyes and imagined the cat. The white cat inspected its fur and purred, happy the wounds were gone. She leaped up into the chair and curled into a ball and yawned. She shifted back into her human form and picked the book back up.

The second bin is filled with a white mushroom with a ball-shaped cap. This one is energy filled. A single cap will rejuvenate your mind as if you had just slept a whole night. Be careful with this one, while there is a lot you can do without sleep, your mind wains without dreams. Never go a week without at least a full night’s rest. Eat the whole mushroom.

Una yawned again, it would be a good time to eat one of those. She ate it and her shoulders tensed up as if she had been hit a small bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened and she jogged in place, she had more energy than she knew what to do with. She picked up the book again and paced around the room. Jumping over the streams as she passed them.

I’m sure at this point you’re pacing, aren’t you?

Una laughed, she felt a comradely with the book and was thankful Eburacon left it.

The third bin should be filled with a blue tall and thin mushroom. Despite its size, this will fill your stomach for days. And unless you want to feel bloated all day only eat one.

Una shrugged and reached the mushroom bins once more. The skinny blue mushrooms had a small mist of glowing blue spores constantly pouring out of it. She plucked it and gobbled it down. Her stomach filled right up and she rubbed her belly happily. She turned back to the book with a smile eager to see what the last had in store.

The fourth is one I hope you never have to use. Never eat one. Anything that eats these yellow monsters will die.

Una starred at the yellow mushroom and gulped. She also hoped she’d never need it.

The dog bounced with light steps over the rocks. The sheep had slowed down but Una didn’t mind. Her tail wagged, and her tongue dangled from her chops. The wolves cave was just ahead. She hoped that with this the curse would be gone. The thought slowed her tail wag, and she frowned at the sheep. This was the way life had to be. The sheep started to baa nervously, growing suspicious of their route.

Rocks jutted out into the sky above giving the cave a menacing appearance. The sheep headed into the darkness, still unaware of their fate. Una Followed them in but stopped when she realized the wolves were gone. There was a growl behind her and she turned to the cave mouth, and in the dim light monstrous silhouettes blocked the only way out. Their yellow eyes glowed, and drool dripped from their fangs.

The dog faced them, its tail up in the air and its fur standing tall. She showed the wolves her own fangs and barked.

The wolves parted and allowed an enormous wolf to enter the cave, he was the alpha. The black furred beast approached Una, it’s head lowered. It had to be as tall as Cathal. The two canines met eye to eye and the wolf bowed gratefully. Una sat and turned her head sideways.

The wolf walked past her and barked to its pack. The wolves bowed their heads gratefully as they passed Una. These monsters... animals, weren’t mindless beasts. She heard a sickening snap and a cry of pain, and she ran out of the cave refusing to look back.

She hid behind the cave wondering if this was enough to save the village. The tree’s shadow covered the rocky deserted land, there wasn’t a sign of life outside of the cave. Beyond the root, she wondered what had happened to Orin. He wouldn’t last in these cliffs for long. The shadow of the tree slowly crept towards her and she smiled warmly as the sun kissed the rocky land. She noticed a strange shadow creeping towards her. It was the form of a stretched man. She turned around happily, expecting to see Orin. But at the top of the rocks, Cathal stood with his bow drawn.

Una’s eyes widened and she shifted into the gull just in time to avoid the arrow racing towards her. The wooden shaft splintered as the arrow slammed into the stone where her paws had just been. The wind took her and she floated to the side, the bird laughed a warning, inside she was screaming, trying to tell him it was her. Cathal knocked another arrow onto the string and pulled his mighty bow back once more.

Una dove to avoid the shot, but it didn’t come. She turned around to see an arrow coming right for her. Feathers exploded from her wing and she fell towards the ground. She shifted into the cat and landed gingerly on her feet. Without another glance she began to run, diving between rocks for cover. She shifted into a mouse and raced along a crack until she was certain he had lost her. She poked her head up looking for her father, but he had vanished. Her nose wrinkled, the mouse's vision was more than blurry, she could hardly see the rock in front of her. With a deep breath, she turned into the dog once more. Her nose twitched and she snapped her head towards the familiar smell. A moment too late, and an arrow found its way into her chest. The dog yelped in pain and she fell over in agony. Her mind went foggy with pain. She heard footsteps, and Cathal’s smell came closer. She wanted to change, but couldn’t form the thoughts, and she struggled to get up. The primal feeling rushed over her and she howled begging for help.

