Temptations In The Mountains
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The next morning, I woke up with a splitting headache. It was the first time in my life that I had ever been hungover and it wasn’t pleasant at all. My head felt like someone was pounding on it with an iron mallet while simultaneously trying to force-feed my nails through my ears.
I tried getting out of bed but couldn’t find any strength or coordination to do so without falling over onto the floor. As soon as I managed to get myself upright though, I discovered something even worse than a hangover: hunger! After two days of nothing more substantial than dried meat and hard bread, my stomach really wanted some real food.
Unfortunately for me, there were no stores nearby where I could buy anything other than what we’d brought along ourselves.
After another attempt at standing up failed miserably (and resulted in me collapsing back into bed), I decided to try sitting cross-legged instead. This worked much better, although once again I fell asleep before too long. When I awoke, later on, my head still hurt but not quite as bad anymore. But now I also noticed that I was ravenously hungry again…
“You’re awake,” said Aela when she saw me sit bolt upright from her position by the fire. “Good!” She gave me a big grin which made me feel slightly sick inside because of how bad my face looked. Then she offered me a piece of jerky. “Eat this.”
It tasted wonderful after having gone without food for such a long time. And it did help ease away the pain somewhat. Still, I knew that I needed proper nourishment if I didn’t want to collapse within half an hour.
Aela then told me about everything that had happened since we left the village. Apparently, they hadn’t found anyone else alive among the dead who might have survived. They’d only recovered one body, which turned out to be that of their guide. He must’ve died during the night and nobody had heard him scream.
Or maybe he just never got around to screaming? Either way, his death meant that they weren’t going anywhere today either. Instead, they would stay here until tomorrow. That’s why I should probably eat enough now so that I can keep up with them.
As soon as Aela finished talking, I stood up and went outside. There was a small stream close by, so I followed its course upstream until I reached the waterfall. From there, I climbed down to the riverbed below. At least, I thought it was the riverbed; it certainly seemed wide enough. If the water level rose, you could easily walk across it. Although I doubted that it would rise very far.
Once I was sure that I wouldn’t fall off, I sat down right beneath the falls. I took out my knife and cut open the leather pouch containing the vial of oil. Carefully, I poured most of the liquid into my mouth. Then I swallowed it quickly. Before I knew what was happening, I was floating upwards towards the top of the waterfall.
When I finally stopped moving, I realized that I was lying flat on my back on soft moss. Looking up, I could see that I was directly above the pool where I’d washed earlier. So that was where I had ended up. Which explained why I’d fallen asleep immediately afterward. Now I just hoped that I hadn’t drowned.
But I guess I’m okay, I thought happily. Because I seem to be perfectly fine. Well, apart from being incredibly hungry.
I opened my eyes slowly and started looking around. Everything was blurry at first but gradually became clearer. Soon I recognized the familiar shapes of trees and rocks. I could even make out various animals grazing on grasses growing under the shade of the trees.
Then I spotted something bright red lying near the edge of the forest. Curious, I moved closer and picked it up. It was a large leaf, torn off one of the bushes. I examined it closely. Not surprisingly, it turned out to be poisonous. Fortunately, I already knew that. But I was surprised to discover that the leaves were actually green, rather than red like those on the bush I’d eaten.
That’s strange, I thought. Why are these different colors?
At that moment, I suddenly remembered what I’d seen in the vision. The plants in the garden had been completely white. That meant that whatever caused the colour change must’ve affected the entire plant. Maybe it was some kind of disease?
No, that doesn’t sound likely. I mean, people don’t usually die from diseases. And anyway, I doubt that poison is contagious.
What about magic? Could the same thing happen to plants if they were magically enchanted?
Suddenly, I had a horrible feeling that it might indeed be possible. What if someone cast a spell on the bushes, transforming them into deadly poisons? Perhaps that was what the old woman wanted. To kill all the people living nearby. After all, if she couldn’t get rid of us, she might as well use our own weapons against us!
