Chapter 8
After we left the Dark Elf and returned to the Glade. We settled back into our routine. That night, mother called for me.
“You want to help them don’t you.”
As I looked at her, my anguished expression couldn’t be more obvious. Its not just that I wanted to help them. That was a large part of it, but I also wanted to meet other people, see other places. I yearned for that.
“Yes. I don’t know if I could help them. But I would like to try.” Was all I managed to squeeze.
Feeling my conflict. She gestured for me.
“Come. Sit here with me.” She said with a serene expression.
Sitting beside her. I place my head on hear shoulders. Her smell always managed to calm me down.
As we silently watched the moon from our perch. She continued.
“You have been the greatest gift ever given to me. All of the offerings in the world are not worth even half of you.”
After a few moments, she continued.
“I know you blame yourself for whatever it is that you feel you did. I am telling you don’t have to. Saving the world will not make you any more or less than my beloved daughter.” She told me as if seeing perfectly through me for all of these years.
As tears fell from my face. All I could say is “thank you”.
I then finally told her everything I am and did. About my memories, and about the person I once was. None of that phased her in the slightest.
“None of this matters to me. I will always be on your side.” Was her only response.
That night, I fell asleep using her lap as a pillow.
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Next morning, we came to a decision.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” She asked with concern.
“Yes mother. I will help them, and I will see a little of the world. I have to do this” I said so, trying to look confident.
“So be it. Just know that you will always have a home in here.”
“This place will always be my true home.” Is all I could say.
The rest of the morning was spent preparing. Mostly organizing the lab and placing all that I could into my spacial storage.
The forge was dismantled and the sensitive pieces carried away. The artifacts were stored and from the Micro-Rune artifact, only the lens I’m taking with me. I will need to build a new support housing for it when I settle in another place.
Finishing up. I will go do one of the hardest parts in leaving. Saying goodbye to the Fenrirs. Especially Balto and Lily.
Approaching them, I see them comfortably resting one against the other.
“Hey Lily. It might be a while before we see each other again.” I said so as she gently pressed her nozzle against me.
Woof! I hear the beast at her side getting up and excitedly circling around me.
“Do you want to come with me, Balto? I won’t return for a long while and we will go beyond the forest.”
Woof! Was the response as I see his tail beginning to turn into a propeller blade.
Getting things done. I leave the glade with mother.
As we arrive at the dais again. I catch myself observing the Dark Elf patiently waiting for us.
She was tall. Even taller than mother and pretty muscular, with her short shirt showing well defined abs. Her white hair tied into a bun, gave the image of a no-nonsense woman. Her height was not the only thing above grade. Her breasts should practically be considered weapons. She also had a very pretty face. Looking no older than 30.
Her clothing was simple linen shirt and pants, with a hardened leather chest protector. In the variety of belts and pockets attached to her, you could see a set of daggers. All partially covered by a rough green hooded cape. With a long bow tied to her back.
As we settle once again into our positions. She kneels in front of us.
“I have come to a decision.” Mother says with a serious tone.
“I shall send my daughter your way. She shall assist you with your plight. In exchange you are to upheld the oath previously dictated.”
“I swear.” Said the Dark Elf.
“Know this. My daughter is not to be harmed. If the worse shall come to pass. You and your kind shall know fury like you’ve never seen before!”
As she said this, it was like the very air turned into lead poured over the Dark Elf, who struggled to not fall on the floor.
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“I shall protect her with my life.” She struggled to say it over the sheer pressure mother emitted.
“So be it. The deal is done. I expect you to provide full hospitality towards her. Also, keep your dagger, I have no use for such things.”
Mother then got up from the throne and gave me a final kiss in the forehead. That’s all we needed as we had said our goodbyes before. Finally leaving me alone with the other elf.
As I approach her. I could see her dagger offering still in the altar. Taking it, I noticed it’s the same metal my bracer set seems to be made of.
Handling it back, I greet her.
“Hi. You’re Layla, right? I’m Rhea. Nice to meet you.” I said so with a friendly smile.
“Y-Yes, I am Layla. This one is happy to meet you esteemed Dryad.” She said with a bow.
“Yep. We’re going to cut that off right here and now. No need for formalities. Just Rhea is fine.”
“S-Sure.” Was the only response I got.
Suddenly, our other companion arrives besides me.
Woof! Said the beast.
“This here is Balto. He will be coming with us. Who’s a good boy?”
Woof!
“You might have seen him when he delivered one of yours.”
“Yes. He delivered my daughter to our village. We later threw a feast in his honor.”
“Wait! You went to a feast without me? So that’s why you were so happy you scoundrel!” I said so as I chased the fleeing dog. To astonished looks from the elf.
As I finally calm down and mount the Fenrir. I ask her:
“Are you ready to go?”
“Yes. Everything is here.”
“Then hop in behind me. It will be faster.”
“I, I couldn’t…” Said the elf with trepidation.
“HOP. IN.” Was my final argument in this discussion.
She then timidly sat behind and held on to me. A pretty amusing reaction coming from someone that looks so imposing.
“Come on Balto. Full speed ahead!”
Her screams were also pretty amusing I won’t lie.
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When dusk came. We begin making our preparations for camping. With Layla’s help, I quickly set up a fire.
“What if something sees us?” She carefully asks.
“Don’t worry. These here are barrier and warning wards.”
