The days have grown long and the golden sun lingers lovingly in the sky. During this time of year, so close to the summer, I often find myself stopping in the middle of my walks to turn my face upwards. I feel the warm rays upon my cheeks, and I breathe deeply as a fragrant breeze blows through my hair. My heart jumps; I am filled with a quiet but deep sense of longing and anticipation… though for what? I cannot fully say. Since Lorenz and I found the second stone giant, the enormous lilies in the water, and the vine with the green fruit, well, I feel so near to something, like from its depths the forest is calling to me, “Come and see!” But what? Soon we may know.
Lorenz and I shared what we found with Alexander, and as Lorenz recalled the fantastic tale, I saw the same wonder I felt reflected in the young man’s eyes, the same longing to explore and to know more. So when next I returned to the manor house and Mrs. Algar told me the baron wished to speak with me and Mr. Leland, I was not wholly surprised. There stood Alexander, behind his father, looking rather sheepish. I was invited to sit and I heard Lorenz whisper quietly that everything would be alright, before Baron Rhodes coughed loudly and began his speech.
“My son,” he began, “says he wishes to go and get lost with you two in the forest.” He told us that Alexander refused to say why, said that the Courage remedy had certainly done its job, and then asked what was “so grand” about “that accursed place” that we “tromped about all the day long.” The baron seemed so agitated and I was beginning to fear I might be in real trouble when Lorenz stood and laughed in that way he does. Oh dear reader, I think that laugh could stop a charging buck in its path and convince it to stop and smell the flowers instead. It certainly seemed to relax the baron. His look went from suspicion and frustration to tentative curiosity. Lorenz said, “Yes, there are indeed great wonders in the forest, ones we have seen with our own eyes and that any lad with a good head on his shoulders would want to experience for himself.”
Well, Baron Rhodes turned and looked out the window towards the forest. He said he’d long had his doubts about Greenwood; it wasn’t natural… trees that refused to be cut, and all sorts of strange lights and sounds over the years. His father had always hated it. Then he sighed and turned to me. I tensed up nervously, but his look was much softer than I expected. The baron asked what I, the village apothecary, made of all this magic, of the strange enchantment on the forest and of Alexander joining us. I thought for some time before answering him… to think he actually valued my thoughts and opinion! Goodness, I tried to answer as confidently as I could: “Baron, we are on a path deep into the forest. Greenwood has ancient magic and I believe it holds secrets connected to my past… and Master Alexander has been a great help to us already. I do trust the woods to keep us safe, if you’d allow your son to join us.”
Baron Rhodes seemed to think on this for some time, then he clapped his hands together and shouted that we would make the journey at the end of summer. “We?” I stared in surprise; Lorenz looked amused. “Certainly,” said the baron, and stated it was high time he met whatever lay in “that blasted forest” for himself. He was the baron after all.
I was rather shocked, dear reader, and I still am! It seems the forest’s call has finally reached Baron Rhodes. He says we shall ride horses, which shall save us a good deal of time. But, goodness, I’ve never ridden a horse, and truth be told, I find them a bit intimidating. Alexander was thrilled with his father’s plan and offered to teach me how to ride. So, this summer is already full of great plans… it all feels a bit like a dream.