The New Druid

Una walked up the villages main road with cautious steps and a thumping heart. At the end of the dirt road the Mainlanders church was lit by large torches, it’s doors open. Beside the church on a wooden bench in front of a colorful garden, sat the mainlander cleric. “Evening child, a lovely night for a stroll isn’t it? How I envy the young, with my back it’s a better night to sit and watch the stars.” He chuckled and stretched his back. Three satisfying cracks came from his back and the man smiled in the brief relief from his chronic pain.

Una cursed under her breath, this was the last person she wanted to run into. She had no time to waste, but arousing his suspicion would be far worse than even Cathal’s rage. “Hello father Armund, earth mother’s blessing to you,” she said, her voice on the verge of cracking.

“And may she smile up at you. It looked from here you’re aim suffered today.” The man said folding his hands over ball-shaped ornament atop his cane. He rested his chin on his knuckles and peered right through Una. His sharp eyes sparkled and Una’s mouth grew dry. “Is there something on your mind child?” he asked.

“My father and I fought, I need some space, my walk brought me here,” Una said. It was mostly true, so she was sure it was convincing.

“That’s no good, you should make up with your father. I know how much he cherishes you. The earth mother ties us together with bloodlines all stemming back to her first child. Our fate will always be entwined with those on the same line.” He said keeping his eyes on her.

“I appreciate the lesson father Armund, but I must cool my head before I can return,” Una said with a bow.

Armund scratched his black beard, “Don’t wander too far off. The forest is a dangerous place.” he said.

Una’s eyes widened, she nodded to hide her expression. “I will father.” She resisted everything in her body telling her to run and tried to keep a normal pace. As soon as she was sure she was out of sight she let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. That mainlander was too perceptive. The path behind the church was overgrown from lack of use. Aside from the hunters', no one headed up to the forest these days. A wall of trees stood tall in front of her, packed tightly between the giant roots of the grand tree. If there had been a trail before, it was faded by now. Una was unconvinced she could make it to the grand elm through this. She furrowed her brow and paced alongside the forest searching for an opening. Up ahead she spotted the river, and suddenly it clicked.

“Of course. ‘the tree shares it’s water.’” She remembered the old man saying and clapped her fist in an open palm. She made her way to the stream and looked as far as she could. Either side of the stream was clear of trees and could be easily traversed. However, the water twisted unpredictably into the forest obscuring where it would lead. Una took a deep breath and said a small prayer before taking the path along the river.

As she trotted further up the river something peculiar happened. The water slowly changed to a glowing violet color. The deeper she went the brighter it got, she smiled in amazement as bright green fireflies danced over the iridescent water. A symphony of chirps and clicks painted the night in a warm inviting atmosphere. Her steps felt lighter, and her worries washed away. The peace was intoxicating.

The chirps stopped and the fireflies vanished. The air felt heavy. Una skidded to a stop. The once warming light now exposing her to whatever was nearby. She grabbed her bow and notched an arrow. The wind blew up from the meadows and Una shivered in fear, listening to the ominous rustle of leaves. There was a snap to her left. She pulled the string tight and looked its way. From the bushes emerged a massive moose, with a white scar from its nose to its antler. The beast stood twice as tall as Cathal, and Una shrunk beneath its glare. The beast bellowed a screech and the forest trembled. Una pulled on her bow. She was too late. The arrow spun off into the woods with no goal. Rolling out of the way of the stampeding animal was all she could do. She scrambled to her knees, pulling another arrow out. She shot for its head, but the moose deflected it with its antler. It set its one good yellow eye on Una and dashed forward again. Una Sprawled out of the way but the beast lowered it’s antler in time to catch her foot before it raced back into the woods. She spun full circle in the air and collided with the dirt. Air rushed out of her lungs in a gasp. She winced and returned to her feet. Branches cracked and leaves shook as the Monster lurked in the brush, waiting for another opportunity to attack.

The sound of her heart thumped in her ears, and she squeezed her bow tight. Una fired two arrows blindly into the woods. Neither sounded like a hit. Half a heartbeat later she was sprinting down the path of the river. There was a loud snap of a branch behind her. She strung another arrow and veered towards the woods when she spotted a sturdy tree trunk. She spun behind the wood pillar and the moose sped past her. She pulled the string tight and let an arrow loose. It nicked the monsters thick hide, leaving a thin red scratch. Una cursed, the beasts screeched, steam flowing from its nostrils. She circled around the tree, and strung another arrow. The moose peeked around and Una launched an arrow that dug into its mane. The moose dashed forward in pain, and Una sprinted forward once more. She ran and ran too terrified to catch her breath. The moose had slowed down enough that she had gained distance on it, but it was still close behind. With another arrow notched, she spun on her heels and fired. The moose leaned into the woods avoiding the shot. Wood shattered from the beasts mad dash, Una fled once more. Her hand brushed over her quiver and her heart sank as she grabbed her last arrow. She stared desperately at it, begging it to be a kill shot. The river violently twisted ahead and Una’s hand scraped over the rocks as she fought to stay upright around the sharp turn.

The woods exploded as the moose blew past her. The bend had given it the chance it needed. Una collapse to the ground after nearly avoiding the hit. The arrow bounced on the dirt landing in front of her. Water splashed in the river to her side. She tried to stand but her legs had given up. Tears flowed from her eyes as she pawed for the arrow just out of reach. The wooden arrow shaft snapped in two under a furry white paw. Una’s heart stopped. A white bear looked down at her, fangs bared. She had been foolish to trek these uncharted woods at night, and now she would die.

The bear roared and water splashed, the moose fleeing the newcomer. Una waited for death, but it never came. She blinked twice, the moose was gone. She stood and pinched her cheek, wincing from moving her shredded hand. Her fingers were covered in blood and gashes, her pants were a red tattered mess. Up the stream, the white bear stood a stone’s throw away. It moved it’s head back and forth as if saying ‘come on.’ she limped forward and followed the bear. After the next bend, tears formed in her eyes and a smile on her face. It was the Grand Elm’s trunk and at the ground between its two roots that stretched to the ocean was a hole where the glowing water poured out. The bear stopped in front of the tunnel and nodded it’s head again. When she got close it growled lifting a paw. She froze in place, unsure of how to react. The bear waved it’s paw back and forth and growled. Una grabbed her bow held it to the side. The bear nodded. She placed it on the ground. It was hard to believe but she was sure the bear had smiled. It disappeared into the trunk of the Grand Elm. Una clenched her fists and followed after.