To Save a Forest (Private, Minerva)

[Brine]

Brightening 1, Cycle 1, in the Month of Kalendryas, in the Season of Winter, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum

Winter had come, and begun, and at the edges of the forest, Brine worked diligently as usual. The cool breeze blew through his green leaves, and he looked up. It was time, time for him and Sorn to make their way to the shadow elve's homeland in Ethgan'tor. Finishing planting a final seed, and taking care of it, he slowly lifted himself up, and stood tall, uprooting the roots of his feet. Turning himself towards the area where Sorn was, he stepped forwards, and took his lumbering body to meet with his friend.

Sorn looked up as well, having felt the cool brisk wind rustle his own leaves, knew what time it was. "Is it that time already?" he asked, letting his youthful eyes look at Brine. "Yes, it is time for us to depart for Ethgan'tor..." he said, not using his usual telepathy, for he was unafraid of anyone overhearing them. Sorn nodded, and then turned his own self towards the direction they would be heading. Stepping forwards, Brine joined Sorn's side, and they made their way deeper into the Forest of Light, to where Ethgan'tor was located.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Ethgan'tor, Brine stopped, hesitant on continuing, for a slight fear of what might happen when they approached the city. Sorn looked towards him, and then said in their telepathic speech, What are you waiting for Brine? Shouldn't we be going? Brine turned his bark skinned head towards Sorn, and then said, Yes, we should... And with that, he continued to lead the two of them towards Ethgan'tor...

[Minerva]

Finding Eth’gantor was not as simple as looking at a map, picking a path, and walking filled with pride through its gate. Through some manner of deception or magic, or both, the shadow elf city was incredibly difficult to simple stumble upon out of chance, even if one knew where they were going, and even if one knew the general area within which to look.

Brine seemingly knew where he was going, and one look at their shifting surroundings would not work to prove him wrong. Even in this magical season of winter, where the lands were painted white and trees became sculptures of delicate ice, there was something inherently wrong.

The forest appeared wilder than it should have done, branches as barbs raised and bared as they pointed their way along an overgrown path. The lands here did not appear well-tended to or natural at all. In fact, they betrayed a particularly base instinct, instead. The plants and trees here had grown and twisted into almost bestial space, and the further Brine and Sorn walked, the worse it constantly appeared to get.

There was no tranquility here; only the constant shifting of darkness, and the ferocity of those creatures trapped within. Growls and snarls were not signs of a forest at peace, but of one that felt threatened, and was ready to strike.

“What are they doing, these young ones? Trying to find the elves? Trying to save the forest?” A voice came, suddenly, from somewhere within the spaces between dark, ominous trees. “Perhaps the forest doesn’t need to be saved. Perhaps it is the other way. Did the trees with legs think of that at all, blinded by servitude as they are?”

From out of barren branches, a ball of light hurtled towards them, bright amidst the relative darkness and disparity of this place.

“No. Don’t think so.” It spoke, with the timbre of tone betraying amusement, or a laugh. Idly it settled upon the branches of Sorn’s head, looking to the other treant with a smirk. A faery of some kind, no doubt, and up to its usual tricks.

“Lost, are they?” The laughter was lyrical, and yet so very grating, vexing, as well.

[Brine]

As Brine and Sorn trekked through the forest, and noticed their surroundings, it gave way to something that seemed a bit... sinister. What is happening to the forest? asked Sorn. Brine looked around as they stopped, and his bark creaked as he turned his head to look towards Sorn. I do not know... it never seemed like this before... he replied, using the telepathy that they so commonly used to speak to one another. It was then that they heard the voice. Quite strange it was, especially the way it was speaking.

Who do you suppose that is? asked Sorn, but got his answer fairly quick when the ball of light fluttered out of no where and landed upon his head. Brine looked at it, and saw it was a faery. It's a faery, we best be careful... he replied. "Perhaps we are a bit lost... and why would the forest not need to be saved? It's our duty, and the duty of all creatures of light living in the forest to protect it... Why should we think anything different?" he asked the faery, curious to see how it would respond or react...

[Minerva]

“The little tree should look around, look at the forest, so feral and wild. Does it really think that the forest is defending itself?” Came the voice in reply, a query, so innocently spoken, and yet so very, very bold. “The little tree has never seen its home this way before, has it? Never seen the Forest of Light in darkness, the truth of what it is.”

There was something about the faery’s words, casually spoken and cool as they were, that really struck a chord deep within one’s soul. The carefree nature of what was being said, intermingled with the intense graveness of it all…It was all very ominous, almost frightening, though the real question was, was it true?

“This one could show the little tree the way, but it wonders…what does the little tree hope to achieve in the shadow city?”

A small smile played on the demure creature’s face; it knew more than it was letting on, that much at least seemed so.

