The Dryad 46 Secrets

"Thank you for that," I said.

She kept looking at my hair inquisitively. "Why do you need to keep it a secret that your hair changes color?"

"If I told you that you would be burdened with an even bigger secret, one that you would have to keep for many years. I don't want to do that to you," I said. I highly doubted that such a young girl could keep such a secret and she would not gain anything by knowing.

"Can't you please tell me even just a little bit?" She looked at me with big expectant eyes and her head tilted slightly to the side. I was pretty sure she was giving me that look on purpose. I guessing she had learned how effective it was at getting her way. It really did work well. I still was not going to outright tell her but, it would not hurt to give her a few hints.

"I am hiding it because it is a sign that I am not human."

"The elves are not human either, but they did not bother hiding it. Why would you bother?"

"Elves and humans are very common in comparison to my kind. If people found out what I was, it might bring me harm."

Sharlin look really puzzled now. It seemed like her mind was not able to process the information. "I already gave you more than enough clues. You will just have to think about everything and figure it out on your own." Disappointment fell over her face, but I was not going to tell her any more. "Remember that you promised that you would not tell anyone even if you figured it out. You must keep this secret until you have grown old."

"Okay," she said, her voice full of resignation. "Then could you please tell me more about magic?"

"I would love to tell you more, but it looks like everything is ready for us to leave. We need to be heading out."

"Will you come back this way?" She asked with her big eyes again.

"I do not know," I began, but the tears that started to well up made my resolve crumble again. I guess I could leave her with a parting gift. Where she would not be able to see it, I grew a small laurel leaf. But unlike the apple from the other day, I left a small fragment of my power in it, like the maple seed I gave to the fairies. "If you put this leaf in water it can point you to where I am. Once you have learned how to touch your power and move it, you can come find me and I will tell you more," I said and handed her the leaf.

"Isn't this just a bay leaf?"

"In some places it is called laurel like my name. It is up to you to believe me or not. But now I have to go."

I picked up Sharlin and set her on the ground next to me. Grabbing the bowl that I had placed on the ground next to me, I went to wash it out with the dishes that Emily and Leafia were just about to finish.

Looking back to Gray and Istan, it seemed that the trade was done as they were shaking hands with the villagers and saying their goodbyes. When they turned and walked back towards us, Gray asked, "We are done on our side, is everything ready to go over here?"

"Just loading the last dishes into the saddle bag," Emily said with a cheerful smile as she carried my bowl to the horses.

Gray then turned to me and said, "We are all ready to go then."

"Do I need to say goodbye to anyone?" I asked. I was not sure what the proper custom would be here and since I was the 'leader' of the group I figured I should have to do something.

"Don't worry, we told them you were tired from crafting the medicine all night and were not feeling up to socializing," Istan responded. He really was a good person and took good care of me. "Are you sure you will be up for traveling today? I was thinking after what you went through last night, Forest Moth-uff." I have to take my previous thought back, I sighed to myself. Luckily the "inappropriate name" was cut short by a nice jab in the ribs by Leafia. Istan glared at her a little, "I am just trying to make sure she is alright."

I looked over and it seemed like all the villagers were more than far enough away so they would not have heard Istan.

"This is not the time to reinstate your wors.h.i.+ping of me. I am just your human companion." I said to him sternly.

I thought we were alone, so it was fine for me to reprove him. That is, until a young voice rang out from near my hips. "I finally figured it out!." Sharlin looked at me with s.h.i.+ny eyes and her voice full of excitement. "You must be a dry--"

My hand quickly covered her mouth. "Remember what I told you," I said in a serious voice, "You can't tell this to anyone. Not until you are old and gray with grandchildren of your own. Do you understand?" Sharlin's small head nodded up and down behind my hand. "Good. Now we have to be going. Goodbye Sharlin."

As I said that I let go and turned to leave but I was quickly hugged from the back. "I hope you can help your friend," I heard her say. "And make sure you are happy and don't have any more of those bad dreams."

"I will," I responded and stepped away after a second. I did not know why, but the words of comfort from this little girl really did lift my spirits. I was just going to leave, but that felt wrong for some reason, so turning around I knelt down and gave her a hug. "Remember to be happy, too," I said as I stood up to leave.

As we got on the horses, Emily asked, "What what she saying about you having bad dreams?"

"Apparently she has the ability to use magic and was able to feel my emotional storm last night," I said and explained more of what happened between Sharlin and I as we rode out of the village.