Arthur's Point of View

The Hollow Forest

A few days had passed since I murdered the unsuspecting Noble Elf in front of the Lestranian people. Arceana wasn't happy but got over it surprisingly quick. The officers I was supposed to meet had to put in work thanks to my actions, and none of them appreciated it. Then again, you'd think people would be more supportive of me wiping out the Slavers nested in Helmsforth.

As things stood, I knew it was only a matter of time before it came to blows between the Priestesses and I. Neither were happy with how things turned out. Even if Elincia was amused, she couldn't condone my actions either. There were proper channels, according to them. I felt like those channels were pointless when someone was missing their head.

"Sir Arthur, why're we out here?" Typhon asked me.

Glancing over my shoulder at him, I stared at him slightly annoyed. "I came out here to investigate some stuff," And to train. "You, on the other hand, followed me for some reason. Why're you out here?"

"No reason." Was the kid's reply.

"Uh-huh." I gave an unconvinced look as I turned away from him. "So, you're not here to spy on me?"

"Why would I spy on you?" Typhon asked back, and I could hear the confusion in his voice.

"I assumed someone put you up to it. Ayda or one of the Priestesses. Someone." I said with a shrug as we walked.

The dragon child stepped beside me as we avoided the foliage. "You think they want me to spy on you?"

Breaking one of the branches in my way, I replied evenly. "I assumed it was you, but I don't think you're this good of an actor. That means someone else is likely following us." Then I stopped and glanced around. "Which would make sense because I've felt little surges here and there."

Typhon, being so full of questions, continued to ask them. "Surges?"

Sighing, I answered as we continued our trek into the Hollow Forest. "Like when someone uses magic, you can see it, right?" The kid nodded. "Well, each person has a magical signature that is specific to them. It helps if I know who I'm looking at to identify them, but there is something else out here with us though."

He began spinning in circles, frantically trying to find it. "There is!?"

Nudging him, amused, I replied. "Yes, but don't worry. I'm confident it's one of the Priestesses guards. At least, it's the most likely scenario." That seemed to relax him as he deflated slightly from being so tense.

Looking away from him, he didn't see it, but I frowned as I scanned the area. There was something following us, and it definitely wasn't a Town's Guard, nor was it a Priestess. Originally, I thought it was another Ghoul, but after fighting my fair share of those, I was convinced it wasn't. This was something darker and certainly viler than most things I've felt.

"Come on. If you��re gonna follow me, you need to keep up." I told Typhon as I walked off.

"I'm coming!" He shouted and chased after me.

Something told me it was too late to turn back and that it would be unwise to send Typhon back by himself. "You know this forest at all?"

Shaking his head, he shrugged. "No. I'm not allowed in here."

"What?" Coming to a stop and looking at him, I spoke. "What do you mean you're not allowed in here?"

"The Priestesses and Ayda said I'm not allowed to come in here without them, but I figured it'd be okay if I came with you!" He gestured to me, beaming. "You're the Knight of Lestrania! Nothing is going to mess with me if I'm with you!"

I rubbed my temples in annoyance. "So, I'm essentially hearing that I'm fucked when we get back. Your mommies are going to think I fucking kidnapped you or some shit. I can see it now."

Typhon immediately followed me as I started walking away. "No, they won't!" I loved how he didn't deny them being his mommies. "I'll tell them I followed you!"

"And then they'll say I should've immediately returned." Typhon looked down at that. "Look," Putting my hand on his head, I sighed. "It's fine. I can handle the Priestesses and even Ayda, but you can't just follow me around blindly."

"Why not?" Typhon asked back as I brought my hand up in surprise at the question.

"Because you don't know me that well. We're essentially strangers, kid." Gesturing to myself, I explained. "How do you know I'm trustworthy?"

He seemed confused and gestured to me as well. "You're our Knight. Why wouldn't you be trustworthy?"

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I took a knee and put a hand on one of his shoulders. "Look, kid, I literally murdered someone in front of an audience and got away with it. Do you think someone worthy of your trust would do that?"

