I was screwed. No, I AM screwed.copyright protection66PENANA7KFZkkR03o
But to say that I had no reason for my actions is an understatement. Would you go out with a woman in the middle of the preparation of one of the biggest days in your village in the guise of "relieving fatigue" (her words, not mine)?copyright protection66PENANAuxtY76G8er
If you are not convinced, then what would you feel when a generally hyperactive red-head comes to your tent as she always has and you, in the middle of refining your skills for the trials for tomorrow, who just happens to be caught in the clutches of her unending curiosity, are once again dragged out of your safe haven into another escapade to the forest?copyright protection66PENANAtBdW0vDNEl
Of course, by the years, you will have to get used to this.copyright protection66PENANA1gH9aus7mV
These nightly (sometimes daily, when no one is looking) escapades are the only things keeping me on the verge of sanity. But if I must be honest, that fact does not ease my mind one bit given the circumstances now.copyright protection66PENANAeIqKPoE5L5
To summarize this situation up, I have a bit of important business to do tomorrow and here I am frolicking in the middle of a forest that isn't even part of our territory. All this, in the great cause of "relieving fatigue".copyright protection66PENANAhdQe8I0eKA
Dragging me all the way to the moonlit path on the edge of the forest, I had no choice but to submit myself to the will of my feminine captor.copyright protection66PENANAgilCY687VA
But it was rewarding too.copyright protection66PENANA7V7v1rR6mR
The straight red hair swaying on her shoulders, bundled in a braid made of woven plant-matter, reminded me of a swamp fire. Volatile, unpredictable, unbearably hot, yet in the right circumstances, a welcome sight in these wetlands. Sometimes, even a beautiful one.copyright protection66PENANAFzlPZ7R7gs
As was she.copyright protection66PENANAac32dOTOZC
No, so was she all the more.copyright protection66PENANAmVC0Mhh96N
She turned to me, showing her fair features, her green eyes full of life, and her mouth forming an impish yet now very feminine grin that stretched from ear-to-ear. I both shuddered at what plan she was forming for this trip and yet, I looked forward to it. A strange emotion that I have not felt for a very, very long time.copyright protection66PENANA1xKFrxL91u
The feeling of adventure.copyright protection66PENANAbVWmmtSQBJ
Back when we were kids, this strange girl came so suddenly. She introduced herself as Fern Harp, daughter of the long-gone Diethroot Harp, as she came into my study tent 10 years ago. At first, I dismissed her as a hyperactive child, but after her constant nagging and dragging, I went along with her little "adventures". The trips helped me relax a little and helped take my mind off my study.copyright protection66PENANAj1Xnhx2Qqw
The main reason being was that her presence alone was an adventure in of itself.copyright protection66PENANAzCgcajERoM
I knew that if the circumstances had been different, I would have never hesitated to take this woman as my wife. If I wanted to, and I shuddered at the very thought, I can elope with her and forsake my birthright.copyright protection66PENANAJn4sq9Va0q
All I will do, if it meant I could forever be with her.copyright protection66PENANA81BAFBGkbZ
But now...copyright protection66PENANAhKIQNWKDPw
"Hey, Hea," she said. Smiling, scheming face now gone, replaced with one that radiated curiosity. I managed to smile a little at her still calling me on the nickname she herself decided on for me.copyright protection66PENANA1ewfcRtqNm
My name is Heath Erhonial, and my family and relatives call me "Heth". This girl, however, decided to go out of her way to rename me on the sole reason that it was "easier to say". This name-change took me by surprise at its sheer randomness, but it stuck like a mosquito in amber.copyright protection66PENANAajftq6gCyp
Suddenly, she thrust forward, putting her face a few fingers right in front of mine.copyright protection66PENANAPcuR3BUOKJ
"What's wrong?" She asked.copyright protection66PENANAD87s8cvmwh
I looked at her one more time, wide-eyed that she can read the unshown expression on my poker-face. If I hadn't known her as a child back then, I would have thought her to be a telepath.copyright protection66PENANAbanFxUJsLx
"It's nothing," I answered, trying my best to maintain the usual serious tone in my voice. I tried hard as maintained my composure but was immediately betrayed by my fidgety body. I looked away.copyright protection66PENANAjE5NG53DpR
"No, no. You're all looking away from me," She exclaimed, thrusting her face once again to mine.copyright protection66PENANAQeOktjMlKs
