Novels2Search

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Staying hidden, he continued his surveillance on the group. Though nothing seemed to be happening over the last week. Feeling bored, and beginning to wonder if he was wasting his time, he decided to check the town, one last time, and if he couldn’t discover anything, he would leave. Moving to the young blonde girl’s mansion, he began to look through the floors of the house, and its many windows.

The blonde girl seemed upset at the moment. When she had come home with her discovery, her father become enraged, knowing she left the house and trekked through the forest, without his knowledge. Especially with all the disappearances in the town becoming more frequent. Since then, she had been grounded in her downstairs bedroom, sulking, as she read her father’s book collection.

Upstairs, her father, despite grounding her, did not seem opposed to studying the plant materials that she had brought back. However, despite being close to the research, anom was unable to reach any of his papers, or clues. Looking to the family’s servants, he saw the same group of servants, doing the same daily tasks. They did not seem to deviate from their prior schedules, and seemed to perform most of their daily activities in a robotic like fashion. Moreover, they never even left the mansion, except to pick up food, and other household needs, for the family.

Stepping towards the city, he saw a lot of new guards patrolling the streets. They looked lightly armored though, with only a spear and a sword, on their hip, and wearing light leather studded armor. Looking around, he noticed the town center, and the portraits of missing people posted around it.

The former area where the ale, and feed, were stored, was also roped off, with a lot of guards around the area. "Whoops. He he, I probably scared the hell out of them and confused them, with all the missing people around already. It wouldn’t be surprising if they think a big man eating monster was hanging around."

Moving forward, he soon arrived at the male teenager’s house, who had previously invited the blonde girl along. Walking to the home, he discovered the brunette girl from the other day, already at his doorstep. She looked like she was trying to peak into his windows, and was walking back and forth on his front porch.

Coming in closer, he could hear that she was screaming at the door. "Thomas this is not funny anymore I know you are in there! Come out now! I’m not going to go away! Mark said you haven’t been to work at the mill in four days, and you haven’t been talking to anyone since you got back, what is going on!" Looking more and more uncertain and with worry overflowing in her mind, she finally couldn’t stand it anymore, and grabbed the door, to open it.

Expecting it to be locked, she was surprised to see the door creaked open, to an eerie, pitch black house. The windows looked to have been barricaded, and blacked out, in the whole house. Walking into the door, she looked around, and nervously shouted, "Thomas! Where are you! I’m coming in! If this is one of your stupid pranks I swear I will castrate you!" Walking farther into the home, she found nothing wrong other than the dust and the windows being blacked out causing the lack of light.

Not finding him in any of the rooms, she eventually made her way towards the cellar. Opening the door, she was hit with the heavy fragrance of pine. Walking down the dusty, pitch black stairs, she finally came face to face, with a massive deep red and white pine tree. The trees top seemed squashed from the lack of room for its height, making the top curl under the first floors floorboards. However, other than that, it looked identical to the tree in the forest. "What the hell is this doing here? Did he dig it up and bring it back?"

Moving forward, she took out a matchbox. Lighting a match, as she began to look around the now cramped, and dusty basement. She walked farther and farther into the room, until she noticed something strange coming from the bottom of the trunk of the tree. Getting down on her hands and knees to go under the branches, she crawled towards the trunk, grasping the thing she had seen. Pulling it closer to her, and lighting another match, it revealed the mostly empty, desecrated, withering skin, of Thomas, connected to the roots of the tree, as it continued to feed off the corpse. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

Stumbling back towards the door, she struggled to get to her feet and ran out the exit, screaming and crying. She immediately ran to the nearest guard who called in reinforcements, and entered, to see the ghastly scene. This lasted a few hours, until the village’s mayor, and the blonde girl’s father, were eventually called to the scene.

The skinny looking tall man with a handlebar mustache and a top hat entered the house and came out around an hour later. He had the city guard gather all the people who have come into contact with the tree all undergo a thorough inspection. He said he was looking for, "any injuries on their bodies from contact with the tree." He had theorized that the tree does not have any acorns, pine nuts or cones because it uses its needle like leaves to reproduce.

