Lake's mind was clouded with a sense of dread and an overwhelming feeling of being trapped. He picked at his food alone with his thoughts. His attention was soon focused on his lack of pain and the large bandage encircling his torso under his shirt.
Removing his shirt, he examined the blood soaking the tightly wound cloth. Using his belt knife, he quickly cut through the bloodied white linen not knowing what he might find. His fingers traced the jagged scar which now ran from his shoulder to the middle of his chest. Shock and worry were vanquished with finality, this is a dream, and there is no other explanation!
Frantic to understand, to remember, to go home he began searching the strange room. He found some clothing in the room where he awoke. The clothing was strange and unfamiliar, but he needed clean clothing. Deciding finally to dawn the long shirt made of a coarse brown fabric. He found his worn leather boots and his belt and sheath. Putting on the boots he pulled at the shirt which was long enough to be a short dress. Deciding there was no way to hem the shirt quickly he fastened the hunting knife over the shirt.
He also found a cloth satchel and a water skin in a chest against the wall. It didn’t take long to fill the water bag and pack the satchel full of food from the kitchen area. After packing the bag he thought better of it and replaced enough food to stuff in a small thin blanket that he found. He sighed after none of his efforts found his backpack. His frustration built as time failed to find an exit and he began banging on the surfaces in frustration.
When his anger provoked him to break a branch in passing, he found the branches growing to surround him. Every effort to escape was rewarded with further restriction and his struggling soon threatened to cut off his breath. Breath rasping, he found himself in the field by his home. His father stood there faceing him expression impassive.
His father's words were lecturing with a hint of sadness, " Anger makes you feel strong but in reality, anger makes you take stupid risks, and therefore makes you weak."
Back in the strange room and reminded of his father's wise words he took calming breaths, each inhalation helped to clear his mind and relax his body. When he looked down the branches were loosening. Free but fatigued, he looked around for a place to rest. Unsure of the furniture of dubious build he scrutinized the nearby chair of branches. He sighed, there was no avoiding branches in a dwelling made of trees. He slumped into the chair to wait for Geo’s return.
Suddenly, Geo appeared in a flash of light. Startled Lake jumped to his feet before backing away. He tumbled to the floor as he tripped over the chair, he had been sitting in. Geo offered a helping hand, and Lake grudgingly accepted.
"I was just as shocked as you," Geo explained. "These doorways take some getting used to. Just place your medallion on the indentation there in the dragon's eye, and you'll be outside in an iflash." Geo chuckled softly at his own dad style joke.
Lake shook his head not finding anything funny. “I’m going for a walk to stretch and think.” and placed his medallion on the dragon's eye before Geo could reply, transporting himself outside in a blink.
As his eyes adjusted to the unfamiliar surroundings, he looked around with awe and a little trepidation. Nothing looked familiar, not the colors, the plants, the trees or the sky. He was an unknown distance and direction from his home and navigating the woods would be treacherous. His shoulders slumped because his father had tried to teach him how to navigate by the stars. He had found the lesson difficult. So many stars and constellations to remember. He had cheated using trees and plants to navigate the woods by his home. He couldn't help but curse himself now as he set off into the woods, eager to uncover a way home and trying to remember everything his father had said during those lessons.
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Unbeknownst to Lake, Geo had decided to secretly trail him, driven by concern for the boy's well-being after the injury. Utilizing his well-honed tracking skills, Geo followed the signs of disturbance and broken branches, effortlessly tracing Lake's path through the woods. Lake's attempts at stealth were about as subtle as a stampede of cows being pursued by a bear. Geo, however, found solace in the enchanting beauty of the woods, and with its extraordinary array of plant life and creatures. He lost track of time surrounded by the sheer beauty of the place. Remaining vigilant in his duty to protect Lake, He found time to gather various samples and seeds for his wife.
As he observed two butterfly specimens, each the size of a pie plate, gracefully gliding, vanishing, and reappearing, Geo couldn't help but feel that this place held the magic to help him. If the renowned magic healer couldn't find a remedy for the Seven Deadly Ills, then it seemed like no one else could. Geo eagerly anticipated his return home, armed with the medicine that would heal Fern and prevent his loved ones from becoming the next tragic tale of the Seven Deadly Ills.
After hours of shadowing Lake without encountering any apparent dangers, Geo felt confident that it was time to head back. A few minutes later he sat sampling the cuisine in Atrum’s magic kitchen, savoring each dish that seemed to be expertly prepared and still heated or cooled to perfection. After eating more than he thought possible he returned to the main room and garden.
While eyeing plants in the darkening room he realized a need for light. Seeing no candles or light fixtures he searched for another source. After not finding a pull, a switch, or a torch he tapped, swiped, picked up and moved various rocks and plants. Just as he was about to wash up for bed before it was too dark to see. He picked up a glass sphere from a crystal bowl, and it began emitting a soft glow. Intrigued, he picked up more spheres, and soon his shirt was full of glowing balls each one illuminating his shirt and his surroundings. The globes were cool to the touch he thought that odd. The thought they should be warm, caused them to instantly warm.
Surprised by this magical discovery, Geo continued to explore the room. Soon he thought of them being brighter and their intensity grew till he couldn’t see beyond the brightness. His moment of awe and blindness was interrupted when he accidentally tripped over a branch rocking chair causing the spheres to drop. Catching himself he flinched thinking the crystal would shatter but they only made crashing noises as they rolled across the floor. Trails of shining light.
In a flash, Lake appeared, eyeing the glowing balls with curiosity. Without a word, he swiftly pocketed two spheres and nodded at Geo before making his way to the feast room. Lake hoped these spheres would hold the key to his escape.
Lake was relieved that Geo had finally gone to bed. He was enjoying his meal but continued to see items he might need, including the glowing stones Geo had found. Waiting until the house was quiet, he cautiously tiptoed down the hallway towards the bedroom. Glancing inside, he confirmed that Geo was fast asleep. With a sense of urgency, he grabbed the hidden bag and swiftly exited the house using his key. As he moved away from the door, he hesitated for a moment, contemplating the medallion. Ultimately, he decided to leave it behind, tossing it to the ground. With newfound confidence, he ventured into the darkened woods, determined to leave the strange sorcery of the place behind.
Looking up at the unfamiliar night sky through the leaves of the trees, Lake was taken aback. Three moons shone brightly, each radiating a different color. However, very little of their light reached the forest floor. This sight puzzled Lake, as he had never witnessed more than one moon in the sky before. He concluded that it must be another effect of his strange dream, and continued on his way, stumbling and cursing through the woods.