My mind raced ahead. How many other plants might turn out to be dangerous? Was there any way to check whether or not they contained poison?
There wasn’t really anything I could do except wait until dark. Then I could go through the whole area and look for signs of magical enchantments. Of course, I’d need a light source to see them properly.
I tried to think of another option. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind. In the end, I decided to take a chance and head back to camp. Hopefully, I’d find some sort of lamp or torch somewhere. Otherwise, I’d be forced to return home empty-handed.
The sun was still high above the horizon when I arrived back at the cave. My friends were sitting around the fire again, eating their dinner. As usual, Fosyf was busy carving wooden figurines while Dorten was reading an ancient book.
“Hey, guys,” I said cheerily. “How did your day go?”
Dorten looked up from her book. She gave me a puzzled smile before asking:
“Didn’t you say that you didn’t want to talk to us anymore?”
Fosyf frowned. “Is this true, Worgon? You’re acting strangely.”
I shrugged. “Sorry, I got carried away with my thoughts. Anyway, how did everything else go today?”
They both told me about their adventures during the morning. Apparently, they’d found three more caves hidden behind rock formations. They also discovered several new paths leading deeper into the mountains. On the whole, they agreed that we should continue exploring tomorrow.
Afterward, I asked them to tell me about the plants I mentioned yesterday. Both of them insisted that none of the plants they’d encountered had shown any sign of poisoning. However, they admitted that they weren’t experts on botany. If anyone would know, it was probably Bekor. He seemed to have a good knowledge of nature.
As soon as everyone finished eating, I headed straight over to him. When he saw me coming, his face lit up. His cheeks flushed slightly. For a second, I wondered if maybe he liked me too. But then I reminded myself that I was only thirteen years old. Even though I was taller than most boys my age, I still felt awkward talking to older men. Especially ones who were so handsome.
Bekor smiled warmly. “Hello, Worgon. Did you enjoy your walk?”
“Yes, thank you!” I replied enthusiastically. “It was great! We found lots of interesting things. Like those berries that grow on bushes by the river. They taste delicious! But they’re poisonous, right?”
He nodded seriously. “Of course. Everyone knows that.”
I sighed in relief. At least I hadn’t poisoned anybody yet.
“And what about those flowers?” I continued. “Do you think they’ll be safe to eat?”
His expression darkened. “I’m afraid not. Those are extremely toxic. Just touching them can cause severe burns. Don’t even think about trying to pick them. Or you’ll regret it forever!”
I stared at him in shock. “Really? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. All parts of the flower contain toxins. So please stay away from them. Do you understand?”
I nodded eagerly. “Thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome.”
We chatted for a little longer, but eventually, Bekor had to leave. Before heading off, however, he took one last look at me. A small grin played across his lips. It made me feel uncomfortable.
Once he was gone, I turned to Dorten. “So, what does poison actually do? Does it just make you sick? Or is there something worse?”
She shook her head. “Poison kills. Simple as that. The effects vary depending on the type of plant. Some are fatal within minutes. Others may take hours. And still others don’t affect humans at all. Only animals.”
That sounded pretty bad. Poisoned food could kill people. But what about plants? Would they die after a few days? Weeks? Months? How long would it take for them to wither and dry up like the dead leaves we’d seen earlier?
Before I could ask any further questions, Fosyf interrupted. “Why do you care anyway?” she snapped angrily. “Don’t you trust us?”
“No, of course not,” I retorted defensively. “But I’ve never heard of any poisonous plants here. Have you?”
Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “What makes you think that?”
I hesitated. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up. After all, I couldn’t prove anything without evidence. Still, I wanted to learn more about these mysterious poisons. That’s why I kept pushing her.
“Well…” I began hesitantly. “If you really believe that nothing dangerous grows here, then you must know for certain. Right?”
She glared at me coldly. “Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”
My heart pounded furiously inside my chest. What should I say next? Should I admit that I knew about the poisonous plants already? No, that wasn’t going to work. She’d see through me immediately. Besides, admitting my guilt might get me in trouble with the other kids.
