The Emerald Forest

Five children were enthralled and wide eyed at the words of the old, grey bearded man. The five youngsters and the old storyteller sat in his stone house, before a warm hearth.

“So, you see, that is why none ever go into the Emerald Forest at night.”

“Papa Nithose, when was the last person to go into the forest at night?” said a boy named Therin.

Nithose leaned in and whispered. “Two years ago, a farmer named Hereld, wanted to disprove the legend. One night he entered the forest after twilight. He was never seen again.”

The children gasped.

“Why do they disappear?” asked a little girl.

Nithose paused. “Some say a spirit steals them and turns them into slaves. Others say an evil beast devours those who enter.”

A knock came at the door. Nithose rose and opened it to reveal man in blue tunic. “Time to go back to your homes, children.”

The children stood and gave a unanimous thank you and left Nithose’ home. Three went in their separate ways on their way home. Two boys had their homes nearby and walked side by side.

“One day I will find what is in the forest and return to tell what is really in it!” said one of the children.

“No way, John! What if you never come back like all the rest?”

“I’m not afraid, Derik! And tomorrow, I will do it!”

“You will have no one to help you if something happens!” said Derik.

“Then come with me!”

Derik looked down and pulled at his fingers, nervously. “I don’t know.”

John took Derik by the shoulders. “Come on! We will be okay if we stick together.”

“Can you promise me we will be alright?”

“For sure!”

“You have always been right before. Okay.”

John hopped with a broad smile. “Then it is set! I will go tomorrow night!”

Derik came to the door of his house as John went about two-dozen paces farther to his.

Dawn came, announced by a sounding rooster. Citizens left their homes to start their duties. Some set up produce and meat kiosks as others tended to gardens and fields.

Derik and John played a game involving a wicker ball. After that it was kite flying time. Two multi-colored triangular kites danced and weaved in the sky.

Late noon arrived and the children left for their homes for lunch.

At John’s family, he and his two parents ate meager beef stew and barley bread on a wooden table.

“Guess what, father! Derik and I will be going to the emerald Forest tonight after dark!”

“What? The forest is not safe. Though I do not believe in the legends, I do think there is something dangerous in that place. I forbid you to go!” said John’s father. “Do you understand?”

John sulked. “Yes, father.”

“Very good.”

After lunch, John went to the chair on the porch and stared in the direction of the forest for hours.

“Time for bed, John,” said his mother, at last.

John stood and entered his house then went to his room and hopped into bed.

“Sweet dreams, son,” said John’s mother. When she shut his door, John cracked a coy grin as he looked out his glass window. He dressed for the cold chill he would encounter on his journey into the Emerald Forest and slipped out through his window and sprinted for Derick’s house. John circled around to Derik’s window and lightly wrapped on it.

He opened his window, already dressed, and cracked his window open and slipped out. He and John got one of the torches mounted along a fence line.

“I am excited!” said John.

“I hope we are alright.”

“You should be excited like me! And remember Jesus is with us.”

“Jesus is with us. Maybe you’re right.”

Twenty minutes later, the two made it to the forest. They took a deep breath and stepped inside. The moon was visible from the tree canopy above until it eventually grew dark.

“How long do we walk for, John?”

“Maybe a half an hour.”

They walked silently for a while until they made out a blue, glowing light farther between the trees.

“What is that?” said Derik. “Could it be the spirit?”

“Let’s go find out!” John broke out into a run and Derik followed.

They got close and saw a human figure made of the blue light. The two gasped at the sight of a glowing woman in a silk gown.

“Who are you!” asked Derik.

“I am Ithia, guardian of the Emerald Forest and servant of the Most High God.”

“You are an angel?” asked John.

“Indeed. I am sent to those who abide in faith and protect them from the beast that haunts this forest. So far you are the first believers to venture into the forest, being innocent children of course.”

“Wow! Where is this beast?” asked John.

Ithia motioned to a few high bushes to her right. Two enormous glowing yellow eyes veered at the angelic being and the children. A low growl came from the bushes. A lion’s face emerged from the low-lying foliage and a scorpion’s tail was raised in the air.

The beast leapt towards the children. Ithia brandished a shining word and struck the beast down. The manticore moaned and shrieked and scuttered away, leaving a trail of black blood.

The two children trembled in fear.

“Fear not little ones. It will not return. Now you must go. Tell no one what you have seen.”

“We understand,” said Derik.

Ithia’s light dimmed until she had vanished, leaving the two in the light of the torch. At their feet was the beginning of a blue glowing trail of light.

“That must be the way back,” said John.

“Maybe when we are old, we can speak of what we have seen.”

“I do not think anyone would believe us anyway,” John said with a chuckle.

Derik shook his head, and the two friends followed the trail of light home.