The predawn quiet of my room was a sharp contrast to the turmoil in my dreams. Haunting visions had chased me through my sleep, the kind I hadn't experienced since childhood. Usually, I only got nightmares on trips, at least for the first few days in a new place. Today's nightmares clung to the edges of my consciousness, refusing to be shaken off as I awoke, even if I didn't remember the details.
I watched the light switch from night to day from the "sky." The transition was abrupt, as always. I sighed, missing the sunrise of the non-magical realm, especially the view of the sunrise from my room at Aunt Fraya's and Uncle Paul's house.
In an effort not to disturb the sleep I hoped was granting Jake and Julie more peace than it had given me, I got up in silence. The soft rustle of my clothes seemed deafening in the stillness. When I reached for the door, the gentle creak of its hinges made me freeze.
Julie's voice, unexpectedly awake and clear, cut through the silence from behind. "Good morning." I spun around and met Jake and Julie's eyes staring back at me from their respective beds.
My hand was still on the doorknob, "Good morning," I returned the greeting, my voice barely above a whisper. "Did I wake you?"
Their synchronized rise was uncanny. Jake, with his typical stoicism, denied it. "No. I've been awake since..." His gaze drifted to the window, where the noon bright light was flowing through the window. "...that sunrise? It kinda felt like a flip of a switch."
"Yeah, nothing like the beautiful sunrises where you are from," I murmured in agreement.
Julie tilted her head, her brow furrowed. "Did either of you sleep well? It was too quiet. I kept waking up from every rustle."
Jake nodded, his expression serious. "It was jarring. And I don't spook easily. Is that normal? Like no birds or anything?"
I smiled, leaning against the door frame, arms crossed "Yeah. Its a spell that dampens ambient sound in the residential neighborhoods. Makes noise complaints usually more serious."
Julie's eyes widened with aw. "Oh, a spell? That explains it. I guess I'm still not used to the way things work around here."
I nodded. "You'll get the hang of it. Just one of the many "perks" of living in a magical community. Up to you if you like it or not...I don't."
Jake ran a hand through his hair, a mock grimace on his face. "I could use a little less' peace and quiet' and a little more 'natural ambiance' to start my day."
I chuckled. "Yeah, same."
Julie hopped off the bed, her feet hitting the floor with a soft thump. "Well, before we face the crowds and the noise, I could really use a bathroom. Where is it?"
I pointed down the hallway. "There is one at the end, on the right. Guess we are taking turns."
Jake stood up, stretching his limbs. "Julie, you go ahead first. I'll wait."
We finished getting ready and converged in the kitchen. Dad looked up from reading a book as we entered. His eyes crinkled with a smile. "Cheer up, you're not going to the gallows!" he quipped.
Jake and Julie offered nervous laughs. I sighed. "We've been stewing in questions and emotions for a full day now..." My voice faltered as I saw a flash of pain cross Dad's face, his smile fading from his eyes.
He exhaled bitterly. "I'm sorry, but please be patient. I promise we will work through this."
Dad gestured towards the stove, shifting our conversatuion. "Before Mom left for the clinic, she made breakfast."
Grateful for the distraction, I fetched three plates and bowls from the cupboard. I summuned my wand and with a flick of my wrist, I activated the waffle maker, the familiar hum and warmth making me smile in anticipation.
Julie walked up to the waffle maker and stared at it. She reached her hand out, but i stopped her before she touched it. Steam began rising and Julie went "Oh!"
I smelled the batter cooking and placed a large plate in front of it. It caught three waffles on each plate. I asked, "How many more do you want?"
Jake and Julie said "More!" in one voice. I activated it again and placed another plate under the opening. Walking to the platter of meat and eggs i opened it letting steam rise. "Load up, and more waffles will be ready in a minute."
As we settled down with our breakfast, Dad broke the lingering silence, closing and putting his book down. "What were you planning to do today?" he asked, his tone light but eyes searching.
I exchanged a glance with Jake and Julie. "We need to do the community services. I think we might as well get it over with. It's only an hour."
Julie tilted her head. "Do I have to do it too?"
Dad, who had been quietly observing our exchange, chimed in. "Check the paper, but I think so."
I nodded and stood up. "I'll grab it. It's in my room."
Returning with the paper, I confirmed Julie's involvement. "Yep, you're included, too," I said, handing it over to her.