Instead, I decided to change tactics. “Then why haven’t you ever warned me about them before now?” I pressed. “I mean, you said that no one has died since you arrived. Which means that someone must have eaten some of the plants, right? Yet nobody seems to have gotten hurt.”
Dorten folded her arms firmly. “Maybe because we didn’t find out until later. There are many different types of poison. Some only affect specific species. Others target particular organs or systems. Some can be neutralized with magic. Others require an antidote. Most of the time, when somebody gets poisoned, we don’t figure it out until afterward.”
Fosyf frowned deeply. “How come? You guys always seem to notice everything else around here. Why not this?”
“Because the victims aren’t usually conscious during their ordeal,” Dorten explained calmly. “They pass out almost instantly. By the time they wake up, it’s too late.”
A chill ran down my spine. If that were true, then maybe I did poison someone. Was it possible that I accidentally killed someone while I was unconscious? Had I been responsible for killing the man who attacked me back in the forest?
The thought terrified me. I felt nauseous. My hands trembled uncontrollably.
As if reading my mind, Dorten placed a comforting hand on mine. Her touch calmed me slightly. But I still needed answers.
“Can you tell me exactly which kinds of plants are poisonous?” I asked quietly. “I want to be careful. Please, just give me a list of the worst offenders so I won’t go near them by accident.”
Fosyf rolled her eyes. “Are you serious? You’re asking me to name every single poisonous plant in the entire forest? That would take hours! We don’t have that kind of time!”
“It doesn’t matter how long it takes,” I insisted stubbornly. “Just tell me the names of the most common ones. Then I’ll memorize them. I promise I will avoid them at all costs.”
For several seconds, neither girl spoke. They simply stared at each other blankly. Finally, Dorten sighed heavily. “Fine. Here goes: datura, nightshade, belladonna, mandrake, rue, poppy, and aconite.”
I blinked rapidly. “Wait. Did you just say ‘aconite’?”
She nodded. “Yes. It’s deadly. Very fast-acting. Kills quickly.”
“Wow…that’s great. Thanks.” I smiled weakly. “You’ve probably saved my life.”
Fosyf snickered. “Yeah, right. Good luck avoiding those things. Not even I know where they grow.”
***
After our conversation, I spent the rest of the day studying the poisonous plants. I tried to remember what Dorten had told me, but I soon realized that I couldn’t possibly recall all of the details. So instead, I focused on remembering the general characteristics of each type.
Belladonna was a red flower that grew in clusters. Its berries looked similar to holly berries, except they were much larger and darker purple. The flowers were also toxic. When ingested, they caused severe swelling of the face. In large doses, they could cause death within minutes.
Nightshade was another red flower that bloomed from early summer to autumn. Like its cousin, belladonna, it produced small blueish-purple berries that resembled black cherries. However, unlike belladonna, there weren’t any leaves associated with the plant. Instead, it bore tiny yellow flowers. These blossoms were very attractive to bees.
Mandragora was a white, bulbous root vegetable that grew underground. It had a thick brown skin covered with warts. Inside the bulb, however, lay a soft, fleshy core filled with milky sap. This substance contained potent toxins that made people sick if consumed orally. Mandrakes often appeared as weeds in fields and gardens.
Rue was a bright green herbaceous perennial plant that grew wild throughout the forest. Although it resembled parsley, it possessed far more powerful medicinal properties. For example, it could cure headaches, relieve pain, prevent bleeding, and treat stomach ailments. Unfortunately, it also acted as a strong narcotic. Eating it caused euphoria followed by sleepiness. Too much consumption resulted in hallucinations, convulsions, and eventually death.
Poppy was a tall shrub that grew primarily along riverbanks. Its beautiful, pinkish-white blooms attracted pollinators like moths and butterflies. Poppy seeds were highly nutritious. They were used to make bread, pasta, and soups. Their high-fat content allowed them to remain fresh longer than other grains.
However, poppies were also extremely dangerous. Consuming even a few of these seeds could result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. Overdosing led to coma and respiratory failure.
