[Elliot Springs][Session 2 - Level 1][Part 1]

[Elliot Springs] continued walking down the road towards the city of Trier. He knew he was near, but the trail he followed had not yet connected to the main road. Though Elliot realized he would soon have company as he spotted six figures walking down the road towards him.

Five of them wore guard uniforms and wielded spears; two humans, two dwarves, and a silver Draconian. The lead member and sixth figure was an elf with a longbow trained at the young man.

“Identification!” The elf commanded, as he stopped in his tracks, and five guards moved towards the young man.

“Elliot Springs. I have my family crest on me.” He slipped off his amulet and showed it to the guards. One of the guards snatched the amulet out of his hand and took it back to the elf.

“Are you a hunter in these parts?” The elf asked as he examined the amulet.

“A forester,” Elliot replied.

“Good, I fucking hate these woods. I’m taking this as insurance.” The elf held up the amulet. “I’m going back to town for a drink, a woman, and a bed. You are finding an escaped convict for me. They’re somewhere in the woods between here and the main road, the guards can turn you in if you don’t find the criminal.”

“That’s not fair!” Elliot yelled, he took a step forward, the dwarf guard next to him clapped a hand on his chest to hold him back.

“Fair is a fantasy.” The elf said before leaving the group. The dwarf let go of Elliot. And the two human guards followed the elf.

“Moindan Pent.” The dwarf said and stuck out a hand. Elliot shook the dwarf’s hand as the two other guards sat down on the side of the road.

“No use introducing yourself. He’ll be executed come morning. Or if he runs it’ll be sooner.” The Draconian rasped.

“Why’s that?” Elliot asked.

“They don’t think you have a chance in finding the escapee.” Moindan looked up at Elliot.

“Give me a minute.” Elliot slipped his pack off his shoulder and rummaged through its contents.

With some effort he pulled out a wishbone, covered in silver, with druidic symbols etched into it. He held the bone like a divining rod, aimed it outwards, and studied the symbols as they faintly glowed.

“What’s that?” Moindan asked.

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“Augury. I am determining what my future holds depending on the path I follow.” The symbols glowed brighter as he pointed into the forest.

He began walking through the forest, following the wishbone as it glowed, giving him a solid path through the woods.

“The kid has a path for us to follow. Let’s get after it.” Moindan called out.

The Draconian and dwarf guard rose to their feet and began to follow. The four walked through the forest with Elliot quickly leading the way. He walked like someone used to the forest. It was his home after all, these woods weren’t far from where he was raised.

After half an hour of walking the dwarves had started to lag behind. The group emerged into a clearing. A small lake stretched out before them. Elliot held his hand up to tell the guards to stop. Before he slowly made his way towards the edge of the lake.

A figure crouched some thirty feet away at the water's edge. They scooped the clear lake water into their hands and drank. They had on commoners clothes that fit a little too loosely. Probably took them off a clothesline if they were on the run.

Elliot slowly bent down. Picked up a small stick off the ground. And snapped it in his hands letting the pieces fall to the ground. The figure whipped around to face him.

She had a rounded face, the horns of a ram, and gray skin with purple undertones. Elliot had grown up with his family, all humans, and where he had heard stories of elves, dwarves, smallfolk, and dragonmen. He had never heard of such a creature. Her appearance held him in a trance.

“Are you here to bring me in?” She said, rising up, and curling chains around her fists.

“I’m sorry, bring you where?” Elliot didn’t break his dumb stare.

“Arrest me, drag me back to that city, is that what you’re after?” She demanded to know.

“I’ve been told you’re a criminal on the run. That I need to help bring you in. Is that the case?” Elliot called out.

“The only crime I committed was wanting to be free.” She says like a dragon spitting fire.

Her eyes burned with rage. Elliot’s shoulders relaxed as he, for some reason, felt like he wasn’t in any danger.

“Well. I figured I might as well meet you. Since I’m going to be tried for your crimes when I don’t bring you in.” Elliot said with resolve. “Freedom is something I can understand wanting.”

He needed to find some way to help her escape. He didn’t mind being taken in for her crimes. It seemed she needed a chance at freedom. And everyone deserved that chance.

He looked towards her, seeing only confusion in her eyes. A tree branch broke behind them. Elliot spun around to see Moindan leading the other two guards, all armed with crossbows trained right at him. They started to move forward and fan around to get a shot on the convict.

“Wait!” Elliot put a hand on the handle of his sword.

“Don’t be stupid kid. We’re supposed to bring the devil in. You’ve got nothing to do with this.” Moindan waved one of his hands for Elliot to step to the side.

“I can fix this! I can take the charges on.” Elliot yelled.

“There’s no need for heroics. You were already stupid following me. Don’t you know these parts of the woods?” The horned woman laughed.

Moindan shot a questioning look at Elliot.

“I’m a forester, but not in these parts.” Elliot shrugged.

“You don’t even know how deep into the woods you’ve gone? These are the Endine Woods, home of the undying and refuge to the warp.” She smiled wickedly.

Then suddenly she doubled over, hands on her ears, screaming. Elliot winced and took a step back. The sound was intense, reverberating through the woods. Leaves fell and gently drifted through the wind.