"But the Duke was a Slaver and tried enslaving Rennal, didn't he? So, he deserved it." Then he shrugged. "That's what Priestess Elincia said." Tapping his fingers together, he continued. "Plus, Rennal is only here because of you. She might not be if you hadn't intervened."

"And gave up some other information in the process." Like the mystery High Elf wandering around Helmsforth. "My actions were mostly selfish, Typhon. Never forget that and don't trust someone you barely know."

Standing, he looked at me unsurely. "Well, what's your favorite color?"

Quirking a brow at that, I repeated his question. "My favorite color?"

He nodded. "Yeah! You said I shouldn't trust someone I barely know, so I thought I'd learn more about you."

Rubbing my face in disbelief, I answered as we began walking once more. "Purple."

"Mine too!" Typhon said excitedly. "How about your favorite animal?"

Can I say dragon, or would that be racist? "Uh, what's yours?"

He started flapping his arms to pretend he was flying. "A phoenix! They literally light themselves on fire! Perfect companion for a dragon!"

Hard to argue with his logic. "Not going to lie, a phoenix would be badass." Also surprised to find they have those here.

"Badass?"

"It means cool or awesome." Then I rolled my eyes. "Don't say it either cause Ayda would get on my case again. It's a 'bad word' according to her."

"Okay…" He was quiet for a bit before continuing and asked a more personal question. "Can I call you Arthur?"

Snorting at the question, I gave him an amused look. "What else would you call me?"

He shrugged. "Sir?" Was his unsure reply. "It is your title now."

I gestured to him. "You have my permission to call me Arthur and to inform everyone else to do the same. I'm not one for titles."

"Okay! Can you give me a nickname?!" His weird black dragon ear things seemed to flicker in excitement as he looked at me hopefully.

"Uh, why?"

His excitement went down considerably as his face fell, and he seemed to deflate. "I don't know." The Dragon replied with a small shrug. "Just thought it'd be nice to finally have a guy around to talk to. Floyd and Austin are nice, but they're not Knights."

"I suppose not." This was turning out to be hero-worship, which was annoying me. "Isn't there anyone else you hang out with or someone in the Temple to talk to?"

"Alwin is there, but he's always busy." He replied.

"Why are there so many people here with names starting with the letter A?" I asked myself more than I did Typhon. "Who is Alwin?"

Typhon gestured to me. "Alwin is one of the Priestesses Generals, just like you." He then smiled and continued. "He's also Ayda's older brother."

Rubbing my face up and down with my palms, I tried to remain calm. "I really hate how similar some of the names here are."

The kid gave me a confused look. "What do you mean?"

Waving the question away, I replied. "Never mind." Crossing my arms, I looked down at the kid who was trying to look unfazed. "Is that really the only reason you want me to give you a nickname? Because you don't have any guy friends to talk with?"

"That, and I thought we'd be friends if you gave me a nickname." Typhon replied innocently.

A child's innocence, I suppose. "Does anyone else have a nickname for you?"

"Not really. Most just call me Young Delmaris or Typhon since I have the Priestesses Family Name."

Maybe not so innocent. I forgot he's likely a slave to the Priestesses himself. A well kept and cared for slave, but still a slave. If Arceana and Elincia didn't have plans for him, I'd be shocked.

Placing my hand on his head, I began ruffling his hair. "Let's go, Ty." I said, and the look on his face made it worth it.

Practically skipping next to me, he nodded. "Yeah!"

'Ty' asked questions here and there, but nowhere near as annoying as Ayda. Probably because he was a kid, and the questions were more innocent in nature. Favorite food, drink, place, etc… All very tame questions compared to some of the ones I've had to avoid over the last few days.

We walked for a little longer, and I knew something was still watching us, so I kept my guard up. However, what appeared through the trees was not something I was expecting. A woman stood alone in a clearing that we were approaching, and I put my arm up to stop Ty.

