"Deu watch over our night," overheard the man say as she perched on a tree watching them. The old man groaned, his tired feet propped against an ancient oak. His hair is a silvery mane, thinning yet dignified, framing a face lined with the maps of countless worries and smiles. The fire crackled between the assembled adventurers, casting long shadows into the enclosing darkness of the forest.

Varis offered a wry smile in response. "Merrik my friend, you are too old for these ventures."

"Indeed, I believe I couldn't have made it this far without all of you. Thank you for allowing us to join your party Varis." As he speaks, his hands seek the warmth of the campfire, his eyes reflect his sincere gratitude towards his old friend.

"No trouble, although I must admit you traveling without a navigator among your party isn't very wise of you. Upper merchants like us must hire the best-skilled people while we travel. I understand an archer but a warrior? What an odd selection." Varis points out.

"Thanneus here is the son of Victor Nightingale, my close friend." The old man pointed to a broad-shouldered man with an ever-present grin, moving about the camp. His sandy hair is a short slicked back, keeping it out of his face as he bends to hand the old man a cup of water. "He is a novice in the guild Aeterra when his father told me that he and his friend were going this way for a quest I was thrilled that I thought I'd join."

"You are Victor Nightingale's son? Victor Nightingale - one of the most influential upper merchants in Tukish? What on earth are you doing wandering around as an adventurer boy?" Varis asked his eyebrows knit.

"Well, you see, inheriting my father's knack for business and charm meant I had too much energy for just the market stalls! Besides, adventuring keeps my stories fresh and my pockets... interestingly unpredictable. Can't let my father have all the fun with the trade routes, right?" Thaddeus laughs off Varis' question and ignores Varis' condescending tone.

"Tell me, is this trek another brainchild of your father's?" Varis asked, a sly grin creeping across his face as he leaned in closer, his voice carrying a playful undertone that barely concealed his sharp curiosity. "Did he perhaps stumble upon a map, hinting at hidden runes and gemstones up at the mountain's peak?"

"No, not all. We got this as a guild request to collect a bag full of rocks from this forest"

"Rocks?" Varis picked up one rock on the ground "There's nothing special about these rocks" Varis inspected the rock with his monocle his mustache twitching to the side.

"A wandering scholar from Itapari sent a formal request to our guild. He's an odd fellow always carrying rocks with him. But it was a high reward and learning that Merrick needed a guide to enter we thought we could hit two birds with one stone." Thanneus laughs at the accidental pun of his statement.

"And I didn't need to pay full price for their services and you know me, I enjoy a good bargain." Merrick enthused.

"Well, it looks like they're not here to trespass beyond the outer forest Elleisia" Thorn whispered after overhearing the group's conversation.

"That also means that Aldrich didn't send them." She said softly, losing interest in the group of trespassers upon learning this.

"Well, I must admit, your group isn't entirely without merit," his voice dripped with a mix of mockery and grudging respect. "That rune of yours opened a mountain path my navigator was clueless about. Cut our travel time in half, it did." His eyes lingered on the glowing rune that Thaddeus wore prominently around his neck.

Under his breath, almost to himself, Varis murmured, "No doubt that's a gift from his father." when no one heard his begrudging words he continued with a condescending tone masked as a compliment "And that archer of yours is a talented young man bringing us such fine catch tonight." Varis now looked at the tall and lean-framed man methodically scanning the surroundings. His stormy blue eyes were alert and sweeping over the forest.

"Erik, take a break man. We'll swap watch after a while!" Thaddeus calls out cheerfully, handing his friend a cup of water. He watches as Erik's gaze remains fixed on the forest canopy. Elleisia noticed that he was particularly gazing toward the branches where she was hiding. "Come on, hydrate first. You can keep an eye out all you want after," Thaddeus adds with a reassuring pat on Erik's shoulder.

"Elleisia, I think that one human can see us!" Thorn said, his voice laced with caution as he saw the human scanning the trees where they perched.

