Chapter Seven

A wave of flame comes roaring at Igneous, filling his vision till it is all he could see. Igneous narrows his eyes and extends his hand toward the flames. Focusing, Igneous bends the flames to his will, using the flames’ momentum to shape it into a long stream of fire, whipping around himself, swirling it around his body like a ribbon of flickering red and orange, before pulling the flame into himself and absorbing it. Igneous can feel not only the energy from the fire, but the mana used to create it filling him and becoming one with him. When it is all gone he relaxes and grins to the sound of clapping from the spectating Nelly, Korren, Corma, and the kids she has been teaching. Korren approaches Igneous holding the shaman staff and smiles at the sprite, “Well done! That was the strongest fire spell I know, and with this staff it was the strongest spell I have ever cast. That was amazing.”.

“It was nothing, really.”, Igneous says rubbing the back of his head unconsciously. Korren grins and says, “Which makes it even more impressive.”, Korren examines the staff in his hand and looks to Igneous, “And this staff of yours is unbelievable!”.

“Well it’s not like I can cast spells or anything like you, that is cool!”, Igneous says with a grin.

“Yet!”, Korren says enthusiastically, “I would love for you to come back to Forestedge, that’s my village, and show your abilities the rest of the mages.”.

Igneous stops smiling at this, Korren this human mage, was nice and really seemed to think Igneous was interesting, but the idea of leaving was still hard for him to accept. Seeing the indecision on Igneous’ face Korren says attentively, “But, only if you want. No rush just think it over.”.

Igneous gives the mage a small smile, “Thank you, I’ll think about it.”.

Korren looked towards the sky at the midday sun and glances back at Igneous, “It’s almost time for lunch, and I believe Nevil wished to show me and my party something at midday. But, we can talk about his later.”.

Igneous thinks about it for a few seconds, it couldn’t hurt to talk, then nods , “Okay.”.

Igneous goes with Korren, Nelly staying behind to eat with Corma and her class, to meet up with Nevil at the center of the village. When they arrive Nevil and the other humans are waiting for them. The woman in yellow runs up to the approaching two and jumps to a stop in front of Igneous, Marigold was her name if Igneous remembered correctly, “ Hello! We didn’t get to talk last night, I’m Marigold and its nice to meet you!”.

Igneous studies the woman’s face and finds nothing other than earnestness and pure happiness, and Igneous found it to be contagious and smiles back, “Its nice to meet you too, Marigold, I am Igneou.”.

Marigold grins and skips back to the others with Korren and Igneous following behind. Nevil gives Igneous a nod and then turns to the adventurers and says, “Well, now that you are all here we shall have lunch.”.

Nora gives Nevil a knowing smile and nods. Mitch and Korren look confused, while Marigold just states loudly, “I would love some lunch!”.

Nevil gives a small laugh, and gestures for them to follow him, “Then follow me. We will be having lunch in our temple.”.

Korren stops at these words and looks to Nora, who offers a shrug, then back at Nevil, “I thought that was the home of the spirit you worship. Is it alright for us to eat there?”.

Nevil looks to the mage and nods, “It is quite alright, lord Yasevl wishes to meet you.”.

Before anyone can say anything else Marigold says, “As long as there is food, I’ll be happy.”, and skips off toward the temple, looks back at the others, “Are you coming?”.

Mitch and Korren look to each other and shrug and follow after the excitable priestess. Nevil hangs back and walks next to Igneous, whispering into the sprites ear, “Lord Yasevl said for you to be ready in case this goes bad.”.

Igneous looks to Nevil, afraid that he understands what the wood elf is implying, but before he can raise his worries, Nora turns to Nevil and tells him, “You and Yasevl have nothing to worry about, and if anything happens, I will handle it. But I trust them, they may be a handful, but they’re good people. You can trust them.”.

Nevil studies the woman then nods, “I hope you are right.”, looking after the three adventures ahead of him, “I really do.”.

The high-priest kneels at the altar of Dorean praying alone, the others having gone to bed, the temple lit only by dwindling candles and the rays of moonlight slipping in through the temples’ thin stone windows. The high-priest is pulled from his prayer by the sound of footsteps coming up behind him. Turning to see who has interrupted him, the high-priest sees an older man dressed in the garb of nobility, black trousers with a white silk shirt covered by a purple vest, but on his shoulders hangs the red and white cloak of a healer and belt hangs from his hip filled with various potions and bags, most likely filled with powders used for healing. The high-priest rises, turning to face the man he tells him, “I am sorry my lord, but the temple is closed. You may come back in the morning when we are open to the public.”.

The man smiles warmly at the priest, the corner of his tired blue eyes crinkling, “That is quite okay Thomas, I won’t be long.”.

The high-priest looks at the man closely, how did this odd noble know his name, “Do I know yo-,”.

The high-priest, Thomas, stops mid-sentence when he notices that the man his giving off a slight glow, which explains why he could see the man in the dark temple. The man’s smile deepens, and he takes a seat in one of the temples wooden pews, the bench creaking under the man’s weight. Scooting over the man pats on the pew, “Please sit with me Thomas.”.

