Druids of Miminar

Chapter 1

After another cold and dark winter, I'm out in the forest alone enjoying the early morning warmth. Listening to the forest noises, the birds chirping and the occasional creak of a moving branch. With just a hunting knife and my wits, I'm wary of any noise as I'm racking my brain for all the best spots for herbs, and the paths themselves. Intermittently between plucking herbs, I glance at the valley hills towering in the north and south. It's that time of year where I can see them perfectly, because they're often hidden by the trees in the summer and the storms and ice fog in winter.

My name is Sunn, Sunn Falamin. I've lived here in the forest in the Ibex valley for sixteen years, all my life with my dad.

I live in the Moon Court, one of three courts on the Astral Island in the Trommelen Archipelago. One of the other courts, the Star Court, was captured fifteen years ago around the time of my birth by the dragon people and their court: the Drage.

Half human, half dragon, drage are vicious monsters who attack, kill and conquer any court they set their minds to. My dad fears them, and from the stories I heard of their monstrosities I fear them too. So I memorize the paths in case they do invade, so I can escape at a moment's notice. However, because of a truce signed around the time of my birth, there hasn't been any fights. I'm at a little ease.

Brushing through my long brown hair, trying to remember the last few places to look, I hear noises far off. Strange, guttural and coarse, nothing I recognize. Completely still in my tracks, I strain my half-pointed ears listening to the sounds. Biting my lip nervously, I hear those sounds getting closer. I need to hide! Looking around I spot a bush and two trees conjoined at the stumps. Quickly I get on my knees and crawl under the bush behind the trees, risking more tears in my forest clothes. When the noises get unnervingly close, I still myself to breathe quietly while one hand is tight around the hilt of my hunting knife.

Finally, four visages come into view. Four hunched figures looking like small humans, but green skinned, warty, and unkempt. One look at their hands and their yellow, jagged nails makes me cover my mouth to stop myself from gagging.

I've never seen them before; from what I read in stories, I assume they're goblins. My dad told me about them and said do not encounter them. Also, they're from the Fire and Earth courts, both from different islands. So what are they doing this far north? Here of all places? Holding my breath as the four goblins walk past, one begins to sniff. I clutch my knife tighter, though in another second they move on.

After a good long moment, I crawl out of my space and look in the direction they went. Why are they here? What are they doing here? I need to tell my dad, though this is finally a chance to show my dad I'm capable. Growing up, my dad was very particular about what I did and where I went. I never went too far from the house, and I never did anything dangerous without his supervision. Since the age of twelve, Dad gradually became more lenient. Though he wouldn't allow me to do this, this is my chance to prove myself to him.

Taking a moment to focus, I start trailing after the goblins, keeping a steady pace and limiting my noise. Eventually, I hear their coarse, guttural speech when I get near them. Weary of the distance and the hazards of the forest floor, I manage to get close enough, that I can discern some of it. One of my dad's friends, a merchant named Trezza, teaches me Orcish whenever she's around. While it isn't exactly Orcish, I can still understand some of it.

Listening to their conversation while trying to maintain a distance, I stop when I hear something disconcerting. Did they just say 'camp'?

Oh no. I look back, seeing scant familiar scenery. Can I find my way back home? Yes, I can. Taking a breath, despite my conscience nagging me to turn back, I continue following them, wanting to know where they're going so I have something to tell my dad. This is my chance to show him I'm not a kid.