“Ah, there you are, my dear!” The wizard's voice boomed across the square as her eyes fell on him. “I had begun to wonder if you were having second thoughts.”

“No,” Ravina feigned calm as she lied to him. His money was already spent after all. “I just had to say goodbye to everyone.”

“Good,” he said, his voice a gravelly hum. “It will be a while before you can return home.” his laugh didn't sound cheerful to her ears.

“Yes,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“No sense dwelling on it now,” he advised, shifting his tone to a lighter note. “I've arranged a cart for our journey. We'll head to my tower first, and from there... well, we'll get you properly settled in.” His jovial attitude seemed to be an attempt to help calm her down, however right now she was not in the mood.

“Thank you,” she finally said, her voice unnaturally steady. She rose to her feet with the bagged dress in both hands. Taking a deep breath she allied. “I’m ready to leave when you are.”

“Excellent!” with an excited tap of his ashen staff he smiled brightly. “Let's get a move on then, shall we? Right this way, my dear, right this way!”

Ravina wondered what was with this uncomfortable showmanship as the wizard, with a wave of his massive staff, led her down the path, away from her past and towards an uncertain future. The rhythmic tap-tap-tap of his staff guiding her thoughts into a wandering stream of sorrow.

As they neared the edge of the forest they came to a well-trodden path. It unfurled before them, allowing them easy entrance into the Emerald Wood. This humble dirt road, molded by years of use, formed a vital connection between the bustling village and the fabled cities that lay beyond the expanse of the large forest.

Long ago, this road had been shaped around a vast lake, but time had seen the water retreat, leaving behind an almost desolate landscape. Yet, the villagers and their occasional visitors maintained their customary route, bending gently around the former lake's perimeter.

Because of the lake's desolation, tufts of hardy vegetation had taken root at the dried-up bed. The stone-laden floor of the former lake had been excavated, its remnants repurposed into gravel for the development of a new district in the village. While remnants of water still pooled in distant pockets of the lake bed, the village was not perturbed. A rich network of underground rivers kept Yawven's Wood sufficiently hydrated and the many small streams that rushed through the woods allowed them to enjoy water in excess.

As they progressed further, the village structures grew more clustered, signifying the transition from a quiet woodland community to a bustling frontier outpost. Nestled among the growing concentration of buildings, a cart repair station served as a critical hub, maintaining the lifeline of wagons and carts for the village. Adjacent to it, a stable offered shelter and care for the hardy horses that bore travelers through the rugged terrain.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the village, the wizard steered them towards a waiting carriage. It was a humble, box-like structure, with a spacious flat floor bordered by a low-rise wall on three sides. This design offered the occupants a sense of openness, allowing them to take in the scenery as they journeyed. An elevated driver's box at the front provided a clear vantage point to oversee the road ahead.

This sturdy carriage was mounted on large, robust wooden wheels, fortified with strips of metal that served as protective reinforcements. The rugged nature of this vehicle made it well-suited for the long, demanding journey they were about to undertake.

The horse hitched to the carriage was a sight to behold. He was a horse named Steve, and he was a formidable specimen of a breed known for their strength and endurance in pulling heavy loads. The horse, named Steve, was a tall creature, well-nourished, with a muscular build that highlighted his pulling prowess. His glossy chestnut coat shimmered in the sunlight, and his deep, intelligent eyes held an undeniable air of confidence. He shifted his weight from foot to foot in anticipation, his solid hooves imprinting the soft earth, and tossed his mane with a mild impatience that suggested he was eager to set out on their journey.

Arriving at the carriage, the wizard remarked, "Luckily for us, the harsh sun won't be a bother during our ride out." Extending a hand to assist Ravina, they clambered inside. The girl looked up at his words and found the sky was overcast. A rare grouping of clouds was overhead, threatening them with ill weather and reflecting on the girl's feelings as she was ready to depart.

With a swift tap of his staff, a short pulse of magic spiraled from it, dissipating just beyond the confines of the carriage. It was a signal, one that caused the horse, named Steve, to begin the journey and amble forward outside the village's limits.

