Dryad

King's call

We took little one for a walk that day. I haven't gone out for a long time, at least not far from home. It seemed to me that he liked being outside. I know he was just born, but he could easily be much like his father. I reached the house first, but I got scared when I saw the horses. Two large white horses stood still with their riders as if waiting for us.

I wanted to stay aside and wait for Tarlow to come after me, but the girl had already spotted me and now I couldn't hide anymore. They exchanged a few words between themselves that I couldn't hear, and then the elf came closer to me with his horse. I was scared for a moment, but the horse seemed to me to be polite and like a person with whom one could come to an agreement. The elf, on the other hand, seems to me as if he would throw me under his hooves if I refused his desires and requests with which he brought before me:

-We're looking for Tarlow. He lived here.-he informed me, but he did not get an answer.

I turned around, checking to see if Tarlow was anywhere near or at least Pavel, but nothing could help me make this situation easier now. Where is Celestina now? She is with me all the time, especially since I gave birth, so she has to check on the child every now and then:

-Are you sure she understands you?

-No human would survive on my land for a long time on their own or give birth here.-he said with a certain contempt:

-Obviously it belongs to someone.-and you concluded that by yourself or from the fact that I'm wearing a necklace with a bell?

One could see that they were of high status. Vadim has always had an expensive taste, so I know how to recognize a richer elf. What could they want from a ranger but directions through the forest? And why are they looking for Tarlow? Any other ranger would serve them better and would rather talk to them:

-Klarissa?-Pavel spoke up and jumped after me, but he was equally confused when he saw that we had a visitors:

-Is everything all right?

-We need Tarlow. Is he still here?

-Yes, he still lives here. That's my father.

-It looks like we hit the house.-he told the girl:

-What do you want from him?

-You will find out everything in time. What's wrong with her?

-Klarissa is mute. She and my brother live with us.

-Human?

-Nymph. My father recently married her.

-A rare occurrence.-"not that I am judging you, but that's exactly what I do for no particular reason."

Tarlow soon appeared behind us and that's where it all went downhill starting with Tarlow coming down the hill we were on. I really thought he was going to kill someone with that look on his face and I'm surprised that no one dropped dead at that moment. But his anger was not directed at the very fact that we have guests, but at the girl who expressed her distinct discomfort with her gaze:

-What is she doing here?

-Is that how you greet your king?

-She has nothing to ask of us!

-Then you will listen to me.

-What do you want from us?

-As much as I hate to ask it, and I'm really sorry that I have to ask it from you, we need help.

-Help? When did I get help from you? When was she of any help when the child needed her?

-I only recently found out about the little one and I can't justify what happened. If I had known, some things would have been different. Now I'm just trying to correct what I can. I am giving him a chance to be very useful to this kingdom.

-You have no right to exploit him!

-The boy is currently the only heir. We'll give him time to make up his mind. Think before you refuse an opportunity like this.-he informed us and redirected his horse further through the forest, and the girl followed him:

-What is the king asking of us? What do I have to do with him?

-You wanted to know who your mother was, now you have seen her, for the first and the last time.

-Queen?

-She wasn't when I met her and looked after her. She left you at the first opportunity. You and me both. She didn't even give you a name. Then why should I give her anything?

-I could at least meet her...

-You think she's here for you? She was never interested in you. She only came because she needs something. But we don't need her. You will not go to her.-he told him sternly, basically ordered him, and his word had to be the last as always.