The Dryad

Search for a Cure

Once upon a time there was a mighty prince. He was strong of stature, handsome to behold, and courageous in the face of fear. The prince was in love with a beautiful princess, noble and elegant. When he asked her to marry him and she said yes, the prince was the happiest man alive. So great was his joy that he threw a festival for the entire kingdom.

But not all was well. Soon, the princess fell gravely ill. All the kingdom's physicians were stumped as to the cause, and none were able to help her. But the prince was not willing to give up just like that. He recalled stories from when his youth of a magical dryad, living deep in the forest. He decided that if normal means could not bring his love back to him, magical means would have to do.

The prince set off into the great forest in search of the dryad. He soon came upon a great chasm. Far below, a river flowed, crashing over jagged rocks. Spanning the chasm was a long suspension bridge, the ropes old, the planks rotting in places. But the prince felt no fear at the height. Far worse would it be to lose his love. So he crossed the bridge, his face a perfect façade of calm.

Not long after crossing the perilous bridge, the undergrowth grew even thicker. The briars and brambles formed walls of thorns, impassable even with the greatest of determination. Undeterred, the prince sought to find a way through. Paths opened before him, but the way was labyrinthian, and the prince knew that he would quickly be lost if he did not take care. The prince stubbornly kept to his way left hand stretched towards the wall at his side. For the prince was wise. He knew that if he were to stay to the left wall, he would eventually find the other side. And so, undeterred, he set forth, knowing that every moment wasted was a moment his love lay in agony.

As he traveled through the great thorny maze, the prince felt he was making progress forward, but night was falling, and the mists were rising, making the way more difficult to discern. As the moon rose, high in the sky above, the prince began to detect shapes moving in the mists, beyond his sight. Not wanting a pointless confrontation, the prince forced himself into a jog, determined to find the other side of the great maze before he could be accosted.

As the night wore on, the shapes became more and more brazen, moving in closer and closer. Just as the prince thought he may be attacked, the walls of thorns fell away. The prince breathed a sigh of relief. He had made it to the other side.

As he came to a stop, the prince noticed that the sun was rising once more. He had run through the night. He stopped, catching his breath near a low hill upon which no trees grew. As he considered his surroundings, the hill began to shift. It rose up, dirt streaming from it, revealing emerald green scales. A long spiny neck whipped around, bringing a head as large as the prince himself to look directly into the prince's eyes.

The prince had found himself face to face with a dragon. It snorted once upon seeing him, blowing hot air into his face. As the prince stared, the creature arched its back, stretching.

“Who dares to interrupt my slumber?” the dragon asked, eyes blinking into clearer focus.

“I am the prince of the kingdom. I come seeking the dryad of the forest.”

“You have poor fortune to cross me then. None wake me and survive,” the dragon growled at the prince.

The prince — noticing the dragon ready to strike — quickly drew his sword and shield. He was just fast enough to bring his shield to bear as the dragon spit a great stream of acid right at him. The acid splashed off his shield, and sizzled loudly where it hit the dirt. Seeing its attack fail, the dragon turned instead to its claws, lunging to rip the prince apart. The prince was ready, however, and batted one mighty claw aside with his shield, dodging low underneath the other. As the dragon sailed overhead, the prince raised his sword, cutting a long gash into the dragon's belly.

“Nay, foul beast. It is you who has poor fortune, to stand between me and my love,” the prince declared. He went to the dragon and severed its ugly head from its neck with one mighty stroke of his sword. He wiped his sword clean of blood and acid as he strode beyond the beast, unconcerned for his now slain foe.

Just beyond where the dragon had been resting, the prince saw the most magnificent tree he had seen yet. It was large, with sweeping branches. It had cleared a vast space around it, where other trees could not grow for the lack of sunlight. The prince approached the tree, and out of it stepped a fair lady, robed in green leaves sewn into a fine gown.

“What do you seek of me, prince of the kingdom?”

“If you are indeed the dryad of the forest, I seek a cure for my love. She has fallen ill, and no doctor can cure her.”

“I am indeed the dryad. I shall give you what you ask. I ask but one favor in return. Take this seed,” the dryad stretched out her hand, an acorn within it. “Plant this seed somewhere that all may be able to see the beauty of the tree that shall grow from it.”

The prince nodded, taking the seed, and the cure from the dryad. “I shall do as you request.”

“Very good. You shall find the way out less harrowing than the way in. Return not this way, lest you seek to rile my impatience.”

