The extraordinary city was made to be one with the trees. Many dwellings were part of the trunks and branches, built in such a way as to make the trees stronger and still allow them to grow. The companions reached the city by late evening, when they were encouraged to sleep for the night before going to see Mother Tree. They were tired after their journey and readily agreed.
The next morning was overcast. A cool drizzle felt good after hot days on the road. The smell of rain-washed forest filled the air, while droplets of water pitter patted through the leaves, creating gentle music. It wasn’t raining so hard as to make it uncomfortable, and a shelter of wood and leaf protected the table in the clearing where their small dwellings hung. They ate a pleasant breakfast and relaxed awhile.
Tathan liked it in Brondaggiin because he felt at peace. In cities, he jumped at shadows and even empty air. Nightmares that he could never remember the details of often kept him from good sleep. In this forest, he was protected from those nightmares and shadows. He had not slept so peacefully since being a child in his bed at home.
In a way, it was too tame for Tathan. He had grown used to living life on the edge of a sword, not knowing if he was going to fall or be cut by the blade. Cities were exciting, always filled with danger. People in cities hid things that Tathan liked to find, whether it be treasure or secrets. The unknown and the danger involved in making it known was what drove Tathan.
For now though, he was content to relax, breathing in the air instead of attacking it. When they were done eating, a Druid came to their clearing to inform them that Mother Tree was ready. The group stretched to help their meal settle as they got up from their seats.
A short while later the party arrived in Mother Tree’s glade. She was a magical tree with eighty enormous trunks wrapping around each other, towering above the forest. There were a few Druids in the glade already. An older man taught children while others appeared to be meditating. A couple of alert woodsmen with strung bows stood near the party.
The voice that flowed through their minds was deep and sonorous. “Welcome once more to the Willden, my friends.” It didn’t hurt their minds, feeling more like leaves blowing in a gentle breeze. “It is so very wonderful to have you back here in good health and spirits.
Tathan was the first to speak and he did so with a grin on his face. “And have your children been behaving themselves since our last visit, Mother Tree?” The Druid who had escorted them gasped in shock at his casual manner while the two guardians frowned.
Spirited laughter rang through their minds. “It is very good to enjoy your irreverent humor yet again, Tathan of the Shadows,” Mother Tree responded. “I am happy to see your mind more at peace than it was the last time you stood before me.”
The statement took Tathan by surprise. He realized that he was, in fact, more at peace. There were still nightmares here and there, but not like before. Traveling with his cousin and making friends with Sir Danth and Vevin had relieved some of the darkness. “Thank you, Mother Tree. It’s good to see you as well.”
“And you have found love I see, Vevin Dragon and Liselle, Child of Flowers.” An image of drifting leaves shaped in a smile breezed through their minds. “It is good to see the two of you so close.”
“Oh yes!” Vevin exclaimed. “Liselle is wonderful. I’ve been so happy since we’ve been together.” He was doing his happy-in-love dance. It was a newer one Vevin danced whenever he talked about her.
“Is it acceptable for me to be in a relationship with a dragon?” Liselle asked hesitantly. Her brow furrowed with worry. Mother Tree was an expert on what was natural and unnatural, making her the best one to ask.
Gentle laughter breezed through their minds once again. “But of course, Flower Child. You may fall in love with whomever you wish,” Mother Tree reassured her. “In addition, there are few who would argue with a dragon as to his choice of mate.” Light laughter rustled through their minds. “I will add that you are a magical being, Liselle, Child of the Flowers. While you are part human and hold that form, there is that quality within you that is so much more than human.”
“Do you know how long I’ll live, Mother Tree?” Liselle asked. The companion’s eyes turned to her, as did the Druids standing next to them. The glade fell still, the only sound was that of raindrops filtering through trees.
After a moment of silence, Mother Tree answered. “I do not know, Flower Child. To my knowledge there has never been another being like you, nor do I know if there will be another in the future. I have no way of determining how long your life will be, nor do the flowers or trees know the answer to that question.”
“Oh.” Liselle looked down at her feet with a sad expression. Tathan realized she wanted to spend her life with Vevin, but a dragon’s average life span was thousands of years. Vevin ran his hand up and down Liselle’s back to comfort her.
“Do not be sad, Flower Child. The force of your life is strong. Enjoy whatever time you have with your mate and friends.” Mother Tree’s words were uplifting, causing to Liselle raise her head.
“Yes, Mother Tree. You’re right,” Liselle replied. Her eyes were bright again and she hugged Vevin tightly.
“Hello, Hollow One,” Mother Tree greeted Sir Danth. “Are you doing well? Have you managed to avoid rusting?”
