The dryad : $b a novel

A roguish mercenary named Simon wanders the ancient Wonder‑Wood, his tattered gear and swagger barely hiding a gnawing hunger. The forest is a living tapestry of forgotten Greek myths, where the rustle of leaves seems to echo the whispers of old gods and heroic legends. As he trudges toward the city of Theseus, his careless bravado meets the quiet curiosity of a young knight who reads poetry beneath a shaded oak.

The woods soon reveal a presence far more enigmatic than any mortal: a dryad whose very breath makes the trees glow and whose secrets bind the past to the present. Simon’s reckless quest for food and favor draws him into a subtle contest of wits, riddles, and ancient rites that test his courage and his disdain for poetry. Listeners will find a tale that blends swashbuckling adventure with the haunting allure of mythic nature, promising both humor and a deeper, lingering mystery.