Pulling out a single needle that he had just collected, he carefully picked it up, asking for a piece of meat. When he poked the needle into the meat, a tiny visible gas pocket could be seen popping and shooting something into the meat. “This is how it reproduces. It waits until something brushes up against it, and uses some kind of gas, to push its tiny seed into the victims’ blood stream, or muscle. There, the tree drains the victims’ blood, muscle, fat, and even bone. It uses this, and grows into the large tree that we can see. Leaving behind, the only thing it cannot digest, the skin."

The mayor, looking at the needle leaf with dread asked, “What should we do then? What about the people who have been infected?” The tall man replied, “We can only attempt to extract the seeds, if they are recently infected. However, for those who have been infected over a longer time, I do not know for certain. I can only try and think of a way to save them. However, we must quarantine them quickly, or this could lead to the destruction of the whole town.” The guards began to work quickly, rounding up all of the people who had come into contact with any of the trees and every person was subjected to a rigorous examination.

Any of those found with any injury, no matter how small, was sent to quarantine immediately. Time moved by, as the village was sent into a panic, as people were rounded up in the streets, and guards were going door to door, looking for new infected, and sending them to quarantine.

The sun soon set as the manhunt was still underway. The higher ups seemed to be arguing on the best way to destroy the trees that have been seen or discovered. Some seemed to want to burn them; however, the tall man began to argue to keep them in quarantine as well. He argued that the trees should remain in quarantine until the result of fire, or any other attempt to damage, or destroy the trees, was understood. This continued on until late into the night when anom noticed something strange.

Sitting outside of the mayor’s home, near the main street, he noticed around a dozen people wearing black hooded overcoats, and sneaking around the streets, and on top of some of the roofs, in order to avoid being seen. They moved with precision, and were exceptionally acrobatic. Quietly following the group, he watched as they made their way to the guards barracks, and temporary quarantine zone.

The strangers made their way to the back of the guard barracks, just in time to run directly into a guard on lookout. Slash, the first intruder took out a dagger and slit the man’s throat, in a quick and practiced fashion. Holding the man as he dropped to the floor, not to make any noise that could attract anyone else around. Placing him on the floor, they entered the door, and made their way towards the main holding cells. The people behind the first intruder took out a strange object made from dried tree roots and fashioned into a ball with many different spaces between each root.

The inside of this ball held a small sticky red sphere that was set alight as soon as the intruders reached the main holding cells, and tossed inside, like a smoke grenade. As the make shift smoke grenade was tossed into the cells, the intruders entered the area and started taking out the guards inside. Moreover, after eliminating the guards, once the smoke was spread around, the infected individuals began to act differently.

They began to act like they were in a trace, staring straight ahead, and not reacting to new stimulus. Sadly though, not everyone in the holding cells seemed to be infected by the trees, and a few began to try and yell, and scream for help. Being quickly silenced by the group, as they instructed the infected group on what to do.

Soon the whole group of around 32 people were being led out of the back of the building, and taken into the forest. Following slowly, anom started seeing more and more people showing up to the area. Looking towards the small path leading to the meeting area, a small group of four familiar people showed up walking towards the leader. They were the servants of the blonde girl’s family, and they had also brought the blonde girl with them.

She was tied up, blindfolded, and gagged. She looked terrified, so he supposed she hadn’t been infected yet. "I wonder why they brought her?" The leader of the group took off her hood and began to look at all the people who had come. Looking pleased, she grasped at her necklace that I finally noticed, and realized it was the church’s logo. However, after the leader grasped the necklace in her hands, she began to look around frantically.

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She then went to a few of her people and whispered something in their ears, before they sprinted off into the forest. Looking around the area one more time she stepped on top of a nearby boulder to get some height above the area and began to speak. "I wonder who it might be that has graced us with their presence. If it would be to your liking we were hoping we could talk." Stunned at being called out Anom thought to himself. "Holy crap! Is she talking to me? I was discovered? How? Hmmm… oh well, it’s not like I’m scared of these things anyways. After all, my skin is hard enough to deflect arrows and spears. I highly doubt it could even get through my skin, and even if it did I run so hot that anything like a seed or wood would be burnt to a crisp before it even knew what happened."

Thinking about the pros and cons, he took off his necklace, and revealed himself. The strange looking woman standing atop of the boulder finally caught sight of him as he took off his necklace, leaving her flabbergasted, and at a loss of words. Despite standing on top of the ten foot boulder, and being around six foot tall, she still had to crane her neck up, to be able to see his face and speak to him. Feeling smug, Anom asked. "Who and what are you?"

