I can't say no to those big little eyes

Something little jumps out of my bag. I fall back out of shock.

"Hey you! Why did you disturb my sleep?"

A little greenish Kodama with long wavy light green hair and a dress made of green leaves stands in front of me and points with her finger at me.

"Disturb you? That's my bag! Who are you? And why are you in there?"

"I'm Sisli! I searched for a cozy place to sleep, and this bag was really nice. Where are we?"

"We are in our camp!" I say.

"Aria, Who are you talking to?" Caspian asks while he is still standing in front of me waiting for his treatment. Knox and Lionel also look at me irritated.

"There is a Kodama in my bag; we have to bring her back!" I say to them, a little overwhelmed with the situation.

But the Kodama interrupts my conversation with the others.

"No, don't bring me back!" she shouts.

My gaze falls back to Sisli on the ground. The others don't react to my statement at first and just look at me. Probably because they see me staring at the ground at Sisli, who they can't hear nor see...

"Why? Kodama are always with their kind." I ask while the others look at me.

"I want to join your group. I want to be an adventurer!"

"That's no good idea, Sisli! Our mission is too dangerous for you to join."

"The Kodama wants to join us?" Knox asks.

"Yes, but I don't think it's a good idea," I answer.

"More people, more fun!" Knox says, obviously forgetting our torture with the Kodama just less than an hour ago.

"You can't even see her!" I say.

"This Kodama won't curse us, or will it?" Caspian asks, shocked.

"I won't; I can help you. Most people cannot see me. I can be some kind of spy for you, and I can manipulate the growth of plants," she assures me in the hope that I will pass this information on and grows a sunflower under her feet near my face to demonstrate her power. Now she looks at me eye-to-eye, proud and smiling.

"I'm not sure if we need this kind of skill."

"What skill?" Lionel asks, interested.

"She says she can be some kind of spy for us, and she can grow plants like the sunflower here. But I'm not sure what use it would have. And our mission is too dangerous for a little Kodama."

Also, this is another part that wouldn't have happened in the original novel. They meet the Kodama in the novel, but no one chopped their tree and got cursed. Also, no Kodama joined the mission!

"If the little one is confident and aware of the risk, it can join. Anyone who wants to use their strengths for the common good is welcome. But you should decide, as you are the only one who can see and speak with her."

I look at Sisli, who is looking at me with her big eyes full of expectation. I look to the side and lie my face in my right hand. Damn...I can't disappoint those big little eyes...

"Ok... you can come with us, but is it really ok when you are with us and not with the Kodama tribe?"

"Yes, that's fine. Dusk is my uncle, and I got his approval," she says while glancing slightly nervously to the side.

"Fine," I say with a nervous smile, knowing that she is not telling the whole truth. But it's actually none of my business.


Meanwhile, in the Kodama village

"Where is my niece Sisli?. She didn't make some trouble again, did she?" Dusk asks in the group.

A shy kodama with slightly disheveled medium-length hair in his face steps forward and begins to speak.

"She left this message and jumped into the bag of the witch. She threatened me that she would cut all my hair if I say anything. I'm so sorry..."

Dusk grabs the paper with lines written in scrawled handwriting.

"Dear Uncle, I will become an adventurer! Don't wait for me. Sorry for not asking you, but I have to spread my wings and explore the big world!"

"No, no, nooo, my precious niece! This troublemaker... what if something happens?
I don't want to imagine..."

Dusk loses consciousness and falls backwards.

"No, Dusk!" the Kodama shouts and catches him.

"Hopefully she will be in good hands..." another Kodama says.


Back in the camp

"Back to my previous question. The Kodama won't curse us, right...? Caspian asks, unsettled.

"No, she won't! By the way, her name is Sisli. Perhaps you could introduce yourselves to her again briefly, now that she is part of our team."

"I am Aria, and the healer of this team," I say to Sisli.

"And a witch!" she says, looking at me.

"Everyone knows me just as Aria. I say to her, laughing slightly nervously. Now you, Lionel!"

I need to change the topic from me to the others quickly; I can't discuss this kind of topic with her right now. Not here!

Lionel looks in my direction and starts speaking.

"Hello Sisli, I'm Lionel Lysander, a knight of the king and called the hero of this land. As we explained in your village, we are on the mission to save the princess of this land and defeat the mage of the north. Welcome to our team."

"So cool, even if I am not standing there," she says, amazed.

"Umm, she stands on your left..." I say.

"Of course she does..." Lionel says, a little flustered.

Caspian starts to laugh a bit and grabs Lionel's shoulder.

"Nice speech for the air, Lionel!" says Caspian.

A little annoyed, Lionel looks to him until Caspian starts speaking again.

"I am Caspian Elowen. The best hunter in this land, who can hit any target," he says a bit arrogantly while looking at Sisli's previous position. 

The emphasis is on the previous position because she moved to me again, while he used his worn-out instruction of himself again.

"She is standing next to me again..." I say.

"Nice speech too," Lionel says, smirking, and hits Caspian on his shoulder.

"Really funny," he says. Now Caspian looks at me a little flustered.

"Can I get the ointment now?"

"Oh yes, I nearly forgot," I say and rummage in my bag to take out the ointment.

"Now me! I am Knox Einar, and I am a previous mercenary. Just call me Knox. Nice to meet you!" Knox says, smiling while looking around, obviously trying to cover every area because he doesn't know Sisli's position for sure.

"Ok, then we are ready to go on!" I say while I apply the ointment on Caspian's wounds.

"Yes," the others shout, while packing everything back in the wagon.

"Yes, let's go," Sisli shouts, who has now settled on Knox's shoulder, who doesn't seem to notice.

"This is the best spot for traveling besides your bag. I think I will stay here," she says proudly.

This could be something. No more changes in the story would be a nice variety.

But let's see how it goes...