Desiderium

Desiderium
(n.) a feeling of loss or grief for something lost

“It’s all gone, Dionychus,” said Kinoko to his dragling.

The Mardye had lived in this part of the forest for twenty generations. When Kinoko’s grandfather was a boy, the round eyes came. After that, the forest spirit Mahoya cried out in pain.

“The outsider’s greed has blinded them,” Kinoko said. “We survive on one tabogga fruit. They take six and let four rot.”

Mardye had tried to teach the round eyes, show them they could prosper without their greed.

They pushed back, saying, “Joka, our god, granted this land to us, and we will do as he wishes.”

The water flows poisoned, and the land withers, leaving nothing for both peoples.

“I only hope we are alive when they leave. Then we can call the ancient ones to bring life back to the land and its children,” said Kinoko.

The winter was harsh, and many Mardye passed away to join the ancient ones. In the Spring, Kinoko searched the round eye’s land to find the living. None remained.

The Mardye who remained offered thanks to Mahoya and then burned the villages of the outsiders. “May their ashes renew the forest and bring back the abundance they stole from us,” said Kinoko.

The autumn harvest was plentiful, bringing peace and harmony back to the forest.

“Next time, we will not be so kind. We’ll send the booga flea to carry its death to their villages. Enriching the land with their corpses,” said Kinoko with a wry smile.

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