Gelmana walked towards the woods between their house and the village of Holstenkaft. She scoured the tree trunks for toadstool and various plants. She had studied horticulture and the collecting of magical plants. Carefully, she picked the necessary medicines off of each leaf, and when she was confused where something was located, she allowed her ability to take over. She saw a faerie fly by, and they made eye contact with each other.

“You can see me?” Exclaimed the faerie. “Oh my goodness, you’re one of those few people who can see my kind!” The faerie was slightly larger than a closed fist, and her body was colored like a green and blue dragonfly.

“Yes, I can see you, Child of the Feywilds. My name is Gelmana. I’m looking for Tyr’s Tear flower. Have you seen it in these woods?”

The faerie stopped and thought for a moment, her wings fluttering intensely as she hovered.

“I have, but..” The faerie looked at her with wanting eyes. “What can you give to me?”

Gelmana fumbled about her personage for a moment before pulling out an archaic rune carved into a tiny rock. “This is the rune of teine, which is for fire. If you need to light your way, you can easily use this.”

The faerie reached for the rock before it being pulled away by Gelmana.

“First the flower, and then you receive payment.” Gelmana smirked.

“You promise?” The faerie looked at her with a sideways glance.

“I promise.” Gelmana said with certainty.

“You promise?” The faerie prodded more.

“I promise.” Gelmana showed no recession.

“What is your promise?”

“I promise to give you this rune if you find me Tyr’s Tear.”

“Someone taught you well, human.” The faerie smiled wide. “Okay, follow me!”

Gelmana followed the faerie closely as they were heading towards the trail to town. Gelmana could hear voices coming down the trail. What else? Fire? The faerie stopped and peeked around a tree. “It looks like humans are coming down this way.”

Gelmana looked intently and saw a number of people into the dozen. She looked around at the trees above and surrounding, and thought of a plan. She placed her palm on the tree trunk and whispered ancient words. A red energy formed on the tree, and spread across the ground until it encompassed forty feet in diameter. When the men walked into it she could hear what they were saying.

“That freak and his family have lived here for long enough. I say we put them out of their misery. They’re only doing themselves more harm by existing.” A strong male voice said at the head of the group.

“We don’t need their kind in these woods.” Another male voice said.

Gelmana could feel the anger welling up in herself. The faerie tugged on her top, and she looked at her feet. The last flower she needed was before her. She looked up at the oncoming group of men and frowned. She tore the flower from its bed, and placed it in her sack.

“Thank you faerie,” she whispered and handed her the rune. “Now flee, for I must deal with these men.”

The faerie excitedly took the rune and quickly disappeared into the woods. Gelmana closed her eyes and envisioned Akahsha and Salahkah healing, and herself destroying these souls who had wronged her family. She bit her lip until it drew blood, and then she placed her thumb on her lip, took some of the blood and drew the same fire rune on the tree in front of her.

She whispered words in Sylvan, and the tree, and everything in the forty feet radius lit ablaze. It was a sudden burst of explosive fire that surrounded and quickly overtook the approaching men. Most ran, but the others who weren’t as quick just burnt to death.

She turned and began walking towards their shack.

She went inside and quickly started working on the medicine, and though Akahsha regained color, Salahkah was slowly growing more pale. She brushed his black hair aside and kissed his forehead. “A bit longer, please,” she said with some tears choking her back. “I can’t do this alone.” She finished making the medicine, and by that time, Akahsha had awoken. He slowly picked his head up and looked over at his father next to him. He was dazed and still in slight pain.

“Father?” He let out. He looked over to the cooking pot and saw his mother making something. “Mother, what’s wrong with him?”

Gelmana saw her son awaken and brought the medicine for Salahkah, and first held the bowl of liquid up to her son’s lips. “Please drink this, Akashy,” she said. “Your father will be fine. So will you.” She smiled.

Akahsha took a sip and swallowed. The herbs were tasty, and the broth warmed his throat and made him feel better. “Thank you,” he said with a faint voice. “My head hurts.”

“I know, son. Please stay resting. I’ve got to take care of your father for now.” She turned her attention to her husband, who was shivering at this point. She picked his head up and brought the bowl to his lips. Her magic flowed from the bowl into his body. His life force quickly replenished and he gasped for air after having taken the medicine.

Salahkah’s eyes widened and he lurched forward, but Gelmana was quick enough to pull the bowl away as to not spill the rest. He looked at her with fear, and then the fear faded away and all he had left was thankfulness. He looked at his son next to him and hugged him tightly, seeing that he was now awake. “I’m so sorry, my boy. I promise I’ll try better to protect you.”

“That’s okay, father,” Akahsha hugged his dad back. “I promise I’ll try and stay out of trouble.”

Gelmana hugged both of them. “You’re both not in trouble, but please take care of yourselves. We’re in dangerous territory, and I’m afraid we always will be.”