Challenge #04500-L116: One Favour

(I wish to add to this lovely tale, if I may)
When asked what she would like in return for saving Wraithvine, and Bibrid she said she needed nothing. She was just glad she saved them, that was good enough. They, at least partially, refuse that idea. For her kindness, they help her find a good job where she can do what she loves best. Helping others.

-- Anon Guest

It was like a dream, some silly fantasy. She'd daydreamed about meeting the legendary Wraithvine. When she was seven. In those imaginings, she was a secret princess, a fate-touched hero, or some legend reborn in a time of need.

Lilly had never expected to meet hir after she turned twenty. Twenty held a lot more responsibilities. A lot more of her time eaten away by what needed to be done.

This cozy little cottage was straight out of a picture book. The hearth, the riotous garden of herbs. The equally immortal cat currently stretched out in a sunbeam. The stonework of the walls arrayed in patterns of shape and colour that only an Elf could build, including the colours put into the mortar.

...the way that it was permanently cusp-day between Spring and Summer, peak of the growing season and commencement of First Harvest. The most pleasant and prosperous time of the year.

This had to be the tower of a Wizard who held hirself equal to the whole of the world.

"I won't say that you saved our lives," said Wraitvine. "That matter is still a matter of debate that we refuse to test. Nevertheless, you rescued us from peril."

"I had to," said Lilly. "Nobody would leave people out in weather like that."

Bibrid said, "We met plenty of people who would. They learned to regret such choices. The point remains that you risked your life for us, and you only have a limited life."

"We owe you a favour," said Wraithvine. "You know we both possess great power. If you have a goal you previously thought unattainable, if you have a problem you previously thought unsolvable... just ask. We may be able to help."

Lilly had only had one impossible dream. One that had just come true in the most unlikely circumstances.

Then she thought about the storm, and the flood, and all those who were still unlucky to be caught in the maelstrom and its results. She thought of her lifetime already spent on doing what needed to be done for those unable to do it. "I'd like to help the people who need help after that flood. There has to be a lot of damage. There has to be a lot of death. There has to be a lot of rebuilding and recovery that needs to be done." A lot of hungry bellies. A lot of people without homes.

Approval gleamed in Wraithvine's eyes. "Then let's see what can be done."

[Photo by

on ]

If you like my stories, please

. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my to see what else I'm up to.

[20 remaining prompts!]

Support me on Patreon / Buy me a Ko-fi