Running Wild
by holyflpncows
Carnassa provides us with an update in the morning about Umatoko and Kanbei's movements.
Umatoko is south of us currently, heading east according to a scout. Another scout reports a small force of Kanbei’s is moving southwest, into Exile territory proper. We deliberate over the choices, Feng Da arguing Kanbei would be the easiest to intercept. I point out Kanbei would be behind us, caught between at least the Exiles and Horselords, only able to get as far west as Jau Ridge. Umatoko could easily be outside our grasp if we let him get much farther. Feng Da holds firm on his simple logic. If only he could strategize as well as he could fight, I think bitterly. The others look uncertain on the best course of action. Will they really follow Feng Da's suggestion? With a fair chunk of coin newly provided to us for our efforts thus far, we buy more rations before setting off to track Umatoko and I struggle to keep a smug smile off my face, despite how close the decision had been.Late afternoon of our third day of travel we approach the site of Admiral Jin's corpse. There’s something odd in the distance though. The horizon seems to have a low lying shadow, stretching for miles. We decide to stop a little early in the evening and set up camp rather than approach this mystery in the dark. In the morning, we approach with caution. As we near, it becomes clear that it's a forest. A huge forest that definitely wasn’t here before. Shen Po slows his horse to pace mine. “You’re well traveled. You ever hear anything about forests spreading?” He asks. I think for a moment. Stories of druids growing trees from nothing are common, but something of this magnitude? “I know of a powerful ranger who would wander around and grow forests as fast as he could. He was always trying to out-do himself.” I shrug. “However, he’s been dead for several hundred years. It takes someone very powerful to do something like this.” “That is…unsettling.” Shen Po says. I nod in agreement. We examine the tree line. One of the trees moves out from the perimeter. A wood woad, with mushrooms growing from various areas of it. It raises an arm and points a gnarled finger down the treeline. Feng Da calls out to the creature, but there’s no indication from the woad that it heard him. The forest stretches on for miles; detouring would set us back too much. We slowly approach closer, and the woad takes a battle stance. There's probably no chance to arrange to enter the forest peacefully now. Feng Da dismounts and draws out his weapons to engage the wood woad. It's strange, trying to attack a tree. Thankfully Wen and Yawei's magic is able to actually penetrate the creature’s bark. We scan for more opposition, but nothing else comes to attack us. We enter the forest, leading our horses. The terrain isn’t easy for anyone, and after an hour of marching, I’m about ready to let my horse drag me along. Then, as we attempt to cross a fallen tree, rocks begin to emerge from the ground. They then coalesce into a small, green pixie. The pixie introduces himself as Woad—or at least that’s his name today—and spouts of pixie dust fly off his body. “Where did this forest come from?” Spark asks. “Archfey” Woad answers. “He decided it was time for a forest to be here.” More glittering dust falls from his body as he nods his head up and down. “So, what are you doing?” “Exploring. Is there anything we should avoid? Like more wood woads?” Spark glances into the trees. Woad looks a bit startled when he replies. “What? No! They’ll be nice now.” “Do you have a problem here that so many woads would be present?” Feng Da asks. “Yes,” Woad answers. “Somebody that’s not a friend of the Archfey is in here.” He gestures nowhere in particular. “But not you guys!” Woad hurriedly adds in. “Would you like us to help?” Feng Da inquires. “I don’t know. It probably involves a lot of violence. Like, a lot of violence.” Woad flits around in the air. “We’re good at violence.” Feng Da says. “I would like to make friends with an Archfey that can spawn a forest out of nothing.” “Alright, sure.” Woad begins counting us. “How do you guys feel about fighting five-to-one?” “Depends on what we’re fighting.” Feng Da shrugs. Woad doesn’t seem to know how to answer that at the moment but does offer what assistance he can if we do help. We talk quietly amongst each other. Gaining favor with the Archfey isn’t a bad idea. But do we have time for this? What if we missed Umatoko? I opt to help the Archfey. What could Umatoko do for me? The Archfey was more likely to have a solution. Eventually, we agree to help fight off the intruders—that Woad finally answers are orcs.
We follow Woad for a while, eventually entering into a beautiful clearing; a small, clear pool of water is at the center, and hammocks of vines hang between trees. A ray of sunlight pierces the canopy, reflecting on the pond and illuminating the area clearly. It's calm and peaceful in a way the miles of blackened rubble and short grass could never hope to replicate; something truly alien in this land.
by holyflpncows
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