Dainty green feet leave no footprints as they run across the dark forest. Hushed pants from a young tree nymph mix with the crisp autumn night’s air. There are watchful eyes all around her, careful not to approach. If you see a creature carrying the royal scroll, do not interfere. It is the Queen’s business alone, and only a trusted few may touch it. There are strict orders in place.
Metis glances over her shoulder as she approaches the largest tree in the forest. She slows her pace and walks carefully forward. Her shoulders rise to her ears and a chill runs like lightning up her back.
The Mother Tree is the largest in the forest, responsible for communication with all other trees, all other plants, and her word is gospel. She is the Queen of the Forest.
“Queen Minthe? I come with a request from the Human Queen Phoebe of Theosea,” Metis whispers. The large oak tree moves, and a woman appears. Queen Minthe, the dryad of the mother oak, appears. She wears a crown of grand oak leaves. They do not move in the gentle wind.
“Yes, little one. I’ve heard whispers of discord in the kingdom’s forest. Deliver the scroll to me,” Queen Minthe says. Queen Minthe is kind and unforgiving.
Metis places the fibrous scroll into Queen Minthe’s outstretched hands. As soon as the paper touches her wooden fingers, it decomposes into its original materials. Queen Minthe laughs as she understands the message.
“It appears King Micael has committed a most intolerable act against our beloved Queen Phoebe,” Queen Minthe murmurs darkly. Little Metis’ eyes widen at the implication, but she is not prepared to hear what her dryad queen says next.
“The message is accepted. I will send the instructions to Danais through the fungi at my roots. She will deliver part of herself to the king, oh so discreetly.” Danais is the largest Hemlock tree in the forest. Even a taste of her most potent leaves is fatal. Metis trails her eyes along the forest floor as if watching the fateful message travel.
She will not interfere.
There are strict orders in place.
I believe this was first published in Impractical Occultist in summer of 2022. I hope you enjoyed. <3