The prince nodded, and set out once more. He found things as the dryad had predicted. The forest was easier to leave, as if eager to see him go. He returned quickly to his princess, and the cure worked just as it should. Together the prince and princess planted the acorn given by the dryad on the day they were wed. And the two ruled well and justly over the kingdom for many long years. The growing tree reminded them always of their marriage, and the trials the prince had undertaken to rescue his princess.

“And the two lived happily ever after.”

Isaac stared happily up at his mother as she finished her story. He was sandwiched in between his sisters, Mary and Isabelle, who were five and four respectively. Their baby brother was already asleep in the crib across the room.

“When did this happen, mother?” Isaac asked, his voice a whisper.

“Long ago, dear son of mine. Now, get to sleep. Your father will be back early tomorrow, and you want to see him right?”

Isaac nodded, and felt his sisters doing the same on either side. He was grinning as he closed his eyes. He felt sure he would never be able to fall asleep because of his joy, but despite that, he drifted off quickly.

* * *

Several years later, Isaac was now ten. His father was away once more, and this time, Isaac knew why. His father was in the military, and was very good at it. He had been conscripted for the first time shortly after Isabelle had been born, and had proven a natural. Since then, he had participated in wars several times, though his commander was generous enough to see all soldiers get some time away from the frontlines.

While his father was able to spend a year at home here and there, for the most part, it was just Isaac, his siblings, and his mother. This left Isaac to mature quickly, and he was already a proficient farmer. He had overhead his mother on several occasions talking with other adults, saying how she would not be able to care for the farm without him. Whenever it seemed like the work was too much for him, he recalled these words, and they seemed to burn like a fire within him, giving him the energy to continue.

And so it was that one day in late spring he was out in the field planting corn. His mother had been feeling a little fatigued lately, so she had stayed at home to help his sisters learn more about keeping the house. Isaac was looking up to the sun, and considering taking a break for the middle of the day when he heard his name.

“Isaac! Isaac! Come quickly! We need your help!” Isaac looked around to see his brother Samuel running towards him. That was strange. Why hadn't one of his sisters come? No matter, he gathered his tools and jogged to meet his brother.

“What happened Samuel?” Isaac asked, taking in the panicked look on his brother's face.

“Mother... Mother...” Samuel's face bunched up as he started to wail.

“Never mind that then,” Isaac said, shifting his load to one arm. With his other hand, he grabbed Samuel's. “Come on. I'll see what I can do.”

Isaac pulled Samuel behind him as he rushed to their house, slowed by his brother's much shorter strides. Their house was not large, though with his father's success in the military, they had been able to build additional rooms. They had a full common room that served as the kitchen and dining room as well. Additionally, they had been able to build two rooms off the back, one for Isaac's parents, the other for the kids. They also had a substantial root cellar, where they were able to store food for the winter.

As he approached the house, Isaac let go of his brother's hand and dumped his tools next to the door. He would come for those later. Inside, he found Isabelle kneeling on the floor over the prone figure of their mother.

Isabelle turned as he entered. Tears were streaming from her eyes. “Isaac! Mother collapsed. She won't wake!”

Isaac half ran, half slide to where his mother was on the floor. He felt at her forehead. It was burning. “Where is Mary?” Isaac asked.

“She went to get Granny Crow.” Granny Crow was the hedge witch that lived in the village. Nobody knew her real name, but the woman loved to smile, and it had formed deep crow's feet around her eyes, giving her the nickname. That said, she was a distance away. It would be some time before Mary would be able to return with her.

Samuel showed up at the front door, still sniffling loudly. “Samuel,” Isaac said, working hard to keep his own emotions in check. “I need you to go to the well and get a bit of water. It doesn't need to be much. Can you do that please?”

Samuel nodded slowly, and turned to do as his brother asked.

Isaac turned to his sister. “Isabelle, I need you to help me. We are going to move mother to her bed. I need you to get her legs. I will be carrying most of her weight, so it should be easier for you.” Isaac positioned himself to pick up his mother under her shoulders, and then, not giving his sister a chance to protest, began counting down. “Ready? Three... two... one... go!”

Isabelle had scrambled into position, and together with her older brother, lifted their mother into the air. They carried her back into their parents' room, and set her carefully onto their bed. As they finished, their younger sister, Jane, poked her head around the door. They could now hear the baby, Charlie, crying in the distance.

Isaac took a deep breath. “Okay, Isabelle, I will watch mother. Please take Jane and go look after Charlie, okay?” Isabelle nodded, took her younger sister's hand, and went off to find Charlie. As they left, they passed Samuel, who was returning, dragging a partially full bucket of water.

