I need it now. But I can’t. I can’t. No, no, no. It almost killed me last time.
Maybe I’m stronger now? Maybe I can handle it this time? Maybe? No, no, no.
But if not now, when? Why own the silver tree if only to dust it, clean it, look at it. Why have all that power if just to look at it on a shelf?
It was given to me! It’s mine!
Of all the enforcers in the land it was given to me. The Silver Tree is mine. 40 ago this year it was presented to me in the ceremony. They stood there in the field and gave it to me. They wanted me to have it. I am the Enforcer of the Silver Tree.
And what good did that do? I have yet to wield it. I have yet to master it.
There is sits taunting me. It’s not really silver. It’s not metal at all. It’s a plant, a tree. You would have to get pretty close to it to see that. I’ve been close to it. I stare at it every night. How do I hold it? How do I wield it?
That was before the darkening. That was before they came. I didn’t need to hold it, then. I didn’t need to wield it.
Now I do. Damn it. NOW I DO.
What if I die? What if I pick it up and it kills me this time. It tried last time. I cupped the tree in my hand and it’s roots pierced my hands. The raced to my heart. They raced through my veins. I could feel it stealing the life from me. I panicked and threw it to the floor.
Who cares. Who cares. WHO CARES.
If I can stop them we will all die. I am the Enforcer of the Silver Tree. I am a hero. I am here to save them. But I am nothing. They chose a coward. I’m going to die. We are all going to die.
I am the Enforcer of the Silver Tree.
I AM THE ENFORCER OF THE SILVER TREE.