I've lived a lot of life in my forty years. I've lived in a lot of cities and towns. I've dated, broken up, been broken up with, and skipped town when things got sour. My name is Silas. This is a story from when I was a younger man. It starts with a surprise meeting with a Daphnaie named Carol. Don't worry. I didn't know what that was when I met her either. I was working my usual spring job cleaning out dry underbrush and removing trees that were sick. Like anyone who has spent considerable time in the woods, I've seen things. Elves, fairies, pixies, werewolves, and other beings too. Things I couldn't explain or name. When I came upon Carol's grove, I didn't notice her for a solid minute. She sat on a little raised bit of earth covered in moss just in front of a laurel. I couldn't believe what she wanted from me but I couldn't say no either!