"After I thought we'd explore the town a bit," I said. "Maybe visit the market. Julie's curious about it."
Dad nodded, the hint of a smile returning. "That's a good idea. Responsibility first is great. You will enjoy the market probably. You might also want to show Jake and Julie the arcade? It could be a nice break."
Julie's eyes lit up with excitement and a touch of nervousness. "I can't wait to see it!" She said in between fork fulles.
Jake and I couldn't help but snicker at her excitement. Dad grinned. "See? She's excited."
Jake, still a bit subdued, chimed in. "What time are my parents coming?"
Dad sighed. "Around noon. So you have a few hours."
Jake nodded, and Julie gave him a scared look.
We finished our breakfast in a mix of light chatter and thoughtful silence. Dad stood up to clear the table. "You kids go on and have fun. We'll sort out everything else later, okay? I promise."
"Thanks, Dad," I replied, the responsibility of the day weighing on me. My mind kept floating to questions I had to wait for answers.
We retraced our steps back to the Dryad woods. We paused at the gate, Julie standing close in between Jake and me. She was quiet the whole time we walked.
Jake gave her a half hug. "You okay."
Julie nodded and whispered, "I just don't feel safe."
I smiled down at her. "I promise what happened isn't normal. Not really." She gave me a weak smile.
The moment we entered, an ancient dryad emerged gracefully from a tree.
"Good morning," she greeted us with a slow look over. "I assume you're here for the community service related to yesterday's...incident?" she spat out the last words with disdain.
Jake recoiled slightly at her sudden appearance, while Julie, a mix of awe and apprehension, peeked out from behind me and whispered, "Cool!" I extended the paper from Mr. Weavelin to her. The dryad's finger, elongating and transforming into wood with glowing circles, gently touched the paper, leaving a glowing seal.
"If you want, you can leave. The bullies are the ones to blame," she said, her tone dismissive yet kind. "The fact that you came so quickly already proves you are good kids."
I exchanged a glance with Jake and Julie. Jake's shoulders shrugged in a non-committal gesture while Julie remained mesmerized by the dryad. "I think we'll do our hour of service," I decided. "We're here anyway."
The dryad simply nodded. "Very well that would be your choice. There are others around. Find someone, do something." She turned and shuffled back to the tree she came from and melded back into her tree. More faces poked out of trees and disapeared.
"That was so cool," Julie whispered, still captivated.
I smiled, taking in the serene beauty around us - butterflies dancing and various birds darting. Wanting more specific guidance, I called out, "Ma'am, where should we go exactly?"
In response, a hand formed from the bark, pointing us off the path. We followed the direction, stepping deeper into the heart of the woods. Around us, the forest hummed with a quiet energy, different animals, magical fauna, several species of magical people. We received lots of looks and and a few excited waves and distant gossips.
I glanced at Julie amused by her wondermant. After a few dozen paces through the woods. Every ounce of her aprehension was gone. Jake was still on gaurd looking around with a scowel and clenched fists.
As we ventured further into the Dryad woods, Julie's fascination with the magical environment grew. After another dozen steps, she started pointing at various creatures and plants, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What is that?" she would ask, and I tried my best to explain from the iridescent beetles to the whispering willows.
Her delight was palpable when a butterfly or bird would land gently on her outstretched hand, trusting and unafraid. When a troupe of fairies flitted by, Julie waved enthusiastically, her laughter mingling with theirs as they paused mid-air, surprised but amused, before continuing on their journey.
The tranquility of our walk was abruptly interrupted when a whisper fox, as silent as its name suggested, leaped from a pile of leaves nearby. It shook its coat, a silent spectacle, its puffy, green-brown fur bristling with a few leaves entangled within. Julie, captivated, whispered, "Cute," and squatted in front of it. I watched, a mix of anxiety and fascination, as she extended her hand towards the fox. To my amazement, the creature accepted her touch, leaning into her gentle strokes between its ears. After a moment, the fox sneezed quietly, a silent burst of expression, then turned and bounded away.
Julie stood up, a broad smile on her face, and called out softly, "Ahhh, have a good day!" Watching the fox disappear into the underbrush, she turned to us, her eyes shining.
John said with a smirk, "Is there any animal you won't try to pet?"
Julie smirked and shook her head over exaggeratedly. "Nope!"
