The small clearing next to Serenity Falls hustled and bustled with the chatter of the Nymphs occupying it. The Hamadryads, being tree Nymphs stood closer the trees, tending to their small needs. The Oreads being the muscular and defensive backing for mountains stood near eachother. Finally the Naiads stood in the water, making sure every being that lived in it was tended to.
The Dryads looked out at all of them. Being the sole protectors of the Forest and Wood, they were responsible to cease the destruction that humans were causing. The deforestation, bombing of mountains, and drainage of rivers and lakes to make way for houses and highways. The innocent creatures of the forest being left homeless only for their home to be replaced by a house that will lay vacant for years waiting for an owners arrival.
Humans; taking the land and homes of forest dwellers because they cannot defend themselves. Not just homes but lives.
Many Nymphs and the creatures that lived in their care have died-been murdered by humans.
Balanos looked to her fellow Dryads, nodding at each one before clearing her throat loudly. As she was the oldest Nymph here they all quieted down and turned their attention to her.
She stood tall and proud although her height topped at 4', her ash brown hair flowed down her back and her bright green eyes pierced every creature present. If a human were to see her she would look no older than 17 but if they were to get a glimpse at her eyes for a while they would see the years they carried.
"My woodland Nymphs, I called you all here today to discuss our plan to save the land we hold dearly to ourselves," she made sure to make eye contact with everyone to show her loyalty, her devotion to them, "Over the past few years we have idly sat by and watched the slow decimation of our forest. We have sat and watched as our sisters and brothers have fallen at our feet and have done nothing but now, the time has come where we make the humans pay for the destruction they have thrust upon us. It is time to take back the land which is ours!" She bellowed making it known to every living creatures in the surrounding land that what she said was going to happen no matter the circumstances.
A hand raised in the crowd making Balanos nod her head in the Hamadryads direction.
"Balanos. What of the young Nymphs. They are not old enough to fight. Their trees only saplings."
She thought over the young nymphs who were not strong enough to protect their saplings let alone the woodland.
Before she could answer Pashe, an Oread, spoke up, "They can take refuge in the caves of my mountain. They will be safe there." She said.
Balanos nodded pleased with her offer.
A young Naiad raised her hand which sparked Balanos to nod in her direction, "I am Calder," the wild-haired, blue-eyed Naiad spoke, "I believe we should attack from the east. The most has been done there. Many of our own have lain to rest." She spoke sadly, the loss coming from her heart.
"The mountains of the west are to be bombed in two weeks. We should start there." An Oread spoke.
"The woodland of-" and the small clearing turned into arguing Nymphs everywhere. Balanos listened to every argument, each of them making a valid point but no matter which way we went there would be destruction in another part of our land and lives will be lost.
The shimmer of the air foretold the arrival of a Nymph but the scattered pattern of the shimmers gave the sense of a struggled arrival.
Balanos tilted her head and scrunched her curved brow, her pointed ears twitching at the broken sputter of shimmers. After a few seconds a Nymph lay breathing heavily on her hands and knees. Coughing up the green substance humans call blood.
