Secrets

“Sen?” Bard greeted as she came in, twigs protruding at odd angles in her hair. The hairs were moving a bit more sluggishly, noticeably. The leaders had left an hour ago and since she wasn’t home, he had rested, counting on her return, but this sent a shiver up his spine.

“Don’t tell me you got sick too,” he whined. He had tried hard to keep her away from this. “Healer said that symptoms show differently between our races…” his mutterings were stopped as she closed the distance and placed her arms around his neck.

“No. I’m not sick. I can promise you that. I just wanted some time in the woods. It’s been a while since I had such a long conversation with Defender,” she said before pulling back and showing him a grateful grin. “And, I’m feeling a bit nostalgic. Play for me?” she asked, indicating to where he kept the instruments. Bard felt a bit bad that he hadn’t done that for her, and he chuckled apologetically as he picked her up and set her on the couch before retrieving his flute.

He played a gentle song of healing and reprieve. Sen hummed along, and the two enjoyed each other’s company long into the night.

As he tucked her into bed, her breathing light with slumber, he looked to the sunstones outside and silently prayed that there wouldn’t be any shades tonight before turning in for the night.

As if to plague him, the shades swept him in his dreams, making the night pass with much effort before the morning rays of light banished the vile things in his dream and he dozed for the rest of the time.

As he rose to the sweet smell of the woods, he found Sen waking him, leaves in her hair this time.

“Morning,” he grumbled, and she laughed.

“It’s midday, dear. You had such a hard time last night that I let you sleep in this morning. But Jamil is outside and very persistent,” she said, and Bard frowned as he let an exasperated sigh escape, rising to a sitting position. As he stretched, Sen turned to the side and handed him a plate of food and helped him get ready for the day.

Jamil’s problems were centered around the hunting grounds and fishing. Something about needing to let those rest for a time for repopulation. Bard had the guards prevent people from taking any more of those for the time being, but he didn’t like Jamil’s satisfied smirk. The catfolk were experts in supply lines and trade, but they enjoyed creating riches from misery, which was a practice Bard didn’t like. Jamil thankfully didn’t employ those sorts of tactics much, but that still didn’t mean he didn’t like the feeling he got as he watched the black tail disappear into the crowd.

He then started to tackle disputes, as he hadn’t been able to help while he was sick. Some had thieves they wanted punished according to the law, and others wanted to put in requests for help.

Some of those requests were about organizing more hunting, but Bard stopped those, stating that the winter crops would be in, in the next week, and if supplies were a concern, then ration and barter with those who had a bit extra. He couldn’t keep everyone comfortable, and sacrifices would have to be made as they worked together as a community.

When complaints about not being able to hunt or fish came up, he asked if they would enjoy not having any meat in the future, and the lack of products that would incur. The catfolk had warned him, and even the principles of Abundance were clear that taking more than what was sustainable would ultimately lead to their downfall.

While not everyone liked having to go without, the idea of never having these resources again was a bigger threat to their way of life, and they acquiesced.

Someone came forward, a small catfolk that Bard recognized.

“Hasina,” Bard said with suspicious greeting. She bowed.

“If hunting and fishing are a concern, then why don’t we try capturing and taming the beasts. We could have more control over the numbers and better equip this place that way.”

Bard closed his eyes. This was a sound idea, but he didn’t like the source. Still, the way the crowd was agreeing, he could overlook this once.

“Places to house them would need to be built, and then traps,” he said and Hasina smiled with another bow.

“We can get to work with those who want to help us make this a successful venture. May I be put in charge of this?” she asked, and Bard realized that Jamil was seeking control over another industry. He smirked.

“Very well, but that means you will also take care of repairs if they break out,” he said and Hasina’s head slightly dipped as she gave a hesitant agreement. He wouldn’t have the village pay for all that, and he had a feeling Jamil was wanting that, but if that was the point of the deal that couldn’t get, then they would agree to it. Such shrewd merchants, it made him chuckle.

The other requests were easily dealt with, and he returned home to Sen, who wanted more music, asking to hear him play the harp that Kihana had brought with her last. Bard played, though apologized that it wasn’t his best. However, Sen commented how refreshing it was to hear it.

After putting her to bed, Bard turned to Kai and noticed his increase in shed. He would have to get the villagers on that again. After telling Kai to head out tomorrow and get groomed, he turned himself in.

The next day, Sen was gone again, and Bard grew worried. She had done this on their travels, rising early, but since they had a home, she would stay in bed to be near him, enjoying a slow morning. Was she hiding something? A surprise perhaps? Perhaps he was just being paranoid. As he took to the daily grind, he heard her laughter and noticed she was spending time with sparring tree and Keith. Another Dryad was with him, another girl, and Bard kept his nose out of that. He didn’t need to have more on his plate to keep track of. Just trying to stay ahead of the catfolks schemes to get wealthy was enough, and the occasional outbursts.