I looked away again from her, clearly flustered. My mind once again wandered into the lingering thoughts that I accumulated in the days past.copyright protection66PENANAv0RVsQCr6X
It started when we became 15 years of Druid age, which was 30 in human years. I began to see her in a different light, and since then, I have had an unexplainable feeling in my person. One that seemed wanting to be with her every day.copyright protection66PENANAdHVW4hioJ8
But I know that that wish will be impossible, given the situation I am in due to my circumstances.copyright protection66PENANAfPfUG3jXfY
It is not that I didn't want my feelings to be known, it is the fact that even if she felt the same, I knew I did not have it in me to go through with what I said. The last thing I will do is to betray her happiness with my inconsistencies.copyright protection66PENANA2AX4BJNsd6
I am a slave to responsibility, through and through. That is my shameful handicap, my unbreakable shackle. I hated it with all my heart, but I cannot bring myself to abandon it for the sake of my selfish desires.copyright protection66PENANAGZxMVw3tkA
"Is it about tomorrow?"copyright protection66PENANAu1u8SRzxMO
Her question brought me back to reality. In truth, it was mostly about the fact that it will, if things go well, be the last time I will see her like this.copyright protection66PENANAJof6OxGaGY
"Yes," I lied. Though not necessarily, as it was also true. Never has the word "tomorrow" been so heavy to me, much more the fact that it was what all the preparation and hard work I had done for 10 years amounted to.copyright protection66PENANA4RqzGWBBv5
"Well, then," she said, smiling once again. I looked at her face and noticed that it wasn't the usual grin she had, it was something far more akin to a smile of concern and genuine happiness. Her eyes were, as they have always been, full of innocence, and with her fair-skinned face they seemingly all the more reflected by the moonlight. It was if I was talking to a fairy, not the girl I knew all of my life.copyright protection66PENANAXAM3C5bmpY
The image was reinforced by her voice, "I'll make sure to make you stop worrying about tomorrow!"copyright protection66PENANAiPbTnyoWRY
"And how exactly do you intend to do that," I asked in my usual annoyed voice. Which I intended to do to hide the sadness I felt within.copyright protection66PENANAcoIoFX3gMD
She grabbed my hand.copyright protection66PENANATwiqSiPw43
"Wait, see," she answered in her usual child-like voice, albeit in the tone of a woman trying to be a child, "and follow me!"copyright protection66PENANA2hWfDgQREA
In what seemed like an eternity, one that I wished was truly an eternity, we walked along the forest as we did back then; her with my hand held, and I, letting myself be dragged along.copyright protection66PENANAH852bfwlIU
"Where exactly are we going?" I asked her. Though I knew she usually wouldn't tell me or rather, she wouldn't give me a direct answer. I had accepted that it was due to the fact that she either just wanted to play along for an adventurous vibe's sake or she genuinely didn't know.copyright protection66PENANAvLxt5Mt9ag
"To a special place," she answered with a sure tone, and not turning back to me as she stated so.copyright protection66PENANAogBnwJ4xuC
She suddenly slowed her pace.copyright protection66PENANAmTnAYdcbOu
"Say, Hea, is there someone you like in the village?"copyright protection66PENANAbqdE1vFQ77
What brought about this question now, I wondered.copyright protection66PENANAvMfUWqtQuQ
"I don't exactly know anyone in my age. It's not like I played with the girls outside my tent, much less know them. The only ones I got to know were my family, my relatives, the grownups that came to my tent, and of course, you. No o--"copyright protection66PENANA27MwLJopQ3
She seemed to stop walking for a moment.copyright protection66PENANAHW6QwJejgi
"Fern?"copyright protection66PENANAwWTcJX3n6F
She resumed her march, gripping my hand ever so tightly.copyright protection66PENANA2BpK7VMCpb
Neither of us said a word again after that exchange. Somehow, I felt that we both knew how each felt for one another. It garnered something heavy in the air, one that seemed to rob our mouths of words and gave our faces the color akin to that of a red-yukka fruit.copyright protection66PENANASJJP3h92CE
I believe you can call it awkwardness.copyright protection66PENANAH2c138VJK2
But I admire Fern's resolve to lead me to where she wanted to go despite of the atmosphere, she held my hand with a tight grip that spoke volumes of how she felt.copyright protection66PENANA8hCzHHjRJn
Or at least that's what I want to think.copyright protection66PENANAUJbbWgN7GA