"Relax, Thorn," Elleisia whispered, her gaze fixed on the overflowing basket of mushrooms she had gathered while secretly trailing the group. "My illusion veil is as good as Echo's—they won't see through them." She paused, her nose twitching as the savory scent of stew drifted towards them. "Though that stew they're making smells delicious," she sighed wistfully, her stomach rumbling in agreement.

"Why don't you go hunt while I keep watch?" Thorn suggested, trying to be helpful.

Elleisia shook her head, holding up a mushroom with a slight frown. "I wouldn't even know where to start with prepare or cook anything I caught," she confessed.

"What? You don't know how to prepare or cook your hunt?" Thorn's voice rose in disbelief, causing a rustle among the branches.

Quickly, Elleisia picked him up from where he was perched, just as an arrow zipped through the space where he had just been. With a composed smile, she placed a finger to her lips. "While I'm good at keeping us hidden, I can't keep the noise inside so don't make a ruckus," she whispered, tilting her head just as another arrow thudded into the tree behind where her head had been moments before.

Shocked at the near-death experience Thorn went as pale as white, "We'll stick to mushrooms tonight." said Elleisia nibbling on her food and gazing down at the man who shot the arrow.

"There's nothing there, trust me—if there was, I'd sense it with my spatial abilities." Liria, the sole woman in the group, leans toward Erik with a casual shrug "If you don't trust me, perhaps we could go scouting under the moonlight together." her voice carrying a playful but assertive edge.

Erik only gave the woman a side glance and kept his gaze fixed on the shadows between the trees, his expression unreadable.

"What's the matter, archer? cat got your tongue?" Her presence is captivating: sun-kissed skin glowing softly in the dim light, vibrant dark curls intricately braided to frame her spirited face, adding a touch of wild elegance to her adventurous demeanor.

"Just keep your senses open," he turns away, the chill of his dismissal hanging in the air.

"You telling me I don't know how to keep watch?" Liria's cheeks flushed with a mix of irritation and challenge as she faced Erik's aloof rejection.

Erik remained silent, his attention never straying from the darkness beyond, a stoic sentinel amidst the simmering tension.

Thaddeus, sensing the escalating friction, stepped in with a lighthearted chuckle, trying to diffuse the situation. "He's not used to someone as direct as you, Liria," he explained, clapping Erik on the shoulder. "Back in Ayzia, the women tend to keep their boldness more... subdued."

Unsatisfied with the explanation and eager to prove her mettle, Liria squared her shoulders, her voice sharp with challenge. "Perhaps the archer would like to test my skills himself." Liria was ready to pounce with her shark-tooth sword in hand.

"Liria, remember our purpose here." her brother, Kaleon, admonished gently. "We're here to navigate, not joust our tempers."

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Liria huffed, her competitive spirit cooled slightly by her brother's words, but her gaze still locked with Erik's, daring him to accept her challenge or offer a truce. "Whatever, I'll start setting up our tents."

"Not all Polenian women are as fiery as my sister, you have to learn not to mind her words" her brother Kaelon explains to the two.

Thaddeus, catching the tension in the air, steps in with an easy smile, seeking to lighten the mood. "And my friend here isn't exactly the best at small talk with the ladies, so please, excuse his quiet nature," he says, giving Erik a playful nudge to break his stoic demeanor.

"I apologize," Erik said not letting the situation escalate further, but still wary about the trees.

"Elleisia we should probably move farther away, that tall guy with a bow and arrow spells trouble to me " Thorn lowered his voice not wanting to be on the other end of that arrow.

"But wait look!" Elleisia looking at the girl named Liria, pulling out multiple items in her satchel, "How interesting, she can fit so much in such a little bag that is impossible." Elleisia wondered.

"It must be spatial magic we've never seen before," Thorn said observing as well. "What interesting group of people." Elleisia watched intently, but as she scanned the adventurers, it became clear that Aldrich was nowhere among them.

Deep into the night, as the adventurers set up their makeshift beds and canvas, they gathered for a warm meal around the crackling logs that spat sparks into the starlit sky. The warm glow of the fire pulled their voices into a harmonious chorus, echoing through the forest and blending with the nighttime sounds of the wilderness around them.

