I finally managed a few steps out of the Forest without wanting to curl up and whimper for a few hours at the end of my first spring there. It was still too difficult for me to go far, or stay a long time, but at least I could stand at the Gates and look out consistently. I could even enjoy the warmer weather and all the flowers a little, which was wonderful. The Forest isn't the most cheerful place to be, which upon reflection I think is part of why so many creatures choose to be reborn so soon, unless they can throw themselves into guardianship work.
Sayna soon introduced me to her husband Luke and her mother Windred, and the three of them were happy to have me join them as one of Martin's guardians. Since I still couldn't go far, I mostly had the job of lookout. I would stand at the Gates and use the magic Windred taught me to look into the future or faraway places, then communicate that information to one of the other three, who were on the ground helping Martin as best they could.
None of us needed to do much because he's strong-willed, intelligent, brave, and highly competent in his own right, not to mention accompanied by good friends. But every now and then we were able to help a bit: deflecting a spear throw, nudging tiredness into the limbs of the Kotir guard pursuers, or even (Sayna and Luke forbade me from doing this part) sending Martin and his companions a calm, comforting, quiet dream so that they would wake refreshed and ready for the next day's challenges. Sometimes it grated at me that I couldn't be out there helping them, but then I would spend five minutes outside of the Forest and nearly collapse.
Of course, they needed all paws on deck when he faced that cat. That's all I can bring myself to call her—that horrible, mangy-furred, snaggle-clawed…oooh, that cat who hurt and killed so many, who laid waste to so much, who…who…
I don't want to talk about her anymore. I still don't entirely approve of fighting, but words cannot describe how proud I am of Martin for standing up to her. Maybe now that Mossflower country is free from fear, they can turn their energies to building and to peace.