Anilyia (10 page)

The laughter that rumbled through their
minds was loud and strong. Her branches and leaves quivered in
humor, causing the other Druids in the clearing to draw back in
alarm as droplets of moisture shook down.

Vevin soaked in the laughter for a moment
then said, “Rojuun are fun and the caverns are pretty. There are
glowing plants and animals everywhere. Each new cave is an
adventure if there isn’t sstejj in it.” Vevin was smiling as he
remembered. His sharp teeth seemed to make the Druid guards a bit
nervous. “I wouldn’t mind exploring them more.”

“I see the fondness you have in your minds
for the Rojuun.” Mother Tree’s voice glided through their minds
gently. “I am pleased by this. It was my fear that they were evil
and intent upon destroying the forest. Now I see they are ignorant
of the ways of the forest and powers that are beyond their
experience. However, I still have deep concerns and even anger over
the murders they committed against my children.”

“That’s understandable. They hold the Druids
in fear and awe,” Tathan said with a nod. “I believe that peace is
possible, though it’ll be difficult to convince the Rojuun that
anyone is equal to them.”

“Yes, but it is worth trying to communicate
for the sake of peace. I will send emissaries of the Druids to meet
with them,” she said decisively.

“I’m pleased, Mother Tree. I’d like to see
peace between the forest and the Rojuun,” Tathan said, smiling.

“And what of you and your companions, Tathan
of the Shadows?” Mother Tree asked. “What will you do with your
lives now? Will you go back into the caverns or travel in a
different direction?”

“Have you ever heard of the Yellow Bird of
Sunshine, Mother Tree?” Tathan asked.

“Why, yes I have. Yebisu is a powerful
creature who has been around for quite a long time and I have
spoken with her on a few occasions.”

Liselle said, “I met with her in a small
clearing shortly after arriving in the forest. The flowers led me
to her. They enjoy the light she radiates.”

“Yes, it is rather pleasant to flowers and
others of the forest who look to light for survival,” Mother Tree
replied. “What did Yebisu want of you?”

Liselle looked to Tathan who encouraged her
to tell the story. “She wants us to save Princess Anilyia of
Mayncal who has been kidnapped and is being held in Rojuun
territory under the mountains.” She put her hands on her hips and
set her jaw. “Then she told me the fate of the world rested in my
hands if I didn’t save the princess. How am I supposed to know if
that’s true?”

Mother Tree was silent in contemplation.
Tathan asked, “Is the fate of the world in Liselle’s hands if she
doesn’t rescue the princess?”

The silent contemplation lasted a few
minutes. The companions exchanged glances, not willing to interrupt
her. Mother Tree finally shrugged. The entire tree from trunks to
branches and leaves lifted up and settled in a literal shrug. “I
don’t know.”

“I see,” Tathan said. “I think the Yellow
Bird of Sunshine was sending sunshine up Liselle’s . . .”

“You said you know Yebisu,” Liselle
interrupted. “Do you think she’d make up a story like that, Mother
Tree?”

The great tree shrugged again, a very
impressive sight. The students in the clearing watched in awe. “I
don’t believe she would. However, I admitted to you the last time
you visited me that there is very little any one individual can do
to affect the entire world.” She gave a mental sigh and a breeze
blew from the glade, shaking loose raindrops from leaves. “It is an
easy thing to say if you want a task done very badly. I believe
Yebisu wouldn’t have said such a thing unless it was important, but
I don’t believe the fate of the world rests in the balance.”

“Do you have any idea where the Princess
might be other than in the caverns?” Sir Danth asked. “I believe we
are going to look for her regardless of what happens to the world.
I think it will be fun to rescue a princess.” The knight gave the
impression of grinning and Tathan got the feeling that he would
start dancing like Vevin if encouraged to do so.

“Regrettably, I do not know. What happens in
the caverns occurs far beneath my roots. I have no sources to help
either.”

“Alright. Did you have any other questions,
Mother Tree?” Tathan asked.