"Say Merrick, You never told me what brings you to Veilwoods?" Varis suddenly realized.

"I am on my annual pilgrimage to the altar of the Guardian Earth Golemn of this forest. Offering my thanks to him for the continued health of my wife."

"Your wife has been on bed rest for nearly a decade" Varis remembered "Should you not be on her bedside instead of gallivanting around this parts of the world."

"You must be speaking of another person Varis, I met Merrick's wife just last year and she is perfectly healthy. She even walks around Tukish to give out fruit baskets to a Foundling Hall" Thanneus recalls a vibrant Mrs. Merrick often asking him to join the entourage of fruit basket carriers.

"She indeed, has regained much strength this past 3 years as Thanneus says. It all started when I a member of the Salveo tribe took pity on my wife and recommended the water from the altar on the mountain point."

"You speak of the Great Guardian Pohaku's altar? " Kaleon supplied.

"Yes, you see this healer from the Salveo tribe was rescued by my wife during a shipwreck. When he heard of my wife's illness he told me of an ancient practice of their tribesmen, during a the day when the two suns hide behind the moon, one treks through the Veilwoods, provide an offering to the Guardian of the mountain so that he may deliver your earnest prayer to Deu. Then you take a small amount of water from the spring."

"It is a practice known to our tribe as Dusk to Dawn" Kaleon supplied.

"Yes that is the one, My wife was saved because of this"

"Deu Bless you my friend!" Kaleon says resting his hand on his own heart.

"Merrick, If I knew you we're doing this for your wife - I shouldn't have charged you at all." Thanneus said trying his best to hold out his tears.

"I've trekked the mountains every time the two suns behind the moon." Merrick in a solemn reminiscing tone.

"Goodness don't you see Merrick!" Varis said exclaiming, "It is a fortunate turn of luck for you indeed, you must've discovered the fountain of youth! A cure for all diseases! Imagine the fortune you could gain from this " his eyes gleaming with the delight of such discovery.

"Sorry to burst your bubble old man but that spring belongs to the people of Polenia. It's not miracle water you can trade off" Liria said trying to reign in her anger not to snap at her employer.

"I believe what my sister is trying to say is," Kaleon held a restraining hand on her sister "The waters in the Guardian Pohaku's altar are sacred and although believed to perform miracles, it does not deliver one from death nor regain one's youth. It does not guarantee to cure all forms of sickness."

"Are you saying that just to keep that spring to yourself?" Varis accused.

"We agreed to navigate you here because you said you wanted to figure out ways to restore dying trees in Tukish, you didn't say anything about taking what belongs to the forest. We won't be part of any selfish deeds and if you want to do so we're happy to kick you out " Her voice was on the verge of rage and Varis flinched out of fear.

"What my sister meant to say is," Kaleon interceeding, trying his best once again to mince her sister's words, "We were originally tasked to guide you through the forest and ensure your safety. We cannot participate in any task that is sacrilegious to us and will intentionally put us in harm's way. If this is your intent we can part ways with you at this juncture after safely returning you to the entrance of the forest. "

"And you old man!" Liria turned to Merrick. "You shouldn't be telling people this story you never know which selfish jerk is listening ."

"What my sister meant to say Merrick is..." Kaleon started to say but Merrick put a hand up to quel Kaleon's nervous energy.

"You are right Liria," Merrick said in a humble voice. "Please accept this old man's apology. I also guarantee that Varis won't share such information or act upon it, because if he did, I would be the first to stop him and sever all his dealings with Merrick and Brother's Mercantile Ventures." He added giving a firm stare to Varis.

"I also put a guarantee to it, I too will stop him if he does anything rash." Thaddeus righteously declares. "He will also be banned from all dealings at Nightingale Navigational Trades."

The sudden righteousness display of both Merrick and Thaddeus made Liria blush, "Whatever do what you want!" She said and stormed into her canvas putting out the lights.

"That sister of yours needs to put a reign on her temper" Varis said with indignation. Being put on the spot he could not say more, for fear of losing his connection with strong mercantile connections. He no longer voiced out his devious plans.