“There are many ways to control animals with spells.” The wizard answered Ravina’s unasked question, made obvious by her confused stare. Ravina mused at the ability to tell a horse where to go. How fortunate it would be to be able to do something like that. She wondered with new excitement how much money she would be able to gain if she were to learn that spell. She was going to become his apprentice after all.

Again, her thoughts fell upon leaving. As the carriage trundled down the road, Ravina found her gaze drawn backward, watching as her village diminished in the distance. A pang of sorrow echoed through her as the familiar sights became hidden in the wood.

Breaking the silence that had ensconced them, the wizard asked her a question as he played with his fine purple sash, "Did you know that lake was once full?"

"Yes," Ravina replied, the fact being common knowledge among the villagers. It was once a subject of intense worry. After all, the village was founded by the large basin of water. Luckily a villager named Kelmin was able to locate and find underground sources of water. He dug up all the wells in the village and was something of a local legend. “Some people are worried it will disappear completely, while others say it's a good thing. I haven't given it much thought." The lake had never been a focal point of her concerns.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“I see… well, it used to belong to a druid, did you know that?” Ravina cocked her head at the unfamiliar term. “And she graciously kept the lake filled and watched over this very forest.”

"Druid?" she echoed.

"Yes," the wizard affirmed, "druids are, in a manner of speaking, guardians of nature. They coexist with and protect all things green. This forest got its name from such a druid — the Emerald Woman, as I recall." He nodded, as though reminiscing about a distant memory.

"Indeed, the Emerald Woman was the true steward of this forest," the wizard affirmed, his voice imbued with a reverence that stood in stark contrast to his usual tone. "The expanse of the lake was a testament to her influence. She allowed the first of your villagers to settle, allowing her protection for practically nothing much in return. Quite a generous woman.” with a joyful laugh he continued. “With her absence, it's dwindling, and the leader of your village doesn't seem to grasp the gravity of it. No one there follows tradition anymore."

"It's sad really, because this forest, and all within it, belonged to her. She granted the first settlers her gracious permission to make it their home. Many believe she has passed, but the shrinking lake is clear evidence she still lingers."

"Is she... dying?" Ravina asked, her voice barely a whisper. She was captivated by this tale.

"Yes." The wizard's response hung in the heavy silence, until he continued, "But fear not, my tower and I have hatched a plan to aid her. It would have been challenging dealing with the villagers and their ostrich-like leader. But now, I've stumbled upon a solution." he smiled at her.

“That's good,” she replied with a happy nod. This emerald woman sounded important. If this wizard, a master of the arcane arts, was holding her in such high regard she must be quite special.

“Yes… Quite good indeed.” The wizard agreed, his grin growing a tad too broad for comfort. "This might just spare countless lives in the end. Ah!" Suddenly, he straightened up, as though realizing something. "But I've been remiss, I haven't introduced myself properly."

With a swift and calculated move, the wizard grasped his staff, spinning it horizontally in midair. Letting it hover momentarily, he then firmly clutched it in both hands. "My name is Archazaus Meliantia Arehegosou, Master of the Black Tower and Lord of Knowledge!" he announced, his voice echoing in the silent carriage.

Ravina found herself agape, taken aback by his sudden and slightly violent introduction. As he paused, she realized it was her turn to reciprocate. "Ah, I'm Ravina... um, just Ravina." She felt a pang of inadequacy. No fancy titles followed her simple name, no lineage to lay claim to, no organization to back her up. She was merely Ravina, a girl left to fend for herself.

"Well, Just Ravina, it's indeed a pleasure to meet you!" He extended a hand towards her. Taking it, she felt an unfamiliar jolt of nervousness or was it exhaustion from the day's events? Regardless, Ravina's eyes grew heavy, and despite her best efforts to resist, she slumped over, succumbing to a sudden wave of fatigue.

“Alright, Steve, let's handle the shadows.” At his words the horse, named Steve, eased into a slower pace, eventually coming to a halt by the roadside. In a sprightly maneuver that belied his advanced years, the wizard, Archazaus, leaped down from the cart. "I can't fathom how they tracked me down so swiftly. But it doesn't matter. Colorless mages are so hard to come by, I can't afford to lose mine just yet.” with a sickly laugh he muttered to himself.

