Isksir Tobor was alone. You usually wouldn’t find this unusual for she had lived all her life in the village of Skatuch where she would spend most of her time in the woods reading on her own or walking down half-hidden paths.

 If you were to ask her why she would rather be in the woods alone then playing with the other kids her age she might reply, “They don’t want me nor I them!” and stalk off.

You might wonder why she was so disliked by the other children of the village. The answer is that they were afraid of her because her mother was not a human. Some said she was a witch some an elemental, but the truth was she was a fey. Her mother had died two years ago.

Isksir’s father was a drunkard and often would beat her so she would walk in the forest to avoid him for he was a highly superstitious man and was afraid of the forest. Iskar loved the forest. Every plant would call to her, every tree looked like a friend.

On night Isksir woke with a start because she had heard shouts from the street. Looking out the window she saw a group of villagers with torches. One of them shouted, “There she is the Witches daughter!”

Only then did she realize that her room and indeed her whole house was full of plants. Ivy climbing the walls, flowers blooming from the furniture, and her bed had turned to a lush pile of moss.

 The villagers broke down the door yelling, “kill her before she curses the whole town!” Terrified Isksir climbed out the window and ran for the woods. She didn’t stop running until tired and scared she leaned against a tree and fell asleep.

 She woke up and almost screamed for right in front of her was a boy. “Who are you?” He asked. “My name is Isksir, and I must be on my way.”

 “Now wait a minute!” the boy called, “Are you just going to wander off into the forest in your night clothes? For I could lend you help if you’re lost.” “I’m not lost!” she replied. Then immediately realized this was not true. She had no idea where she was.

 “I suppose you could point me to the nearest village” “why of course! My name is Ergriff sune by the way. The nearest settlement is the city of Frevor Goawy.”  Isksir was confused because Frevor Goawy was over a hundred miles from Skatuch.

 “How far is that from here?” she asked. “Just over two miles west.” Ergriff answered. “How is that possible?" Isksir asked, “I was in the village of Skatuch just last night!”

“That’s impossible!” Ergriff replied, “you either are not of sound mind or moved almost 100 miles while you slept!”

A couple hours later they arrived at Frevor Goawy.  The city was the largest Isksir had ever seen. As they were entering the gates a guard stopped them.

“Little miss, from where do you hail? And why are you dressed thus?” “I come from the village of Skatuch where they chased me out in the night, so I was not prepared for the journey.” Isksir explained. “Why did they drive you from your village little one?” Isksir growing concerned lied “My father was an evil man and had burned down the town hall dying in the fire. The village wanted someone to blame.” The guard let them pass.

In the city Ergriff asked “what really happened? I could tell you were lying.” She answered “I don’t fully know. I woke up in the night and saw that a wild magic was on the house for the walls and floor were growing plants.” “Whoa are you a sorcerer?” he asked. Isksir growing defensive said, “I don’t think so I have never done that before.”

As they were talking, they walked by a dark alley from which a group of humans jumped out. “Ah there you are Ergriff! We’ve been looking for you.” One of them said. “Run Isksir!” Ergriff exclaimed as he was dragged away. She ran. Behind her she heard one of the ruffians shout, “Run now girl! We’ll catch you later.”

Isksir Tobor was alone.

Isksir wandered around aimlessly the rest of the day. She eventually found herself in the merchant quarters of the city. Approaching a bread merchant she asked, “could you spare some bread for me for I am very hungry and have no money.” Rudely he replied, "I won’t save bread for beggars and vagabonds! You probably stole your clothes from an honest girl’s wash line!

That night Isksir cried herself to sleep. She dreamed that a voice was speaking to her. The voice was soft yet strong like wind in the trees. “Hush child we will take care of you. The forest chose you. We will grow with you.”

When she woke up, she felt different her dress had ivy growing in a pattern up it. Behind her head was a moss pillow. Now she was a little scared for this was the third time in as many days something strange had happened while she slept.

Isksir resolved to find Ergriff. As she was about to start off, she saw a growth of edible mushrooms where she had slept the night before. Refreshed after eating the mushrooms and forming a plan, Isksir went to the ally where she last saw Ergriff.

The name of the ally was “Fesi Ekess N'teaz'r.” 

Isksir boldly called out,” You cowards! You said you would catch me later and so far; you have failed!” Then she ran. Inside the ally the thugs were very confused. “Who was that?” “That little idiot came back to taunt us! Let’s get her!”

Isksir followed by four scoundrels darted towards a large tree she had seen earlier. When she was right in front of it, she whispered, “Please let me in!” she stepped forwards.

She felt the tree wrap her into itself. Outside the tree the thugs twice in one day were very confused. For in front of them was a large tree with ivy wrapping up its trunk like a design and behind the tree a solid wall.

“Where is she?” “She came this way!” “She must have climbed over the wall!” The scoundrels climbed over the wall and out of sight.

Isksir Tobor stepped out of the tree. Looking down she saw her dress had turned into a wood like color with ivy climbing up it. She stood for a second confused, “What was I doing here?” then she remembered.

She quickly ran back to Fesi Ekess N'teaz'r and ducked inside an open door. Inside she was startled to see a very large mean looking man. “HA LITTLE GIRL!” he bellowed, “I’LL KILL YOU FOR TRYING TO ENTER OUR BASE!” Then he slumped over unconscious.

Ergriff sune had struck him with a large rock. “Isksir!” He exclaimed. Running over to her. He said, “Thanks for saving my life! I never could have escaped unless everyone had left. Whoa what happened to your dress?”

They quickly left the city. Isksir was feeling wonderful for she had made a friend, and it only took being forced from her village to do it…                       END OF PART ONE.