"That man is a force to be reckoned with" Thaddeus shook his head.

"Yet you threatened him as though you have power over the trade partnerships of your father's business." Erik who was silent for the entire time suddenly said to his friend in a matter-of-fact tone.

"He has a point young Thaddeus, your threat although boldly struck does not have much backing" Merrick contemplated with a bit of humor and teasing in his old sage voice.

"Nonetheless, I thank you both for offering to help us keep such secrets. Although our practice isn't a mystery it is only seen by the outside world as sacred musings of tribal communities." Kaleon wonders "I dare say it is scary to think of the ramifications your stories would bring should you testify the effectivity of the sacred waters."

"I will bare that in mind," Merrick seriously contemplates on Kaleon's words. "You are young but you are quite knowing." Merrick compliments.

"Also, it isn't the idea of destruction on Varis' end that worries me." Kaleon says with a dark tone in his voice.

"What do you mean?" Thaddeus asked.

"This forest whispers of ancient times." He says in an ominous tone, "In our tribe, the legend goes that this forest connects to life and death. It has been here since the beginning of civilization. Beyond the Altar of Pohaku is a forbidden land that no one must venture out to. They say that Deu lives in the heart of the forest with the Mother Tree and an ancient spirit of death guards the borders just between here and the veil before the afterlife." He opens, expanding on the lore of his people.

"Being in the mere footsteps of the mountain is already a daunting task, adventurers here travel aimlessly and it is only thanks to the Guardian Pohaku that tribesmen like us are guided safely out. This forest does not take kindly to those with selfish intent" He says looking at Merrick and adding,

"That is why I think your wife was saved not just by the sacred waters, but your pure intentions and formidable faith. Deu watchover you my friend." Kaleon places his hand on his heart once again.

"May Deu watch over you too" Merrick responds with his two hands open palm gesturing from the sky to Kaleon.

"What silly notion!" Thorn whispered angrily, "Deu is not in the forest only the Mother Tree. How can the Almighty Deu need a spirit of death to protect Him? He is Deu he is..." Thorn trailed of finding the right words to say "He is Almighty!" he finished.

"You mustn't be offended by their ramblings" Elleisia and Echo at some point had moved to the ground. She was drawing 8 ancient circles on the grounds and there were markings surrounding their makeshift area.

"What are you doing?" Thorn whispered again.

"Fortifying our veil using a combination of Echo and Hae's magic."

"I get that but why did you draw Mossy's essence retrieval magic?"

"So I can go to bed and the stones will help absorb as much essence I can overnight."

"Why do you need so much essence?" Thorn asked again.

"Because that guy over there keeps shooting arrows at us when we speak above a whisper" Elleisia pointed at Erik who was still keeping a vigilant watch on the trees where they were perched.

"I'd rather have a peaceful sleep than constantly waking up to avoid his arrows."

"What you're planning on sleeping? What if they make a move in the night?"

"Well, it seems that these guys aren't looking to harm the Mother Tree so if they leave camp. I'll just go find them." She said placing 8 stones in the middle of her drawings. "I'd rather lead them to Pohaku's mountain and let them to their business, guide them back out rather than aimlessly follow them around for days as they go around in circles."

"I don't know Elleisia, I don't like that Liria girl or that Varis man." Thorn said concern etched his voice.

"Liria - although passionate, I can sense she has a pure heart and no trace of malice in her." Elleisia started. "But that Varis man is a difficult one. Maybe in the morning you should go to the portal and head west? See if Echo is done scouting the humans by themselves."

"And leave you here alone with them?" Thorn was aghast by the idea.

"Don't worry" Elleisia patted Thorn's head. "I can manage,"

Elleisia's gaze shifted towards Erik, her eyes inadvertently drawn to him as if pulled by a subtle, unseen magnet. His presence, though quiet, seemed to fill the space around him, compelling her attention. There was a certain intensity in the way he surveyed the room, his focus sharp yet seemingly detached from the immediate chaos.