As he did, three figures on horseback emerged from the shrouded trees. The horse, named Steve, issued a disdainful snort at his equine counterparts. In his eyes, they were inferior, probably nameless, and couldn't measure up to his standards. The horse, named Steve, was a proud creature that took pride in being a higher breed of horse.

"Good morning," the leader of the approaching group hailed, his voice echoing across the quiet path. A figure marked by the scars of countless battles, this man bore the imprint of a veteran hardened by a brutal war. His eyes bore the exhaustion of a soldier with no cause left to fight for, a warrior who, in the absence of war, had descended into menial tasks for the affluent, oftentimes resorting to murder to remove obstructions for his master. His gaze flickered over to the sleeping Ravina. "Can't help but notice you're departing from the village with one of our kinfolk," he added, his eyes lingering on the unconscious girl.

The two others fanned out in a blatant attempt to flank Archazaus.

“Oh, I am simply taking some produce from the market and bringing it home.” Archazaus retorted nonchalantly, treating the situation as if it were a casual exchange. "Besides, I've paid for it well, at least, I think I did. It's astounding what you can acquire with a bit of spare change these days." his laughter grew, its shrill crackle mocking everything Ravina had done.

"Be that as it may, it seems someone else had laid claim to the item," the leader replied, playing along with the wizard's narrative. "Regrettably, you'll have to relinquish it. Oh, and there won't be a refund."

"Well, it appears I got there first," Archazaus responded unflustered.

"In that case, you'll be meeting your end," the leader declared nonchalantly.

"Hmm... intriguing," Archazaus mused, a small glint of mania coloring his eyes. "But allow me to ask you this, Mr. Wannabe Knight. Have you ever crossed swords with a wizard?"

The leader's reply was truncated by a sudden, violent cough. He gazed in bewilderment at the blood that splattered from his lips. "But you didn't..." His words were snuffed out by another fit of coughing, each spasm bringing forth more blood than the last. The two henchmen, caught in a similar plight, fell off their horses. It was only through sheer willpower that the leader was able to guide his horse in Archazaus's direction.

"Ah, so you have crossed paths with a wizard before. Regrettably, for you, I am no ordinary spellcaster. Isn't that right, Steve?"

In response, the horse, named Steve, emerged from behind Archazaus. In an alarming transformation, his mane parted horizontally down the center, all the way down his neck to his strong shoulders. Splitting to the sides he revealed a terrifying expanse of thin, sharp teeth that filled his newly formed, enormous maw. The red muscle skin parted in a hundred places, causing the inside of this cavernous mouth to spawn countless eyes. Their evil red irises gleamed with an otherworldly hunger as they took in the terrified gaze of the ailing knight and his petrified mount. In a heartbeat, the horse, named Steve devoured both the knight and his horse in a swift, gruesome act. Not only did it open its mouth wide, but it seemed to expand to accompany the size of its prey. The monstrous creatures ran on two legs as it set upon the remaining, terrified horses, tracking them down and promptly ending their futile escape.

"For starters, I don't possess a sword. Now, if you'll excuse me," with a casual shrug, Archazaus laughed at his funny little joke before he pivoted on his heel. "The Emerald Lady might be slightly put out that the village wasn't offered as a sacrifice, but she'll get past it soon enough. After all, she can consume the sons of Callium herself, in due course." His laughter was tinged with anticipation as his gaze swept across the parched lake.

"Oh... my mistake," he grinned mischievously. As he sat back down in the cart. Casting a glance at the sleeping girl, he informed her of his mistake. "Druid, Demon. I tend to mix them up." The horse, named Steve, found its way back to the front of the cart and with that Archazaus tapped his staff once more. The broken leather straps lifted and reconnected to the brake caused when the horse, named Steve, had broken free. Then they were off once more. "Well, it wouldn't make much of a difference to a little thing like you, now would it?"