The following morning, William stood on the fort's walls, thinking to himself. He thought about many things: the beginning of his journey, the satyrs, the meeting of Massacre. Then there was the demoness, and he wondered what had happened to her.

She had been a worthy opponent.

The wind blew through his hair, cooling him in the day's heat. He reflected that things did not look nearly as rosy as last night. A vast forest of trees had come out of Seathorius and surrounded the fort on every side. They were cut off from the rest of Artarq. The trees swayed in the wind, and their movements seemed laced with threat. "What in Elranor's name happened?" asked Sarris. "Why would the forest move?"

"Seathorius shifts all the time," said William. "We've had a lot of experience with it."

"Yes," said Sarris, "but I thought such shifts were limited within the borders. How could the whole forest's eaves have moved overnight?"

"These trees aren't from the eaves," said William. "They are far too tall and twisted. I saw these further south, in Melchious' domain."

"Do you believe these trees have something to do with the satyrs?" asked Sarris.

"They might," said William. "And I have an idea of how we might find out." He looked to Kiyora. "Kiyora, could you make contact with these trees."

"Sure," she said, "open the gates and let me walk up to one."

"I... don't think that is wise, Your Grace," said Sarris, and then he paused and looked to William. "Is 'Your Grace' the proper way to refer to a deity?"

"Just call me Kiyora," said Kiyora. "There isn't any other word that describes me. But why can't I approach them?"

"Look at those trees, Kiyora," said William. "Do they look friendly?"

"Well, they seem to have claw-like branches," said Kiyora, "and they seem threatening. But you shouldn't judge a person by their appearance. Same for trees."

"If they were friendly, I doubt they should have surrounded us like this. None of us should go out there until we know a good deal more," said Sarris. "I've already sent word to Arsheen in any case."

"How could you get a message to the capital?" asked William. "Those trees move. The messenger might never get there."

"Duke Vanion foresaw such a possibility," said Sarris. "Or at least that we might be surrounded. Every fort has a crystal ball that allows one to contact the Duke. A new form of communication, he had Rusara design."

"I know," said William. "It was designed from an artifact he brought back from his journeys to other worlds. Although Rusara and Raynald never speak of it, I was never allowed to touch the one in Carn Gable."

"I expect his army is on its way, whatever the means," said Sarris.

"We'll be better off with a team of loggers than an army," said William. "Swords aren't good for much against trees. Unless they're magical, I suppose."

"Oh, come on, we can't just cut them down. Not without knowing what they are doing here," said Kiyora. "Who knows? They might have a good reason for being here."

"They might have had a good reason for helping the satyrs catch Felix and me," said William. "I find neither likely. I don't mean to give them the benefit of the doubt."

"Let me talk to them," said Kiyora. "Oh sure," said Felix, "we'll set up a white flag of parley, and I'm sure we can speak with their general."

"Felix is right," said William. "Can't you talk to them from here?"

Kiyora blinked. "I have no idea. I couldn't do it when I first came to Seathorius, but I'm a lot more powerful than I was then."

"Then, by all means, attempt it," said Sarris. "The sooner we get these things back to Seathorius, the better."

"They're not things," said Kiyora. "They're trees."

"Very well," said Sarris, "the sooner the trees leave, the better. Is that acceptable?"

"Very much," said Kiyora. Then she set both hands on the battlements and closed her eyes. For a long moment, silence fell over the wall. Winds whipped through her cloak, sending it flowing around her. William had told her she should wear something heavier, but she had yet to listen. Instead, a hazy glow surrounded her. It continued like that for a minute. Then, her expression became strained. She began to shake, and sweat dripped down her brow. Then she let go of the wall and backed away with a cry. William moved forward and hardly caught her before she fell off the wall.

Kiyora got back on her feet and gasped. "They hate me. I've been coming into Seathorius for years and years, and I've never met a tree that hates me."

"Well, obviously," said Felix.

"What?" said Kiyora.

"You appear to people who need your help," said Felix. "Or people who worship you. Maybe you haven't had any experience with trees that don't like you. No one likes to dream up nightmares, after all."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Maybe," said Kiyora, looking hurt. "What do they want?" asked William.

"Revenge," said Kiyora, "I mean... from when you and Felix escaped. The fire you started spread throughout them and hurt a lot of them. And those flowers Massacre destroyed..."

"Yes?" asked William. "What of them?"

"Apparently, those flowers were their allies," said Kiyora. "These things want us all dead. And they're not alone."

"What do you mean?" asked William. "Something else is coming." said Kiyora, "Something worse." The dark trees began to shift as if on cue, making a path for a creature that walked from out amongst them. Looking at it made William scream in horror as he averted his eyes.

Men on the wall cast themselves to the floor and covered their faces while weeping. The sunlight itself seemed sinister. The clouds looked as though they might devour them whole.

"Stand tall, all of you!" roared Sarris, though his voice was strained. "Man, your posts!"

William knew he must look at what was coming to defend against it. He knew it. Every fiber of his being demanded, he looks away. He couldn't gaze at it! It was too horrible! Then something, something very dark within him, demanded he look. And that wasn't very pleasant in itself.

Torn between them, he felt yet another presence and could turn his head back with it. However, to open his eyes... If he opened his eyes, he would see it. There would be no turning back. His fear and terror gripped him, and he was held. Then, slowly, with every bit of willpower, he opened his eyes and saw that which was approaching them.