Just a few steps ahead on the path, an aurora serpent made a grand entrance, its iridescent scales catching the sunlight in a kaleidoscope of colors. Julie's eyes widened in awe, but I quickly cautioned her, "Don't pet this one. If it bites, you'll hallucinate for hours."
Jake nudged me with his elbow, a hint of mischief in his tone. "Are you speaking from experience?"
I rolled my eyes, dismissing his implication. "No, but it wouldn't be ideal to miss getting answers because we're stuck in the clinic taking care of a hallucinating Julie." His smile faltered, understanding my implication. The snake, seemingly satisfied with our caution, flicked its tongue to taste the air and then slithered away.
We continued on, soon encountering a group of dryads working amidst a clearing. The perimeter was guarded by carnivorous bushes, their mouths swaying in search of prey. A distinct line of white bone shards, like a marker boundary, encircled the hedge. Fascinated, we watched a tangle thorn approach the line, provoking the snapping mouths of the bushes. One managed to graze the tangled thorn, its quills skewering the mouth of the bush. The damaged portion tore off, and new quills sprouted in its place, tangling as they grew.
Jake shook his head, a mix of disbelief and admiration in his eyes. "Julie, don't pet either of those either."
"Tangle Thorn might be okay, but those plants will do a lot of damage." I agreed. "But Julie, the tangle thron's thorns will cause a realy nasty infection. So probably avoid it."
Julie, her initial fear of the plants replaced with fascination, "Aww! Oh well. Then let us go ask if the dryads need help."
"That sounds like a plan," I agreed. "We've got some time before Uncle Paul and Aunt Freya come. Faster we are done, more time we get at the arcade and market."
As we approached the carnivorous hedge, a dryad gracefully stepped through its living archway. "Hello, can I help you?"
I raised Mr. Weavelin's paper, and she instantly recognized it. "Ah, community service. So you're the ones the sylphies, pixies, and fairies have been gossiping about. Are you the attackers or the defenders of that particular squabble?" she noted with a knowing look. She squinted at the paper, then back at us. "Wait. This is already stamped, so technically, you're off the hook."
Jake and I shared a glance. Despite the official approval, it felt wrong just to leave. "We'd feel better doing something," I explained.
The dryad chuckled, her laughter harmonizing with the whispers of the forest. "That answers my question about which of the groups you are. Well, there's always work to be done. We could use help in the gardens, and a water run to the old grove would be a great help."
She guided us to a verdant greenhouse brimming with a variety of healing herbs at different growth stages. "These seedlings need to be repotted for their second growth phase. Are you familiar with the process?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I've done this before in school. In fact, I think it might have been in this very greenhouse." Jake added, "Our mom always involves us in the spring planting at home." Ruffling Julie's hair, he added, "We have a bit of a green thumb if I may say so."
Julie blushed and swatted at his hand. To my shock, she was quiet in front of the dryad.
The dryad smiled warmly, handing us stacks of pots and trays of delicate seedlings. Jake and I quickly found a rhythm, methodically repotting the plants. Julie, perched on a step stool to reach the table, watched us with eager eyes, occasionally helping with the smaller seedlings.
The greenhouse work was nearing completion when a strange blur darted across the table. Julie's hand, poised to pot a seedling, was suddenly empty. The dryad's hair stood on end, her voice sharp with annoyance. "Sneaky little shit!"
In the blink of an eye, where the blur had been, a rabbit appeared. It tried to spring away, but Julie, quick as lightning, caught it. Her face was a mix of surprise and triumph and endearment. She held tight and was betting the rabbit who shivered and chewed down the plant quickly.
The dryad's smile stretched unnaturally wide. "Good, now toss it to the hedge."
Julie's eyes widened in horror. "NO! I'm releasing it outside." The dryad, clearly unimpressed, waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, just get the Mirage Jack Rabbit out of here."
Julie hurried out, the rabbit wriggling in her arms while the dryad sneered subtly.
With our task completed swiftly, the dryad seemed satisfied. "Well, that should be enough. You're off to the constable's next?" I nodded, confirming our plan to submit the community service paper.
"Could you also assist the elder dryads? They can't reach the life spring anymore. Take these water canisters to them. It's down the yellow road." she instructed, pointing to a wagon loaded with water tanks.
"Of course," Jake and I said in unison. Julie returned, clapping off the dirt from her hands, a small smile playing on her lips.