[Brine]

Brine watched the faery speak, and sat there rooted in the ground next to Sorn. It was quite strange, and he felt chills creeping through his bark as the faery spoke of the Forest of Light in darkness, his home in darkness. Don't listen to his words Brine, spoke Sorn into his mind. Brine was unable to pull himself from listening though. Watching the faery, and sitting there silently for a few moments after the tiny creature had finished speaking, the treant said, "Perhaps you can find out our business if you take us to the city of the Shadow Elves... I'd prefer it be that way, since you're kind are known to play tricks upon creatures... whether or not they be of our race or another." A creaking could be heard from Sorn as he turned his head towards Brine, and then sat back in silence, awaiting the same fate as Brine, what the faery would respond with...

[Minerva]

The faery atop Sorn’s crown tutted, as though the treant were a lesser who did not comprehend what it was he truly spoke. He was disappointed, it seemed, though he did smile, albeit only politely. Which was somewhat strange, perhaps, when coming from one of his breed. He leaned forwards, one tiny hand on either side of a part of young Sorn’s head, and chided the pair- though mostly Brine- in what were the next of his words.

“This one speaks to the little tree, but the little tree does not listen…No, no it does not.”

It paused, then, allowing Brine to take that wonderful piece of critical analysis in, before continuing on, extravagant flourishes of its hands being made as though they could add to the severity of this time.

“What we are known for and what we do are different things, little tree. Look around at all this…this Forest of Light. More battlefield than haven, if this one is asked. It could take the little tree to the city, however…” Its smile widened, teeth like tiny daggers showing impishly in the light.

“The little trees are close, but not as close as they might think. This is not the way, not the right path for them to tread.” Such a statement was cryptic, perhaps, saying that Brine and Sorn were close to Eth’gantor, and yet at the same time, that they weren’t. There was only one path to the shadow elf city, however, only but the one way in. Esh’lahier knew the way, and some of the fae-folk did, as well. This one in particular boasted knowledge, though whether or not it would tell them true was a matter all its own…

“This one shall show the little trees if they, in return, tell it what they plan to do. No service without a price, and this price it shall be…”

[Brine]

Bark creaking, and head turning, Brine narrowed his eyes towards the fae that sat upon Sorn's crown of leaves. [i]How are we not listening?[/b] asked Sorn, quite confused, and not entirely sure as to what to do in this instance. Brine remained silent, and continued to listen to what the fae was speaking. It was strange how they were so close, but yet so far away as the Fae spoke. Brine had never encountered something like this, so he was quite confused by the fae's words. Sad to say though, he'd have to trust the little creature if they wanted any chance of getting to Ethgan'tor.

"Very well, we are going to the city of the Shadow Elves to seek their help in stopping the tradgedy from happening to the forest, although, it seems it is already happening... Can you shed any light as to why this is happening to the forest? I've never seen it like this..." he asked. Sorn let out a whistling gasp as to what Brine said. We should not be giving him information like this! he spoke into Brine's mind. Brine replied with, We need his help to get to Ethgan'tor, and it seems that we are having difficulties in getting there, so this is the only logical way of doing it... Sorn sighed a bit, but in the end agreed with Brine, knowing that he was fairly intelligent, and also being older was a bit wiser than him...

[Minerva]

The fae did not hear the inner discussion betwixt trees, although given his slightly off-handed disposition, it was unlikely that he would have cared either way. He simply remained atop Sorn’s crown, rocking back and forth in what was a highly rhythmic motion whilst humming a cheery little song. The affairs of the forest- regardless of the fact that he happened to be living within it- seemed to matter little to the fae, though he appeared content enough in leading them to the shadow elf city now.

“Why? It sees the elf city as a threat, it does, and wants to protect itself, so it strikes. Always it has seen Eth’gantor this way, the difference now that the wards are weakened.”

The faery would not explain itself any further unless asked, and his words as they were seemed fairly cryptic. Little different to what Elder Trach had already said, however, though unfortunately little more, as well.

“There will be a war, little trees, elves and forest. And then, who knows what will happen in this place?”

The fae fell silent after that, besides shouting out one direction or the next as he led them on the paths they were to follow. Eventually, they came to a place outside of the Forest of Light, bordered by pillars of stone. There seemed to be a purpose to the design, although whatever that purpose was remained unknown. They seemed…ominous, in a way, the way they simply stood there, in silence, watching the threesome as they moved.

The little fae atop Sorn’s head, however, was soon to break that silence, rolling over onto its belly as it mused a little query out loud.

“So, friend trees, what are the names I can sing?”

Apparently, it was in particular asking for theirs.

[Brine]

Why on earth would it see the elf city as a threat? asked Sorn, not understanding what the fae meant by it. I am unsure Sorn, all of this is very strange to me as well, replied Brine, whom then turned his creaking bark head towards the fae as they walked, and said, "You may call me Brine, and him Sorn... Why would the forest see the city of the shadow elves as a threat? This is quite strange, if anything they should welcome us with open arms, and help us out, not the opposite..."

It was then he remembered what Elder Trach said, that the city might not be as inviting as they hoped for, but it might only be their last chance at saving the forest from whatever catastrophe awaits them. He also remembered his unbinding dream, and knew that the forest did look exactly like this when it was under attack. But he didn't know what everything meant, and hopefully this little fae might be able to shed some light upon it...

