“There is no need to be frightened,” he soothed, layering his tone with relaxants as to ease your nerves. While his efforts were praised, they did nothing to stem the steady rise of terror within you. But again, we appreciate the thought.

Up until today, you lived alone upon a vast isle, your only companions being various woodland creatures, whom were not well versed in holding pleasant conversation, but you appreciated the company, nonetheless.

You had grown comfortable, sated in your misery. Enough so that you forgot what it meant to long for voices other than the joyful chatter of avians amongst themselves, or the growling quips of foxes and felidae. You forgot what it meant to dream of something more, beyond this isle.

Thus, when several ships showed up near the coastline early in the morning, you were dumbfounded. Even more so when you saw what these ships produced, a sight that scared away much of the wildlife you had grown close to over the years.

These ships were filled with men, soldiers, so to speak. Only a few departed from their vessels, scouting the earth in the hopes to find food (which they would have no trouble discovering) breaking off into small, but secure groups.

You had hoped that these travelers would perhaps pass in a few days time after they had taken what they needed, but that was not the case. They rested for approximately a week on this island, restocking and giving their soldiers a chance to rest and regain their wits. But even then, it did not explain how one had managed to find you! Had you not hid yourself away? Were you not discreet?

“I won’t hurt you, nor will my troops.. You needn’t be so alarmed.” His voice dipped into a quiet whisper, a tantalizing edge to his tone, raising both hands in mock surrender — displaying his scarred palms. “I am only a man, little one.”