I take the aforementioned artifacts from storage.
“These will provide a measure of protection through the night. At least warn us if something comes near. Now watch this.”
I grinned while earth walls began to quickly cover the camp. Obfuscating our presence. To a greatly shocked expression on my companion. Her exaggerated reactions quickly becoming a great source of amusement on this trip.
Later on, as we sat in comfortable silence around the fire. I couldn’t help but ask.
“That dagger you presented. What is it made of?”
“That is our greatest treasure. It is made of Hirokane, a magical metal. It is said that you can even buy a court rank with a few kilos of it. Supposedly it only appears on areas of great mana concentration.”
“Wait. If this dagger is so valuable, why don’t you sell it and solve your problems?”
“And who would we sell it to? We would immediately be killed if we appeared with something like that. Even more if they much as they knew we had it. All sources of Hirokane are tightly controlled by the kingdoms.”
This made me realize something. With the amount of this stuff I’m carrying on my storage. I’m theoretically filthy rich! Not that I would sell any of it though.
Also, I might have to dull a bit the shininess on my bracers. I really don’t want to paint a target on my back. A little bit of magic, and it might look like dull tin or something.
While I pondered on it, she made me a question.
“If you don’t mind me asking. What are those symbols all over your skin? Is it a Dryad thing?”
“These are runes. They help guide mana directly from my soul and assist me in casting magic.” I answered, seeing no reason to keep it a secret.
“I’ve seen your magic. And it’s nothing like the magic of the Kingdom’s mages. Not that I saw much of that.”
“Are mages rare?” I asked.
“Somewhat. You must be pretty rich to be trained as a mage. You need staffs, crystals and reagents. Not to mention even the simplest magical artifacts tend to be very expensive.
Seeing you casting magic so freely, I begin to think there must be something wrong with the way they do it.” She said with a laugh.
“Well, a Dryads magic comes from a direct manipulation of mana from our souls. It is not an easy and painless path.”
“Each one of these.” I said pointing at the runes on my skin. “Is made by literally searing magic into my very flesh. And is very, very painful.” I said, to the elf’s perplexed look.
After dinner, Layla settled into a corner using her cape as cover. And me using Balto as pillow.
//
Morning came, and we continued on our way. Nothing really noteworthy happened besides stopping two times to cull small packs of monsters, and to hunt a few Horned Boars to store in my storage.
In the third day. I began to see the sudden changes in the appearance of the forest. The vegetation, no longer as dense. As well as species seemingly taking a turn for the normal, and not the fantastical giant trees I was seeing before.
The mana density also took a steep turn down. Heralding the borders of the forest, into normal woods.
I was sure to reduce speed so Layla could guide me towards our destination. Now on foot, she proceeded to show me the way.
Never had I been so far away from home. The excitement for seeing something new, perfectly mixed with anxiety for the unknown. Is this how explorers always feel?
With the dusk fast approaching. We finally clear the trees.
In the distance, A series of cultivated fields can be seen nested between the mountains. In the middle of it, lies a small village surrounded by a crude palisade.
From our vantage point, we could see further woods beyond the village, and a small window to plains beyond the mountains. This valley must be one of the few true passages into the Forest of Emesh, if my previous mapping from a distance is correct.
“Welcome to the Village of Uruk.” Says the dark elf besides me with a smile.
As we continue through the rows of fields. My mounted appearance seems to immediately catch attention from the people working. Soon enough, we have a small procession following behind us.
One thing I immediately notice as we are approaching the village. Is that everyone here seems to be a woman. All wearing simple linen clothes, or what looks like kimonos. What is going on here?
Passing through the fence. The structures inside are all simple wooden constructions seemingly eastern looking. Signs of damage making themselves clearly apparent by the few dilapidated and burned buildings spread around. The whole village must have a population of no more than 250 people if my size estimation is correct.
I come to the conclusion that this seems to be some kind of agrarian medieval equivalent society. At least the hygiene seems to be better though. With no garbage, and what seems like a public outhouse.
Quickly arriving at the central square. Layla begins to make an announcement to the crowd already surrounding us.
“This here is a Dryad. She is a spirit of the Untamed Forest. I have Travelled to the heart of their territory and struck a deal with their Queen. She will help us with our predicaments with her magic, and in turn, we will treat her as honored guest.”
Looking at the crowd. She continued.
“This is our chance! No longer will we lose our loved ones to bandit raids!” Drawing a small cheer from the crowd.
“Hi. My name is Rhea!” I begin.
“I have heard of your plight from your chief. I really don’t know if I can truly help you. But if my magic is of some use to you all, I intend to do my best.”
“I cannot say I truly understand what you all have been through. But know that I will fight with you.”
I then send a burst of fire to the sky, that explodes like a shower of fireworks. To the astonished looks from the crowd.
Taking 2 giant horned boars from my storage, I declare:
“Come, tonight’s feast is my treat!” To general cheers from everyone.
Suddenly the crowd parts and a girl came running towards us.
“Mother!”
The girl rushing into Layla’s bosom.
Behind her comes two older women.
“I am Elder Thana, and this is elder Zaina.” Pointing to the suspicious looking woman besides her.
“We give our welcome to one of the Dryads and her sacred beast among our midst.” Both taking a bowing stance.
“Now come with us. We must get our esteemed guest clothed.” She said with a smile.
Clothes?