” There are at least seventeen ways this could have gone better. Literally, like, I’m counting them right now, you moron,” Mylonite’s sword whacked away one of the absurd little mutant turtles as they tried to grab their ankles again. One of them caught Andrea’s sword in a firm grasp, but before she tumbled into the water, Nephrite whacked it on the head with her sword, releasing its grip. Klytië started to produce flames from her hands; tartaruga were the guardians of the oldest oak tree resting on a small island. Tarken had sent them to refill his healing jar. Still, he had failed to mention that it was guarded by Tartaruga. So they hadn’t brought any of the usual offerings to placate the Tartaruga, such as cucumber slices and fresh melon.
“Enough,” yelled Klytië, “I want to speak to Rīdā de Tartaruga to strike a deal.”
The waters split in front of them, and out arose the largest Tartaruga they had ever seen or heard of. His large head had a dent in the top that was filled to the brim with glistening water.
“Speak,” a grating voice echoed in the forest, stilling all life.
“If you let us pass to the elder tree. I will return with a hundred cucumbers and various fresh fruits,” Klytië offered her eyes, daring the Rīdā to refuse her offer.
“ten thousand of each,” the grating voice responded after a pause.
“No plant or farm produces ten thousand of each fruit and vegetable. So instead, we will provide a thousand cucumbers and melons over a period of a hundred years. If one of us dies, the other will take up the payment. If we are not paid by the time we die, our heirs will take over.”
There was a lengthy pause and much deliberation among the smaller Tartargua before the larger Tartargua bowed his head.
“Deal, pass safely. We expect your return at the end of the next harvest with ten cucumbers and ten melons.”
“Thank you,” Klytië offered a bow, and the other princesses followed suit. The Tartargua slowly receded, and they quickly moved to the other side. Before continuing on to the oldest oak tree.
There was no path as the land was primarily uninhabited, but the faint trails of animals were discernible. Andrea, having the most experience with hunting, led the way. She picked the way through the overgrown forest. Nephrite was right behind her as she had the best eyesight of the four. Klytië followed behind her mostly because Mylonite had insisted on taking the back. The wind shifted, and there was a warm sugary smell on the wind; exchanging glances, they tread softly with swords at ready. Finally, they moved forward, working their way towards the center.
The island’s center was thinner with trees as the giant oak was three wine barrels wide, and the four could stand on each other’s shoulders three times before reaching the tree’s height. Standing at its base was another creature, humanoid in its appearance but in places of flesh and bone. The feet had roots for toes before becoming two small shapely tree trunks that met to begin the torso. Due to the shapeliness of the creature, it was safe to assume it was female, at least in appearance. Its large neon green eyes watched the four approach the tree cautiously.
“The four of you are destined to despise each other and bring about this world’s demise,” the creature’s voice was soft but deep as it carried across the small space.
“I thought you were the one who could see the future,” Nephrite turned to Klytië, sarcasm dripping off her tongue.
“As well as constantly provide depressing tellings of the future all the time,” teased Mylonite, but her eyes never left the creature.
“I believe I do that in my nightmares. However, what is this creature? Do you mean us any harm by chance?” Klytië directed the last question at the creature.
“I am merely an omen to any that defy Dea’s wishes,” the creature spread its arms wide and open and lifted its face to the sunlight.
“I don’t understand. What did we do this time?” Sighed Andrea, shaking her head. The creature looked at them confused, blinking its large eyes slowly.
Camile Grant 
Leave a comment