Chapter 7: Arrival in Sylvara

As the family continued down the well-worn path that led to Sylvara, the atmosphere around them began to change.

The towering trees, already impressive, now seemed like ancient sentinels, their colossal trunks twisted with age and magic. Each one was wide enough to house entire families. Platforms and hanging bridges could be glimpsed high above, hinting at dwellings hidden within the treetops.

Daniel felt dwarfed by the gargantuan foliage, as if he were a mere child in a world built for giants.

Glowing vines draped elegantly from the branches, casting a soft, ethereal light that illuminated the path ahead like flickering lanterns.

The air grew thick with the mingling scents of wildflowers, rich earth, and the sharp tang of tree sap. Under it all was a subtle hum—a pulsing, vibrant energy that hinted at the magic interwoven with nature itself.

As they pressed onward, fantastical wildlife emerged from the undergrowth, each creature more bizarre and beautiful than the last.

Bioluminescent insects flitted between the vines, their tiny wings leaving trails of light in the air.

Delicate, translucent creatures with wings that shimmered like spun glass darted between the trees. Their movements left faint ripples in the air as if bending reality around them.

In the distance, the faint sound of rustling hinted at larger, unseen beings—creatures whose forms briefly shimmered with otherworldly energy before fading back into the woods.

Thankfully, none of them appeared hostile, just watchful.

Izabelle, holding Diana’s hand, glanced around in awe. “It’s like something out of a storybook,” she whispered, her voice filled with wonder as she took in the magical scenery.

"Meh, bang average," Daniel muttered dryly, shrugging his shoulders with a wink, though the sparkle in his eyes betrayed his own awe.

Jamie, walking alongside Felix in the cart, nudged toward a cluster of mushrooms that glowed faintly under the canopy. "Check those out. I dare you to lick one, Daniel.”

Daniel scowled. "You lick one."

The deeper they ventured, the stranger and more enchanting the flora became.

Flowers hummed with a low, musical vibration, their petals shifting colours in response to their presence. Some leaned toward them, as if drawn to the life energy that radiated from the family.

The trees themselves seemed to whisper, their leaves rustling in a language that none of them could understand.

The very air shimmered with power, making it feel as if the forest itself was alive, sentient, and watching.

Diana tugged at Izabelle’s hand, pointing to a small creature that darted across the path—a tiny, fox-like animal with shimmering blue fur and eyes that glowed like sapphires.

"Mummy, did you see that?!" she asked, her voice brimming with excitement.

“I did, sweetheart,” Izabelle said, smiling down at her daughter. “This place is full of surprises, isn’t it?”

Daniel chuckled nervously. “Let’s hope none of these surprises have a taste for human flesh.”

Izabelle sighed, rolling her eyes. "If only your jokes were as good as your ability to ruin everything nice."

Eldrin brought the cart to a halt as the city gates came into view. "Here she is: Sylvara."

The family stopped in awe.

Sylvara’s gates were not wrought from stone or iron, but living wood. Massive tree trunks intertwined to form the entrance, their bark etched with glowing, intricate carvings of animals and plants.

These carvings seemed to shift and move, the animals running and the plants blooming as though alive.

Above the gate, luminous vines hung in delicate arches, pulsating with soft light as if breathing in rhythm with the magic of the forest.

Two guards stood at the entrance, their armour seamlessly integrated with the natural world around them. Crafted from enchanted bark and shimmering leaves, their breastplates glowed faintly, echoing the life force of the forest.

Their sharp eyes, almost predatory, watched the family’s approach with an air of ancient wisdom and unyielding authority.

One of the guards, a tall elf with emerald-green eyes and chestnut hair that flowed like liquid, stepped forward. "Halt," he commanded, his voice smooth but firm. "State your purpose in Sylvara."

Daniel stepped forward, sensing the weight of the elf’s gaze. “We’re travellers, new to this area. We’ve been through a lot just to get here, and we’re looking for shelter and guidance.”