I had noticed my self to be staring at Fern's back so much that I turned red all the more. And so I submitted my eyes to the surrounding area to distract me, albeit temporarily, from her presence.copyright protection66PENANAGCeoBFkaFb
The moon illuminated the whole forest around us. Various nocturnal flora and fauna can be seen interacting with one another to seemingly prove that the forest does not sleep.copyright protection66PENANAlUeD4YE48W
5 male Thorn Mice can be observed walking with their families to hunt for insects and fruits. Their favorite being the Horned-Crawler, a beetle with a distinguished horn and 5 pairs of legs that consumes rotting matter and plants along the forest floor.copyright protection66PENANAD2zk4EOrV1
A Moear mate-pair is currently sleeping in a cave near a sturdy Honier Wood tree, whilst a member of the wide-eyed bird species Ku'wago can be barely seen perched atop its branches. It must be looking at the Thorn Mice, calculating just the right moment to snatch one of the juicy younglings while avoiding the poisonous, detachable spikes the adults are known for.copyright protection66PENANAB9ZM7RYJWn
Nearby, a Lupis Canari or a Dire Wolf is running with its pack, most probably hunting a Jacobb's Jumper that has been separated from its herd. The herd must've been grazing peacefully in a clearing and was disrupted by the coordinated attacks of the Dire Wolves. The Wolves do this to easily separate the weak and young Jumpers from the panicking, healthy ones.copyright protection66PENANACyCR9WWIF8
I gaze at the events unfolding around me, amazed that I have been witness to a different kind of world all this time. Indeed, the world outside is vastly different from the one inside my tent.copyright protection66PENANAMllllgsOk9
I am once again thankful to the one that allowed me these beautiful sights.copyright protection66PENANA0hTb3OKEvL
Had I not met her, my only friend, now beloved, I must have gone insane from the amount of parchment spells I had to create and the training I have been undergoing.copyright protection66PENANAlQsKvXkcCh
I gripped her hand tightly back, to her surprise, and picked up my pace to walk beside her.copyright protection66PENANA0bvqd6MWQP
I looked straight in the path before me, afraid that if I saw her face while we trod the path, I would have to fight with myself to hold her dear.copyright protection66PENANAMCN8hoBL6M
She did the same.copyright protection66PENANAJwEUIJHwJ3
Stiffly, we walked a little while until we came to a clearing near a cliff.copyright protection66PENANAdAxL7VxsB8
"W-we're here," she said.copyright protection66PENANAkaeHMCfrII
I turned to her, surprised at her unusual stammer. But I found it relieving that even the sure and adventurous Fern can stutter every once in a while.copyright protection66PENANAkDuTCAUPVO
I smiled at the thought, and the smile then turned into a laugh.copyright protection66PENANA1wcZl6Qcnv
"H-hey!"copyright protection66PENANARfdBqWK4nx
It was a laughter of both happiness and desperation.copyright protection66PENANAiG39e5Q8CD
"Sorry, sorry," I wheezed out. I was just so happy that I lived to see the side of someone I thought I knew unfold, "So... This is the place?"copyright protection66PENANAQ4LfZBtXEa
"Y-yeah," she replied, "sorry Heath, it must be quite boring to you."copyright protection66PENANAUZVeQ7T3MP
I sat down the cool grass and looked up to the most beautiful view of the sky I have ever seen. Almost all stars are seen here, even some constellations that are said to be only seen in the distant East. Even the view of the land showed me where the trees of the great Forest of Spirits ended and started, one could also see the villages of the Forest Druids and the mountain range where the Mountain Druids lived.copyright protection66PENANAIbzNkCMTUc
In short, it was like I was on top of the world.copyright protection66PENANAy1jwcZ1q0i
"It's... beautiful, Fern."copyright protection66PENANAsn9igIrUvZ
I then turned to her and took her hand.copyright protection66PENANA1D3Sxdc1nR
"Sit down with me."copyright protection66PENANAzp9wY2Qt8H
A strong wind suddenly blew, making her hold down her robe's skirt to cover her legs. Not that I was looking at them, anyways.copyright protection66PENANAqHNSvh8nOr
The wind settled, and as she moved to sit down, she then trips over her robe.copyright protection66PENANAzJGONmFlRl
And landed at my lap, laying down.copyright protection66PENANATfLaD3G0QY
I held up my hands in impulse, not to catch her, but to make sure I don't touch anything inappropriate. It was taboo to touch a woman in a rude way if she hasn't approved so and isn't your wife in Druid culture.copyright protection66PENANAjWFB2Ec9Za
"C-c-can you...," I gestured for her to sit up.copyright protection66PENANAPSu6gdH7oX
