Marwynn had given every last bread roll in his pack to Duster who devoured each one in turn. At this pace, they would be out of food before midday Marwynn thought. They had just reached a good spot for lunch and he swung his bag onto the ground. Duster plopped down beside him and began humming. Marwynn opened his bag and reached in to find his fishing line. “Ow!” Marwynn shouted.
“What is it?” Duster asked.
“It must have been my fishing hook.” Marwynn answered.
He reached in again and this time something grabbed ahold of his finger. Marwynn cried out again and pulled his hand out. Dangling from his finger was the black eyed wood sprout that he had seen in the caves.
“How did you get in there?” Marwynn asked.
The wood sprite just let go of his finger and bounced onto the ground. She spun around faster and faster until you couldn’t make out her features. “Pop!” The sprite grew to be the same size as a human woman. Duster was not in the least bit surprised.
He glanced over and greeted her “Hello Oaklyn.”
Oaklynn stared intently at Marwynn which made him quite uncomfortable. She did not acknowledge Duster and continued her unbroken gaze.
Marwynn offered an introduction “hello, I’m Marwynn.”
She still did not break her gaze and did not respond.
He tried again, “Hello, I’m Marwynn.” He held out his hand to her.
Oaklynn hissed at his hand and took a few steps back.
Duster had found an apple and was happily munching away at it. “She doesn’t speak English” he said between mouthfuls.
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Marwynn answered, “What language does she speak and do you know it?”
“Sprite speak of course.” Duster said as if everyone should know this. “I am versed in a little bit of sprite speak.”
“Could you try speaking with her and find out why she is staring at me?” Marwynn shifted uncomfortably.
“No need,” Duster said “I know why she is staring at you.”
“Could you fill me in?” Marwynn said.
“You are still wearing your Shadow uniform, are you not?” He took another large bite of apple.
“Oh. Right.” Marwynn said. Then he pulled off the outer coat and tucked it into his pack. This seemed to appease Oaklyn and she turned her gaze to Duster. Marwynn felt better now that she was no longer staring at him.
“Duster?” Marwynn said.
“Yes?” Duster answered.
“The village that was brought in with you to Embergate, what happened to them?” Marwynn asked.
“Nettlewood? I know that the shadows descended on the village much in the same way they always do. Most of the villagers stood up and fought, a few of them fled. The ones that fought were rounded up and brought into the prison with me.” Duster said. “Why do you ask?”
Marwynn looked at the ground, “that is my village.” Looking up he asked the question he had been dreading the answer to. “Do you know what became of Master Raff and of Farrell?”
Duster thought for a moment “Master Raff was in good spirits, he spoke to me about his beautiful daughter and how glad he was that she was not at home when they were attacked. I know that there were a few that didn’t make it. I can’t recall if I met a Farrell.”
Marwynn hung his head again and tried not to think the worst.
Oaklyn began to speak in her language “Whot oroi yeal deelng welth thoi oinoimy?” she questioned.
Duster who understood her answered “Hoi els net thoi oinoimy, hoi els o freloind.”
Marwynn could only sit there entirely confused at the conversation before him. Duster took pity on him and translated, “She asked what I am doing with the enemy and I told her you are a friend.”
Oaklyn answered “El felnd thot hord te boileoivoi.”
“Hoi sovoid my lelfoi” Duster said seriously. When Oaklyn heard this she nodded and said no more. Duster told Marwynn “she didn’t believe me so I told her that you saved my life.”
Marwynn felt a pang of regret. He knew that if it were not for him, Duster would already be dead. But that did not save him from the knowledge that he was directly responsible for Duster’s lack of family.