The high-priest stumbles on his words, “Who-oo are yo-o-u? Coul-d you b-ee-be?”.

The man nods and signals for Thomas to join him again. The high-priest drops to his knees in reverence, “My lord, I am sorry for my insolence. Please forgive me.”.

The man chuckles and the sound of the pew creaking can be heard as he stands and walks over to the high-priest. Placing his hand on the kneeling priest’s shoulders he smiles, “It is quite alright. Diplomacy must allow for misunderstandings if there areto be understandings and healing.”.

The high-priest looks up at the man in wonder, “It is you!”.

The man nods and lifts the priest to his feet, “Now please sit with me.”.

The two sit on the pew in front of the temple, the man turns to the priest and smiles, “I know that you are worried about the visions you have been having as of late.”.

The priest looks to the floor, not thinking himself worthy to look the other in the eyes, “Yes, my lord. They fill me with fear for what is to come.”.

The man nods understandably, “Yes. As it should. But you have sent a group of capable adventurers, one being form this temple, no?”.

“Yes, but I am afraid it will not be enough. Marigold is a sweet girl, but she is careless and not the most composed priestess.”.

The man chuckles, “Yes, she is carefree, and isn’t very aggressive when it comes to spreading the faith.”.

The high-priest begins to worry he has made a grave mistake when the man continues, “But, sometimes a soft approach is needed, and she has her friends to help her. I know when the time comes, she will rise to the occasion and she will not be alone.”, the man places a warm comforting hand on the priest back and continues, “Besides I am not the only one with an agent involved, the newborn is there alongside the forest and its people. And I believe she has sent an envoy as well.”.

The priest looks up at the man, “What do you mean, my lord?”.

The man smiles and stands, moving to be in front of the priest, “All in due time my child.”, placing a hand on the priest forehead adds, “Now it’s time you get some much-needed sleep.”.

The priest looks up at the man before him and asks, “It is you my lord, you are Dorean?”.

The man smiles and nods his head ever so slightly. The priest smiles, tears of joy escaping from his eyes, “Thank you.”.

Dorean leans forward and whispers in the priest ear, “Sleep.”.

Suddenly the priest find himself back in front of the altar, he looks around the dark temple and finds no one, believing himself to be dreaming till he places a hand to his face and feels the warm tears coming from is eyes. The priest smiles and stands, bows to the altar and makes his way to his chamber, where he finds gentle sleep.

Igneous flies up the hill and to the temple ahead of the group, Marigold yelling it was unfair and that he cheated. Igneous enters the temple and sees that Yasevl had prepared a table for them to sit at, fruit and dried meat laid out on it. Yasevl sits at the center of the table in the dark room, and smiles at Igneous, “Hello brother. I am keeping my word, have you?”.

Igneous nods his head, “Yes brother, and I am still thinking.”.

Yasevl nods his head in turn and says, “That is all I ask of you.”.

Marigold runs up to the doorway and grabs the frame to steady herself, breathing heavily she pants out, “Igneous that is not fair, I didn’t know we were racing.”.

“Sorry, Marigold I just wished to talk to my brother before the others got here.”, Igneous tells the priestess with a smile.

Still panting she asks, “Brother? There is someone else in here? It’s so dark, I can’t tell.”.

Yasevl’s voice resonates in the temple, “Here allow me to fix that.”.

Yasevl waves a thick arm around the room, as his arm turns the trees that make up the temple spread slightly to form windows, allowing light from the sun to come through, lighting up the room, a beam of golden sun reflecting on Yasevl’s dark wooden face. Yasevl smiles at Marigold, “Better?”.

Marigold smiles at the elf made of wood and nods , “Yes, very much so.”.

Composing herself Marigold takes a step forward and offers her hand to the wood spirit, her demeanor while still warm and light hearted, takes on a more composed feel, “It is very nice to meet you, lord Yasevl. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy the comfort of your village.”.

Yasevl looks at Marigold in surprise and back at Igneous, who offers a shrug, before looking back at Marigold and taking her hand, “I thought you would be more surprised than this.”.

Marigold shakes the spirits hand and laughs, “Oh, sorry to ruin the surprise, but Dorean gave me visions of you to prepare me for this.”.

“Oh, well that is alright.”, Yasevl says unsure of how to respond, “Do the others know?”.

“No, why? Should I have told them?”, Marigold responds inquisitively,

“No that is alright, please have a seat.”, Yasevl says gesturing to one of the chairs at the table. To which Marigold only smiles to and takes a seat next to Yasevl and begins eying the food on the table, “Do we need to wait for the others? Or can I eat?”.

Yasevl looks at the priestess, drool forming at the corners of her mouth, a genuine smile spreading on his face, and laughs with the sound of steam escaping a wet log on a fire, “No, please, dig in.”.