Swallowing her private and pushing down her fear, the Leader Hesitantly replied. "Great mountain spirit, we mean you no harm. My name is Mycene. We are the Inulpamahuida, but most races know us as the blood dryads. We are known by many of the jotnar and Cyclops. However, this is the first time our race has arrived near your territory. Forgive us for not coming to you to display our sincerity." Thinking things through, Anom asked. "Are you migrating? Why are you pushing farther into this desolate place?"

Humbly Mycene answered. "We are being pursued by the human’s church of the light. Their paladins seek out our tribe and slash and burn everything once any of our tribe is discovered. We were once in every forest of our land and our numbers were in the millions. But, the humans of the continent went mad and cast a spell that caused an old dormant volcano to erupt. Burning three fourths of the continent and allowing the surviving humans to re develop the burned land and slowly pushing my species out. The place we came from was much, much smaller than this continent so it was easier for them to control the flow of people and detect any abnormalities."

Supposed, Anom asked. "So you came from a different continent? How many of you are there?" With deep sorrow, Mycene replied. "The few that you can see now plus a few hundred more. We are similar to the dryads in that the humanoids you can see and talk to right now are all female. The females of our race come to be after they successfully absorb a consciousness and body, and once we are done forming we will use the left over husk of skin that was left over as the base of our new form. Moreover, we will attempt to remove any imperfection or genetic defect that would be noticeable and amplify the husks attractiveness. We knew of this continent and our leader had told us to come here as our races have been friends for a long time. Although I do not know the details, I have heard that your tribe had visited our continent before."

With empathy, Anom responded. "If what you say is true, then you of course will be welcomed in. The mountain giant tribe never leaves a friend in need. You will even have our protection from the church of light. But, I must ask, if the females are the ones I can see now, where are your males?"

Understanding his curiosity, Mycene replied. "Our males are similar to the dryads in that they bond with their main trees instead of creating a new organism. Once the bonding is complete they are able to walk and move around with their trees just like the dryad men do. However, once they bond the tree is quick to loose vitality and often looks decrepit and dead with no leaves only bare sharp branches. They then look for an area with strong vitality and plant themselves there. However, the area soon becomes as dull and dead as they are. Because of this, we often stay and travel separately. We also are careful of our area and only keep so many males in the tribe. We can also use them for good effects in our homes as if there is a certain type of weed or tree or whatever in the area and we do not like it we can have our males target their specific life force and then when they plant themselves only those types of plants will be drained. It does not have to be as dramatic as a dead forest unless the males are desperate to regain their energy or battle power. They can also rapidly regain energy by using new deaths. After all, it’s how we were born."

In amazement, Anom replied. "I see. So are you going to be moving again now?" Mycene answered. "Yes, we intend to move again farther into the mountains and forests to avoid the church. I do not believe they would let us leave so easily. I’m sure they will eventually be following us here."

Solemnly anom replied. "Very well, once I ascertain your truthfulness I will ask others to come here an invite you to our tribe. We have plenty of forests and know many areas with horrible humans on them where I am sure you will be able to grow in relative peace. However, if you would make an oath to Gaia to follow our tribe into battle with our enemy’s I’m positive our tribe would make an oath to protect your tribe and follow it into war with yours."

Afraid of feeling hopeful, Mycene replied. "Truly? Despite our number being so small? I’m sure it would be easy for you enslave our group right now and force us to fight your war. Why would you be so generous?" Feeling the groups desperation, Anom replied. "Mountain giants value friendship. If you were called a friend by my tribe then, how could I possibly dishonor our ancestors? However, a giant’s wrath also lasts longer than a lifetime as well. You would do well to remember that. But, if you do not lie to us and are up front and honest with your wants and desires we can make the best of friends. There is no better ally than the mountain giant tribe as well! Just one of us can destroy villages and small cities, but there are hundreds of us. Let me ask you though, why are you taking the blonde girl?"

Surprised at his honesty and question, Mycene responded. "We are taking her in case her father attempts to foil anymore of our plans. We were already aware of the possibility of his profession becoming a thorn in our side. However, we also know that he dotes on his daughter. Why? Do you have an attachment with this girl? If you do, we will leave her behind immediately."

