Book One Chapter Twelve: Dryad Queen Unveiling

Book One Chapter Twelve: Dryad Queen Unveiling

His heart? Are we talking metaphorically or in the meat sense? The Chosen One asked the raging witch.

My dear, you have already stolen my heart. The Sewer Bard said, placing his hand on the wrong side of his chest.

You, The old witch pointed at the Chosen One, may continue your journey. But you must leave your companion with me.

Excuse me, Qube said, Im actually his Companion, not Sewer Bard.

Why should I leave him with you? The Chosen One asked Mother Gothel.

I spent my whole life training to be his Childhood Companion.

I have no heart, Mother Gothel unbuttoned part of her shirt, revealing a gaping hole right in the middle of her chest. It was stolen from me by a terrible beast when I spurned his affections. He ripped it from me and took it into the Forbidden Forest so that I would never know love.

I mean I even got chosen by the Golden Prophecy to be his Companion, its not like I just decided one day to become his Companion. Its literally my destiny.

Hey. The Chosen One said, putting his hand on Qubes shoulder.

Yes, Chosen One?

Shut up for a second.

Qube pouted.

I am cursed to dwell within this grove until my heart is returned to me. But it has been many years and I still have yet to be healed. I yearn to be completed. I must have a heart. Mother Gothel looked at the Sewer Bard, intensity sparking off her. This young man has freely offered his heart to me, and I will take it.

The Chosen One facepalmed. Sewer Bard, why did you do that?

I cannot help it. You bade me whisper sweet nothings to this mother of nature, and in doing so I could not help but lose my heart to her. I am cursed to love all women. The Sewer Bard sighed. She is also the first lovely lady who has been able to overcome her natural shyness at my manifold charms and good looks to actually be able to accept my address.

The Chosen One squinted at the Sewer Bard as he translated what hed just said.

You mean shes the first chick to ever flirt back, dont you? He said.

...Yes. The Sewer Bard replied baldly.

The Chosen One looked up at the sky.

Why? He asked it.

The sky did not reply.

Giving up on sky based answers, the Chosen One looked at Mother Gothel.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

What if we went to the Forbidden Forest and got your heart back from the terrible beast? He asked. Would you be willing to not cannibalise Sewer Bard then?

Mother Gothel looked at the Chosen One narrowly.

I will allow this. She conceded eventually. But I will keep him here with me until you return with my heart. For insurance purposes, you understand. Take this mark of my favour and you will be able to enter the Forbidden Forest. She held out a small wooden plaque.

Of course, Chosen One. For your great deeds I name you Wood Warrior, and grant you these two gifts. First, the Forbidden Forest Gem, which will be key to defeating the Evil Emperor. And secondly, the Nectar of Rest. This will permanently put to rest any spirit you encounter in your journeys. She held out a giant glowing green gem and a tiny green vial, both which disappeared after a few seconds. Qube glanced at the Chosen One, who seemed pleased. She narrowed her eyes. More key magic, huh?

Sweet. The Chosen One said.

Oh, despite having Nectar in its name it isnt actually sweet- The Dryad Queen started to say, before the Chosen One turned his back on her.

Well, time to go. He said. Come on.

Wait, The Sewer Bard said, pleadingly, still on his knees. My Queen, your beauty! May I dare hope that you still desire my love? For if you say but the word, it is yours!

The Dryad Queen leant over the kneeling man, smiling kindly.

You were the only man who ever showed me love in my old form. She said. Qube looked between them, still not entirely sure what was going on there. But I have just had my heart returned to me after a long absence. I think I must first work on myself, before entering into a relationship.

The Sewer Bard nodded. I will never love again, he mourned. Then he suddenly stood, his face abruptly returning to its default look of good humour.

Lead on, Noble Patron! He said cheerfully.

The thorny trees were gone, leaving the path out clear. Without even a goodbye, the Chosen One set off, Sewer Bard beside him. Qube smiled at the Dryad Queen.

Thank you for having us! She said, and moved to follow the other two.

Wait. The Dryad Queen said quietly. Qube paused. The Dryad Queen seemed to look directly at her. It was uncomfortable. After a moment, the Dryad Queen winced and looked away.

Never return. The Dryad Queen whispered, and then turned and walked to her tree. Once she got to the giant tree she pivoted and, as if now at a safe enough distance, watched Qube. Qube, hurt, took a few steps back, and then followed the Chosen One and Sewer Bard out of the woods. Once or twice she looked back, and still Mother Gothels eyes shone, naked hatred within them until she was out of the woods, and back in the open fields.

Qube was quiet for a long time after that, oddly shaken from the whole experience.

Right, The Chosen One said eventually. Time to go see what all this has done to the Forbidden Forest.

Do we still need to go to the Forbidden Forest? Qube asked, trying not to let her voice tremble.

Of course we do! The Chosen One said. Theres probably heaps of loot in there! And at least one cool new weapon. I can feel it.

They set off, the three of them, over the rolling green fields. It was full night now, but Qube was surprised to find that she wasnt sleepy. Probably the adrenaline from the whole woods situation, she figured. The light cast on the Chosen one and the Sewer Bard had long since faded, but after accidentally walking into a river the Chosen One demanded to be re-lit. Both main moons had risen by the time they reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

To say that the Forbidden Forest loomed in a gloomy manner would do injustice to the concepts. It towered, impossibly high, and stretched out towards the trio as if specifically designed to cast a long shadow over them. Even the mist was knee high, which seemed geographically implausible. Qube, never having set foot out of the village she was born in, didnt have a lot of personal experience with different landscapes, but she felt jungle-like forests should have somewhere for the mists to come from, at least. Maybe there were swamps inside the forest. She rather hoped not, shed heard nasty things tended to live in swamps.

The vast, jungle-like forest was almost completely impenetrable from where they were standing. The only way into it was a roughly-hewn path, cut through the trees, thick vines hanging overhead. Large torches on pikes lined the path, burning despite the inherent fire risk of leaving giant flames lying about unattended.

Should we wait at the entrance for a guide? Qube asked the Chosen One. They must have seen us coming and lit the torches for us. Either that or they always leave them burning, which just seems wasteful. What do you think the burn time on those torches are?

Nah, theyre probably waiting for us in a village in the middle of the Forbidden Forest. Given the general decor Id say wood huts with thatch or palm leaves. The Chosen One nodded sagely.

Ive got a bad feeling about this place. The Sewer Bard said. The Chosen One rolled his eyes.

The giant mist covered gloomy dark woods give you a bad feeling? What a shock! He said. Come on, weve got more stuff to break and take.

So saying, they stepped forward into the Forbidden Forest, the first temple of the Golden Prophecy.