Kale: The Dryad Chronicles, page 10
“Can you hear me?” Kale said as he solidified his upper body and was lying down.
“Kale?” Tithy asked.
“Tithy I know you hate me,” Kale said quickly. “But I have come into my magic. I can move you from here if you want.”
“Kale how are you doing this?” Tithy asked.
“Because I am a dryad,” Kale replied. “I found my power after getting a beating. One of my friends reverted. I planted her on an island surrounded by merfolk. I can take you and the others away from here if you want.”
“What?” Tithy said as she bent down. “I want you to take Eury. Take her far away from this place.”
“I am going to try and grab everyone I can find,” Kale said. “I think I can take five or six at a time. I will be back for you. It will not be quick but I will be back.”
CHAPTER 10
EMMA
Emma had just gotten back from the front lines. The army had shed more blood than the enemy, but still the enemy came. What was worse, was now the enemy started salting fields and destroying towns, Emma had no idea how long it would take to fix what had been done. The enemy was brutal with their tactics, the Kingdom kept prisoners, the Jarlan executed everyone regardless of status. Lord Trevor had sensed the impending defeat and had sent her away. Four times Emma had almost been caught by the enemy while tending to the wounded. There were rumors going around that they were ravishing women on their way to deliver so called freedom. Emma hated her home but it was a nice sight to see after being gone for three months.
Emma walked into her home and noticed there were goatmen inside. Her father had no doubt went into the goatman business along with the dryads. Emma hated seeing them but laying eyes on them brought her comfort. It was something from her Kingdom that she could see before Jarlan came and destroyed everything. Emma was wondering why no one had stopped her or asked her who she was. She was able to just walk right inside without even a greeting. Emma was about to speak to one of them when she saw her sister Mary.
“Emma!” Mary said as she rushed to her sister and gave her a hug. “Where did you come from?”
“I was sent home,” Emma said sadly. “Lord Trevor’s father, Lord Faramount, thinks the war is lost and wanted to give me some time to go back home and be a citizen of the Kingdom for as long as I can.”
“We have been hearing horrible things,” Mary said. “Has the food been getting to you?”
“It has been needed throughout the army.” Emma said as her mother came into the room followed by her father through the front door.
“Where are they?” Sam said angrily as he stormed around the house.
“Where is who, dear?” Miriam replied.
“All of our dryads are just gone!” Sam replied. “I told you something wasn't right. Their trees look half dead and I haven't seen any of them. Only goatmen are out there.”
“Well they couldn't get very far,” Miriam replied. “They cannot just abandon their trees.”
“Have you been listening to me, Miriam?” Sam said frustrated. “Our dryads are gone! Many people are reporting that their dryads are disappearing and are not coming back. Some kind of tree rot is taking hold and killing the dryads. That or they are leaving and do not care if they die. They are killing themselves."
"What can we do?" Miriam asked. "We need them. How are we going to continue to make money and feed the troops? The only reason you were not pressed into action is because you supply a lot of food.”
“I don't know,” Sam said. “I have bought the best fertilizer but they refuse to use it. It just sits in sacks until the goatmen spread it out. It is like they want to die.”
“I thought you said they were seeding,” Miriam asked. “They can’t be seeding and dying. Just plant the seed and your trouble will be fixed. In the short term just have the goatmen take care of everything.”
“The seeds have disappeared,” Sam said. “I have searched for them but I cannot find them. I thought it was just Lady Margaret’s and some of the nobles but now it has hit me. I don't know what to do, our people need that food.”
“Father,” Emma said as she stood up.
“Emma you are back!” Sam said as he ran over to hug his daughter. Sam seemed surprised that Emma hugged him back.
“It has been horrible father,” Emma said. “Jarlan has been throwing bodies at us and killing everyone they come across. I heal everyone, even the men from their side.”
“We have been having a hard time this way as well,” Sam said. “Our ground is still good, but our dryads have been dying.”
“Dying?” Emma asked.
“Nothing we can do about it,” Sam said. “The dryads are not even trying to help themselves and nothing works. Trimming their branches doesn't work either. They are willingly digging up whatever fertilizer and anything else I am doing to help. I was just happy they were working their magic on the field but now it is gone.”
“What about their seeds?” Emma asked. “Is there anything I can do to save them?”
“I have taken a few seeds but they become foul and dead within hours,” Sam said. “We have to wait for the seeds to fall off naturally. Every seed I take seems to make the trees deteriorate faster. I am at my wits end.”
“Can’t we just plant the normal way?” Emma asked.
“We can plant with the goatmen,” Sam said. “But it is not the same. Dryad fruits and vegetables resist bugs and other scavengers. They stay fresher longer and ripen far quicker. The food is bigger and better tasting, there is no such thing as off season for anything grown. The goatmen cannot match that.”
“I don't like using Menials father,” Emma said. “And we are losing this war. The other side even has some goatmen fighting for them. If things go bad we are going to have to get away from using the dryads anyway.”
