[THE Ka]

Kafkalina had finally reached her own neck of the woods, and was now happily climbing the northern downs with grace and ease. Now almost through, she paused to hear the voices of orcs ripping through the air and that of forlourn humans, as if a fading echo. She knew the downs had many a trick within the fog that encircled it, but the voices were stronger the farther she went. Slowly creeping on the top of one down, amoungst some alder trees, she viewed two of her rather ill-favored creatures, a small band of orcs, and three humans they were keeping as prisoners.

She would have no trouble passing around them, but there was no other trees to give her cover between where she was crouching, and the forest behind the orcs and their human entertainment.

Oh rah toom! Why must I be given such things to deal with. I don't want to save these humans, who may be no better than those vile orcs. Both cut, and slash, and hack, and burn... I guess though, humans are easier to educate, and far less likely to attack me at first. Then again, I guess the same is for orcs, I doubt they have seen such a creature as I in their lives. Even so, ho hoomm, I must be careful and cautious, what can they use against me?

Scanning the encampment, she saw that the humans were not dressed for the forest, or much travel at all. They of course, did not seem to have any weapons on them, as the orcs all carried axes and such of their design. There was supplies to make a fire, but it would be a damp one at most, because of the fog all around. Kafkalina felt a sense of advantage, but was careful as to plan it. Walking softly and in the thicker parts of the fog, she started to approach closer to the camp with her pole in hand. Spying a loose stone nearby, she picked that up as well.

Sitting now behind a down not far from the camp of orcs and their prisoners, she listened intently for the opportune moment, as the sky began to slowly loose light as dusk approached the northern downs.

" These filthy humans don't have any good things on them! No weapons, only a knife or two. Stupid villagers no doubt, i'm tired of raiding these flesh bags!" hissed one orc in disappointment.

" Shut your trap! At least they had food and supplies on them, and a wicked trap they brought to themselves here! No ghost I can see on the downs, except maybe theirs tonight!" cuckled by what seemed to be the more thoughtful of the orc band.

" They say that evil spirits, and that of fallen men, haunt these hills, Wights they're called. They're able to move the hills, and trees to work for them, and they sometimes take victims under the earth with them..." wispered another orc, glancing at the bound humans.

" Your head's rotted with man nonesense! You're letting those tales the prisoners tell get to you. I don't want you on watch near them tonight, go out near the hill tonight, now!" barked their leader.

"... and if I see one of these filthy flesh bags say another word, I'll have their tongues for supper!" the orc leader said, while flashing a long knife in front of its human captives.

Kafkalina smiled as she watched the scolded orc slowly approach the down where she was, this one seemed even more encouragable than the rest, and more likely to inspire fear in everyone. There it stood, looking out into the misty dark gray horizon, trying to appear frightening, but it's head was darting left and right in excitement.

Ha ro tumm! Now the time comes!

With that Kafkalina approached slowly with a stalk out of the mists, making a low calling sound that seemed to match the mood of the earth and air. The orc, quite small in comparison, looked out in the mist to view what seemed like a humanesque shape, carrying large weapons, and it was calling out for something other than a greeting. Quickly restepping in it's spot, it looked over its shoulder a few times until it could stand it no more. Running back, he sounded his imagination in terror.

" There is something coming, there is something coming! Look to the hill, it is coming out of the hill! It is a Wight! Hurry!" He raspped in alarm.

" I have had it with you, you mindless head of rot! Let me silence your babbling for good, you're tongue is mine no-" the leader stopped in mid bark, to stare up at the 'wight' of the down.

Kafkalina was now growling with delight as she starred down at the pitiful creatures, and without a word, began to attack. The orcs of course, did not stay in their stupour for long, and ran for their axes, or anything else of use. Using her stone carfully, she swooped it in their direction as the stone implanted them into the hill. The few others that remained had started attempts at a fire, but only had a flame in the moist air. Throwing them at her, she was able to swat them away just in time, but a few orcs were trying to escape to the woods and under cover.

" Rah toom! No you don't vile, slithering creatures! This is what you shall recieve for burning wood!" Kafkalina bellowed at them.

Just as they were to make it to the first tree, She extended her arm as far as she could and swipped at them into the distance. Looking about carefully, she found that they had been taken care off, except for one which she accidently stepped upon.

" Argh, disgusting and vile! I should be more watchful next time."

Kafkalina was about to go, when she remembered the human captives. She found them a few leagues away, trying to inch away within their bounds. There was utter horror and astonishment in their eyes, but mostly shock.

" Yo.. You... Please! Don't kill us, whatever you are!" One, an older boy, cried in shock.

Kafkalina bent down further, and gave a light laugh to this and smiled.

" Ho humm, have no worry young human, I am not bent towards killing things or people. I had only to attack your captors, becuase they were ill-favored to me, and in my path and would most likey not let me pass."

" What are going to do with us now then?" Asked another.

" Humm, well, I take it you are definately not woodsfolk, and that your home is not the forest. Here is what I shall do, if your home is not far from the outskirts of the forest, I can carry you to the outside borders and you can take your leave, but... Only if you promise not to attack me or, struggle and not listen to what I will tell you. It is not often that I do not meet men bent on greed for trees and nature, and it rarely that I care to save them in general. I hope that what I tell you will help you understand why I do not care so much for your kind, and what you should know to avoid further trouble in these woods. There are not only orcs that can cause you ill will, young humans..." Kafkalina said with an air of warning, she still found it hard to trust the shaken humans before her.

" Ye... Yes. Yes, if you could leave us at the northern edge of the forest it would be a blessing. We won't struggle, the orcs took the few weapons we had, and we have nothing else upon us. What you have to tell, we would gladly like to hear, we really enjoy tales... ah, or words of wisdom. Sorry, I sometimes confuse the two quite often. I hope you don't mind asking, what are you exactly?"

Carefully packing her pole and other things back into her bag, she bent down and carefully picked the three men up. Walking through the forest she began to reply.

" I am of the ents, old we are, and not many left either. My home is to slightly south of here, in what you call the Old Forest, but I am on other business right now and heading west. Now, I believe I think it is time I instructed all three of you in why I dislike woodsmen..."

After a slightly lengthy passing through the wood, and an even longer talk, Kafkalina left the three men at the forests' border. They told her farewell, and best of luck to whatever she was attending to. For humans, Kafkalina found them quite... odd. Not once through her speech did they fall asleep, or interrupt, they only looked up and seemed all ears to her words as if she was dripping gold from them.

Ho hummm... Seemed more like elves than simple human townspeople...

She continued her journey west, and the humans soon left her concern. The humans though, did not easily forget her, and reported back many times what they saw and heard, each time the tale grew larger, and so did the ent. Unfortunately, what did not grow longer was the humans' trust by others, and any bit of sanity they claimed to have.