The elf’s eyes narrowed as they lingered on the children, his expression unreadable. “Outsiders are not often welcomed in Sylvara. The city is a sanctuary, and we must ensure that those who enter bring no harm.”

Sensing the tension, Jamie spoke up. “We mean no harm. We’re just trying to find our way. We’ve heard Sylvara is a place of wisdom and safety. That’s all we seek.”

After a long, scrutinising pause, the guard nodded. "Very well. You may enter. But know this—Sylvara is sacred, and those who disrespect it will find no mercy here."

With a subtle hand gesture, the massive wooden gates creaked open, revealing the city beyond—a breathtaking vision of towering trees, woven with homes, platforms, and shimmering bridges, all alive with the glow of magic.

Daniel nodded meekly. "That's more than fair enough and we will do nothing less than cherish your culture."

The elf guard raised an eyebrow at the reply before nodding and turning his gaze back to the area before them.

As they stepped through the gates, Daniel turned to Jamie and Izzy, "Was that cherish your culture line too much?"

Jamie and Izzy shared a look of dismay and both nodded, with Jamie adding, "It was, but it may have played into our hands as there is no way they can be fearful of someone so... How to say it nicely...? Pathetic, that's the one."

Daniel feigned sobbing with rejection before laughing with them.

Upon entering the city proper, the family was greeted by a sight that felt like stepping into another world, which I guess they kind of had. Sylvara was a city woven into the very fabric of the forest.

Homes and shops were built into the massive trees, their walls made of living wood that seemed to breathe.

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Bridges of woven vines connected the treetop structures, creating a network of pathways high above the ground. Below, the forest floor was dotted with glowing pools of water and small gardens filled with plants that shimmered in the twilight.

Felix, still perched in Izzy's arms, pointed at a group of children playing near a stream. “Play! Play!”

Izabelle followed his gaze and saw that the children, who appeared to be a mix of elves, humans and some strange type of wolf or dog people.

Their laughter echoed through the trees, a sound so pure and joyful that it brought a smile to her face.

“They are playing, baby boy,” she said softly, squeezing Felix’s hand. “This place is… magical.” Izzy turned sharply with a pre-emptive look of judgement before either Daniel or Jamie could point out that it was quite literally magical.

Both men got the message and looked at the floor in defeat.

As they walked further into the city, they began to notice the diversity of its inhabitants.

Elves with long, flowing hair and pointed ears, their movements graceful and almost ethereal.

Hobbit-looking adults shuffling around, doing odd jobs. Fae beings with wings that sparkled like diamonds, flitting about the treetops.

There were also creatures that defied description—beings made of light, their forms shifting and changing with every step.

Others seemed to be part plant, their limbs covered in leaves and vines.

Daniel, ever the observer, couldn’t help but marvel at the variety of life around them.

“This is like a cosplay convention on steroids,” he muttered, earning a charitable chuckle from Jamie.

As they continued, they came upon a large structure at the centre of the city. It was the Moonlit Tankard, the inn they had been directed to.

The building was made of dark wood, with large windows that glowed warmly from within.

The sign above the door was carved with intricate patterns of the moon and stars, and the air around it seemed to shimmer with a faint, magical light.

Daniel pushed open the door, and they were immediately enveloped in warmth and the comforting sounds of clinking glasses and quiet conversation.

The inn’s interior was cosy, with wooden beams running across the ceiling and a large fireplace crackling at one end of the room. The scent of roasting meat and fresh bread filled the air, making their mouths water.

Behind the bar stood a woman who was clearly in charge. Merium Seda was stout, with a commanding presence and sharp eyes that missed nothing.

Her brown hair was pulled back into a no-nonsense bun, and her hands moved deftly as she poured drinks, directed the staff and threatened violence upon customers, all at once.

As the family approached the bar, Merium glanced up, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took them in.

“Well now,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. “You look like you've had it rough. Not often we get a whole family of travellers around here. What brings you to Sylvara?”

Daniel casually approached Merium, "She does look a bit rough but hey, they're not all first-round picks and she has a bubbly personali-" *WHACK*

Izzy had her hand by her side as quickly as it came up, as if the wind was responsible for humbling Daniel.