[Minerva]

“Little trees don’t know the elves very well, do they?” The pixie replied, evidently still delighting in their confusion, for all it was worth. The stone columns were passed, either side, without cause, for all that they appeared somewhat creepy, in guise. Silent, and still, their purpose was unknown, and near impossible to decide…Would the totems strike them down? Would they crumble and reveal hideous demons lurking within? Or would they simply continue to be, content in their modest existence of life?

Either way, the treants and faery managed to pass through them unhindered, following along the path which now strangely lead back into the woods. Almost beneath his breath, the pixie started to chant; a terrifying little thing, whispered over and over and over again, until he himself could not take any more.

“They’ll find out when they arrive, oh yes they shall, they shall…” He grinned, before bursting into laughter, rolling around amidst the bark and leaves which crowned the young Sorn’s skull.

“These elves aren’t the happy elves, prancing around, playing in the woods. Dark elves in fairer skin is what they are, little trees.”

If Brine and Sorn required anything in the way of ideas for why their Forest attacked, then this, perhaps, happened to be it.

[Brine]

Brine watched as they made their way through the woods, and didn't quite understand what the faery was saying. This was all new territory for him. Curious as to what exactly was going to happen, he turned towards Sorn, and then asked, Why exactly would the elves be harmful to the forest, we help to protect them, and them us... Sorn continued to walk with his head forwards, and said, I don't know Brine, this is all too strange for me as well. Perhaps instead of finishing the trip to the elvish village, we should head back to Elder Trach, and report what we've found out thus far to him...

Brine nodded, and then turned towards the Fae. "We are not going to finish this journey to the city of Ethgan'tor, instead we are going to head back and talk to one of our elders about what you've told us. We need to decide whether or not you are lying, and if you are not, then what to do about it if you've told us to truth..." said Brine, and then uprooted a foot to turn himself the other way, and head back towards the area they had come from, back towards the stone statues.

[Minerva]

The pixie simply laughed even more as the young treants decided to turn back. Heroism was perhaps not well manufactured amongst their kind, though the choice was amusing, to say the very least. Nodding and smiling, and for all appearances eager to please, the little winged man then settled down, amidst snickers, enjoying their prolonged journey back home. He made no move to escape, or to trick, to turn them away from the path they so happily followed. No, he would remain in their company for some time, entertained as he was by the perplexity of them all.

When they had passed the stone columns, and the path that the faery had previously led them to tread, the way would be easy for the young treants to find, and from there to discover the Elder, in turn. In fact, the old treant remained in the exact same spot they had left him, rooted deep into the soil as he rested weathered bark, though his eyes slithered open as the younger ones approached.

“Brine, Sorn, you have returned already? What happened? And who is this with you?” He queried, one question after the next, and each becoming more and more curious, confounded, in turn.

[Brine]

As the treant returned, and found Elder Trach, Brine knew he'd be bombarded with questions. "This fae found us as we were trying to make our way to Ethgan'tor. He began to explain that the forest is preparing to defend itself against the city of the shadow elves. Which in turn means it feels the shadow elves are the threat, i believe... although i was always under the impression that we were protecting them, not harming them... Was I wrong?" he asked briefly, then turned towards the little Fae that still sat upon Sorn's head.

"Tell our Elder what all you have told use, he might understand it better than we have..." instructed Brine, hoping that the little fae would be willing to go through with it, and tell their Elder about everything it had previously told the two treants whom had originally began to make their journey to Ethgan'tor, but now had returned...

[Minerva]

The faery did as was told, strangely enough, with no snide words or laughter to accompany his tale. Elder Trach, in turn, listened well, though the expression on his face was sombre as he heeded all that was to be told. Bark and moss eyebrows drooped, the treant’s face darkening as the pixie concluded all, and then the Elder turned, slowly, to face his two young wards. There was no smile, even though the everlasting calm yet remained, and no undertone of joy when he spoke. The treant was being grave, the matter at present one of enormous import. There was no room for idle pleasantries, not when the forest, and a city were at stake.

“We do not protect the esh’lahier, young one. Not consciously, at least…” The Elder started, low voice trailing off towards the end. He did not explain himself, not immediately, but instead presented the young ones with a query all his own. Elder Trach wanted Sorn and Brine to think, and subsequently to better understand; giving them all the answers right off the proverbial bat would detract from that, if only by a tad.

“Have you ever wondered why the shadow elves are even here, young Brine? Here, of all places, when they don’t even consider this Empire as their own?”

It was true that Ethgan’tor was not a part of the Empire itself, instead keeping to themselves and viewing the outside world as fools and slaves. Whether Brine and Sorn were aware of this, however, was another matter entirely.

[Brine]

Brine listened to the fae's story once more, and then looked towards Elder Trach as he posed the question to him. "I honestly never really knew too much about the shadow elves. Having only heard about their city within our forest, but other than that, nothing really. My sap-parents told me that we protect all live in the forest, including theirs, but that was their perspective... I don't know why they are here, or how they came to be here, seeing as how this is not their natural home..." said Brine, a bit embarrassed that he really didn't know much about the Esh'lahier...