I have never seen another human as stupid as this one in all my years.
I have left my hideaway cave for the first time since winter ended.
I was on a search for roots and nearby berries when I heard a creature approach. I was open to seeing it when I heard a voice.
"Oh Emitt... Why did you have to be so stupid? This was a terrible idea. I have to go back. No, the people are your duty! Ugh! Why is helping so hard? Belle, this would have never happened had Father let me leave sooner! I forgot to bring medicine, my rear aches, my skin itches... Why is this so difficult! There is no such thing as a Forest Keeper! He's probably made up anyways!" The voice of a man rambled on, debating whether or not to proceed.
I hid in a bush. I'd been following him for a few weeks, observing him and making sure he was not a threat to the forest.
I have not interacted with a human since... Well, I have no recent recollection.
I do not plan to make myself known.
The horse was skittish and I wanted to let it know I was safe. But as soon as I began to walk away, I stepped on a twig within the bush and the horse stepped on a sharp stone.
It began to panic and threw off her rider.
The man fell from the poor horse, cut his arm on poisoned tree bark and hit his head on a large boulder. He was in a daze from shock.
I had half a mind to leave him for dead and take the horse, but something held me back.
I crept up to the horse who was returning and saw that its flank was scarred from the nettle brush it had ran through. I was determined to heal the horse alone, but her eyes showed her worry for her rider.
I placed my hand upon the horse and thought of the scars healing. I felt my energy deplete and I felt the scars mending the flesh.
As the green energy left my soul, I stumbled back lightheaded. I had not used my powers to heal in a very long time.
I felt the rush of dizziness pass before seeing to the man.
Green eyes and carrot red hair, he had a speckled face.
Not wanting to risk myself fainting from using too much power, I quickly determined that I would have to heal him in my cave. I heard him ramble about having no medicine, and it was against my nature to let any living thing die.
He was unconscious now, so he couldn't see the path I took to my cave.
The horse knelt and allowed me to lift the man onto it's back.
We walked for an hour and arrived by nightfall. I dragged him into the cave and let the horse graze on my grass.
The man had a fever and still hadn't woken up.
I set him on my moss cot and went to see what I could do to heal him.
I had left my cave to grab spring water for his head.
I returned to find him sitting up and pointing a dagger at my face.
"Who are you? And where is my horse?"
What have I just seen? Is this man threatening me after I have clearly saved his life?
"Speak! I won't repeat myself again!"
He shouts, slumps back and holds his head.
"I, Emitt, command you to tell me what you have done to me?" he moans.
I haven't used my voice in ages. So I gave it a try.
"I am Aleafah. Your horse is safely grazing nearby. I saved you from yourself. Rest. You have made contact with Death root tree bark. It's a poisonous bark that can kill you if not treated immediately. And you have a concussion, so you must rest."
"Who are you Aleafah? And why do I feel so woozy all of a sudden?"
His eyes roll back into his head. He was out again.
I went to work by making a balm of isle mushroom slime, maple sap and swivel root moss. After applying it to his cut, I made him a mintwood and honey tea to relieve the pain when he awoke.
After I finished my work, I sat down by the small fire I had used to heat the tea.
I recalled a time that I had met another human, an older man. When I had a real name.
When I was human.
"I'm going to find the Forest Keeper.. He's hard to find... Father.... No!" the man mumbled in his sleep.
I looked over at him and laid down upon the cave floor.
He continued to speak in broken sentences, delirious from the poison until he fully fell asleep.
Not sure if he would die in his sleep, all I could do was wait.