Isaac smiled reassuringly at him, and took the bucket of water. “Can you find a piece of cloth, Samuel? Something about this big.” Isaac held up his hands, pointer fingers and thumbs at right angles, indicating a cloth about big enough to cover his face.

Samuel nodded quietly and turned to leave. Isaac turned to his mother and picked up the small cup that sat beside his parents' bed. He worked to get his mother to drink some water, knowing that keeping her hydrated was going to be vital.

When Samuel returned with a cloth, Isaac wet it and folded it to fit over his mother's forehead. Isaac let out a deep sigh, knowing that all they could do now was wait for Mary to return with Granny Crow.

It was not until evening had fallen, and Isaac had coaxed Isabelle into finishing and serving dinner, that Mary finally returned with Granny Crow. Isaac first heard his sister's call, announcing their arrival. Then, the aged face of Granny Crow appeared at the door to his parents' room. He age belied her agility as she quickly crossed to his mother, gently but firmly moving Isaac out of the way.

Granny Crow checked several of Isaac's mother's vitals, feeling her forehead, peering into an eye that she opened, pulling out her tongue and checking her mouth. She was muttering all the while, now reaching down and feeling at several points on her body. After several minutes, she turned to Isaac and Mary. “Doesn't look great,” she said. Then she raised a hand to forestall the questions that they were both about to ask. “I will do what I can. Bring me two bowls of that stew. One only broth.”

Isaac and Mary glanced at each other before nodding. They turned and went out into the kitchen. Isaac tried to think of something to say to Mary, but no words were coming to mind. And, so they filled two bowls silently.

When they returned to the bedroom, they found Granny Crow already at work. She had several things laid out on the small chest that held their parents' belongings. Without looking at them, Granny Crow patted the edge of the chest, and Isaac and Mary set the bowls where she had indicated. “Not much you kids can do now. Might as well get some sleep. I'll wake you if I need help.”

Isaac and Mary exchanged another glance before retreating once more. “Can you get the others ready for bed?” Isaac asked. “I still need to put the farming tools away.”

Mary nodded and headed into the children's bedroom. Isaac went outside and picked up the tools where he had let them drop earlier. After putting them away, he stood and watched the setting sun for several minutes. Isaac would have felt much better if his father was here, but there was no use in wishing for what wasn't. He would have to be strong enough to make up for the hole left by their father's absence.

Isaac went back inside and into the bedroom. There he found all five of his siblings tucked into bed. Well, at least Mary and Isabelle were old enough to be of good help. Isaac slipped into bed himself, but found that he was unable to fall asleep. Instead, he lay awake, his mind racing, wondering what would happen to his mother, and how the rest of them would make it if the worst happened.

Eventually, he must have fallen asleep, because early the next morning, he was awakened by gentle shaking. He found Isabelle looking at him. “Isaac, breakfast is ready. Granny Crow wants to talk with you.”

Isaac murmured his acknowledgment, and went out into the kitchen with her. There he got breakfast, then joined Granny Crow in his parents' room.

There, she gave him a sorrowful look before speaking. “Doesn't look good. Not much I can do.”

“That's all? You can't do anything?”

“I Can ease her pain. That's about all. Too far progressed. If it was caught earlier...” Granny Crow trailed off, shrugging.

“How long does she have left?”

“A Few weeks? Hard to say.”

Isaac felt grief rise up inside him, and his hunger left. He turned and left the house, walking past his siblings, not registering the questions they were asking. When outside, he walked around back and sat against the house, letting the morning sun wash over him. Not long after he sat, Mary sat next to him.

“Its too bad,” she said, voice wavering. “Do you remember that story mother used to tell? About the prince and the dryad? If only we had a cure like that. Everything would be okay then.”

Isaac looked up sharply. “That's it!”

“Isaac, that was a story. there is no way a dryad really lives in the old forest.”

“But it is the only hope we have. Mary, can you and Isabelle watch the others?” Mary nodded to Isaac's question. “Good. I will be back as soon as possible. I am going to save mother.”

“What if you die too though?”

“I can't sit by and do nothing,” Isaac said. “And besides, dad will be home soon.”

“He won't replace a brother though,” Mary said, looking concerned at him.

“Then I just have to succeed, don't I?” Isaac said, trying his best to sound confident.