Conflicted, Anom replied. "Forget it, it’s not my concern. Will you all be able to bring out all your new tribesmen from the village? There are probably more than a few under guard from the people there now." Saddened, Mycene responded. "we may lose a few young, but the majority will be able to move on." Confused, Anom asked. "Your males can move with their main tree but you are only able to move your humanoid bodies correct? How are you able to migrate still?"

Smiling, Mycene smugly replied. "The same way we found out you were following and watching us. Our tribe’s guardian father, the Leshy Borovoi. She said while pointing to a nearby massive tree." "

When did that tree get there?" Looking towards the pointed out area he was able to notice a rail thin, gauntly giant. “A Giant?” Continuing to watch the creature, he was able to see his characteristics. The 15 foot tall man was exceptionally thin, with a thick beard, covered in roots, and bird nests. He had thick, ratted hair, and looked feral. He was pale green, and completely covered in mud, which made him look almost identical to the soil. The giant had almost no cloths on, except a strip of cloth around his hips, and carried a strange overgrown and possibly still alive bow on his back.

He also carried a flute as a necklace, and a strange, overgrown club, in his hands. His arms seemed much too long for his body as his hands were almost touching the ground. His legs were exceptionally tall as well, being much longer than his torso. The man himself seemed to be exceptionally shy, and was hiding behind the trees in front of him. The tall, thin man was muttering something under his breath, indistinctively and watching us as we conversed with mycene and the rest.

Afeeling awkward for staring, anom spoke up. "Sorry, I didn’t see you there little one. I’m anom, from the mountain giant tribe. May I ask who you are, mycene here seemed to call you Borovoi? Is that your name?" The lengthy giant, Borovoi, seemed scared, and responded as best it could, speaking exceptionally low. "Indistinguishable mumbling... "

Trying to help the shy giant, Mycene spoke up. "This must be your first time seeing a leshy. Leshys are born from their forests, the way we are born from our trees. They are exceptionally shy, and rarely talk to others outside of their forests. He is a nature spirit, the same as us, but he was born from a forest of only our kind, which makes him special, even among the other leshy’s. Usually leshy would protect their forest from intruders, and play tricks on them with sprites, and imps. However, Borovoi is connected to our tribe, as he was born from our kind. He has the ability to help us move our original bodies, and can sense almost everything happening around the area." Understanding, Anom replied. "I see. I suppose you won’t need help moving then."

Smiling kindly, Mycene responded. "No, thank you kindly though. Although we do not need help now, we would like to make an alliance with your kind if possible. After all, your kind and our kind have always been friends and have often looked to each other when in need." Anom happily replied. "That sounds fine to me. Give me your map, and I will mark a location for us to meet up in after I go and inform the others what is going on. If you are honest in your desire to become war brothers, then we shall not disappoint."

Marking a neutral area on mycenes map he said his goodbyes to the group, as he made his way back to his slepneir. He thought to himself, "I wonder how much the blood dryads said was true. I’ll find out after I return from my current mission. This world is full of bizarre creatures. I can’t help but still feel for the blonde girl being taken by the blood dryads though. This is the first time I have seen nature actively hunting humanity. I remember feeling the same sense of unease when I first saw a deer killed for its pelt and food. Everything kills to survive, but humans categorize creatures on whether they are beneficial to humans or not. The ones who are not beneficial or even harmful are called evil and despised and those who are seen as helpful are called holy or beautiful."

He couldn’t help but wonder if these trees were back on his earth, if the humans would have still been able to destroy their world so easily. Thinking back to the area around the flesh trees, the forests seemed to be flourishing, and nature was growing much, much faster and more robust than elsewhere.

"I wonder if the females re vitalize the land, and then the males destroy whatever is stagnant, or harmful to the area. The leader even mentioned that the males were able to use other creatures for energy and growth. I wonder if they go from place to place and re balance the area, once it becomes unbalanced and something grows too big for the area to support."

"I need to find someone who knows about these things before I meet up with them again. Didn’t they say that paladins were likely following them here? Maybe I should just camp out for a while and meet them and see what they have to say. The only downside is if they decide to attack on sight. It wouldn’t be all that abnormal for humans. They rarely think that you might be there to talk, and would rather have a discussion with your corpse."