“How?” Sam asked. “They are on my land. Well they were on my land. Varlen can't just uproot them and I refuse to sell.”
“They are targeting our nobles mostly,” Emma said. “And who knows what they will do, they are evil father. I have seen it first hand, they are about more than just freeing the Menials. Their main intention is to get rid of the nobles and take their things. They would rather kill the dryads instead of letting them be or they would take your land from you and hand it to them.”
“I would never let them get away with it!” Sam said.
“They are not like us father,” Emma said. “They would hurt you for their beliefs.”
“Sam then it sounds like we have to change our way of living, “ Miriam said.
“We would have to stop feeding the poor or giving discounted rates for our food,” Sam said. “Our prices will also have to go up. Where would we find the people to work it?”
“What about the goatmen you have here?” Emma asked. “They would work.”
“I may be able to charge them for trimming our grass,” Sam replied. “But they will do a horrible job without proper instruction. I need dryads.”
“Why not hire people like us?” Emma asked.
“I shouldn't have to hire anyone,” Sam said. “I should have my Menials doing it.”
“We need to get all of our money and make sure it is safe Sam,” Miriam said.
“I took most of our money out when this war first started,” Sam said. “We have been making decent coin from the war. Most of our food goes to the troops but all that means is that the rest had to be sold. Most of the poor we donated to were put to the fight. I spend enough money on the goatmen, making sure they have clothing, a place that's warm to sleep and they get all the grass and weeds they want. Now I have to spend even more money? It is just not fair, not fair at all.”
“Does this mean we are going to be poor father?” Mary asked.
“No,” Sam replied. “I’ll die before that happens.”
“Sam we need to think about our worse case scenario,” Miriam said. “What happens if we no longer have the goatmen, then what are we going to do? Can we just hire them like they do in Varlan? Maybe charge them for some of the things you have been giving them for free?”
“I can charge for the clothes, the shelter and the food,” Sam said. “I can take it out of the money I shouldn't be paying them anyway.”
“Father the goatmen hate only eating grass,” Emma replied. “They eat it because they are forced to. You eat cabbage but you wouldn't like eating only cabbage for the rest of your life.”
“Don't be foolish Emma,” Miriam said. “They are only animals. They don't know what they want other than a full belly.”
“Mother, you and father need to stop thinking of them as animals,” Emma replied. “It is the reason we have this gulf between us. They are not stupid, why would they pay to keep your yard trimmed? They can go out into the forest and eat for free. The extra money they can buy cabbage and other things they always wanted to try.”
“Those ungrateful animals have stolen a cabbage before,” Sam replied. “You just feel sorry for them Emma. It is like feeling sorry for a fly after you swat it.”
“You tell me what makes more sense,” Emma replied. “Pretending everything will be okay or facing down what is coming? You know I absolutely hate what you did to me. It has opened up a gulf that will never be crossed.”
CHAPTER 11
Kale
Kale walked into what used to be thick forest surrounding his former home. It had been over a year since he had last been anywhere near the humans. The Island which had been given the name of Freetopia, had grown tremendously and included three nearby islands. There weren't any rulers and no one was in charge, everyone just lived free and it was the dryad way to eschew violence. Kale liked it there but knew he didn't belong, the human side of him craved adventure and a bit of violence.
It wasn't long before some lucky ship that was too tough for the merfolk to take down stumbled upon the island. They originally thought they hit riches until Kale had killed one of them. It was easier than Kale thought, his opponent was outclassed and had no offense. The men aboard the ship went to kill him until someone noticed all of the merfolk in the water. The merfolk were pushing the boat from the bottom in an attempt to turn it on its side, the men didn't fancy being left on the island and quickly returned to their ship, leaving their dead comrade. Kale had taken his clothes, his coin and his weapon. It proved to be a good idea.
Other ships had tried to make it out to the island, most were turned back by the merfolk. Two of them sank which killed many men and the lone ship that made it found out Kale was not an easy fight. Three men lost their lives before they fled. Kale had taken their items and had a few nice outfits for his travels. He wanted to go back to the forest and see if it was possible to find anymore dryads or maybe see about helping other Menials. Kale found it easy to make the trip back, he could make a solid hand appear to drag his items as he went through the currents. When Kale finally made landfall was when he had gotten dressed.
Kale marveled that he knew how to control his powers. Kale remembered when he always appeared wet and gave a grim smile. How many people did he doom just by that? He could remember getting caught, getting sold and the man who did it became rich by buying the land that had the grove on it. At least he was able to get most of them to safety. He knew there were some others out there but they were beyond his reach, at least they used to be. Kale walked through what used to be heavy forest, it was stripped bare. The trees were still there but the thick undergrowth had disappeared. Kale found it easy to walk through the forest. He could see the rotted remains of what used to be the grove and continued on.
