Druids of Miminar

Chapter 4

Hearing the goblins scurry away by their sounds and the shaking trees, I catch my breath and feel my senses succumb to the pounding of my arm. I collapse onto the ground dropping my sword, clutching my arm. Dad hurries over to me, as Eleanor gets on to her knees, looks at me with her expression void of her usual amiable mien and holds my arm. She tugs, indicating for me to let go of it. I shake my head.

"Sunn, let go." She says, her tone demanding.

Shaken by her tone, I finally let go. When I do she takes my arm in her own, and with her other hand places it just above. She begins chanting, and green energy flows from her hand and coruscates my arm. My bones then start to move, I growl wrenching in agony as I feel my bones mesh together and repair. When finally the green energy dissipates Eleanor stands up.

Looking at my arm, moving my fingers, feeling less pain I get up, picking up my bloodied weapon and surveying the battlefield, at the ones I finished, killed.

"Sunn." My dad says angrily, tearing me from my thoughts.

"I told you not to do anything rash! If that goblin aimed well you would have died. When I tell you to stay behind and do nothing, I mean it!"

"But there numbers were so little at the end. I thought by fighting between you I could have helped."

"But their numbers were enough Sunn. You still don't know to fight, and that is why this happened."

Frustrated. "And what about you? You once told me that Druids were just a myth, a thing of stories and legends. Yet you announced to everyone that is what you are. Is this one of your secrets that you kept from me?"

Taken aback, Dad's voice cracks. "Don't change the matter, but yes I am Sunn. Yes, this is one of my secrets. Though what's more important is you underestimated a situation and put your own self in danger. This is why I kept it a secret, so you wouldn't worry when I was out fighting, in danger.

I snap. "Dad! You come home with blood on your armor, wounds and scars. I've always worried!"

With a stone face, Dad only listens.

"I was beginning to think you were a mercenary, or a guard even. Just because I didn't' know what you are didn't stop me from worrying!"

"Enough Sunn." Eleanor's stern voice cuts through. "Yet your father kept this from you, he only meant to allay your concern, and thought your lack of knowledge might have helped."

For a moment I take a deep breath. "It didn't."

Dad looks down. "I'm sorry Sunn, I just worry too much."

"I know Dad." Letting a frustrated breath out, I turn around and run.

"Sunn!" Dad shouts from behind, and starts to run but stops. After storming onto the path, running off far and finally breaking into a steady pace. It isn't until another moment I feel another presence behind me, accompanied by a strong smell of birch. Frustrated, I look to see Eleanor who doesn't seem to say anything as she walks by my side.

Treading forward without looking back, I try exhaling to calm myself, focus on the chirping birds, the crickets, branches swaying in the odd breeze.

"I hate all of these secrets." I grumble after a time.

Eleanor only hmms. "I'm sorry, Sunn."

"Why does Dad, why do you, keep so much from me?"

Eleanor waits a moment gestures to turn first before responding. "Well, I keep your dad's secrets to respect his wishes. For why he does keep them is to avoid you asking questions, questions he might not think he can answer or is ready to answer. In addition, he doesn't want you worrying so much that you might act on something you know little about. He thinks you'll go out thinking you do something only to get killed because you didn't know something.