8

I took my time answering, trying not to pause too often and appear confident in my response. I briefly explained to them that living amongst the various beings was not always smooth, but that you learn to navigate through it. I told them that I’d gained some sense of safety in the forest, something I would have never expected to say upon arrival. I continued the conversation, reminding them that I wasn’t familiar with this area, and half-jokingly asked if there was anything I would need to be wary of here. They spoke of wolves up in the mountains, potential, mischievous fae that dwelled amongst them, and odd folk who mostly kept to themselves unless bothered. They casually brought up a dragon, who was believed to be fearsome but had never left his den. Some were sure he must be dead. These things they accepted. What these people found difficult to accept was the existence of witches, or one in particular.