Marigold’s eyes sparkle and she begins to grab food from the table and starts stuffing it into her mouth, starting with a purple lumpy fruit, taking a bite, blue juices dripping down her chin dripping onto her yellow robes. Muffled by a mouth full of food, Marigold moans out, “Ooo, dis is so guud.”.

Yasevl smiles at the odd priestess, “I am glad you like it.”.

Nevil steps through the doorway, sees the scene before him and smiles, “I see you have met Marigold my lord.”.

Yasevl chuckles, “Yes, she is a charming girl.”.

“Yes, my lord. Sorry, I tried to keep her with the others, but she wouldn’t listen.”

“It is alright, my friend.”, Yasevl assures, “Please come, sit. Are the others coming?”.

Doing as he is told Nevil takes the seat on the other side of Yasevl and nods, “Yes, my lord. They should be not far behind.”.

As Nevil says this Nora steps in, smiles and gives a small tilt of the head, “Yasevl, it is good to see you.”.

Yasevl smiles and returns the nod, “And you, Nora. Please, won’t you sit?”.

Looking to Marigold, who was now chewing on a piece of dried meat, she smiles and takes a seat next to her, “I see you’ve met Marigold, she’s quite the handful.”.

Yasevl laughs, “She has introduced herself, yes.”.

Nora pinches the cheek of the priestess, causing Marigold to whine in pain, food falling from her mouth and onto he lap, “OWWW! What was that for?”.

“For not waiting for us like I told you too.”, Nora says letting go of her cheek. Marigold looks down with puffed out cheeks, “Sorry.”.

Nora laughs lightly, “Its okay, just wait for me next time.”.

Marigold nods, before picking up the partially chewed food from her lap and shoving it back into her mouth with a smile.

Mitch steps into the light of the doorway holding Korren up by the shoulder, “Sorry we’re late. Korren here got winded.”.

Korren pants in protest, “It’s- huh- a – huh- steep- huh-hill.”.

Mitch rolls his eyes, “Yeah, yeah. Maybe if you spent less time playing with your spells and trained with me you wouldn’t be s-.”.

Mitch stops mid-sentence upon seeing the imposing wooden form of Yasevl staring at them. Dropping the winded mage on to the ground, Korren letting out a yelp in surprise, he places his hand on the hilt of his sword. He looks to Marigold, who is still stuffing her face, and then to Nora who gives him a cold glare, that clearly reads don’t. Nevil pushes his chair back, and standing takes a small step toward Mitch, “Mitch, this is lord Yasevl, he will not hurt you.”, then gives a pointed look to Mitch’s hand resting on the sword hilt, “That is, unless you make him.”.

Mitch looks to Nora, who gives a nod, and then back to Yasevl, who offers a small smile. Taking a deep breath Mitch removes his hand and nods, “Sorry, I mean no disrespect. I was just startled.”.

“That is alright. You should have been prepared before entering.”, Yasevl says looking to Nevil, who suddenly becomes interested in Korren’s well-being and moves to help the man off the floor. Yasevl looks back to Mitch, “Please join us and take a seat.”.

Mitch bites his bottom lip then looks to the others before taking a seat next to Nora without a word. With Nevil’s help, Korren stands and looks up and his eyes falling directly onto Yasevl. Surprise, fear, uncertainty, play across Korren’s face before curiosity finally wins out, with a wonder filled smile he asks,“ What are you?”.

This question asked in child-like wonder, breaks the tension in the room, and the room laughs, save for Korren who looks around asking what was so funny. Igneous pats the mage on the back, understanding what it is like to be left out of the joke. The group have a nice meal together, with Yasevl answering any questions that the group has, mostly from Korren. After a while even Mitch lets loose, joking with Nevil and even Yasevl. By the time they finish their lunch, the group speaks like friends. Yasevl looks to Igneous with a questioning smile and a cocked eyebrow. Igneous smiles and gives a shrug, maybe he would go with them.

The two wood elves sit upon a thick branch, in a tree overlooking the forest, a wall of tightly intertwining trees surrounding the valley they call home. The sun’s light bends through the leaves casting shadows on the forest floor below. The elves can hear the sounds of the forest, birds chirping, bugs buzzing, and animals moving. The two elves sit in silence, one leaning against the trunk of the tree closing his eyes. He is about to doze off when his partner smacks him on the arm, startling the dozing elf, almost causing him to fall from their perch. “AHHH!”, the elf yells grabbing onto the tree to stabilize himself and fixing an angry gaze at his partner, “What was that for?”.

His partner holds a finger to her lips and shushes him, “Do you hear that?”.

He sits up and listens, nothing, “I don’t hear anything.”.

“Exactly.”, she says turning to him with a worried look. He listens again, she was right: the usually lively sounds of the forest, absent. The animals had gone silent. Looking around he spots movement in the distance, pointing it out they look closely. The female elf curses and says, “Goblins! They’re back.”.

“We need to warn the village.”, the other says jumping into a crouched position.

Simply nodding her agreement his partner begins nimbly jumping from branch to branch, followed shortly behind him. Landing on the wall they slide down the side landing onto the soft grass below and rush toward the unsuspecting village.