But she didn't.copyright protection66PENANAKH18Ub5kTm
"Fern?"copyright protection66PENANAGd7d4akz8Z
"I... I would like to stay like this for a while."copyright protection66PENANAQrq3OHLhek
"Eh? But you know the customs. We're not wedded."copyright protection66PENANAwv82EFmC1C
"Hmmm," she answered, as if in thought. And with a twinkle in her eye, she added, "Yet."copyright protection66PENANA09daU14MKS
I could barely contain my shock and excitement. But then I remembered the situations leading to this moment, and so I composed myself.copyright protection66PENANAkWptN5NR8l
"You know we can't be, Fern."copyright protection66PENANA9Xlebm9Df5
She didn't reply.copyright protection66PENANAie2baMTbrm
You see, Fern was a member of the Green Sapling Tribe, a Forest Druid circle.copyright protection66PENANA7SzNO7XbEQ
Diethroot Harp, her father, was exiled by my father, Xandruth Erhonial, due to an offense he didn't commit. But was exiled due to vote anyway, and so he lived a lone life in the forest.copyright protection66PENANAGHm1OLQSqj
Until he met Fern's mother, a Forest Druid who happened to pass by and fell in love with Diethroot at first sight, for some reason.copyright protection66PENANAiOfZs4a2Jd
Fern's mother unfortunately passed away after she was born, and so her father took care of her until he was done away by a Moear when Fern was 5 in Druid years.copyright protection66PENANAnCNGjAmEFv
Soon found 5 days later in the cottage where her family used to live by the Forest Druids' chief, Garnwud the Strong, she is then adopted. It turns out Fern possessed the birthmark her mother was identified with; a brown heart in her hand.copyright protection66PENANAa9JEGZ4yMm
Garnwud was, in fact, her mother's brother which in turn, made him her uncle. And now, she was planned to be married off to the next chief, Garnwud's protégé, Garnruth the Wise.copyright protection66PENANA8EtWt0SRim
The reason she even met me to begin with was that she also wanted to run away from her one and only responsibility; to be wed to Garnruth.copyright protection66PENANALoyoSpV2jj
Much like I was. Except I wasn't to be wed to someone yet.copyright protection66PENANAoqCLBg3ve7
I am the son of the 43rd Chief of the Bear Claws tribe, a Marsh Druid circle. My father was stung and wounded by a Southern Manticore during a negotiation gone wrong.copyright protection66PENANAu2qpTMYqml
Thankfully due to all Druids' innate connection to nature, he was not petrified immediately by the Manticore's poison. But was instead subjected to the Slow Decay; The state of which one will be slowly petrified over the course of the years.copyright protection66PENANASE4tqtatnk
It is because of this that I have been dedicating my life for the last 10 years to study and become the next chief in line. Or at least qualify to. For tomorrow will be the day of the Choosing, in which the new Bear Claw Chief will be decided the testing of Strength, Wisdom, and Discipline.copyright protection66PENANAvC3vX5EyHe
Which is exactly why I can't be with Fern.copyright protection66PENANA6NDel8M5vo
The mere fact that our tribes, our circles, the Forest and Marsh, were ancient rivals was one reason. The other was that it was inevitable to go to war with the Forest Druids, regardless of who wins as the next chief.copyright protection66PENANArmnRlKmq1P
My tribe, and I had feeling that Fern's tribe also, wanted revenge for what happened to my father while the latter wants to eradicate us, the Bear Claws, but hasn't done so over the past years due to the intervention of the dryads. And so, they pour out their hate by falsely accusing us of grabbing hunting grounds, a valuable resource for a tribe, and of other offences. We have endured of the prosecution for as long as we could remember, but my father was the last straw.copyright protection66PENANAe8U4cm5RwA
Setting out to resolve things between some Bear Claw hunters and Green Saps over hunting grounds, the negotiations went wrong as a Manticore attacked my father. Because he saved a Green Sap, he was stung.copyright protection66PENANAPTVvnTgl1n
The people believed it was planned all along. I didn't want to believe it myself, but it proved to be the most logical choice of the time. And now, the entire tribe wants war, retaliation. And with the dryads' neutral take lately, their protection of us was now dwindling, that desire might be a necessity for our survival.copyright protection66PENANAXAKGWsGANv
Of course, I wouldn't want to be overruled and I also wanted revenge to the Green Sap my father saved and received the Manticore's sting for. I want to gut the bastard so hard, heal him, then gut him again.copyright protection66PENANA8fLUZsjliR