The dog shook as it rose from the ground and turned its watery eyes to the man. He was still and crouched cautiously. Between her and her father stood the alpha wolf, his bloodied fangs dripping with sheep blood. His muzzle was wrinkled in anger and glared at the bowman. The wolf growled but Cathal didn’t blink. Una collected her thoughts and shifted into the cat. She dashed in between the two killers and meowed for them both to stop. The wolf hid its fangs behind its lips but its eyes never left the man, who had put his bow on his back but still clung to a knife by his side.

Cathal took a step back, and the wolf did the same. Una was curious about her father’s glare, he was angry, but not at the wolf. His hatred was pointed at the white cat. How could he forget what the wolves had done to mother? Was Una the only one bearing a grudge. She wondered if the sheep would begrudge her? she had taken their family from them. With a shake of her head, she headed towards the stream. The wolf guarding her back. She reached the gate and turned to see her father glaring up. Hatred still visible from way up here. She looked at the wolf and bowed appreciatively. There was a possibility she was wrong about the beasts.

Una put the yellow ringed purple mushroom in her mouth. Still feeling that pang of disgust every time she had one. She walked over to the door that Eburacon had used to bring her up to the top of the Grand Elm. She repeated as he did and the door filled with green light. It spun clockwise and revealed the small room once more. She stood in the center her feet set wide apart, not willing to risk falling over the second time. The floor shook and began to rise, taking Una with it.

The rainbow mist swirled around the tree top but halted as the floor snapped into place. It approached Una.

“Druid,” the tree said.

“Is it done? Have I lifted the curse?”

The mist turned bright pink and floated a little higher. “Yes, you have. The wolves appreciate what you’ve done.”

A corner of Una’s lip curled into a smile, “That’s great. So the sheep?”

“They will be growing wool in the morning.” The pink turned blue. “But druid, it seems you were correct. I fear these mainlanders. Without my druids eyes, I could not see what has happened to my island.”

“What do you mean.”

“My awareness of the world outside my bark is limited to what the druid can show me. Una, you are no longer human, you are my vessel.” The Mist wrapped around Una, and she felt a warm feeling on her cheeks.

“Then you saw, the villagers don’t believe in you... er, us,” Una said with a new found authority.

“Yes, you were correct. I am still unused to how easily humans can change.” The mist formed into a mirror image of Una and smiled.

Una smiled weakly, “Did you also see... My father has made a mistake. he’s trying to kill me. There has to be a way for me to reach him. Please let me reach out to him.” She placed her hand on her chest, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

The mist dispersed into a black cloud that hung low to the ground. “Una... I’m sorry, there is no way.”

“But you said... You even said humans can change. You have to let me reach out to him.” Una clenched the hand over her chest.

The mist sunk even lower. “Druid, you are not a human, the girl Una is dead, and your father has properly assigned the blame. If there was something I could do I would, but I’m powerless on this matter.”

“But aren’t you a god? Don’t you rule over life on this island? You have to be able to do--” There was a throb in Una’s chest. She turned towards the leaf wall and slowly walked towards it. Orin was still in the cliffs. If she could lead him to her father... Her chest throbbed once more, and her knees buckled. “He has to know...” Una trailed off as her body went numb, her limbs flopped down to where gravity told them to go. Her lips quivered, eyes watering, she asked. “What’s happening to me?”

“You ate the life fungus’ stem. You had were warned but forgot in your haste.” The mist said as it wrapped around Una as a green cloud. Una’s tongue went numb, and she couldn’t respond. “You’re lucky, that should’ve killed you. But I do not think you will be so easy to replace.”

Una lay defeated and drifted towards sleep.