Chapter 9 #2
Martin’s solid body slid past me. I wasn’t sure if he’d been barefoot when he answered the door, but he was now.
I stood there, eyes wide as I watched Martin’s toes elongate, forming roots that dug deep into the soil.
Eyes slipping closed, Martin’s facial features relaxed, making him appear younger than I’d previously thought.
Understanding hit me like a sledgehammer. “This is your birth soil.” I wasn’t certain that was the correct term. Regardless, Martin understood well enough.
“It is.” A happy hum filled those two words. “Your earlier words were accurate enough. There is nothing in my life that I treasure more than the dirt within this small plot of land.”
Small was right, at least on initial inspection. The courtyard, for lack of a better word, was maybe fifteen feet square with walls on all sides. Windows were on two of those sides, leading to what I assumed was Martin’s private quarters. The walls extended at least two, maybe three stories high.
As if reading my mind, Martin said, “When I was young and little more than a sapling, my branches couldn’t reach higher than the sides. During nice weather, I lamented the fact. Winter proved the layout fortunate. The bitter winds couldn’t touch me like the sun. Those walls protected me.”
“And now?”
Martin’s smile bloomed across his face. “Now, my branches reach high, my canopy full and free.” Head tilting down, Martin wiggled his rooted toes. “But this is where it all starts. Without this soil, I would be nothing. I would…”
I understood enough about dryad nature to fill in that blank. “Die.”
Martin gave a slow nod. “I would. It is the blessing and curse of all dryads.” Martin’s eyes narrowed and his muscles tightened as he stared me down.
Swallowing hard, I knew what that look was for. “And now I know.” It was no small thing to be trusted with the knowledge of where a dryad’s birth soil was.
“And now you know.” Martin’s words were crisp with meaning.
Rubbing my chest, I felt that spark of Martin’s magic pulse again.
My own wisp magic rushed to it, soothing its concern.
“I would not betray that knowledge.” I wasn’t certain if Martin was truly afraid of that or not.
Did he have enemies? Was there anyone out there that meant Martin true harm?
I didn’t like the thought that there might be.
Typically, dryads weren’t high on anyone’s hit list, but there were times they truly were in danger.
Most of those incidents came when their land was in the way of a new development.
Fairy law had given dryads legal means to counteract these incursions, but they still happened.
“I know.” Martin’s lips twisted as if he were confused by that statement. Tapping his chest, Martin said, “I feel it. In here.” Shaking his head, Martin pulled his roots back into himself, his humanoid toes reforming. “It’s strange, but I have no doubts. Your magic seems very certain of this fact.”
“Yeah, I…” I wasn’t really sure what to say. Finally, I settled on “that’s how I found your quarters.” I tapped my own chest. “Your magic led me here.”
“Huh.” Martin didn’t sound upset, but more intrigued or maybe curious. “We should keep a journal. Our observations might help future anchor pairings.”
“Oh, I hadn’t really thought of that.” I probably should have. Some previously known written knowledge would be mighty helpful right about now.
That odd smirk was back on Martin’s face, as if he couldn’t decide if he found me entertaining or annoying. I decided to be kind to myself and think it was the former instead of the latter.
“Do you want to stay out here, or would you like to come inside?”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I immediately realized my preference. “Here, if that’s okay.” I’d forgotten how much I missed the fresh air.
A small frown tugged at Martin’s lips.
“Or we could go inside.” I attempted to placate him. If he hadn’t wanted to stay outside, I wondered why he’d offered it as an option.
“No, it’s fine. I just don’t have any chairs or… Okay, I suppose seating isn’t really necessary.”
“Nope. The ground is good enough,” I answered, already plopped down on the earth and sitting cross-legged.
“I could get you a towel or blanket or—”
“The grass is good enough.” Raking my hands through its green blades, I savored the soft feel. “It’s great actually.”
This time, when Martin looked at me, his smile was soft, easing the tension from around his eyes.
“All right.” Sitting across from me, Martin leaned back on his hands, long legs stretched out before him.
I swear, every part of him was solid and muscular.
I felt like a twig next to his mighty form and he wasn’t even in his tree persona right now.
Sitting there, head tilted back and staring up into the blue sky above, I inhaled the fresh air, putting off what I’d come here to discuss a little longer.
Martin had other ideas. “You look much better than the last time I saw you.”
I nodded. “I’m very well rested.”
“So you’ve recovered?”
Hesitating, I finally gave a minuscule nod. “I have.”
Martin swiveled his head around, indicating the patch of ground we were currently resting on. “And this… You used your wisp energy earlier. You said there was treasure here.” Martin cocked his head. “I didn’t feel anything when you did that. At least, nothing new or earth-shattering.”
I understood his confusion. “I doubt I could have found this place on my own, not with all the shit Tenzen hid around here.” Before Martin could ask, I held up a halting hand.
“I don’t know if it’s the bit of your magic I’ve got inside me or if being here, this close to your treasure, allowed its song to erase all others.
I feel safe.” Those last three words slammed into me.
Safe. I’m not sure I’d felt that elusive emotion since I’d stepped foot into this compound.
The implication was clear. Martin made me feel safe.
Martin’s silent contemplation let me know he understood the importance of what I’d said. “I’m glad,” he finally answered. “We might not know exactly how this anchor business works, but I have to think you feeling safe around me, around my treasure and magic, is a good start.”
It wasn’t just a good start. It was a wonderous start. It was also completely unexpected.
Unsure what to say, I hung my head and dug my fingers into the earth, finding Martin’s soil soothing not just to the touch, but to my soul.