The Quiet Guide of the Northern Woods
Once upon a time, in a small hamlet nestled between the immense northern woods and the craggy cliffs of a high, roaring waterfall, lived a girl named Eira. Lanky and curious, Eira was known for her inquisitive nature, her bold spirit and her eerie comfort in the enigmatic forest that surrounded their hamlet.
Eira was, to many, the embodiment of sweet mystery that the enchanting forest offered. She possessed a peculiar skill, a knack for understanding the moods of nature, interpreting the whispers of the wind, deciphering the songs of the birds, and navigating through the maze-like woodlands with alarming accuracy.
People from neighboring regions and sometimes far-off lands would seek Eira’s services as a guide through the northern woods. Although mute since birth, she communicated effortlessly through her expressive eyes, orchestrated hand movements, and sketches she rapidly etched on the ground or on the soft barks of trees. However, for all her guidance and assistance, she asked nothing in return but respect for the forest universe.
Word spread like autumn wildfire, about the skillful mute guide, eventually reaching King Oswin of a kingdom beyond the mount. Old and frail, King Oswin was said to bear a heart burdened with an unfulfilled ambition – to behold the legendary Crystal Glacier rumored to lay hidden in the heart of the northern woods.
Bound by duty and driven by this extraordinary task, Eira began this royal expedition with an entourage of the King's finest knights. The journey was arduous, the forest, wilder than ever. Each morning Eira guided them through shadowy thickets and rocky terrains, listening to the murmurs of the river, the rustle of the leaves and soft howls of the distant wolves, following invisible trails only she could sense.
One chilly night, in the heart of the forest, the entourage was ambushed by a pack of gray wolves, perturbed by the invasion into their territory. The knights panicked, but not Eira. She stepped forward, calm and composed, matching the gaze of the alpha wolf. The air was thick with tension, every second holding the devastating potential to trigger a deadly clash.
And then, like a symphony descending into a gentle lull, Eira lowered herself slowly before the alpha, her heart beating in rhythm to the silent song of coexistence. Mirroring her gesture, to everyone's disbelief, the alpha wolf bowed, its pack echoing its actions. Eira's heart danced, not in victory, but in profound respect for life's fair and wild creatures.
In the next few days, King Oswin, awed and humbled by the spectacle, travelled with newfound respect for the forest, its unspoken rules, and his silent guide. Eventually, they reached their destination, the sight of Crystal Glacier, shimmering under the golden sun, a spectacle of nature's beauty unparalleled, and an image Oswin would carry to his twilight.
On their return, Eira was hailed a heroine and offered gold and jewellery, but she declined them all. Instead, She asked for something intriguing: a promise- that no trees would be felled, no animals hunted, and no territories breached in their kingdom. The King, etching the image of the bowing wolves into his memory, agreed heartily.
Eira's story lives on as a reminder of the subtle wisdom in silence and the importance of coexistence. To this day, if you turn a listening ear to the northern woods, you may hear Eira's tale told by the whispers of the wind, the rustle of the leaves, and the soft cry of the wolves on moonlit nights.