The Hidden Grove

“Ah, you’re finally awake,” said a familiar voice.

“Huh?!” Jabez sat up, sweating. He looked around, realizing he was in bed in the medicine tent. Tuuli was sitting nearby, and the violet-eyed girl had fallen asleep beside the bed, resting her head and arms on it. Calming down, Jabez asked, “How long have I been asleep?”

“All night,” said Tuuli. “The medicine I applied relaxed your muscles, and not long after, you flopped over and passed out.”

“I see...” Jabez felt a bit embarrassed at the thought. Looking himself over, he realized he was only wearing his undergarments under the blanket. A thin film of medicine still lingered across his body. “Huh...”

“What?”

“When did I get abs?”

Tuuli stared in disbelief at Jabez and shook her head. “I’ll just pretend you said thank you.”

“R-right, thank you. You’re the reason I’m not dead in some field... You and your comrade really saved us.”

“Don’t mention it. Seeing how this one kept watch over you all night, I can tell how much good you’ve done already.” Tuuli then walked up to the sleeping girl, shaking her shoulder gently. “It’s time to wake up. They’re serving breakfast right now.”

“... Breakfast?” The young girl roused from her slumber, looking between Jabez and Tuuli before leaping to her feet and stepping away. “Um... Sorry. I was... Worried.”

“I appreciate it,” said Jabez. “What’s your name?”

“You want to know my name?” the girl pointed at herself. “Well... I was taken before I could remember what my mother called me.” She then touched her bruised throat, looking away.

“Would you like a new name? It will be a gift.”

“A gift? But... But... Fine. I shall accept it... At least until I remember my old name.”

“Of course,” Jabez nodded. Looking at the tanned girl, he always found himself drawn to her violet irises. “I know! We’ll call you Iris.”

“Iris? What does that mean?”

“It’s the color in one’s eyes here,” Jabez pointed at his own. “I thought it’d be fitting since you have such pretty eyes.”

“P-pretty??” The girl glanced around nervously before covering her face and fleeing the tent. Jabez tried calling out to her but to no avail. Tuuli shook her head.

“You sure have a way with words. Jabez, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s get you dressed so you can eat. I’m sure you need it.”

“Thank you. Seriously.”

“All right already! Just put some pants on!” Tuuli tossed some clothes at Jabez, knocking him over. “I’ll be outside the tent when you’re ready.”

After the elf was gone, Jabez slipped on the sturdy green clothes, looking in a nearby mirror. His eyes were bloodshot, and his hair was a tangled mess. But... He felt fine. More than fine, considering he was on the brink of death last night.

I hope Kela and the others are okay...

Straightening his hair a little, Jabez finally joined Tuuli outside the tent, and together, they got in line for a plate of food. As they waited, Jabez couldn’t help but glance around at everyone – Tuuli especially. She had a much sturdier frame than he first thought. Elves in the media he was used to always seemed perpetually skinny, but Tuuli had visible muscle, particularly in her arms. It stood to reason, since it wasn’t easy using a bow. She had a rugged, tomboyish feel to her, particularly in her face. She reminded Jabez of a childhood friend of his.

“Like what you see?” Tuuli glared at him.

“Oh! I was staring, wasn’t I?”

“You sure were.” Flicking her hair dramatically, Tuuli said, “It’s fine. It’s only natural to be taken aback by my beauty.”

“Is it?”

“Yes!!”

“Next!” shouted a male elven chef up ahead. Jabez and Tuuli moved up, falling silent. “Okay, here you go. Baked yam, fire-roasted apple slices, aaaaand water.”

“Thank you kindly,” said Jabez.

“Of course,” the chef nodded. “Any chain breaker is a friend of mine.”

Jabez and Tuuli eventually sat down at a bench table, joining the rest of the encampment. As Tuuli ate, Jabez stared at his food, his memories of the night prior feeling... Fuzzy. Despite only a single night passing, it felt so far away. If that night he was a fire, right now he felt like cool ash.

“Something the matter?” asked Tuuli.

“Uh... What’s a chain breaker?” said Jabez.

“Someone like you... Or us. Someone who frees slaves.”

“You guys free slaves?” Jabez perked up.

“Yeah. Usually not many at once, since huge groups like what you brought in brings a lot of attention, but we funnel slaves out of settlements and to far away places where they can be safe from further harm.”

“So like the Underground Railroad...”

“The what now?”

“Ah, don’t worry about it. But... That puts me at ease. Does this mean the ones we brought here will be okay?”

“As okay as they can be. It’s a long trip outside of Ramtha, but we have plenty of groves like this one. Plenty of places to lie low and wait for the right time to move. There are some who join our cause and fight alongside us, but we’re always willing to help move those who just want to disappear.”

“I’m glad... You’re all good people. I...” Jabez clenched his fists under the table. “I started thinking I was the only one.”

“Thankfully not. Though I think you’re the first human I’ve ever heard of to oppose the slave trade so openly.”

“The people in that city I came from are too... Callous. There are laws that keep them in check, but no one even tries to speak out. They just don’t see a point in it.”

Tuuli sighed. “I understand. At least here you’re among like-minded people. Oh! Speaking of which, father wishes to talk once you’re ready.”

