Book of Ellagar

Chapter 8: Lessons

Verak moved swiftly, his young muscles uncoiling as he raced to leap into the water, his eyes locked onto the monstrous creature that had emerged from the depths. But before he could take two steps, Ellagar was there, her staff flashing through the air like a serpent striking its prey. It slipped between his legs, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Stop." Her voice was a hard command that echoed through the swamp, leaving no room for argument. "I said, 'Watch.'"

The creature's eyes followed their actions, its head tilting in a curious fashion as if it understood the unspoken boundaries. For a moment, Ellagar and the beast stared at each other, two predators in a dance of dominance. Then, with grace that belied its size, it sank beneath the surface, disappearing without a trace. The water grew still once more, the sounds of the swamp retreating to a cautious hush. Ellagar could hear the beast rending a carcass further off. The bodies from the battle had drawn it in.

Verak growled a protest, tendrils of black rising like smoke along his neck and arms as he watched the creature disappear. "We should have killed it," he said, his voice a rumble.

"Why?" she asked gently. "It is a beast in its home. We let it be." Ellagar bent, helping him stand, her eyeslocked on the place where the creature had retreated. She knew the urge to fight was strong in him, his dragon heritage demanding dominance. But she had to teach them the ways of the swamp, of the druids. Not all battles were won with teeth and claws.

With a sigh, she turned to Ardvek, who was watching the exchange with wide eyes. "Both of you need to remember," she said, her voice firm, "the swamp is not our friend. Today it protects us, but it is a living, breathing entity that can harm you or save you as it wishes. You must respect it, to listen to its voice, and you must know when to act and when to be still."

Verak looked at her with a mix of emotions. "But what about that creature?" he spat, his voice still filled with the hunger of his heritage. "It could have killed us!"

"Yes, it could have." Ellagar agreed, her voice calm and measured, "but only if we had threatened it. It is not our place to fight every creature. Sometimes, survival is knowing when to fall back, to allow others to live their lives unbothered." She looked at the water, her eyes distant. "The swamp, this world, it is all a delicate balance. We are all part of it, and we must respect its ways."

The two siblings stared at her, their expressions a jumble of confusion. They had seen the power of the swamp and felt its protection, but they had not yet learned its true nature. "But what if it comes back?" Ardvek's voice was small, his eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. "What if it wants to hurt us?"

Ellagar looked at him, her expression softening. "Then we will be ready," she assured him, her hand resting comfortingly on his shoulder. "But for now, let us not invite trouble where there is none. The swamp is our sanctuary, and we must learn to live in harmony with it and its' inhabitants." She turned back to Verak, her eyes meeting his fiery gaze. "Your dragon blood may call for battles, but remember, Verak, not all battles are yours to fight."

Verak turned away. Kicking at a rock and sending it bouncing across the soft earth.

The boys whispered to each other, still processing the lesson. Ellagar knew that their journey would be fraught with danger and temptation, but she was determined to teach them the rhythm of life, the way of the druid. Nature was not a place to conquer but to live with. She could feel the eyes of the emerald dragons upon her, watching from the shadows across the water, their silent approval a warm presence.

With the beast gone, Ellagar turned her attention to setting warnings. Using her druidic magic, she imbued the surrounding plants with a gentle alertness. The plants would alert them if any danger approached, their leaves fluttering like the wings of a thousand crickets. She hoped the creature would be satisfied with the carnage from the battle, but she knew the swamp was unpredictable.

She looked at her two younglings. "We should sleep; we need our rest. It will leave us alone," she assured the boys, her voice calm and steady. "There is plenty of carrion for it to eat." Her eyes met each of theirs, willing them to understand. Finally, they both nodded in understanding. They needed to trust the natural world and its rhythms. It was a lesson she had learned the hard way, and one she hoped they would not have to.

The next few days were a blur of lessons and more efforts at making their camp into a home. The beast still harvested the dead, but it had learned their scent and let them be. In Ellagar's mind the plant whispers grew less tense and more welcoming as they worked in harmony with the swamp. Ellagar taught them the art of tracking, the signs of the swamp's moods, and the secrets of its edible plants. She showed them how to pull water from a tree. And to her surprise, Verak showed her the best places to fish. They learned the call of the night birds, and the language of the swamp's nocturnal hunters. Ardvek had a talent for calming even the most fearful animal, so soon friendly faces like curious frogs, cautious marsh hares, and even a family of mice frequented their camp.

While Verak's gaze often fell upon the hares with the hunger of the predator he was born to be, Ellagar saw the beginnings of restraint. He knew the value of the balance and the role they played in it. Verak watched them, studied them, but never made a move to harm them. They were part of this sanctuary, part of their circle now. It was a stark contrast to the fiery youngling that had wanted to fight the swamp beast.

But amidst the tranquility of their swamp haven, Ellagar's thoughts often drifted to Thelara. It had been over two weeks since she had left for her own healing, and her absence was a gaping hole in their little family. She missed the warmth of her friend and sister-druid's presence, the comfort of her strong shoulders, and the sharpness of her instincts. The whispers of the swamp had not revealed her fate, and the lack of news gnawed at her. Was she safe? Had she found peace? Or had she been drawn into the very battles they were trying to avoid? The dragons had avoided answering her questions the few times they drew near to share fresh meat.

Ellagar's mind wandered back to the countless lessons Thelara had imparted. She remembered the first time Thelara had shown her how to use a staff for defense. In a clearing much like this one, the air thick with the smell of moss and mud. Thelara swirling her staff in a demonstration of grace and deadly precision.

"Balance is key," Thelara had said with her usual steady calm. "A staff is an extension of you. Feel its weight. Feel its length. Let it become you." Thelara moved slowly through a series of fluid stances, the staff whirling around her like a living thing. Ellagar had tried to do the same, and fallen down in the mud, but Thelara, ever kind and patient, had moved Ellagar through the stances until they became part of her.

"Good," Thelara had said, a rare smile lighting up her face. "Now, let's see how you handle an opponent." They had sparred for hours, Thelara's staff clashing against Ellagar's with a rhythm that felt almost like a dance. Each strike, each parry, had taught Ellagar more about herself and her connection to the world.

She could still hear Thelara's voice in her mind, offering encouragement and correction. "Keep your stance low. Use your surroundings. The land is your ally." Those lessons had stayed with her, shaping her into the druid she was today.

Ellagar sighed, the memory bittersweet. She watched Verak and Ardvek, seeing the same determination in their eyes that she had once felt. These tiny wonders were learning, growing, becoming stronger every day. Her heart wished Thelara could be here to see it, to guide them as Thelara had guided her.

The boys' laughter brought her back to the present. They were practicing with their slings, the stones flying through the air with surprising accuracy. Ardvek cheered as he hit a distant tree, his face glowing with pride. Verak, not to be outdone, adjusted his stance and let fly another stone, which struck the target with a loud echo.

Ellagar smiled, feeling pride touched by sadness. "Thelara would be proud of you," she murmured, realizing her words were more for herself than to the boys. She hoped that wherever Thelara was, she could feel the love and gratitude that Ellagar carried for her.

More days passed - the boys growing in sudden spurts. The words of prophecy mocking Ellagar's understanding. She glared at the Mother Tree knowing that it could help her, and so far, was remaining 'neutral' as the tree spirit had said. "Bah," Ellagar groaned in frustration. Throwing the scrolls.

Verak looked amused and said. "And what of the lesson of patience, Sister Ellagar?" She had to admit he did an excellent impersonation, and then tickled him for his insolence.