The lush fields that once surrounded his former friend’s Emma’s house were a shell of what they once were. They were now being tended to by shabby looking humans who were bent over trying to kill off the fat grubs that liked eating the plants. The humans he saw were barely better than Emma was when she and Kale first met. At least these people looked like they ate, they did not look as thin as Kale remembered seeing some humans. Kale walked by them as some of them turned his way. Kale just gave them a wave and continued walking. He hadn't been this way in a while and thought that maybe he could find more dryads or see if some goatmen wanted to travel to the island. When Kale was about to pass Emma’s house, he gave a small smile and wondered about the evil human.
Kale was sure from the looks of her lands that she missed mistreating the dryads. She had come out ahead though, her family would have never had any start up money if she hadn't told on him and had him beaten. It was just as well, Kale thought it was a tough lesson to learn about avoiding humans. Kale wasn't scared of them anymore, he could make his body go liquid anytime he wanted to and would be a tough fight for the humans. Maybe large quantities of fire would get him but he didn't plan on letting any humans holding torches get that close to him. Kale was just about to pass Emma’s home when he heard the front door open. It was Emma, she was in a decent dress and looked to be talking to someone behind her. Kale was going to pass on by but decided he wouldn't. He wanted to face her and let her know that he was not broken.
“Well if it isn't a false friend,” Kale said loudly as he made eye contact with Emma. “Are you and your father on your way to beat and enslave any non-humans or is that tomorrow?”
“Kale?” Emma said from across her lawn.
“Don't pretend that you don't know who I am,” Kale said as he started walking closer. “You are an evil person and I want you to know that for all time.”
“Why are you here?” Emma asked.
“Why, do you plan on turning me in to your boyfriend?” Kale said. “You and him belong together.”
“Emma, who are you talking to?” Sam said as he walked from behind her.
“There he is,” Kale said. “I don't think there is much to stop me from killing you. You should go into your home before I treat you like you treated me.”
“Back away father,” Emma said as she held her arm out to stop the man from moving.
“That is right, human,” Kale said. “You should back away.”
“Emma, who is this man?” Sam asked.
“My friend,” Emma said. “The one you made promises to me about and then broke my trust and beat me for it.”
“You are the dryad,” Sam said.
“And I owe you a killing,” Kale said. “I am not a little boy anymore, come on over and try beating me again and let's see how that works out for you. I’ll leave you head right there on your stoop.”
“Are you threatening me?” Sam said as Kale started walking closer. Kale could see the fear take hold in the man’s eyes as Emma stood directly in front of her father.
“Are you supposed to protect him?” Kale asked. “I owe you more than a killing. You and your horrible family hurt people I love. Calling us animals, you are the animals. I just came by to tell you that you didn't break me.”
“Kale, I was young,” Emma said. “If I knew what my father had planned, I wouldn't have never shown him where you were.”
“Yes you would have,” Kale said. “Look at you in this big grand house. I went out of my way to see you, your father and the rest of your family fed. You took my kindness and threw it into my face and saw my friends hurt, all because I wanted to be nice to you.”
“Don’t you talk to my daughter like that,” Sam said.
“Or you are going to do what, other than die?” Kale asked menacingly as he took a step forward. “You are doing better than you should be off of hurting everyone different than you are.”
“Wait,” Sam said as he moved Emma out of the way. “I want to hire you.”
“Hire me?” Kale laughed and took a step back.
“I need water,” Sam said. “And I am willing to pay a decent amount for it.”
“You are serious,” Kale said. “All I want is my life back. While you are at it, can you give my friends their dignity back?”
“Coin is more than your type deserves,” Sam said as Kale squared up with him, making the older man step back.
“You all have a good day,” Kale said as he turned to leave. “I suspect I will see you again, Sam Dolly. You are the last person I need to settle up with.”
“Kale, wait,” Emma said as she stepped forward. “Kale bad things have happened to you. I feel horrible about it but bad things are happening to everyone right now. There are people barely eating right now, things are tough for everyone. We did not kill your dryad friends, my father tried everything he could to save them. Everyone I know tried everything they could to save them.”
“Kill them?” Kale laughed. “Is that what you think happened?”
“Huh?” Emma said. “I saw the dead trees. They just wanted to die and wouldn't let anyone save them.”
“You say it like it is a bad thing,” Kale said. “You think they liked living as they were? Worked to the bone and for nothing? They could feed themselves and were feeding themselves long before you molested them. You gave them nothing and took everything away. I don't care if your people are barely eating, why don't they eat grass? Or maybe brambles or whatever you wanted the goatmen to eat.”
“Humans cannot eat that,” Emma said.
“They can if they are hungry enough,” Kale said. “It is not my problem.”
“The goatmen are starving as well,” Emma said. “You must have noticed the underbrush is gone. They have eaten everything around and now there isn't anymore. There isn't enough grass anywhere for them to eat.”
“Then why don't you go find some other dryad and make them this deal?” Kale said. “You don't have anything you can offer me.”
