To Survive

As he spoke, Midnight watched Nalars face go through a range of emotions as she struggled with what to tell him. Finally she gave a sigh and a shrug

"I would think that would be obvious. I want to survive?"

"Survive?" He racked his brain. Dryads lived through anything so long as their tree stood. Even if the form in front of him was destroyed, it wouldnt do any long term harm. So how...wait. As he examined the tree, he began to understand. Now that he was close, he could see that the tree wasnt some black creepy tree. It looked to have been an exceptionally sturdy tree that was rotting and decaying.

"I see. Your tree is dying." Nalar nodded.

"Generations of my kind have lived and died to protect the forest. Of my hundreds of sisters, I am the last and im not willing to give up."

"But why the ranger? What did you think she could do?"

She looks at the ground and kicks at a pebble. Oh my God, is she embarassed? That is adorable.

"We...well you see, i need a power source to breathe new life into the tree. A human being could be that power source, but they need to be either extremely powerful, or... a virgin."

What. "A virgin." He definitely didnt state it as a question, but he was pretty sure the message came across.

"Well you see, we dryads can absorb power through other human beings and feed off their bodily fluids. If they are a virgin, those fluids will be even more potent. Unfortunately, this deep into the woods, we dont get alot of people, and definitely not virgins and the level of power needed would have to greatly exceed my own."

Midnight couldnt really describe it. In his shadow form, he didnt have his customary senses. There was no need for him to really eat, or sleep or even breathe. But the thrill of exhileration that ran through him was unmistakable and without even thinking about it, he began to laugh. A joyous laugh that sounded like dozens of blades being dragged across stone.

Nalar froze and her face took on a cold imperious look. "Tell me shadow, what is it about the threat to my life that you find so funny?"

Continuing to laugh for another 15 seconds or so, Midnight reveled in the moment. It was like all the terrible luck of his past life was about to be offset by the good luck of this one. As he calmed down, he raised a tendriled hand to Nalar and spoke.

"What if i told you that you were the very answer to the problem I have? I think its time for me to level with you."

With a thought, he activated humanity and within a few seconds, he once again felt his surroundings in a human body. As Nalar stared, he sat crosslegged and motioned for her to sit as well. "Let me start from the beginning.

It took about an hour to tell his story and answer Nalar's interruptions. As he concluded, he could tell that they had both arrived at the same solution. But he knew there was more to be gained here.

Sensing the dryads excitement, he held up a hand. "Now hold on. Its true that you are the answer to the problem i have and i can solve your problem as well, but I'd like a little something extra for my trouble."

He could see it. She was immediately cautious of what he would ask for, conflicted, but also they both knew she was in no position to refuse her only chance to save her life.

She nodded. "I am willing to work out something provided you understand that we dryads have our pride. I'd rather die if the price is too high. What do you want?"

"Well for starters, I would like one of your spiders to travel with me. I saw how the one captured its prey and that is certainly a skill that would be useful."

Nalar nodded. "That is doable. Drath is perhaps our best hunter, but I wont part with him. I'll give you Nagi, the foremost of the hatchlings. Given her strong bloodline, she will be a great asset."

Midnight nodded and thought. How far should he push his negotiations?