Nilius

The Hermit

History

The Hermit

He is a worthless mad man! He is shunned by society and has been since he was born. His parents took care of him, however, he is known to speak with animals.

I hear he dabbles with Witchcraft!

The man is evil, I heard he also does not see anyone. Kinda suspicious if you ask me.

Well what do you expect? The man is crazy! No one even wants to visit him.

Well, at least he cannot hurt anyone in that shack he calls a home...

They never really knew. If I didn't leave town when I was thirteen they would have hung me. I saw it in my reflection in the water. I am not crazy, but not ruining that image will let them leave my existance unquestioned.
I heard something strange the other day.

What?

I heard that a group of people had decided to kill that damn hermit. When they entered the forest, they kept getting lost.

Isn't there a trail that leads right to him?

Yes, so we thought, there's some twisted magic at play here.

Better stay away from the forest. Tell the children to stay indoors at night. We don't want them used in some inhumane experiment.

They speak to me. Whisper to me. I can hear them talking about me and my ability to hear them. One must listen carefully, as they do not speak fast. They speak with a patience that only comes with centuries of living. They decided to protect me, call me one of them and part of their family. They are my fathers and I am their son.

I heard a rumor going around.

What is it this time? Village idiot say something smart again?

Haha! Seriously though, it's that hermit again. I heard he was seen in the village.

What?!

He was leaving Joseph's house.

Joseph? He's been sick for months! We should have known he was the one to cause it.

I don't know. Joseph is actually getting better rapidly.

So? That damn hermit probably didn't want people snooping around him when they found him dead.

Think! We never assumed it was him in the first place. Why would he reveal himself if he was truly at fault?

Hmm...

A man came to me a few days ago. My fathers let him pass because he was not going to hurt anyone. He asked me if I could help him. He said that if my magic could cure him, he would not care what forces they provoke. I smiled and agreed. While he waited for me at his home for nightfall, I meditated with my fathers. They told me what needed to be done, and I performed the cure with all it's simplicity. I hear the man is getting better. My fathers say he would have died if I did not help him. I was glad I could.

Did you notice it too?

Yes, I have. The forest seems more alive these days.

Not just the forest, but the gardens as well. It's like the soil itself is happy.

I wonder what's causing it.

I hear Joseph was labeled crazy because he went around telling people that the hermit is causing these changes.

That poor man. He seems to have been brainwashed by that evil.

I agree, I wish there was something we could do to help him.

Well, it seems that The Hermit has magic that not even our priests know about. They say that Joseph is beyond cure, nothing has worked.

I truly hope they don't decide to execute him. He was such a good contribution to society.

My Fathers have been upset with the villagers for years. I could not stand by idly as they poisoned the soil and killed their crops. I begged my fathers to give them a year, just so they had adequate food and water. They asked me if I would accept death as a result. I said yes, since one life does not account for the many others. My fathers accepted the answer, and now the villagers are enjoying the fruits of the land. My death was not physical, but emotional. I watched as they pillaged the land's bounty and refused to thank my fathers for their good harvest. I was crushed at the selfishness of those people. However, it is not my place to punish them. I will never deem them worthy of death. That would be arrogant.

Poor Joseph...

I heard, the poor man was executed for 'Disturbing the Peace'.

I heard that he was executed at the new year. It was supposed to be a warning.

Didn't you notice that the crops also started to go bad? It's a strange coincidence to me.

I agree, I can't help but wonder if he was right about The Hermit.

That's dangerous talk, they hung one man for that. You could be next.

I understand. Let's just tell the children to leave him alone. Evil or Good something isn't right about this. I would rather not provoke him.

I'll get on that.

The people murdered the man I saved. I could do nothing about it. My Fathers said that his spirit returned to Gaia. The Earth Mother shall take care of his spirit. I mourned the man's death, however, it was brief. I feel I had given him a second chance at life, and I am glad he used it the way he wished. Now I spend my days learning from my Fathers and gaining the Earth Mother's graces. I have given up on trying to change the lives of man. I tried to help them and change them, however, all I can do is sit in my home, learning, and wait for the next man to come asking for help. I do not turn people away, good or evil, for such things are relative. My Fathers tell me that Balance and Neutrality is what keeps the world from falling on it's side. If I help only good or evil, the balance is ruined and I am to be exiled from my Fathers' grove. I have taken their teachings to heart. I am not a God, so I may not judge them as anything more then a person in need.