The Herbalist

Something's not right

-Kaelith-

I was sorely torn between that which I desired and that which mine own kin required of me. My heart yearned for solitude, a return to the lush embrace of the Amazonian forest, where the cacophony of nature sang a most soothing hymn. Yet, should there lie even the faintest glimmer of truth in the notion that this human, Julia, was indeed my destined one, then mine encounter with her amidst the shadows of dark magic could hardly be ascribed to mere coincidence. In the depths of my soul, I sensed that only with the aid of my destined could I truly unlock the elven essence that lay dormant within. Forsooth, I had preserved my being all these years… years—nay, centuries! But the truth was, the faes had grown too wildand debauched in the pleasure of the flesh for my spirit to endure.

Upon my return to Elowen, I was met with an onslaught of her unsolicited counsel on matters of the heart, particularly on how I might woo my supposed destined. Yet, advice from a fae is oftentimes of scant worth, for they are led by their lust for ephemeral pleasures, knowing naught of the deeper truths rooted in genuine emotion. As if that were not enough, Elowen bore tidings from the Ikpeng Fae community, claiming they had received unexpected visitors—a ragtag handful of shifters, witches, and humans. ‘Twas indeed an odd assemblage, and I could not quell the unease that gnawed at me regarding this ill-timed arrival. Most assuredly, it reeked of mischief or, perchance, some shifters in need of my assistance concerning some human dilemma. Yet, alas, I had my own tribulations to contend with.

Elowen appeared elated that I remained unconvinced regarding my destined one, assuring me that it aligned perfectly with her foresight. According to her visions, the flame of love would not ignite at first sight—just the confirmation she needed to guide me towards that rich daughter of vanity, my so-called destined. I found myself less than convinced. Moreover, I held no desire to forsake my elven nature for what seemed a frivolous endeavor. Yet, I struggled to untangle this conundrum alone, and truly, the addition of a band of misfit outsiders to my list of worries was an unwelcome thought. Still, I could not banish the nagging concern from my mind… shifters and humans entwined. I recalled Yaraqui’s troubling vision of the forest, which had indeed involved shifters. Could these unsought visitors be the very ones from her haunting revelation? The timing was exceedingly uncanny, yet one could hardly predict the threads of fate, for they are ever complex and knotty. I resolved to investigate this further, but first, I should dedicate some time to familiarizing myself with this destined of mine.

Thus, I met Julia as promised, at the edge of the enchanting forest. This time, she garbed herself more modestly, adorning appropriate attire for what mortals called a “hike.” As we commenced our journey through the verdant glades, she extolled the virtues of the surroundings—the timeless majesty of the trees, the purity of the air, and the profound solace that nature bestows upon its denizens. I perceived her earnest endeavor to embrace this wild realm, and there was something admirable in her determination. Alas, if she could make such efforts, perhaps it behoved me to do likewise. I endeavored to temper my imposing aura, to appear less overbearing, to fashion myself approachable.

Nay, I did not expect the blossoming warmth in her grateful smiles, nor the gentle cadence of our conversation. As the moments unfolded, the stroll grew increasingly pleasant, not without its own sense of magic, as if the whispers of the leaves sang in harmony with our words. I found myself promising her that I would meet her in the town on the morrow, and she compromised to partake in what they so fondly referred to as “coffee” in the park—a strange concoction that human fancied, while it was in fact a mere brew from a plant not so foreign to my beloved amazonian forest.

Upon my return, I found Elowen awaiting my arrival, eager for the sordid details of what she termed a “date” with Julia. Her elation was palpable, yet her countenance quickly soured, turning aggressive when I broached the subject of granting audience to the ragtag shifters. “Beware, Kaelith!” she warned, her voice tinged with a foreboding intensity that was most unlike her customary demeanor. This sudden shift— it was a sign that something was amiss. I promised to stay my hand to appease her anxious heart, yet once I descended into my quarters, I resolved to employ a shred of enchantment to feign compliance with her wishes. I would not allow my fate to be dictated by the whims of others, particularly if it meant tying myself to a mortal world I hardly understood.

