Chapter 40 The Warriors’ First Test #2
Among the petals, it hides its form,
A remedy to keep us warm.
Where the forest’s heart beats strong,
Find the feather from a song,
High in branches, it does rest,
A token from a sacred nest.
By the stream where waters flow,
Find the stone with a gentle glow,
Marked by runes of ancient lore,
A gift from spirits, evermore.
“The spirits of this land are a part of my soul,” my mate declares, raising her hands to the sky. From the shadows of the trees, leaf spirits emerge, and their laughter rings out as they flit toward us. They circle the younglings, showering them with colorful petals.
The sight before me is unlike any other. My mate, standing tall and proud before the warriors, commanding not only their attention but also the spirits of the forest.
“They are my eyes and arms, and the goddesses above are the guardians,” she continues.
I lift a paw to my heart, and the warriors mirror my action.
“The last team to bring back the items”—her tone shifts to take on a playful edge—“will be the one to hunt for tonight’s feast!”
A ripple of growls echoes through the warriors.
“Let the strongest, smartest, and best team win!”
Muscles coil, fangs bare, and the tension in the air grows. Every warrior is ready to sprint into the forest.
“The teams are,” Essin begins, unrolling a scroll. “Team one: ívar, Orel . . .”
As all eyes turn to Essin, I walk closer to my mate. She tilts her head up, her voice quiet as she says, “If you lose, I expect a giant boar for the feast.”
Lowering myself to her height, I let a grin spread across my snout. “I will win, and I will hunt a boar worthy of you.” Taking her hand in my paw, I lift it to brush my mouth against her knuckles and whisper against her skin, “You will eat only what I hunt, my sweet dove.”
Her wide eyes and flushed face are the last thing I see before Elder A?na announces, “GO!”
Kael scratches behind his ear, a familiar gesture that signals he’s deep in thought. “Her Majesty isn’t holding back. Those riddles? She’s full of surprises.”
Aeson rubs his chin. “I didn’t expect this kind of challenge.”
“I figured we’d be running through physical obstacles, not solving riddles,” Zephyr adds with a huff. “This changes the game entirely.”
“What’s the first riddle again?” Kael asks, his tail flicking.
I unroll the scroll. “In a grove where flowers bloom bright, find the herb that heals with might. Among the petals, it hides its form. A remedy to keep us warm.”
We fall silent.
“It has to be in a place known for its flowers,” I suggest.
Aeson’s eyes light up. “There’s a grove nearby full of bright blooms. That’s probably it.”
Zephyr nods. “Makes sense. The herb’s likely hidden among the petals.”
“Lead the way, Aeson,” I say, the edge of a grin tugging at my mouth. “And be ready to fight if another team is already there.”
As we dart into the forest, the leaf spirits flit around us, their laughter trailing behind. My mate is clever—watching us through the spirits’ eyes. Every step we take, she’ll know.
Good. Let her see.
I will return with every artifact and a fat boar for her. And if there’s time, I’ll bring her strawberries. After a long day, she’ll deserve every indulgence.
“Theron?”
Kael’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I blink. We’ve stopped. All three of them are staring at me, smirking.
“What’s got you so distracted? And don’t think I haven’t noticed the shaved claws.”
I glance down at my paw. “Don’t be jealous, Kael. You’ll find your mate someday.”
Aeson points toward a narrow path that winds along a stream. “This way. The grove should be just ahead.”
We move, weaving through the ancient trees. The canopy overhead paints the forest floor in moving patches of light. The ground beneath us is damp and slick. We must be careful.
Everything stops.
The birds, the rustling leaves, every sound vanishes, leaving behind complete, unnatural silence. We freeze, exchange glances.
I motion for everyone to stay alert and point to the crystals on my forehead. We’ll communicate silently from here.
Breathing in, I try to pick up any scent of danger, but all I catch is the fresh, damp smell of the stream nearby. Something’s wrong. I can feel it, even if I can’t place it yet.
We move forward, every muscle taut, ready for whatever might be waiting. Then, we hear a sound. Soft giggles, light and carefree. Nymphí.
I recognize the sound instantly, so I raise a paw to signal for calm and to ease the tension.
Leading the way, I guide us closer to the stream.
The giggles grow louder, and soon, they come into view: Nymphí shimmering in the morning light as they laugh and splash the water with their feet.
One of them plays with a group of leaf spirits, exchanging petals and stones.
The nymphí pause, then turn their attention toward us.
Their eyes glitter like the surface of a sunlit stream. One steps forward from the water.
I know her.
Years ago, during a hunting competition, I was determined to win. I needed to prove myself, to show my strength and worth as a warrior and as a future mate.
I tracked an elk to a stream, and that’s when I saw a nymphá sitting by the water’s edge, her hands weaving glowing orbs of energy in the air. She caught my eye and smiled.
“You seem focused, young warrior,” she said, her voice like a ripple on water.
“I’m trying to win the hunt,” I said. “I want to be the best.”
She laughed. “And why does being the best matter so much to you?”
“Because I need to protect my future mate,” I answered without hesitation. “I need to be strongest for her, whoever she is.”
Her expression softened.
I remember asking her then, “Do nymphí have mates?”
She smiled again, shaking her head. “No, we don’t. Our purpose is different. We serve the goddesses, and one day, we’ll serve the Lidé?en who will restore balance.”
Nymphí do not have mates, they do not eat or sleep. They just exist to serve the Lidé?en. Kael used to sit with them and gossip. He said they knew all the secrets of the forest.
The memory fades as the nymphá before me speaks, her voice as soft and musical as I remember. “Welcome, brave warriors. To proceed, you must solve our challenge.”
Kael raises an eyebrow. “Ladies?”
The nymphá remains unfazed. “Answer this: What has roots nobody sees, is taller than any trees. Up, up, up it goes, and yet, it never grows?”
We huddle, whispering our guesses.
“A mountain,” Aeson says. “It’s a mountain.”
The nymphá nods. “Well done. You may pass.”
She gestures toward the grove ahead, where vibrant flowers bloom in abundance. Just as we step forward, the nymphí gather once more. Their hands rise high, and they murmur something under their breath.
The ground shakes violently.
Stones and debris fly into the air, and instinctively, we leap for the trees to avoid the chaos erupting below. I strain to grab Kael as he slips, my muscles burn as I haul him to safety.
The nymphí retreat into the distance, their giggles carried away by the howling wind.
I spot a large, sturdy branch above us and shout. “Aeson, up there!”
He signals to the others, and we scramble higher, fighting against the relentless wind and quaking earth.
Trees fall, stones shift unnaturally, and the sharp gusts sting like claws raking across our skin.
Every step is a battle, but I push through the pain to drive myself onward.
Finally, we reach the branch and collapse onto its surface, panting as we catch our breath.
“What was that?” Kael gasps, his eyes wide.
Zephyr leans back against the trunk, shaking his head. “That wasn’t part of the trial, was it?”
I scan the branches above, and something catches my eye—a nest tucked up high in the leaves. Feathers gleam in the light. The second riddle.
“My mate is definitely not playing around,” I mutter.