"What I mean to say is I'm lucky to have such a divine treasure and you simply must be referring to this mess of a man standing before you." He stated in a monotone voice, as if his training had taken over.

Merium clasped her hands as she let out a large chuckle.

Daniel, trying to appear confident despite the strangeness of their situation, offered a small smile. “On a more serious note, we’re new to this area, trying to find our way. We were told your inn might have a room for us.”

Merium studied them for a moment, her gaze lingering on the children before nodding. “Aye, I’ve got a room. But let me give you a bit of advice. Sylvara’s a city that values its peace and quiet. Outsiders aren’t always welcomed with open arms. You’ll need to earn your place here, and that starts with keeping your heads down and respecting the locals.”

Jamie, ever the diplomat, nodded in agreement. “We understand. We’re just looking for a place to rest and maybe some guidance on where to go next.”

Merium’s eyes softened slightly as she handed them two keys. “You’ll find your rooms up the stairs, third door on the left is the family one. The one across from that is the single. It’s not much, but it’ll be comfortable enough, I'll have a couple more beds thrown in for the youngsters. If you need anything, just holler. But remember, the people here don’t take kindly to trouble. Keep that in mind.”

Daniel bowed graciously before Merium. “You are a rose amongst thorns,” he stated obsequiously, causing the hardened inn keeper to roll her eyes and chuckle.

As they made their way to the room, Daniel couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.

It wasn’t an unfriendly gaze, but more one of curiosity and caution.

The city of Sylvara was unlike anything they had ever encountered. Its inhabitants, though kind enough, were clearly wary of strangers.

Once inside their room, the family took a moment to breathe.

The room was small but cosy, with beds made of soft moss and blankets that smelled faintly of lavender.

A small window looked out over the city, giving them a view of the treetops. The glowing lights that dotted the landscape were captivating.

Izabelle set Felix down on one of the beds and sighed. “This place is incredible, but I can’t help feeling out-of-place. It still doesn't feel real at all.”

Daniel sat beside her, his usual humour replaced with a more serious tone. “Yeah, I know what you mean. But we’ll figure it out. We always do. Not going to lie though, if this is truly real, it could be worse. Place is unbelievable.”

Jamie, standing by the window, looked out at the city below. “It is hard to believe we’re really here. Everything feels so… different.”

Daniel nodded, his gaze distant. “It is different. But it could be perfect for us. I know I'm not the only one who felt disconnected with the world after what we've lost. This could be a clean and wondrous slate.”

As the family began to settle in for the night, Daniel found himself unable to sleep.

The events of the day, the strange new world they had found themselves in. The uncertainty of what lay ahead weighed heavily on his mind.

He decided to go back downstairs to speak with Merium, hoping to gather more information.

When he reached the common room, it was quieter now, with only a few patrons left.

Merium was still behind the bar, cleaning glasses and humming softly to herself. She looked up as Daniel approached, raising an eyebrow.

“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked, her tone more gentle now that the initial business had been handled.

Daniel shook his head. “Nah, too much on my mind, I guess. I was hoping you might have some advice for someone in our situation.”

Merium set down the glass she was holding and leaned on the bar, studying him closely. “My advice? Take things slow. Sylvara’s a nice place, full of magic and mystery, but it’s also a place of rules and traditions. Don’t rush into anything, and don’t make enemies where you don’t need to.”

Daniel nodded, appreciating her straightforwardness. “Thanks. We’ll do our best.”

Merium gave him a small, almost motherly smile. “You’ll be fine, lad. Just remember—respect the forest, respect the people, and they’ll respect you in return.”

The pair engaged in casual conversation about life at the inn for the next hour. Daniel helped clean the glasses before making his way back to the room, feeling a bit more grounded.

As he lay down beside the already-sleeping Izabelle, he lifted her head as he pulled her into a sleepy embrace. He couldn’t help but wonder what tomorrow would bring. But whatever it was, they would face it together—as a family.