With a flick of my wrist, I opened a portal, my spirit yearning for the embrace of a realm where I could commune freely with the elements. The verdant expanse of the Amazonian forest beckoned with an allure I could not resist—a world untouched by the vanities of civilization, alive with the whispers of ancient trees that had witnessed eons.

In that moment, as the portal shimmered before me, I pondered the trials that lay ahead. My thoughts flitted between the rich tapestry of my elven lineage and the chaotic markings of humanity, with this Julia woven into the fabric of it all. Could she indeed hold the key to unlocking that which I sought? Or was the tumult of destiny merely another layer of the convoluted web spun by dark forces I wished to shun? Time alone would tell, but as I stepped through the portal, I felt the wild embrace of my true home, certain at least of one thing: I would return expertly, a balance struck between the paths that unfolded before me.

When I arrived at Iaraelyn’s quarters, a sensation enveloped me—the presence of powerful beings I had not felt in many moons: the Mystic Ursars. These majestic bear shifters were a rare breed, tasked with a most noble calling, being the ultimate guardians of the greater good. Upon their arrival, I immediately recognized the witch as the human from Yaraqui’s vision, yet I could have sworn she had been naught but an ordinary human then. Now, her aura radiated formidable magic, and I discerned the divine touch of Selene within it. To be blessed by a goddess is indeed a great honor, and I pondered upon the implications of her power.

As for Iaraelyn, I considered her a trickster of sorts. To refer to this assembly as but a ragtag band, when they were in truth formidable supernatural beings, was to grossly underestimate the gravity of the situation we faced.

“Ursar, Witch,” I addressed them with a nod of acknowledgment. “I have heard ye seek an audience with me; speak, then, without delay.”

At that moment, I heard someone clear their throat to my left. I turned my gaze and beheld the wolf shifter glaring at me with a fierceness that ignited my ire. “Bodyguard of yours? Didn’t think you needed one with your powers.” My words elicited a smirk from the witch. Yet, she then turned to the Ursar and proclaimed, “This is the great Kaelith, o might half Elf? For real? O mighty full of himself, more like it…” The old bear’s chuckle at her jest did little to quell my displeasure.

“It is but foolishness to belittle my nature,” I thought, my patience wearing thin. The Ursar attempted to diffuse the burgeoning tension. “Forgive Camille; us shifters, take the mate bond very seriously and any disrespect shown to our mate is badly received.” A wolf mated to a witch? Such a coupling was most unheard of indeed. “A wolf and witch pair…” I mused aloud, “How intriguing! You have my attention.”

The witch had the audacity to roll her eyes at me, eliciting an insufferable smile of amusement from Iaraelyn. “Please excuse our cantankerous Elf, here; he is utterly clueless as regards the matters of mating… Three hundred years of celibacy, you see… completely ignorant ” she so graciously interjected on my behalf. My indignation rose like flames within me.

““Well, hopefully we can fix his bad case of blue balls” the wolf joked, causing my temper to flare further..

“Silence!” I bellowed, my voice echoing through the chamber. “I did not forsake my destined’s side so that I might become the subject of your levity. Speak of your business, or begone!”

“Short-tempered as well, he is the whole package,” the witch murmured to her wolf mate, who regarded her with a gaze full of affection.

““Wait…What?” the witch implored as she turned her attention to me. “What did you say? You left your destined’s side? How is it possible when you have yet to meet her?” Suddenly, her demeanor shifted, becoming grave, and the air grew tense, save for that pesky trickster, Iaraelyn, who remained unfazed.

“Although the matters of my heart are of no concern to you, I assure thee that I have indeed made the acquaintance of my destined,” I declared with a trace of smugness, despite the disquiet that lingered within my own thoughts.

“Impossible!” the Ursar and the witch exclaimed in unison. Without warning, they seized my arms and began to usher me towards the path whence I had come. With resolute determination etched upon their faces, they commanded with authority, “Show us.”