Luna slowly released her breath. It felt like she had spent hours looking over her status, class and skill options. But it could not have been more than a few minutes, the sun was still shining on their two wooden chairs. She felt relaxed, like a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Frowning she turned towards Everwood. "Now that is done. But why am I feeling so relaxed? You just told me my future was looking rather bleak. I should be in shambles, not enjoying the sun like nothing happened."

Everwood smiled and explained to Luna. "That is the effect of the grove. If you concentrate, you should still be able to find all your emotions are still there. They are just dampened, letting you think with a clear mind, devoid of the distractions. I saw you change your classes and I think you are now more in tune with yourself and nature around you. This grove is a place of peace and tranquility. At least to me and it seems, now also for you."

Luna did as Everwood said and concentrated. It was true, the feelings and emotions were all there, warring for her attention. She just was not as aware of them and they did not manage to influence her thinking as easily. Steeling herself she pushed beyond the dampening blanket of magic, which the grove had spun. Like a roaring river it all came flooding back, the fear of rejection, the uncertain future and most of all a feeling she had not realized was part of that mess. Anticipation. Somewhere deep down she was looking forward to heading out. The dream of adventure, which Jonas had crushed with his explanation about adventurers, was back in full force.

Luna leaned back in her chair and nearly fell over backwards when the backrest conformed to her wish. A footrest extended from the chair and she was now comfortably half sitting half lying, the perfect arrangement for thinking about her future. She let the magic flow back over her, soothing the emotions into the background again.

Snickering to herself about the absurdity of the situation, Luna realized that she had no idea of what she could do or where she could go. Her whole world was this little village and the bit of land around it. Sure, she was aware of the greater world and had learned a bit in school about cities and the immense number of people living there, the kingdoms and even the great sea in the east. They all knew that the human kingdoms were only a small part of the world, but what lay beyond? Nobody knew, or at least nobody in a backwater village like Creek Springs cared. The villagers had no need to know. It was dreamful thinking that any of them would ever even see their kingdom's capital. Luna did not even know where that city was.

"I need advice. You said I need to prepare for the possibility that I had to leave the village, possibly the human lands altogether. The question is, where can I go? I know nothing of the world outside of the human kingdoms. To be perfectly honest, I don't even know the land inside the human kingdoms."

"Now do not fret child. Understanding that you lack knowledge is a very important first step. From what I know about humans, they tend to think they are infallible and always know best. I am glad that is not a trait you inherited. You have a problem, but not a hopeless one. You should still have time left to prepare. I do not know how long you have, it also depends on how well you can hide the changes. You should have a few months at least to gather information and set up supplies in case you have to leave in a hurry."

Forestalling any questions from Luna, she went on. "I have never traveled the human lands. As a dryad I have to stay close to my grove, the forest marking the outer range of where I can go. If I step out of the forest it will not only be uncomfortable for me, but I will lose access to my classes. I am bound to the land for life and it grants me the power to protect it. Why do you think the humans never really tried conquering the deep forests and caverns? They are no match for the beings, such as I, who dwell there. I am sure there are humans who were offered similar classes to protect their homes. Which might also add another reason why the stalemate between the human kings has not been resolved."

Luna interrupted her. "So you are saying you don't know either?"

"Shush child. I have some ideas, after all I would like to give you a task. You are the only one I can ask this of, all of the other inhabitants of this forest are way too obvious non-human and would not be welcome in the human lands. I know that humans constantly travel around, or at least some of them do. These merchants travel in little caravans of wagons and if I am not wrong, one of those visits your village once a year, correct? My memories tell me that they travel all over the country. That might have changed with the kingdom being split, but this merchant should be your first option to leave here. They always travel with guards, maybe you could hire on for the trip? Then in the next city you get directions towards the capital. In the old days there was a society called Pathfinder Guild. Their members were the first to explore the deep forests and found the dryads. It did not go well for most of them, but some were kind and respectful enough to leave alive. They are the ones who are responsible for the peace between forest and humans. If I recall this correctly, which I always do thanks to my memory skill, they are the ones who explore new places, find dungeons and travel around. You should find them and check if they can help you."

Luna thought about the idea and hiring on with the merchant should be her best option. Her other option would be to head out on her own, which was not a great prospect. Being lost in thought she had missed the rest of what Everwood said.

"Luna! Are you listening? I see you do have a human trait, little airhead. I will repeat it once more. I have a task for you. I need you to deliver a message to the capital, addressed to the king and his court wizard. It does not have to be delivered in person, just hand it over to any half competent guard at the palace and you are done. Are you with me so far?"

Luna nodded and dared a question. "What will this message contain? Am I in danger carrying it?"

"That is a good question." Everwood conceded. "I do not think it will pose any threat to you. It is simply a reminder to self important humans, that there is an agreement in place regarding the sacred forests. No matter if the kings change, the agreement was made for all humans and I expect them to adhere to the terms. It has not been that long ago, but with the political situation a reminder might be warranted. The message will be marked with my magic, that will make it clear to them it is authentic. Just do not tell anyone that you carry it. No point tempting fate."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Feeling a little daring Luna decided to press her luck a bit. "Alright, I will carry your message. What is the payment for my services?"