The hatred that burned within me for 10 years was stronger than ever. More so the wounds that the Green Saps inflicted upon my people. All because of an ancient feud not a single member of each tribe has a memory of.copyright protection66PENANAIwx7Iaw67y
But Fern...copyright protection66PENANAiksSyxmU3i
She showed me that ancient wounds can heal, that both circles can live together in harmony if everyone wanted to.copyright protection66PENANAFFcVPWNNXd
It was through her little adventures that I learned of the land from beyond the swamps and marshes of my home. It was with her did I learn that Dire Wolves can be tamed and are ever-so loyal to their mates. It was with her that I learned that the Moear, big and scary as it was, actually had an herbivorous diet, but does eat meat if plants were scarce. It was with Fern that I learned everything I know and become the Druid I am today.copyright protection66PENANAwGvdqL2tSX
It was with her that I first fell in love.copyright protection66PENANAnppb6wxYHi
But will that be the last thing I will ever know of because of her?copyright protection66PENANAtcbay7GOKe
She held her hand up and touched my cheek.copyright protection66PENANAuT2dyr8Y7k
"Hea," she said softly. I resisted the urge to look down at the beautiful being laying on my lap. I felt happiness, but before I knew it, I was shedding tears.copyright protection66PENANAgIWRodDB9t
Why am I crying?copyright protection66PENANAIxWtWWXp7U
Ever since that day she revealed her past to me 5 years ago, I knew this friendship would never hold. And now... now we might as well be forced to kill each other.copyright protection66PENANAzOZlbYYyX9
"Stop it," she said, "You're making my cheeks wet, you know."copyright protection66PENANAZdq6Gjsqh3
At last, I looked down. She was crying, too.copyright protection66PENANAlniPwTvmxO
The urge was to great, as I looked at her and her lips my resolve weakened.copyright protection66PENANAxRE7rwbbrd
And so I pushed my lips against hers.copyright protection66PENANAtrYtsU7YnS
No words will ever be sufficient to describe how great of a feeling it was. Nor will I attempt to, no one describes their awkward first kiss.copyright protection66PENANA64e26sbrmN
"That was sloppy," she remarked.copyright protection66PENANAjRSu4WMxIo
I looked up again, flustered, "Shut it, Fern."copyright protection66PENANAgn6rVSyTKv
"But I felt it was... unique."copyright protection66PENANAXtqebQx0CY
"That's another way to say it was bad," I snickered. The gnawing feeling within me, the feeling to keep her close was all the greater. But as the future Chief, I had to keep my composure.copyright protection66PENANAUFYeFEpqBu
"So, are you still worried?"copyright protection66PENANAGCLPCkMX1R
"About what, Fern?"copyright protection66PENANADmInfoc9RP
"Us."copyright protection66PENANAlWXcBIwsWN
I stared at the distance, wondering how long the constant pull between dream and reality was to last. To answer her question, I honestly didn't know. I can't bring her back, much as I wanted to, or else she'd be slaughtered by the tribe for being a Green Sap. I can't go with her either, I reek Marsh.copyright protection66PENANAfQMJQXEhyY
All I can do for now was savor the moment, THIS moment, within my grasp.copyright protection66PENANAHnNKYPDuo2
Once again, I run away from the most important questions. With responsibilities as my alibi, I have accepted to run this race called the facade of Heath Erhonial and continue to win so in an attempt to run from the reality of each situation.copyright protection66PENANAYUCxip72zc
But now, no longer. I was determined to lose the race.copyright protection66PENANAk1emEtAABF
All for her.copyright protection66PENANAP9FDDNwxCl
"Fern... I..."copyright protection66PENANAEZuxyWdcaC
She looked at me expectantly. Even I who wasn't looking at her knew that.copyright protection66PENANAYZbeBb6acb
What image of Heath Erhonial did she have in her mind? Whatever it is, now would be a good time to solidify that image, turn it into reality for her.copyright protection66PENANAy84ncvfgTp
"What is it, Hea?" The voice implored me to tell the truth and nothing but the absolute truth. And I for once, wanted to comply. Even in this fleeting moment.copyright protection66PENANAf4orC70oCg
"I lo--"copyright protection66PENANAM1JtoOFYH1
The rustling of leaves cut me short and before I knew it, a bear claw was aimed right at my neck.copyright protection66PENANA0UTcLk1y09
"My, my," a gruff masculine voice said, "what do we have here?"copyright protection66PENANA6LFq8fPm0I
I looked to Fern, she was no longer on my lap, instead she was held by the arm by a man in distinguishable Forest Druid armor.copyright protection66PENANAoa2im93snL
Garnruth.copyright protection66PENANAUHErqqIHfL
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