Mind made up, he returned to the children's room to grab his traveling pack. He filled it with food from the cellar, and several items that would be useful on his travels, then hugged his siblings goodbye. He set out before anybody could protest, or try to change his mind.

The great forest was not far. The men of the village would go on hunts in the off seasons for farming. Isaac knew the direction, and his mother had always made it sound like it was the same as the forest from the story.

It took him until nightfall, but Isaac reached the forest without much trouble. Deciding it would be best to get started during the day, he pulled out his thick blanket and set up for sleep in a small stand of trees a distance from the forest proper.

The next morning, he set out into the forest. He found it tougher to navigate under the canopy, as it was not always possible to determine the direction of the sun. Nonetheless, he made his way generally towards the northwest, away from the village.

The day passed uneventfully, but Isaac began to worry as night fell. He was able to find a decent spot to sleep, but found actually falling asleep more difficult than expected. The forest was loud at night. Plus, Isaac was worried that something like a wolf would find him as he slept and decide he looked tasty. And so it was that he greeted the morning light, having not slept even a moment.

Yawning broadly, Isaac set out, more slowly today due to his fatigue. As the day wore on, he found doubts creeping into his mind. Yes, his mother had always let them think her stories were real, but what if they really were just children's bedtime stories. Perhaps Mary was right, and this was a fool's errand that would merely get him killed.

As the daylight diminished, Isaac was considering turning around the next day. But, just as he was making his resolution, the trees cleared out ahead of him. He was standing on the edge of a deep chasm. Unable to stop himself, Isaac looked over the edge, and saw a river far below.

“Just like the story,” he whispered. “I need to find the bridge.” Excitement fueling him, Isaac began following the chasm. And, wonder of wonders, not half an hour of searching later, he came across a rope bridge crossing the gap.

By now, the sun was fully below the treeline on the opposite side, but there was still plenty of light for Isaac to see just how old the bridge looked. The ropes were clearly fraying, and most of the boards — the ones remaining, anyway — were rotting.

Isaac took a deep breath, remembering the story. The prince hadn't hesitated for this old bridge, so neither would he. Isaac took a cautious step onto the first plank, and found that it held quite well. Spurred by this fortunate sign, he began to make quick progress.

As he got further out though, he began to realize the parts his mother had left out of the story. The bridge swayed with the breeze, and with his every step, making the crossing more difficult. Most of the planks creaked and cracked under his feet, each one causing his heart to pound with worry that it would be the one to give out. He couldn't give up now though, so he forced himself to calm down and keep on.

Soon enough he passed the midpoint, then he had only a quarter of the way left. Just as he thought he was not going to have any issues, a plank broke underneath him, sending his foot plunging. Before he could catch himself, his second foot followed, and he found that he was holding on at shoulder level. He recalled what his dad always said. “You don't always get a moment to think, so when you do, use it!” So, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steadying his heart.

Calmer now, Isaac moved one hand forward to grasp onto the edge of the plank. Stabilized, he used his other hand to grab onto the rope, and then followed it with his first hand. Now, with a good grip, he was able to haul himself up, alternating hands to inch himself forward. Safe, he lay for a moment, allowing his heart rate to drop back to normal before moving again.

Satisfied that his heart wouldn't break through his ribs, Isaac stood again, and finished crossing to the far side of the chasm. There, he found that the undergrowth grew thicker and thornier. He must have found the maze. And, he had found it just in time for night proper to fall.

Already, the mists were moving in, swirling around Isaac's feet as he looked into the darkness. Isaac thought back to the mysterious shapes the prince always saw in the story. His mother had never elaborated on exactly what they were supposed to be. Whatever they were though, most likely they would find Isaac tasty.

He had no time for fear though. He couldn't head back, not now that he was on the trail of the story proper. And, so, Isaac took his first hesitant step onto the path ahead. Before going far, he remembered the way the prince had navigated the maze, and moved towards the left hand side of the path. Whatever was in here, he at least would not get lost.

Despite his fears of wolves and worse, nothing appeared out of the night to attack Isaac. He traveled for a couple of hours without detecting any other animals whatsoever. However, just as he was feeling confident that nothing would bother him that night, he felt something watching him from behind. Whirling around, he saw nothing. But that didn't mean nothing was there.

Isaac crept onwards, now watching over his shoulder for his elusive tracker. He continued in this way for a time, and was nearly convinced that his senses were tricking him when a howl sounded in the night. As if on queue, several other howls followed. Strangely, none came from nearby, where Isaac would have said the creature following him was.

