It is said that all over the world, there were forests guarded by human-like beings called dryads. Over time, their lands dwindled from human conquest. Despite the odds, one managed to stay hidden... But they know time is running out. Even if humans don't find them, their impact threatens their hidden grove...

This is the story of their encounters with humans and their attempts to open up once again, a story told over decades, starting with a broken miner washing up along their riverbank in the 1880's and their daughter following them 20 years later...

This takes place in my original world of Behind the Veil. It is currently the earliest part of the story, depicting the formation of the magical community seen in the modern-day set stories!