The incident in the forest

March has ended, and now it’s April. The last chills of winter are finally gone, and all the plants here have started blooming. I’ve been doing my usual things, helping my neighbors and being a good student. Although, something has changed recently.

“Hey, move it or lose it kid! Look at the work Nina’s putting in, you’re a man right!”

“Y-Yessir! I’ll work harder, I promise!”

I’ve started taking Ein along with me to help out everyone, or course people were hesitant at first. However, seeing Ein’s sincerity has started melting the ice. Well for the most part at least.

“What do those idiots think they’re doing?”

“They gave that blight a job? Are they trying to spread the curse around?”

Those were the words of the usual peanut gallery, I really want to just go over and deck them. That won’t change anything though, when I asked mom why people treat Ein this she told me that it has to do with some “Stigma” thing. What the heck is a “Stigma”? Well whatever it is that’s the reason Ein keeps getting mistreated. I put down my crate for a moment and looked back at him. I could tell their words were taking a toll, I was about to run over to those jerks and tell them to lay off. However, I didn’t need to worry about that.

“Don’t Worry About The Birds Chirping!”

““Huh?””

I looked over to see Timothy watching Ein with hos arms crossed.

“You told me that you wanted to be strong right, that you wanted to be different right!”

“Y-Yessir!”

“Then don’t worry about those crows that keep chirping at ya’! You do decent work, and it’s been starting to show. Be proud of that kid!”

Hearing that made Ein smile, he nodded and got back to work. His opposition left irritated, and Timothy turned to me and gave me a thumbs up. If he weren’t so lame, I wouldn’t mind calling him Uncle Tim sometimes. Just like dad, he’s so lame!

****

“Well this is a dilemma.”

“Is everything alright Ms. Veronica?”

“I’ve run out of snowberries to make my perfume, it was a best seller too.”

That is bad, as the name implies, snowberries usually grow during the winter. The best time to obtain them is during that season, otherwise you’d have to wait until next Winter to grab them. However, I know a little secret for time like these.

“I’ll go grab you some snowberries!”

“What! Nina, are you sure?”

“Yep, I know a secret hiding spot for them. I’ll be right back!”

Saying that I began to move towards the door, but before I could leave Ein came carrying in some flowers.

“Oh! Are you going somewhere?”

“Sorry Ein I gotta go ingredient hunting, stay here and help Ms. Veronica okay!”

“Wait! You can’t just-”

“Bye Ein!”

With that I leapt out the door and hurried towards the village gate.

****

“....”

She didn’t just leave me did she?

“So Ein, how would you love to test out my new fragrance?”

I turned around to see a promiscuous woman holding an expensive looking spray bottle. Nina, I won’t forget this day. I’ll remember this betrayal for the rest of my life!

****

“Here they are!”

I had to be quick, after all we’re not supposed to enter the forest without adult permission. Still I never thought this would come in handy, the lucky spot my dad showed me. For some odd reason, in this spot of the forest and under this old hallowed tree, snowberries grow here like wild grass. My dad liked calling this one of the 7 weirdest places in the forest, it’s almost like one of the last gifts he left for me. Alright enough with the sentiments, time to-

“What the heck are you doing here?”

“Hmm?”

Behind me was Marcus, he was standing there with a bloody pitchfork.

“Gah! I should be asking you the same thing you dingus! Why are you in the forest, with that pitchfork of all things!”

“Well for your information I was hunting, I thought that if I could prove myself then maybe the adults would let me join them.”

Marcus puffed his chest out in pride, showing off one of the rabbits he killed. I swear, this guy really is a little kid.

“Hey! You just thought I’m a kid didn’t you!”

“Well, you are younger than I am.”

“Bullshit! We’re both ten!”

“One language, and two you were born in September. I was born in August, so I’m older!”

I smirked at him while teasing my seniority over his, Marcus began to brood about it. I admit, I’m still upset about what they did. I haven’t forgotten the tragedy they caused, not even for a moment. However, pointlessly hating Marcus won’t bring those birds back. At least he’s making himself useful by-Wait a minute!

“Marcus, did you bleed your kill before stuffing them away?”

“Of course not, the meat tastes better with the blood!”

“Idiot!”

“Huh? First you call me a kid and now an idiot!”

“You don’t get it!”

Maybe the scent won’t, no I can smell the blood. This is bad, if I can smell it then that means-

*Grrr*

“W-What was that?”

“You forgot monsters inhabit this forest, didn’t you?”

Soon a rock came shooting out the bushes and hit Marcus hard in the left shoulder. I could hear a popping sound as Marcus began holding his dislocated arm.

“Gahh! What The Hell!”

“Gehehehe!”

Out walked two goblins, one with a sharp rock and the other with a sling. Seeing this Marcus grabbed his pitchfork with his right hand and tried to lift it.

“D-Damn! Listen Nina, you gotta run and get help! I’ll hold them off!”

“That’s not gonna work, you’ll be killed!”

“Please, I’m too strong to lose to two-”

“Grrrrr!”

Me and Marcus froze for a moment, from behind the goblins came a forest wolf. It appears one of them is a tamer, this is bad! That wolf is too fast, we won’t be able to out run it! I know that monsters hate the smell of snowberries, if I smash them all then maybe-

“Come at me, foolish monsters!”

“What are you doing!”

“If this is my last battle, the least I can do is go out swinging!”

Are you trying to get me killed along with you! Suddenly the wolf began charging towards us, despite his previous statement Marcus froze in fear. The goblins began laughing gleefully as their pet got closer, this is it for me isn’t it!

“Pierce.”

It was a cold voice, soon after that voice sounded something fast tore through the wolf’s head. The goblins were shocked, but the owner of that voice wasn’t done.

“Restrain.”

The two goblins found themselves wrapped tightly by the soil, Marcus and me had no idea what was happening anymore. Then from the same clearing those monsters came from, out walked a figure in a dark cloak. Right as they walked past the goblins, they turned around and leaned over them.

“You dirty little pests should know better than to mess with kids. Crush.”

After giving the order they left the goblins who were being crushed by their restraints. Soon the goblins were torn to shreds by their dirt like bindings, I found myself unable to move. Who was this person, should I thank them or be afraid of them? Marcus began lifting his pitchfork at our savior.

“Who the hell are you, don’t you come any closer!”

“That’s no way to address a woman, much less the person who saved you.”

What? Did they just say-Wait! This person’s voice is feminine! The figure pulled down the hood of their cloak, revealing a woman with beautiful black hair and blue eyes. Marcus dropped his pitchfork, unable to say anything, but I was impressed. All the women in the village refrained from hunting or violence. To meet someone like this, someone like me, it made me feel a sense of joy I’ve never felt. I noticed the woman was carrying a long stick in her hand. It was carved in a strange way, my analysis ended prematurely when the woman cleared her throat. After getting our attention, she addressed us.

“I don’t know why you children are in the forest, but that’s besides the point right now. Tell me, do you know where Norn is located?”