The Journey To The Fey

"Why are we going this way?" Arisa stopped walking and stared up at the tree tops. The sun overhead could barely be seen splitting through the the tops of the trees. "We're going the long way. Seems that way from the map we have, anyway."

Emmy raised an eyebrow. "You can tell where we're going? We don't even have the map out."

"Of course. It's simple." Arisa placed her hands on her hips and smiled, closing her eyes into a somewhat smug expression.

"Whatever. Are you really taking us around the long way?" Silas asked the three Druids leading them through the dense forest.

The guides had introduced themselves as Sebni, Idu, and Kiya. Despite the two brothers being born apart by over a decade, they looked almost like twins, while their younger sister had a very girlish face and a whimsical nature that betrayed her actual age. All of them were well over 70 years old, still quite young for elves, prior to the plague at least.

Sebni looked back with a stern look at Silas and answered. "Of course. We have studied long the ways of the forest's magic. This connects us to this world more so than you city folk. Were we to pass close to the witch's old ruins, we would likely fade from this world into the next. It pulls at us, attracted to the magics we now harbor."

Idu smiled. "Big brother has studied well. He may not look it, but once he was a tracker. Actually, he got interested in the druid practices because of my own obsession." Idu smiled, patting his brother on the back. Sebni kept up his stern expression and continued on forward, prompting the party to continue walking. "Yes, we have led you a bit north, but we will arrive in two days time, I promise. Hunting parties have chased most of the wild animals northward as well, so it should be generally safe travels."

Kiya skipped over a sizable root coming up from the ground and turned to face the four friends. "Actually, we are the most famed hunters among the circle. My oldest brother is an expert bow hunter, and Idu is a master of druid magics! I've studied them as well, but I mostly get to tag along because I'm family."

"Bragging is unbecoming. Just keep your eyes open. These people are kind enough to investigate something dear to our people and our ways. It would be a shame if a boar gored them because you were too busy telling them our life's tale." Sebni finished chiding his sister without looking back, continuing on the way.

Xarus smiled widely, picking his legs up high to move over the underbrush blocking the portion of a narrow path they were following. "Goddess be praised, at least it is cool under these trees considering we're in the dead of summer. I don't much mind the walk. Plus, the goodberries Kiya produces are much sweeter than Arisa's." Arisa let out a 'hmph!' but continued following.

Idu smiled. "I am glad you are enjoying the travels. Please understand, an hour out from the sight of the old ruins we will have to turn back and let you go on your own. What you will find there, I can not say. I have heard tales, but this area of the woods is often left well alone by the elves here. For our order, we can not dare to enter for our own safety." He turned back and looked at Arisa. "I would not recommend you staying too long either. Even though you have spent much time away from the woods, your blood bares the sap of these trees. You are our people, so too that world will pull at you." Idu's normally cheerful expression was replaced with a solemn and serious look. "All of you, please be safe."