At least one thing was no longer a problem. Since the initial skirmish with the humans, they hadn’t had any refugees or infiltrations. Perhaps it was them changing tactic, but it sure made it more peaceful.

Weeks passed, and the crops began to be sown in earnest. People traveled up and down the mountains for herbs, and more took instruction with Abundance to create a massive harvest.

The catfolk were fast in their building for the taming of the beasts around. Kai was a big help, and they eagerly took his fur, a priceless commodity. Bard was just grateful it took care of the grooming so he could focus on other things.

Sen’s condition still seemed sporadic and abnormal. She was gone most days, out in the woods, her desire to have him play music when she was home, also grew, and sometimes she stirred him awake to have him play at night. He offered to sing instead, but she shot that down and remained quiet for the night. However, he felt bad the next morning, seeing how restless her sleep had been and the rings under her eyes.

“Sen, are you sure you’re fine?”

“I’m tired, Bard,” she grumped with a note of finality. He moved over to the instruments, and she caught the motion and her face brightened. As he pulled out the fiddle, she moved to the couch and settled in while he played. When she fell asleep, he set to cooking and when the messengers came, asking why he was late, he explained that he would be taking care of Sen today. With that out of the way, he began to clean the home, realizing just how much she had been shirking it. This was definitely abnormal. It wasn’t messy, per se, but it wasn’t clean. Kai’s fur was in all sorts of places and as he opened the doors to let in some fresh air while he swept the fur out, a catfolk came by and offered to take the fur and asked to help him clean. Bard was shocked at her eagerness, but he could also see that she wasn’t part of Jamil’s company, so perhaps it was rare for her to get her hands on this.

She was a big help, and Bard played music to Sen several times while she kept things moving. Sen slept through most of the day, except when Bard had her eat. As the catfolk thanked him for the fur, he had her wait.

“Can you take this to Amir and Elwood?” he asked, handing her a few scribed wax boards. “If you don’t know who they are, then have Jamil get this to them. I’ll let you know when I clean again, and you can have the fur,” he said, sweetening the deal. She beamed at the prospect and carefully tucked the wax tablets so as to not disturb them. After she left, Bard helped Sen have dinner. She seemed restless, however, mumbling about the forest again. She excused herself after dinner, leaving him to clean, and Bard eyed her as she went out to the forest. What was she doing out there?

Before he could finish taking care of clean up, Amir showed up.

“That was fast,” Bard commented, but noticing Amir’s confusion, he sighed. “You didn’t get my message… did you.” Amir shook his head.

“You can just tell me in person,” he answered.

“It’s about Sen,” Bard started, and Amir’s slight tilt of curiosity kept him talking. Amir sat as he began to explain about the things he had noticed as of late. As he talked, Amir grabbed a mug and poured some water. This quiet composure was what he had expected to come from Elwood, not Amir, and so he paused.

“What?” Amir asked, his fingers dancing around the top of the mug, a content smile on his face as he rested his elbow on the countertop, propping his head. With his golden hair, it was a picturesque movement that made Bard lose his focus for a second. So relaxed? And yet they were talking about anomalies with his daughter, Sen. This didn’t seem like the Amir that Bard knew.

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Amir sat there with a bit of smugness. He knew that Bard was flustered, and it was a nice change to be in the other seat. Perhaps this is how he had seemed on that day a few years ago. He kept off a content expression as he listened. Inwardly, he started to count. He had grown to know how Bard reacted. One. Two. Three. Four. And he broke. The silence began to stretch. Amir got more comfortable.

“What?” he asked, noticing Bard’s suppressed reaction to his statement. A smile curled on his face, and Bard’s eyes narrowed. He knew. He was aware of it once Keith had talked to him. Honestly, if he hadn’t heard that, he wouldn’t have been able to come over and act this way. He would need to thank Keith for the opportunity of this delightful exchange. Perhaps he needed to take more pages out of Elwood’s book. It was quite amusing to watch those who were younger. Or perhaps it was something you came to enjoy as you aged.

Whatever the case, Amir wondered how he would break the news to Bard, his nervous son-in-law. Perhaps help him calm down first.

“It’s somewhat expected, really,” Amir said, grabbing the handle of the mug and taking a drink. Bard became quiet and sat down next to him, grabbing another mug and pouring himself a drink. “Though I doubt she has recognized it yet.” His hum of amusement caught Bard’s attention, and he grabbed the emptying pitcher as he refilled his own cup.