“Reijo, right?” Jabez jammed his food into his mouth and started chewing. He mumbled, “Okay, let’s go!”

“At least finish your food first!!!”

When the pair were done eating, Tuuli led Jabez to another part of the encampment. Inside a tent, Reijo sat behind a simple wooden table, overlooking maps marked with different routes.

“Father, he’s here,” said Tuuli.

“Ah, bring him in,” Reijo gestured to nearby chairs. Looking around, Jabez couldn’t help but notice the tent Reijo was in was rather plain. The man didn’t try to place himself above others with fancy décor, it seemed. Once they were seated, Reijo asked Jabez, “So... Who, or perhaps what are you?”

“Father?” said Tuuli.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. This man’s energy is... Different. At first I thought he was an undead, but looking closer, that’s not quite the case.”

“I’m-” A pain shot through Jabez. He had almost forgotten the spell placed on him by Ozahl. He tried to force the words out, but it was no good. “S-pell... Enchant... Ment.”

Tuuli put a hand on Jabez. “Are you all right? What’s wrong?”

“I see... So that’s what that aura was. There’s a mixture of magics at play with this one. I suspect whatever is keeping his mouth shut is thanks to that wiseman in the duke’s court.”

Jabez coughed, trying to clear his throat. When he could finally speak, he nodded. “I don’t know how it works, but yes. The old man put a spell on me long ago. But what I can say is this: I am an enemy of this kingdom. These callous, uncaring people see other races as nothing but possessions or pests. I won’t stand for it!”

“Calm yourself, human,” Reijo put his hand up. “To feel such anger for your own, I wonder what happened to you. Every human I’ve ever met is as you said, completely blind to the pain they inflict. Some even delight in the suffering they cause. But you... You’re different. Tuuli says you killed many guards, that you fled with a wagon full of slaves. What was your plan?”

“There’s another group I’ve befriended. A small clan of goblins I’ve been staying with in a cave. I already took one freed slave there and the matriarch removed her collar. Though given all that’s happened, they’re likely in danger. Can they stay here in the grove?”

“Goblins?” Reijo raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised. I thought they were wiped out long ago.”

“There are some... Humans forced them deep underground, and even then they still hunt them like rodents.”

“Disgusting. It seems that the people you brought in last night weren’t the first you’ve helped, then.” Reijo stood up, grabbing hold of a nearby magic staff decorated with – or perhaps growing – leaves and flowers. “I will accept you and yours for now. I sense much malice in you, but to know it is directed at Ramtha is good. If you help us, we will help you in turn... For now. But know that if you give me reason to doubt you, I won’t hesitate to reduce you to ash.”

“Father!” complained Tuuli.

“No, it’s all right,” Jabez stood up. “He has every right to distrust me. But I’ll prove myself soon enough.”

Reijo chuckled. “I look forward to it.” He then stepped out of his tent and looked to the encampment at large. “Everyone, listen.” The people of the grove fell silent, turning their attention to their leader. “I have decided to accept the stranger, Jabez, into the grove for now. Treat him as you would any member of the grove until he gives reason not to. He also tells me there are others he’s saved he wishes to bring here, but he'll need help. Do I have any volunteers?”

“I’ll help,” said Tuuli, stepping out of the tent.

“I as well,” said Seela, standing up from her bench.

“Then it shall be so,” Reijo tapped the bottom of his staff to the ground. It reminded Jabez of the way judges slammed their gavels down in court. In some ways, the layered green robes Reijo wore was very similar to a judge’s attire. Either way, it was clear just how much the Hidden Grove respected him. No questions, no complaints. Just simple nods of recognition of his decree.

After Reijo’s speech, Jabez, Tuuli, and Seela got ready for the trip outside. Jabez’s gear and armor was clean and ready, but his old clothes were in tatters, so he had to throw them away. As he put his armor back on, he looked to the elves. Even though they didn’t say a word, it was clear the three had an understanding. Jabez had raised hell in Felstat, and that meant plenty of patrols along the roads. They’d have to stay hidden and stay on the move, lest another bloodbath like last night’s transpire.

As Jabez and the others were ready to leave, the young girl Iris appeared, peeking around a tent’s corner.

“Jabez... You’re leaving?” she asked.

“Yes,” Jabez moved closer, crouching down. “Here, I know it’s not much, but hold onto this.” Jabez gave Iris a dagger.

“You’re giving me... A weapon? Thank you. I will remember this.” Iris then pocketed the dagger in her new robes and disappeared into the encampment.

“Impressive,” said Seela.

“What?” asked Jabez.

“Kortu are a pretty insular people, ex-slaves especially. I don’t see them open up to others very often.”

So she’s a kortu. That’s what Aurora meant by shortmar.

Feeling a sense of ease in his heart, Jabez looked to the elves and said, “Let’s get going then. Maybe if we have time you two could tell me more. I’d love to learn about this land through a less biased lens.”

“We’d be happy to help,” said Tuuli.

Thus the three stepped out of the grove, their quest to save the Bone Splitter Clan and Akari before it was too late. No doubt there would be trouble ahead, but with new allies, the hope in Jabez’s heart began to swell.