“I do not, Tathan of the Shadows,” she
replied. “I am very happy with the knowledge you have brought me
and I have a reward for you.” At that moment, four Druids came
forth with miniature boxes in their hands. Each went to a companion
and handed it to them. Mother Tree explained. “Morhain was a very
rich kingdom with many treasures. When your people disappeared, Sir
Knight, they left those treasures behind. The boxes each contain a
small number of gems found from the ruins of the fallen
civilization.”

They looked at Sir Danth for his response.
“This is more than generous. I have little desire for wealth and
make no claim to the property of Morhain. I shall use my share to
help the less fortunate when the opportunity arises.”

“That works for me,” Tathan agreed, opening
his box. In it were extremely valuable gems, including diamonds,
emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones.

“Yay! Treasure!” Vevin exclaimed, breaking
into a treasure dance.

Mother tree chuckled. “You are welcome in
the Willden whenever you wish and may continue to rest in
Brondaggiin for as long as you need.” The image of a smile drifted
through their minds once more.

“Thank you, Mother Tree. I wish you and your
forest peace,” Tathan responded.

“As do I,” Liselle added. “May flowers
always bloom brightly in the Willden.”

“Thank you. Thank you all and good health to
each of you,” Mother Tree responded. With one last smile, she left
their minds. Their escort took them back to their clearing.

***

They sat down around the table in the
clearing as the rain began to fall a little harder. Raindrops hit
leaves in the top branches, then fell to the next and the next
until they hit the ground. The gentle sound ran through the forest,
mingling with the laughter and low murmur of Druid voices. The air
was clean and fresh from the shower.

Tathan looked around. Trees holding their
dwellings surrounded the clearing, but he could see past to other
areas. It was difficult for visitors to tell exactly how big
Brondaggiin was because the city meshed with the forest so
thoroughly. This part of the Willden was lush with life. Moss
covered trunks of trees fallen centuries ago existed even within
the boundaries of the city. Many of the standing trees were
enormous in height and girth. There was a magical feeling about it
that wrapped a person in safety when friendly, but loomed darkly if
they were hostile to the forest.

Round globe lights hung from various trees
to light the city at night. He had asked one of the Druids how they
were lit. The Druid told him that a specific type of nectar, which
attracted glowflies, was placed inside. More of that nectar was
added every evening and the glowflies would spend the entire night
on their feast, lighting the city in the process. Between the
thickness of the forest and the clouds above, it was dim enough for
some of the globes to give off a soft light while they waited for
lunch.

Tathan smiled and sighed as he propped his
elbows on the table and rested his chin in the palms of his hands.
Liselle looked at him, smiling as well. “You look relaxed, cousin.
It’s a nice look on you, if rare.”

He grinned and shrugged. “I am relaxed at
the moment. It’s nice being able to slow down for a while. I
wouldn’t want to do it all the time, but it’s nice for now.”

“And you, Sir Danth, are you relaxed?”
Liselle asked. Vevin’s arm was around her shoulders and she was
resting her head against his chest.

Sir Danth was sitting at the end of the
table with his arms folded. He was leaning his chair back on its
rear legs, using his metal boot to balance against the underside of
the table. “I don’t know, Milady. My emotions aren’t as strong as
they were when I was alive. It is hard to tell if I’m relaxed or
not.” It was a cryptic answer that caused the rest of them to
consider the idea in silence.

The dark knight continued, “I find myself
staring into space without thinking about anything. I am not on
edge, but cannot say that I am relaxed either. Sometimes I wonder
if I truly exist.” Sorrow rang through his voice and he let out a
great sigh. “I feel much better since I have been traveling with
you, but a large part of me still feels alone. I am not human
anymore, nor am I any other race. It would be useless for me to
love as I cannot enjoy the touch that comes with it.”

“That’s very depressing, Sir Danth,” Tathan
said after a moment’s pause.

“I rather thought so myself,” the knight
replied cheerfully, a sudden change of tone. “I do dark moods very
well. Always have, really. The ladies seemed to like it, finding my
moodiness attractive.”

“Ah, yes,” Tathan replied, sitting up. “They
do
like a man when he’s morose. I found that when I frown
and stare into the distance while thinking dark thoughts, a lady
will pay close attention and try especially hard to make me happy.”
A corner of his mouth twisted in a grin.