A deep sigh escaped Everwood as she leaned back in her chair, covering her face with her hand. "Child, did you just ask me to get paid? You, a level four sproutling Sylvan, just asked me, a level 78 Dryad, for payment?" She burst into laughter. "Even my memories agree that you must be the most daring human we have ever had the pleasure talking to. Maybe I should say Sylvan, but we never talked to any of those so ..., whatever, I am rambling again. Ok, I will give you a deal. I will look for a fitting magical trinkets some adventurous humans might have "lost" in our woods in the past and I will help you with one of your race skills. Do we have a bargain?"

Luna quickly nodded her assent, her head the color of a ripe tomato she stammered. "We have a deal. If you put it like that, it sounds quite stupid to ask, but it seems to have worked quite nicely."

Everwood was still laughing at this point. "Of course it would seem like that to you. But I was going to give you those things as a gift anyway. Now I am paying you up front for the delivery." Between fits of laughing she added. "If you could see your face right now, hilarious"

The deal struck, Everwood extended her hand and put a finger on Luna's forehead. "Hold still and close your eyes, this should be easy. You have the skill after all, I am simply awakening it's potential for you."

A piercing bright light appeared behind Luna's eyes, but it was gone as fast as it appeared. She opened her eyes, looking at Everwood questioningly. "What did you just do? I mean how does this.." She cut off mid-sentence, as something very unexpected appeared in her vision.

[Everwood]

Level 78 Dryad

"How? What? I do not have a Skill to see a person's level!"

"Of course you did, you just did know it yet. I just evolved your [Dryad's Eyes] skills by sacrificing a few thousand of my own experience. You belong to the forest after all and I am it's mistress. It should now have a new name, [Natural Insight]. It still helps you with seeing in the dark, but it now also lets you see a description of people, items and magic effects. It basically combines the three traditional effects of [Evaluate], [Identify] and [Analyze]. I was decently sure it would work on you, even if you are not a full Dryad. Now, while you were distracted a little someone delivered us three little items, one of which you may take with you. Have a look."

Luna turned her head and realized that there was now a small table next to her, also made of roots of course. On it rested three peculiar items and it just took her a second to get a description for each.

[Forestwalker Pendant]

This enchanted pendant allows you to travel through forests as if you were on grassland.

[Ring of Human Guise]

If Identify or a similar skill is used on you, it will show Human as your race.

[Cloak of Twilight]

When hiding in shadows and unmoving the cloak will assume the color and texture of things behind you.

"Pick one." Everwood said from her side. "And do so quickly, it is already quite late and you should return to your village soon."

Luna was a little surprised. It could not be that late, the sun was still in the sky after all, only a few hours maximum since she entered the forest. "I pick the ring. I had not even thought about the Identify Skill until now. Every higher level guard would have been able to see my race. Even the guards coming with the merchant might have. I don't even want to think about people in the village. I have no idea who has the skill. Without the ring I would be doomed. Thank you!"

Trying it on a finger on her left hand, the ring suddenly shrunk in size until it fit perfectly. Turning around Luna looked at the sky and then questioningly towards Everwood. "It cannot be that late. The sun is still high up."

"Ah child, you do not know how my magic works. In the grove, it stays the brightest time of day so long as the sun is somewhere in the sky. Only when it departs fully behind the horizon will it turn to night in the grove. Outside, it is only a few hours until nightfall. You need to hurry. But first, what is the name of this kingdom you live in? Do you know the name of the court wizard?"

"Laven. It is called the Kingdom of Laven and it is ruled by King Laven. He even renamed the capital to Laven and the surrounding county to Lavenshire. People made so much fun of him for it, the news even made it out to Creek Springs. No idea what the court wizard's name is though."

Everwood groaned a bit when hearing the names. An envelope, already sealed shut with wax, appeared in her hand and she scribbled on the front with her fingernail. "Alright, here. Now it is addressed to 'King Laven' from 'Everwood'. That should make it clear enough. Make sure to not lose it and don't let it get wet. The paper will soak up water and be ruined in no time. I will bring you to the location where you entered the forest. Do not come back looking for me, I have other things to occupy my time with and I will have to check the border of the forest elsewhere and try to contact my sisters. When you have gained power and maybe learned about your race and where you came from, do come back and tell me about it. Now grab your pack, close your eyes and hold on tight."

Luna did as she was told, grabbing her pack and when Everwood touched her shoulder she closed her eyes. It was a weird sensation, like thousands of little roots suddenly grabbing her, lifting her up and she heard the sound of air moving around her. She was jostled around quite a bit, but she pressed her eyes shut until the movement stopped and she was carefully placed on her feet again.

"Go now little Sylvan. I hope to see you again and good luck."

Luna stumbled forward, the sun was already nearly behind the horizon and twilight had arrived. She could not resist turning around, but what she saw was not Everwood. Openmouthed she watched as the forest was rearranging itself. Roots disappearing into the ground, trees rustling back into their place. A soft voice echoed from the forest. "Silly child. Did you not listen to the stories about dryads? Did you believe my human form was all there was to me? It was just a shell for you to see and talk to. I told you before, but you did not understand at the time. I was not named after the forest, the forest carries our name. I am Everwood."

Luna was sure that in the twilight a human face had appeared on the trunk of a grand beech tree. It had smiled and winked at her and then it was gone again. A shiver running down her spine, she turned around. Spotting the tree she climbed earlier in the day, she set a stiff pace to get back to the village.

Her future had just been rearranged once again. But now she had a rough plan and short term goal. Now the biggest problem was how she would explain it to her parents and the village that she was leaving.