Laughing Wraith was approaching them. And on either side of him, many satyrs were moving toward the walls, eyes wild with terror. They screamed as much in horror at their master's call. Some fell upon their faces screaming, but these were forced onward, clawing at the dirt. They bore ladders around them. Only sheer terror prevented them from having reached the wall already.

"Get up!" cried William. "All of you get up! The satyrs are coming!" Sarris was working to pull his men up, and some readied themselves. Yet more is needed. The satyrs would be here soon, and the wall would be overrun. Unless he did something... Elranor. The power of Elranor. He looked at Felix. "Felix, go get my harp! Do it now!"

Felix nodded and rushed off. William knew that even if he could use the harp's powers to fight off this fear, it would be too little too late. He looked to Kiyora. "Kiyora, you've got to do something. The men are going to all die if you don't."

"Do what?" she asked, shuddering.

"You are a goddess in human form," said William. "Bolster their wills with your own. Summon an army of friendly trees! Anything!" The satyrs had reached the walls and were beginning to hoist ladders up.

"Now!" said William.

"Yeah, yeah, okay..." said Kiyora. She raised a hand and focused. There was a pulse around her. William felt her mind in his, driving him to stand his ground. To pay no attention to a mere nightmare. He was utterly confident all of a sudden. And he was not alone.

The soldiers across the wall arose and drew their weapons. And it was not a moment too soon, for the first of the satyrs was streaming onto the wall. The creatures bounded over the parapets and attacked, only to be cut down. A mass melee began. A ladder was cast off the wall.

Sarris speared a satyr through the heart before knocking another from the wall. A satyr leaped and stabbed a man through the throat, only to be run through from behind. Many of the satyrs were already dead. Yet many more were coming onto the wall, and still, more were streaming out of the trees.

The trees. They were drawing nearer. Like a noose, the circle of trees was becoming tighter. Already, they were very near the walls, and Laughing Wraith was coming nearer. And as he drew nearer, William felt his hopes begin to wane. Despair welled in his heart as he watched men die around him.

Men who were dying because he had led these creatures here. Kiyora was shaking visibly, trying to keep the horror at bay. Suddenly, she collapsed to her knees. The horror and fear hit William like a sledgehammer and everyone else. Absolute terror consumed satyrs and humans alike. The fighting halted as both sides fell, screaming to the ground. And the trees reached the walls.

The day became pale, all wind ceased, and the walls shuddered as the trees began to tear and drag at the stonework. It splintered and broke. Both sides were driven from the wall by the branches. And then Laughing Wraith was there. He was on the wall near William. And he was reaching for Kiyora's throat. Kiyora staggered back, terrified and unable to move.

William drew his sword and ran forward. It was the most foolish thing he'd ever done. But he lowered his sword on what he thought was Laughing Wraith's wrist. He hit the arm, and there was a scream that tore at his very soul. The blade in his hand shattered into pieces, and a mark was left on the thing. William fell backward from the force and looked up. Laughing Wraith turned on him.

He staggered back as the creature walked toward him, but not quickly enough. Then Massacre was there. She bore Laughing Wraith down and tore at the thing with her claws. Laughing Wraith did not seem to react. Though great chunks of its body were torn off, it was like chunks of wood being shaved by a model. Finally, his hands came up and gripped Massacre by the throat. Her dragon head poured fire upon Laughing Wraith, yet it had no effect.

But then, there was a snap, and Massacre's lion head fell limp. The chimera staggered back, roaring in pain with the lion head lolling bonelessly.

"Massacre!" said Kiyora, running to the chimera's side. Laughing Wraith began to stand, and William knew that if something were not done, all of them would die. So he looked around for a weapon to defend them, casting aside his broken sword.

"William!" cried Felix.

William looked up and saw Felix holding his harp. His friend threw the harp through the air, and William caught it. Laughing Wraith surged toward Kiyora, and William ran his hands across the strings. Laughing Wraith flinched and took a step back, and William began to play the harp with renewed vigor. He played it, pouring every ounce of his heart, soul, and talent into the harp, and Wraith was driven back. William realized that the harp was glowing. It was glowing with the power of Elranor, and his enemy could do nothing before it but cower. Then Wraith motioned to the trees which had been tearing into the wall.

They turned their attention to William. The harp did not affect them, and their tendrils reached out for them. There was a burst of green flame, and dozens of the trees were consumed. They burned to ashes in moments, and he could hear them screaming and screaming this entire time.

Yet William realized the power of Elranor, no, his power, was being spent. Playing the harp was becoming challenging, and the music had less effect as he played. His scar burst, and he felt blood dripping down his face, covering his eye. Laughing Wraith was advancing, while Kiyora was hugging Massacre and crying. What was she doing?

"Run, Kiyora!" roared William. "Get out of here!"

Then Kiyora stopped and arose before turning on Wraith. There was a flash of light from her. Wraith let out a wordless scream as its power and Kiyora's clashed. It held in place for a moment, and then the music of Elranor made the difference. Wraith was consumed. William looked around at the battlefield. Below, the satyrs and the defenders were lying on the ground, no longer fighting. The trees were burning. Wherever he looked, there was a raging inferno of green flame, and the smoke of it was rising high into the air.

Odd. It looked like one of Rusara's spells.

He became overtaken by weariness and fell backward. Distantly, he was aware that someone was calling his name. Yet it hardly mattered. Nothing mattered.