The travels of Yan Overton

Pools of possibility

The cold bemired earth began to tremor and roll from the inexplicable impact of a resounding thunderous drum that appeared to grow louder in intensity across the dark desolate marsh. This anomaly was then followed by a sharp vice-like sensation around Yan's neck and cranium and before he knew what was happening, he had been hoisted clear from his sodden grave. The sudden shock of the abrupt resurrection overwhelmed him; he had been blinded and deafened by the silt that had permeated his eyes and ears and was now gasping violently to catch his breath. When he did eventually manage to breathe again he just burst into tears and began to cry uncontrollably.

Disorientated by what had happened he lay there a while like a banked fish upon the saturated earth, falling in and out of consciousness until eventually becoming steadily more responsive to the solacing warmth of a glowing fire.

Bleary eyed he looked up to see a naked canopy of hornbeam branches exquisitely interfused against a cloudy winter sky. The crackle from the nearby fire was comforting and yet disconcerting. Whoever had built the fire was presumably still present he concluded and dearly hoped that it wasn't his uncle Jeremiah.

Languidly he sat up and wiped the dry silt from his eyes and then looked around tentatively.

Initially he couldn't see anyone and so assumed he was alone, but then after closer inspection found himself performing a double take.

For there sitting a few yards from the fire at the edge of the clearing was a gigantic figure staring straight back at him. He didn't notice it initially as it appeared almost invisible against the backdrop of trees and shrubs. All he could surmise from its appearance was that it was human in form and yet oddly dendroidal. Its arms and legs resembled the thick boughs of the nearby oaks, grey and fissured. Big beige leaves sprouted from its face and chest like hair and much to Yan's surprise it spoke.

"I see you have recovered from your ordeal" it said in a deep bellowing yet affable tone.

"Yes" replied Yan a little bewildered at the benevolence of the strange timber giant.

Dubiously he shuffled backwards a few inches. "Are you a tree?" he asked inquisitively.

The giant smiled and shook his head. "No I am not a tree, I am a Green man. I am a guardian of the forest and the trees are my kin" he said pointing up at the lofty oak trees that encircled the clearing.

"How did I get here?" asked Yan still feeling somewhat non compos mentis from his recent tribulation at the hand of the devious spectre.

"I came to your aid after hearing your cries from the marsh" said the Green man. "You had fallen foul to Will-o'-the-wisp".

"Will-o'-the-wisp?" exclaimed Yan.

"Yes! A deceitful spirit who preys upon careless wayfarers lost in the wilderness by luring them with his lantern on to the marsh and to their inevitable doom".

"Then you saved my life" said Yan in a humble tone. "I am deeply indebted to you"

"Not quite!" replied the Green man. "An enchanted being would not die in such a facile manner"

His extraordinary remark bewildered Yan. "Why do you call me enchanted?" he asked.

"Because that is what you are" said the Green man stroking his thick leafy beard. "Not many mortals' posses the ability to levitate fallen trees now do they? Telekinesis is a gift usually reserved for sorcerers"

"How on earth could you possibly know about the floating tree?" Yan asked, astounded by the Green mans divulgement. "No one knows about that!"

"The trees see all" smiled the Green man whilst tapping the side of his big wooden nose. "As I have already told you, the trees are my kin; they tell me everything that goes on in the forests. Nothing escapes a Green man, we are ubiquitous"