“Recognized what?” Bard asked. Amir let out a half chuckle.

Before he could answer, a knock at the door drew their attention away.

Elwood stood there with a smirk.

“Already starting without me?” he chuckled as he made his way over. The pitcher was empty, so he moved to refill it. Amir sat patiently as the old Dryad joined them.

“Well, Bard. I saw your scribbles. Better,” Elwood chuckled and Bard groaned, his head hitting the table. Amir watched with amusement as Elwood took out the wax tablets from his pouch and placed them on the table.

“It wasn’t for you to judge my handwriting. I’m still working on that,” Bard grumbled, his head tilting up to look out, while his chin rested on the table. Amir looked at Elwood and he winked, catching his meaning. Amir watched as the old Dryad rubbed Bard’s back.

“A tease, a jest. Now, you are worried about Sen, right?” he said, coming to the crux of the conversation. Bard looked worn out, but relieved. “Well. Who’s going to tell him?” Elwood asked, and Bard sat up, looking between them.

“Tell me what?” he asked, after the silence began to stretch. Elwood had a goofy grin. Amir, kept his emotions off his face as much as possible. He knew the old Dryad wanted him to say it. But he still didn’t know what to think about it.

“Spoil sport,” Elwood chatted. “Bard, you better take good care of them, okay?”

Bard looked at him as if completely confused.

“If you say that, then of course he’s not going to understand,” Amir growled, taking another drink. Bard looked at him with those human eyes and he took a deep breath.

“Sen is expecting,” Amir said. “Though I doubt she realizes it,” he clarified. Bard’s eyes grew wide, and he sat back in the chair.

“H… how?”

“Well, you were the ones-” Elwood began and Bard snapped.

“Not, that!”

Amir watched, wondering what the chief would do now. Bard brought his hand to his face.

“Things may get more interesting here on out. I’m having Keith watch her in the woods, and keeping her somewhat hidden,” Amir said, changing the mood. “Of course, we’ll need to keep her unaware as long as possible.”

“Agreed,” Elwood said, before sipping some water. Bard’s confusion was evident, and Amir began to explain, nodding to Elwood to keep alert.

Dryads typically kept to the woods and so didn’t need to worry about these things. However, Sen was different. She lived in a house with her human husband. As Amir shared details of what dryads expected, he was surprised to hear Bard speak up.

“Father mentioned that in ages past, he knew of a human and Dryad couple.” Amir nodded. He had talked with healer about some things. Bard shared what he knew, and Elwood kept watch.

The two talked about what it took for Dryad children to grow and Bard shared what little he knew, and what differences he had been made aware of.

“How did you guys figure this out?” Bard asked.

“Her body wants the comfort of the music of the forest. It will shape the life within her and help them to recognize their forest. With so many Elders and a mixed forest, even we aren’t sure how things will turn out. There is also a very real threat that she could reject the life in her if she gets stressed or becomes aware too early. Unintentionally, really.” Elwood said, interjecting into the conversation.

“But, the shades are getting stronger, and-”

“It may be overwhelming, but trust us on this one, Bard. If she rejects that life, she may end up dying as well,” Amir countered. Bard became somber at this.

“You are right, though. This will be different than what any of us understand, and we will keep an eye on her. Keith was the one who made us aware of the situation.”

“But, a congratulation is in order. We’re proud of you, lad,” Elwood chuckled, ruffling Bard’s hair. Amir smiled at this. Bard seemed genuinely surprised and content. Elwood stopped suddenly and then helped to straighten the hair.

“Seems like she is coming back, best hush up then,” Elwood said. Amir coughed and was grateful the tablet’s wax had been smoothed out.

“I’ve noticed Jamil has been working on the taming project,” Amir said, giving their minds a direction, and their chatter seemingly on a different topic. Bard followed suit, pointing out how the catfolk would likely try to monopolize this and make them dependent. Amir sorted through that as Sen came in. She looked at the three of them with a worn out expression. Bard paused and then smiled.

“Excuse me,” he said, moving to grab his fiddle. Amir watched with interest. He had heard that more music had been heard from here, but other than matching the Elder trees, he hadn’t experienced songs from his son-in-law outside of that scope.

The three grew quiet as Bard played. There was a gentleness to his melody that helped Sen to calm. He then guided her to their room before returning, where they discussed the countermeasures to the catfolk’s greed. Bard showed them out, and asked if they could meet at one of their places the next night, as he had a lot to ask about. Amir offered his place, as Sen mostly stayed around Elwood’s when she was in the forest. With that settled, the three parted ways.