Saying Goodbye

I awoke to find Luna throwing some kindling material onto the fading embers of last night’s fire. I didn’t see Marisa anywhere. Had I overslept? The sun was still low in the sky so it couldn’t have been more than 6 or 7 AM.

“Good morning, Luna.”

“Good morning.”

“Where’s Marisa?”

“Talkative today, are we? She went off to find a river or lake to restore her water strength. She’ll be back soon.”

With nothing else to do but wait for her to get back, I started on breakfast. The supplies the sylphs had given us was a welcome change to the hardtack, nuts, and berries I had eaten for the past two weeks. I was standing over the fire when Marisa returned.

“My Lady, make what preparations are needed for we shall continue our journey soon. I’ll go scout ahead in the meantime and will meet you down the trail.”

She then trotted off. It was just Marisa and I at the camp spot. Several moments passed in silence.

“Um, Marisa.”

“I thought I heard a voice, but perchance it was merely the wind.”

“...Marisa, I’d like to apologize for yesterday.”

“Oh, Ferdinand! Come to ask for forgiveness have you? Very well, I shall hear what it is you have to say.”

“I’m sorry about my behaviour and for the things I said to you. They were uncalled for and rude.”

“Apology accepted.”

A glib response, and with no reciprocation.

“Anything you have to say?” I asked.

She paused and looked as if she was deep in thought. “No.”

“No?”

“No, that is all. Is there more you wish to add?”

“Don’t you think you have a few things you need to apologize for?”

“I only spoke the truth. If you mean to mention the order for Luna to kill you, then I shall withdraw it.”

“Well in that case, I’d like to withdraw my apology.”

“Whatever for?” she asked.

“Why should I apologize to someone who doesn’t realize she is equally at fault?”

“What would you ask of me? I am not the lord of your emotions nor do I hold sway over how my words affect you.”

It was like talking to a brick wall.

“Look, we both said some unkind things and I want to put it behind us.”

“Indeed! And now it lies at the wayside. Let us move on.”

“That’s not what I mean. Your plan was dangerous and I had no warning I was going to be put in a fight. That’s my issue.”

“Danger is evermore in our world. Shall I coddle you like a child whensoever it springs forth from the shadows of life?”

“Maybe once you’ve experienced having your head nearly chopped off by a frost giant you’ll know what it’s like!”

“I may not know how one feels to have an axe swung at him, but I am no stranger to battle and have suffered the wounds of it. Bethink to when we faced the tatzelwurm.”

“And you would’ve had a lot more to show for it if I hadn’t killed it.”

“Fool! It is not as if I asked you to save me.”

“Then I don’t need to ask you for your continued help. You can go home now.”

I stormed off. I didn’t care to hear what more she had to say. What an obstinate woman. This journey was miserable enough with the absurd trials and horrible travelling conditions. All I wanted was to be back home, lying on my bed and watching TV.

The passing trees blended into a brown and green blur. Every tree, branch, and shrub looked the same. Where was Luna? I knew she had walked further into the forest but I couldn’t find her. Circling back, I tried a different route but she was nowhere to be found. I walked back to where I thought we had camped but found no traces of it. Worry set in. 

No, the trick was not to panic.

“Marisa! Luna!”

No response. I continued to call out their names while searching for them. They couldn’t have gone that far.

“Ferdinand!” I heard a voice call.

“Luna?” I called back.

I rushed to where the voice was coming from, keeping an eye on the forest floor for Luna. Branches and shrubs crashed against me in my mad dash to Luna. The darkness of the forest gave way to the emerging light of the sky. I slowed my gait as I neared a small clearing.

“Luna?”

A rustling sound came from a bush and out jumped a small creature, no taller than two feet. It had golden hair, sharp ears, angelic eyes, and wore a green tunic.

“Who are you?”

“Ursa.”

“How do you know my name?”

“I overheard your companions talking about you. You probably didn’t realize it but these woods have been hexed and cause travellers to lose their way.”

“Hexed? By who?” I asked.

“The witch of Nidau. She rules these woods. You best be careful, traveller, or she’ll turn you into a log for her fireplace. But fear not! Her magic has no effect on us forest nymphs. I can lead you safely back to your companions... for a price"

And there’s the rub. I couldn’t be sure if Ursa was trying to trick me or was an honest spirit. Her appearance was noble. so if her words were true, it would explain why I couldn’t find Luna and Marisa. My options in this situation were limited.

“What kind of price?”

“Oh, nothing too great for a being such as yourself. That sword on your hip looks worthy.”

“I can’t part with that. How about this medallion? It’s got your King’s seal on it. I’m sure it would be valuable to you.”

“No, no, no. What can I do with that?”

“Well, I don’t have anything else of value. What about some food?”

“The forest is full of food. I have enough for myself and all my family.”

“I really can’t part with the sword. In fact, I don’t think it will leave my side.”

“Is that so? Too bad. I guess we can’t reach a deal.”

Ursa turned and went back into the forest.

“Wait! I’m sure we can find an alternative.”

“Hmm. Perhaps we can. There’s a hidden treasure in these cursed woods. If you could retrieve it for me, then I will lead you to your companions.”

“What kind of treasure?”

“It’s a magical item the witch created long ago but lost one night when she was caught in a strong wind from the south.”

“If you know where it is, why haven’t you gotten it yet?”

“It’s located in a tree that hangs over a cliff—too dangerous for a small forest nymph like me, but trivial for one such as you to grab.”

“Sounds like it could still be dangerous for me.”

“The magical item let’s you summon anything you want, from any world. Since I’m such a kind forest nymph, I’ll let you use it once. You could summon an item to repair your relationship with your wife.”

I could feel my ears burning. “W-What? You heard that? No, Marisa isn’t—.”

“Don’t be shy. Do you know what undines love above all else? I’ll tell you later.”

“Fine, fine. Lead the way,” I said, walking past the forest nymph to put the situation behind me as fast as possible.

Ursa brought me to a cliff overlooking a ravine. It was nice to see something other than trees. I gazed at the sky for a moment and then stepped close to the cliff to look for the tree. I didn’t see one. There were a few bushes that jutted out from the cliff face.

“I don’t see any trees hanging over the cliff. Is this the right spot?”

“You don’t see it? Maybe I got the wrong spot and it’s perhaps its further along the cliff.”

I stepped back and scanned the area. There was a chance the tree could be on the other side. As I looked at the opposing treeline a pair of eyes grabbed my attention. They were distant and hidden, almost unnoticeable, but hungry. I leaned forward and narrowed my eyes to stare back.

“What do your eyes see?” Ursa asked.

“I’m not sure, but we’re being watched.”

“Where? I see no eyes.”

“There! Across the ravine, in that bush.”

“Blasted Heinrich.”

“Huh? You know who—?”

I didn’t get to finish my sentence. I was looking at the other side of the ravine but now I was looking at the sky, and it was becoming more distant. A black shadow shot out from the treeline and circled overhead.

WHACK

I cried out in pain as my body smacked into the cliff side. I tumbled down the cliff, hitting rocks and shrubs, then launching a few feet into air. Tree branches popped up in front of me. Another hard hit, this time against a tree. My body was tossed from one branch to the other before hitting the ravine floor. I had landed facing the sky. Flashes of white light exploded around the black shadow. My consciousness couldn’t hold on and I closed my eyes.