Aconite was a flowering weed that grew alongside streams and rivers. It was one of the deadliest poisons known to man. A single leaf or stem could kill an adult human being. Even touching the plant could lead to paralysis.
Dorten returned to the cottage around dusk. She carried a basket full of freshly picked mushrooms.
“Here you go,” she said cheerfully. “I found some edible varieties today. There should be enough for everyone. And I brought extra supplies in case anyone gets hungry later.”
I thanked her gratefully. As we ate dinner together, Fosyf began complaining about the food again.
“This is terrible! Why did you bring us here anyway? What good does this do to learn how to survive in the woods when everything tastes like dirt?!”
The others laughed nervously. I didn’t. After all, I knew firsthand that Fosyf wasn’t joking. My mouth tasted awful after eating the mushroom soup.
We finished supper without further incident. Once we’d cleaned up, Dorten suggested that I return to my room while the girls went out hunting.
“Don’t worry,” she assured me. “They won’t leave your side. You can trust them completely.”
That sounded nice. But then why were they so nervous earlier?
As promised, Fosyf and Nana stayed close by as I walked back into the cabin. I took off my boots and crawled under the blanket on the bed. Before I closed my eyes, I turned over onto my stomach and clutched the pillow tightly against my chest.
“Goodnight,” I whispered quietly before drifting off to sleep.
When I woke up the next morning, I felt refreshed and energized. I sat up slowly and stretched. Then I got dressed and brushed my teeth.
Once I was ready, I headed downstairs. Everyone else was already awake. We gathered at the table for breakfast.
“How are you feeling?” asked Fosyf as she served herself a bowl of oatmeal.
“Great!” I replied enthusiastically. “Thanks again for last night.”
Nana chuckled. “It’s no problem, dear. Just remember not to eat anything unless someone tells you it’s safe first.”
Fosyf frowned. “You’re right. Sorry. I’m just worried because I don’t know what kind of poisonous plants grow in the forest.”
I smiled reassuringly. “There aren’t many. Most of the ones that exist are pretty easy to avoid. If you stay away from poison ivy, stinging nettles, and datura, you’ll be fine. Oh, and never pick any wildflowers or fruits that look strange. That includes mushrooms too.”
Everyone nodded their heads eagerly.
After breakfast, Dorten gave us our assignments for the day. First, she instructed me to gather firewood. The rest would split wood, collect water, and hunt for game.
She explained that I shouldn’t spend too long gathering fuel. Otherwise, I might miss something important while I was gone.
“If you see anything suspicious or unusual, let me know immediately,” she added.
I agreed to follow her instructions.
Then, she handed each of us a small bag containing various tools: a knife, a hatchet, a bow and arrow, and several arrows.
“Make sure to keep these hidden until you need them,” she warned. “And always carry a spare set of clothes with you. You may get wet or dirty during your tasks. Don’t forget to take care of yourself.”
With that, she left the cottage. When she was out of sight, Fosyf sighed loudly.
“What’s wrong now?” I asked curiously.
“Well…” she hesitated. “I just thought… well, I mean, I’ve been thinking since yesterday. About what happened between us.”
My heart skipped a beat. Did she want to talk about it? Was this where things ended?
But instead, she continued hesitantly. “Do you think maybe we should break up?”
I stared blankly at her. Hadn’t she just told me that there weren’t any bad feelings?
“Wait, what?! No way! I love you, Fosyf!”
Her expression softened slightly. “Oh. Well, thank goodness. Because if you hated me, I wouldn’t have wanted to continue dating you either.”
“No, wait!” I protested. “Why would you say that? Of course, I still like you!”
“Really?” she asked softly. “Because sometimes I feel like you only pretend to listen to me.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She had such an amazing personality—and yet she kept getting rejected time and again.
Was she really asking me whether she could date other people?
“Of course, I like you,” I insisted. “So much more than I ever expected. You’re smart, funny, beautiful, and so caring. How could I possibly hate you? Look at me! Do I seem like the type of person who hates women?”