I asked, "Where is the yellow road?"
The dryad led us out, gesturing towards a path lined with yellow flowers. "Follow this yellow road to the old grove near the town square. Ask around for who needs water. Thank you."
We set off along the vibrant path, the scents of flowers and earth rich in the air. Julie's eyes sparkled with the magic surrounding us. "Everything here is so beautiful," she murmured.
"It is," I agreed with a smile.
As we walked, I pondered the dryad's earlier remarks about the gossip surrounding us. It was a reminder that our actions were under constant watch in this magical community. My mood soured, remembering how tiny my home realm was. I never was anonymous anywhere in this realm.
"Let's get this done," I urged, more to distract myself than to Jake and Julie. "The sooner we finish, the sooner I get to kick your butt at the arcade."
Jake nodded with the first real smile of the day. "You are on."
Julie giggled behind and looked back at us. "You two really do look like brothers."
Jake and I looked at each other, and I quickly looked down at the ground in front of me.
Jake and I navigated our hand trucks with care, avoiding walking off of the path. Jake's gaze roamed off the dirt road framed by yellow blossoms. "Ah, the yellow flower road. Quite literal, isn't it?" he mused.
I nodded. "It's easy for the dryads and treants to motivate plants to bend to their will. And this way, we don't step on someone's roots. Or crush a seedling or sapling."
Julie skipped ahead, her curiosity leading the way as we followed behind, pushing our hand trucks. Julie kept running up to the edge, examining this or that. Thankfully, she didn't try to pet anything. My hands were busy, and I wouldn't be able to react quickly if anything went wrong.
Upon reaching an area dotted with trees and water wagons, I raised my voice. "We're here to deliver water. Who needs it?" The response came not from a person but from a tree. A face, more a sculpture of bark than a distinct face that left the confines, materialized on the trunk. "The olive grove, dear ones," it whispered, then faded back into the wood.
Guided by the tree's suggestion, we found ourselves amidst the ancient olive grove. The trees, stoic and serene, stood surrounded by a few water wagons. We positioned ours alongside them. "Um, where would you like these?" I inquired cautiously.
Faces emerged from the trunks, each with the gentle demeanor of the long-lived. "Just there is fine. Our caretakers will tend to us. Your kindness is greatly appreciated," they murmured in unison.
I noticed Jake and Julie spinning around, one in aw and the other in fear.
Their gratitude warmed me. To me, it was a humbling experience to aid those who had witnessed centuries. One tree, its bark gnarled with age, added, "Your compassion for those of us too frail to seek sustenance is a blessing. Thank you."
Jake shifted his feet, a mix of awe and humility in his eyes. "Happy to help," he managed, his voice soft.
"Thank you," I echoed, a sense of connection to these ancient beings filling me.
Jake's voice was a soft murmur as we left the olive grove. "You're welcome," he said, his gaze fixed on the ground. I echoed him with a smile, feeling a sense of quiet pride. "You're welcome. Time to head back."
Before we returned to the road, we ran into a Cervitaur and a Satyr, leading a majestic procession of Luna Stags. The Cervitaur, adorned with delicate deer antlers and a playful white tail, exuded an aura of gentle authority. Her eyes, sparkling with a celestial light, met ours with a knowing look.
"Thank you for your delivery," she said, her voice carrying the melody of wind through leaves. She gestured with a slender wand, "We'll take it from here. Do you need anything signed for this?"
I shook my head, "No, it's alright. They just asked us to deliver. We already had the paperwork marked."
"Then we are in your debt," she replied with a graceful nod, her smile as warm. "Have a great day."
"Thanks, you too," I responded, feeling Julie hiding behind me again.
With the task completed, we retraced our steps to the yellow flower road.
As Jake, Julie, and I continued towards the town square, we left the enveloping embrace of the Dryad Woods. The transition from the shaded forest to the bright world outside was jarring. We blinked against the brilliant light, like awakening from a dream.
"It's so bright out here," Julie remarked, shading her eyes with a hand.
Jake chuckled, his eyes squinting in the light. "Feels like we've just left a cinema."
I smiled, not knowing what they were talking about.
"Let's keep moving," I urged. "We've got our service papers to turn in at the constabulary. Then we can go to the arcade and market until your parents arrive."
Julie looked excited at the prospect as Jake smiled with a clenched jaw and a worried look in his eyes.