Sir Danth let the front legs of his chair
fall to the ground and leaned forward. “Yes! That is exactly right!
Women love a dark, moody man. I found many of the ladies at court
vied for my attention.”

“It’s also a good way to get a back or
shoulder massage. They want to work out the tension,” Tathan said
with a raised finger.

“Are you two
serious
?” Liselle asked
indignantly. “You act moody to get women to pay more attention to
you?”

They turned to look at her without the
slightest hint of shame in their body language. Sir Danth answered,
“Well, being moody isn’t really an act. I am dark by nature. It’s
just that I’ve noticed it has certain advantages.”

“Exactly,” Tathan agreed with a gesture
toward the knight. “Just like him, I really do have dark thoughts.
They don’t call me ‘Tathan of the Shadows’ for nothing after
all.”

“Well said,” Sir Danth told him with an
approving nod.

Tathan nodded back appreciatively. “Thank
you, and to you as well.”

Liselle twisted to look at Vevin. “And do
you also act moody to get my attention, dearest?”

Vevin was very good at sensing danger,
Tathan noticed. The blue fire beginning to form in Liselle’s eyes
probably gave him a clue. “No darling. I’m almost always happy,
especially when I’m with you.” There was a big grin on his face.
Liselle looked at him suspiciously through lowered eyebrows.

“Well said to you, Master Vevin,” the knight
responded with approval. “Perhaps a bit cowardly, but well said
nonetheless.”

Tathan burst into laughter. Liselle’s head
whipped around to Sir Danth. She narrowed her eyes and pursed her
lips dangerously. The fire in her eyes was bright. The knight
obviously had no regard for peril. Meanwhile, Vevin looked upward
in an expression of innocence.

“It was a very good response and I truly
believe he’s happy when he’s around me just as I am with him,” she
replied petulantly. Liselle sat forward and asked, “How do you know
that women don’t act moody to attract men?”

Without hesitation, Sir Danth answered,
“Because when women act moody, men run away.”

Tathan was laughing so hard he fell to the
ground. Sir Danth was chuckling, immune to the glare of the
beautiful lady. Vevin remained as still as possible, every muscle
in his face bent toward keeping it straight so as not to draw the
ire of his lover.

The boys were saved from Liselle’s wrath
when a group of young Druids brought their lunch to the table.
Tathan picked himself off the ground and began eating, ignoring the
narrow looks his cousin sent him from time to time, though he did
chuckle randomly throughout the meal.

When they were done eating, Liselle turned
on the bench to lean against Vevin. Liselle’s flower moved to touch
Vevin too, showing that even the flower approved of their
relationship. He wrapped her in his arms as she smiled and relaxed
into him. The rain had stopped briefly and the sun peaked through
the clouds to warm the clearing. “So, Cousin, the plan is to head
back to Puujan and get information, yes?” Liselle asked.

“Yes. I was thinking we would spend another
night here. Hopefully when we leave tomorrow, the rain will have
cleared and our journey will be dry,” he answered, also smiling.
Tathan really did feel relaxed and it was nice. “Then, in the
morning we head to Puujan.”

He saw a female Druid pass by the clearing.
It was the same woman he had spent time with the last time they
stayed and she was smiling coyly at him. He caught Liselle rolling
her eyes as he stood to follow her. “Don’t judge me, Cousin,” he
said with a smirk.

***

The next morning brought heavier rain than
the previous day, but the companions chose to head out regardless.
The hooves of their horses turned up mud as they plodded along and
the odor of wet horsehair filled their noses. Tathan liked rain,
though he tightened his jacket to keep the worst from soaking his
shirt. It helped to hide him and whatever emotions he was feeling
at any given time.

At the moment, he was wistful. The pretty
Druid he had spent the night with asked him to stay with her that
morning. What she honestly wanted was for him to stay much longer
than just one morning. A part of him had wanted to take her up on
the offer. He had spent his life traveling from one city to
another, mostly alone. He had known women but rarely stayed for any
length of time.

The part of him that wished to settle down
was very small though. He still had that childhood drive to see the
world. Tathan didn’t know if he’d ever be done traveling. Still, a
wife and children seemed like a good idea sometimes, but only
sometimes.