"What is it?" He whispered as he mimicked me in crouching.

"Strange woman in the clearing ahead."

"Why is she strange?" Ty asked back.

Rolling my eyes, I gestured to her as I spoke sarcastically. "Probably because she looks like she has flowers growing on her, wears a plain dress, and has on no shoes."

The Druid in question seemed to have green vines for hair with flowers blooming throughout. A plain dress was made up of the local flora and was very unassuming, but very colorful. It went down to her knees and the rest of her was uncovered. Well, except for flowers and other plants here and there that decorated her darker skin. However, what really caught my eye was how dark a green her eyes were.

Typhon looked at her. "Is that it?"

Pinching the bridge of my nose again, I replied. "Ty, she's in the middle of the Hollow Forest that everyone tried to avoid. You don't think that's a little strange?"

The dragon narrowed his eyes to get a better look and then whispered, "I think she's a druid."

So, they have those too. "Really?"

He nodded. "She fits the description. The Priestesses also told me that there were two druids in the forest that resided near Helmsforth. They've even asked for their help before."

"What could the Priestesses possibly need a Druid for?" My whispered question was answered by someone else entirely.

"A potion was required to be brewed." The woman in the clearing said loud and clear before turning towards us. "One of vitality for the child beside you."

Standing up, I stepped forward, and the Druid merely smiled. "You knew we were there?"

Her smile seemed to grow as she closed her eyes. "If you wish to sneak upon a Druid, do not do it in the forest where she dwells." Reaching out her arm, a flower began to slowly descend from a vine above and moved to her hand directly. "Plants are not simple things that just look pleasing to the eye."

"You speak for the trees?" I asked in an amused tone.

"And some of the flowers as well. Life is everywhere in this place, Arthur Pendragon." The Druid replied.

That put me more on edge. "You know my name?"

Sniffing a flower, she opened her eyes and then looked at me. ���It has been spoken among the trees, and your appearance interested me. There was another of my kind, a sister, who was quite distraught. A few of her 'animals' were killed and maimed by a monster."

"What does that have to do with me?" Moving into the clearing, I kept Ty behind me.

"They were Manticores." The Druid replied.

"Oh. Yeah, that was definitely me."

The Druid nodded. "I'm aware. My kin is not. Do not worry though. Just like all plants die, so do the animals that feed upon them, and in turn, so do their predators." The flower fell from her hand to the floor and grew into the ground immediately. "A vicious cycle, but a beautiful one."

I gave a nod in return. "Thank you for understanding. I'll try to be more careful of your plants from now on."

She giggled at that. "These are not my plants. Nor are they her animals, despite what she may think." Her words were calm and soft in a relaxing tone. "She is naïve, but she is also young. We are descended from two different tribes, so we care about different things."

"You like plants, and she doesn't?"

"A crude description, but yes. While I cherish life, I also understand its uses." Slowly falling to her knees, she waved to the pink flowers in the clearing. "These flowers have the ability to ease pain if mixed with the right ingredients, but I also care for them until the time I need them."

"So, it's the same with her, but with animals?" My unsure tone made her giggle again.

She nodded. "Again, a crude description, but yes. Her joy and purpose in life is found in caring for animals. My joy is in everything, but I mostly interact with the local fauna."

I looked down at Ty, who looked up at me and shrugged. "Don't look at me. I didn't know any of this."

"You were still young when you were brought to me. A poison flowed through your veins that had spread too far for magic to take care of. Regardless of their power, the Priestesses can only do so much." The Druid stated and then gestured to him. "However, I am pleased to see that you are well and have fully recovered."

"Thank you? " Typhon replied with a small nod, not sure how to take the news.

"Well, it's been fun, but we should be on our way."

The Druid gave a curt nod but held a up a hand to stop us. "You will receive no trouble from me, and I doubt my kin would pose any threat to you either, but do you know that there is a darkness that has been following you through this forest?" She inquired.

Focusing my eye on her, I smirked. "This just got a lot more interesting."