The knight’s tinny chuckle made them all smile. “Yes, Blessed Mother Tree. No rust on this enchanted armor,” he answered with a smack of gauntlet to chest. “I am enjoying the company after having been alone for so long. The adventure and action have been enjoyable as well.”
“Ahh . . .” The sound of her sigh was a gentle breeze brushing against their cheeks. “Then you did find adventure in the caverns of the Rojuun? Please tell me of your experiences. Should we fear these new creatures upon our world as I suspect?” There was a sense of concern in her voice. The light rain became a few degrees cooler.
The companions turned to Tathan, expecting him to speak. He grinned inwardly at their instinctive reaction. At times, it seemed odd for an immortal knight, a powerful dragon, and the magical being that was his cousin to all turn to him, a simple rogue . . . mostly simple anyway . . . for leadership.
“There is a good amount to tell you, Mother Tree,” he began, considering where to start and wishing for a place to sit. Great roots suddenly appeared from the ground right behind them, causing them all to jump in surprise. The wooden sound the roots made was loud and the smell of rich, turned earth was strong. In a moment, they stopped moving, creating seats for the companions.
With the exception of Sir Danth, they all sat. “We made our way into Puujan.” The quality of Tathan’s voice changed. A few minstrels he had met taught him tricks of speech that would make people listen more attentively. “It’s called the winged city due to the fact that gossamer wings of different colors and materials are attached to each building. We stayed at the White Tree Inn where we saw our first Rojuun.” From there, Tathan spoke of the artistic gardens in the estates of Rojuun. He told of Jarrrn Garrrn and Garrrn Caverns where they had stayed and the way the Rojuun cities were organized in the caverns with family compounds surrounding the main cities.
Tathan told Mother Tree of the creatures called sstejj that hungered for Rojuun flesh. He didn’t brag about their accomplishments in battle, leaving out many notable details. He liked to do that in order to make people underestimate his battle skills. Even with the modesty, he could see incredulous looks on the faces of the listening Druids.
Liselle buried her face in hands when Tathan spoke of her kidnapping by the creature called Krraa. Mother Tree touched her shoulder with gentle leaves of comfort. Liselle didn’t cry, but the memory was painful still. Tathan stuck to the false story of Vevin saving Liselle. If the Mother Tree saw the lie, she said nothing about it.
The Rojuun Council of Elders had made it clear that the companions were never to tell anyone about the hhorrj called Krraa or the sstejj. However, the companions had made a previous commitment to Mother Tree and Tathan didn�
�t really care what the Council had told him. He tended to do what he wanted regardless of whether or not he had permission.
Tathan told Mother Tree how Rojuun magicians in their arrogance tried to create life, but instead created sstejj and hhorrj. The job was unfinished and the aberrations were banished to the depths of the world. The Rojuun who created them had been executed, but Krraa hid away in a cavern and learned how to recreate the sstejj, sending them after Rojuun with hatred and bloodlust. It was those sstejj the companions fought to protect the Rojuun.
Mother Tree listened to all of this while the soft rain continued. The companions became damp, but didn’t mind. Tathan’s retelling made the story interesting even though they had lived it. Even Tathan was enjoying it.
“You do not speak of the Rojuun harshly, Tathan of the Shadows,” Mother Tree stated thoughtfully when he was done a couple hours later. “Do you consider them favorably in spite of their arrogance?”
“I do consider them favorably. I would even go so far as to say I like them,” Tathan admitted. “Rojuun are like humans in many ways. They love, laugh, hate and care about each other and life itself,” He stood and gestured. “They’re amazing artists. I don’t understand everything they do, but it’s beautiful and fantastic. For that alone, I wouldn’t wish them harm.”
“Do the rest of you feel the same?” Mother Tree asked.
“I do, Mother Tree,” Liselle agreed right away. “I even consider some to be my friends. I think they’re good, if a bit naïve about humans and the world.”
“They do have an innocence about them,” Sir Danth interjected. “However, I find a good amount of nobility in many of their ways. I think they have potential to become a vital part of Ryallon,” he said confidently. “I believe that it may be inevitable at this juncture.” He held a metal finger up to emphasize his next point. “I only hope the two races do not come to know hatred and war. Such a war would go badly for both sides.”
“War never goes well for anyone,” the Mother Tree stated firmly in their heads. “I do not wish war or any sort of violence toward the Rojuun.” She paused for a moment. “And you, Vevin Dragon, do you like this new race?”
“I don’t know. Liselle wouldn’t let me taste one.” Vevin grinned widely.
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.
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