She shook her head sadly.
“Look, Fosyf,” I said gently. “Let’s stop fighting. Let’s try being friends instead. Okay?”
She looked uncertain but finally nodded.
“Okay,” she agreed. “Friends.”
***
The next few days passed quickly. I spent most of my free time practicing archery. Fosyf was happy to help me improve my skills. Together, we practiced shooting targets across the clearing. In addition to improving my aim, I also learned how to use different types of bows and arrows.
On one particular afternoon, Fosyf taught me a new trick using a branch as a target. I’d seen similar tricks performed by hunters on TV shows, but I hadn’t realized they were possible without special equipment.
We used a thick stick to make a makeshift bow. Then, Fosyf showed me how to shoot an arrow into the center of the tree trunk. It took some practice, but after a short while, I managed to hit the mark every single time.
As I watched the shaft sink deep into the bark, I felt a rush of excitement. This was exactly why I loved hunting and fishing so much. There was nothing else quite like it.
“That looks great, Fosyf!” I exclaimed. “How did you learn all those cool tricks?”
“I read books,” she answered casually. “Some of them even teach you how to do magic spells.”
For a moment, I forgot and stared at her in shock. Magic? Really?
“Wow,” I whispered. “Is that true?”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
I opened my mouth to ask another question when suddenly, Dorten appeared behind us.
“You two look busy,” she observed. “Don’t worry about collecting wood today. I’ll handle it.”
Fosyf and I both jumped guiltily. We’d forgotten that she was watching us from the window.
Dorten smiled knowingly. “It seems like you’ve gotten pretty good at making bows and arrows, Fosyf. Why don’t you go outside and show the others? Maybe they can give you some tips.”
“Sure thing,” Fosyf replied happily. “Thanks for letting me borrow your axe earlier too. I’m going to be back soon.”
After giving me a quick kiss, she ran off toward the forest.
Once she was gone, I turned to face Dorten.
“Did you hear everything she said?” I asked quietly.
“Yes,” she confirmed.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I heard every word.”
“Thank you,” I said gratefully. “Please tell me if anyone asks about our relationship. I promise not to get mad or anything.”
“If someone does, I will explain the situation.”
“Good,” I muttered. “Now let’s go inside.”
We headed straight to the kitchen, where everyone was waiting anxiously.
“Hey, guys!” Fosyf called cheerfully. “Guess what? I learned how to shoot with a bow and arrow!”
Everyone cheered enthusiastically. The kids especially seemed excited, probably because Fosyf was their age. They immediately started peppering her with questions: What kind of bow did she use? Did she know any magic? Could she cast a spell right now?
But Fosyf just laughed and told them no. When she finished answering their barrage of questions, the children began playing together.
A couple minutes later, Fosyf returned carrying a large bundle of firewood. She dumped it onto the ground and then went over to join us.
“What are you doing here?” I asked curiously.
“Well, I thought maybe we could build a bonfire tonight,” she explained. “Since it’s been raining all day long, I figured there might not be many bugs out. And besides, it would be nice to have something warm to eat before bedtime.”
“Sounds perfect to me,” I added. “Why don’t you start setting up camp while I go collect some firewood?”
“No problem,” she agreed. “Just leave it to me.”
I left the cabin and walked down to the edge of the clearing. As usual, I found several logs lying around nearby. But this time, I noticed that the trees had already begun turning yellow. Autumn was definitely approaching fast. Soon, winter wouldn’t be far away.
I collected three big branches and carried them back to the cabin. Once I got home, I saw that Fosyf had set up a small tent near the fireplace. She was sitting cross-legged beside it, preparing to light the first fire of the evening.
“Here you go,” I said, handing her one of the sticks. “Do you need help lighting the fire?”
“Nah,” she responded. “I think I can manage.”
So I sat down next to her and waited patiently until she finally lit the fire. Afterward, we built a roaring blaze and enjoyed the warmth of its heat.
The End