As the howls died out, he heard the rushing of a large creature behind him, moving quickly towards him. Isaac threw himself down and to the right as the creature neared him, and he could hear it sail over top of him. There was scrabbling in the dirt ahead as the creature came to a stop. Isaac looked up to see a huge wolf-like creature, much larger than any wolf he had ever heard of. It must have been bigger than a horse!

Isaac started pushing back away from it as it began to advance. As it got closer, Isaac could see bony plates jutting out from its shoulders and back. It had huge fangs, longer than his own fingers, and its eyes were an angry red color. Just as he thought it was the end for him, a new serious of howls pierced the night. Then, a figure slammed into the side of the creature. As it slowed, it resolved into a wolf, a proper sized one. Then another wolf hit the creature, then another, until they had knocked it off balance.

Isaac scrambled back to his feet. He watched as the normal wolves surrounded the huge one and began to pester it with quick lunges working to get an opening. And an opening came. The large beast, impatient with the wolves, attempted to attack in retaliation. The wolves capitalized, one latching onto a hind leg, another the back of the neck. The wolves wrestled the creature to the ground, and from there made quick work of it. The creature barked and growled angrily as it thrashed, trying to rise, but the wolves held out.

Finally, the creature fell silent, and the wolves backed off. They regarded Isaac for a moment in silence. Isaac stared back, hoping he wasn't next. Then, the wolves seemed to nod to him. They turned, and all but one ran off. The last looked to him, as if to beckon him to follow. Deciding he would be no worse off in sight of the wolves than out of sight, Isaac followed.

The wolf clearly had a destination in mind, because if Isaac began to lag, it would wait, looking impatiently back at him. It led him through several turns, not following Isaac's left wall rule. However, less than an hour later, Isaac found himself standing before a clearing, where the thorny underbrush opened. In the center of the clearing stood a huge oak tree, bigger than any tree Isaac had ever seen, or even thought possible.

The wolf nudged him from behind, prodding him forward. So, Isaac began to walk across the clearing. He jumped in shock when he noticed another huge figure to the side. He veered to see what it might be, and as he approached, he saw that it was a skeleton. Facing him was a skull bigger than he was, long and reptilian in shape.

As he examined the skeleton, a feminine voice startled him. “A gift from my last visitor.” Isaac turned to see a beautiful woman crossing the clearing. She was wearing a gown of emerald green leaves, just like in the story.

“You are the dryad,” Isaac said.

The woman smiled. “Indeed. I am surprised that you are the first to seek me out since the prince. I thought for certain many would come seeking my aid after hearing his story.”

“My mother told me that story when I was younger. I thought it was nothing more than a children's tale.”

The dryad's mouth twisted into a wry smile. “Well that explains things. No matter. You have helped my wolves dispatch an aberration tonight, so I am particularly grateful. How can I help you?”

“My mother is gravely ill. Granny Crow says she cannot help her. Can you?”

The dryad smiled. “Of course I can dear. You know the deal, right?”

“Do I have to take an acorn too?”

The dryad smiled more broadly. “Such a wise young man. Here, you will find this elixir will cure your mother. And the acorn. I trust you know what to do with this?” Isaac nodded. “Wonderful. Silverfang here will guide you back out of my maze. I trust you can find your way from there?”

Isaac nodded once more, and the dryad smiled, nodding to Silverfang. “Off you go then. It would not do to keep your family waiting.” Isaac threw his arms around the dryad in a hug. She patted him on the back saying, “There, there. You are quite welcome. Now go.”

Isaac pulled away, and followed Silverfang. They reached the bridge across the chasm just as the dawn's light broke the night. Silverfang gave Isaac a nod, then turned and ran back into the maze. Isaac crossed the bridge easily enough, taking care to check each plank this time.

From there he traveled through both day and night, fueled by a desire to see his mother well again, until he finally saw his house again. He ran, throwing the front door open. Granny Crow was there with his siblings, but Isaac rushed right past them, to his parents' room There, he set about getting his mother to drink the elixir. Moments passed in silence. Then, her eyes fluttered open.

“Isaac? What happened? Why are you crying?”

“Mother...” Isaac started. He threw himself into a hug. “We thought you were going to die,” he said through sobs. “I saw the dryad, she gave me a cure. You're okay now!”

“That sounds like quite a story,” his mother said, voice still weak. “You will have to tell me the whole thing someday.” Isaac nodded, face buried in his mother's embrace. “I am proud of you Isaac. You did a good job.” And she held her son until they both fell asleep.