The tributes accounted for the majority of their force, however, they were all untrained and malnourished. The able-bodied fighting force would be pitifully small.
Ryl met with the phrenics and Andr alongside the edge of the clogged central square. His eyes wandered to the edge of the pier that stretched out over the turbulent pool at the waterfall’s base. Chills rushed through his body, spreading gooseflesh across his skin. So much had happened here, it was hard to believe that it was only a little over one cycle ago that he had pitched into the icy waters; bringing an end to the torturous reign of sub-master Osir.
Ramm and Vox agreed to remain in the village, assisting with finding shelter for those who were now desperately in need. It was certain that Ramm's strength would be of great use. Vox was adamant that he'd recovered sufficiently from the overtaxing use of his skills, yet the unsteady wobble of his legs told another story altogether.
The sum of the precious packages of dried leaves were left with in their care as Ryl, Kaep and Andr prepared for their task at hand. It was with a twinge of apprehension that he departed Tabenville again, bound for the Erlyn. He'd only just been reunited with the tributes, with his friends; now he was leaving once more, albeit he was only entering the woods at the town’s border.
They walked in silence as they approached the towering wall of trees forming the end to the clearing that held the village. The feeling of calm from the woods washed over him as he crossed into the shadows of the Erlyn's entrance, pacifying the lingering distress that tugged at his senses.
The interior of the Erlyn was quiet. The soft babbling of the lazy river that snaked through its domain failed to penetrate far past its banks. They traveled just beyond the first bend in the river, leaving behind the last rays of the sun's light that entered through the opening. Ryl stopped, turning to face the edge of the woods to his right.
The view into the midst of the forest remained gloomy; his vision penetrated only several meters. The brambles and bushes lining the edge however, looked considerably less dense than he recalled, the thorny gaps in the undergrowth now almost navigable. How much energy had the Erlyn expended for their sakes?
Ryl stopped and looked to his companions.
"Kaep, care to show us the way?" He asked.
The phrenic archer glanced at him with a look of profound confusion.
"I know nothing of the paths beneath these limbs," she acknowledged. Her eyes wandered the forest before her with childlike awe.
"You need not know the paths," Ryl explained. "The Erlyn will show the way. Once you've seen a location once, returning there will be done with ease. All you need to do now is to ask for the person."
Her eyes settled back on Ryl.
"Close your eyes,” he continued. "Focus on the image of the prophet. Visualize every detail; be as precise as you can. Send the image out, like you’re conveying the emotion to others. She will hear you.”
A spark of understanding flashed across her face before she turned her gaze back toward the forest. Ryl and Andr watched on silently as she closed her eyes and concentrated. Her brows furrowed as her facial muscles twitched ever so slightly and her lips pursed as she retained her pointed focus. The rate of her breathing increased, coming in shallow spurts.
After several long moments, she opened her eyes. Kaep collapsed forward, bending at the waist, placing her hands on her knees. She was panting for air, her chest rising and falling dramatically with every inhale and exhale.
Her eyes rose to the edge of the forest in front of her. The woods appeared as they had moments earlier. Her disappointment was evident.
“It didn't …” her voice stopped mid-sentence as a distant rustle of leaves caught her ear. The patch of woods before her shifted.
Trees rippled like water. Limbs and bramble distorted before twisting into a narrow opening that led into the forest beyond. Ahead, a long, clear tunnel, lit by dim patches of glowing mosses stretched into the distance.
"Well done, Kaep," Ryl admonished the awestruck, winded phrenic. "Like all the skills, it gets easier with practice."
She met his eyes, nodding in acknowledgement. Ryl took a step forward, entering the pathway into the forest.
A wave of nostalgia rolled through his body as he recalled his first trip along this very path. The ground remained clear of leaves and detritus, having the look of being freshly swept. The branches overhead formed a solid living ceiling several meters above their head. The trunks of the trees lined the edges of the path; brambles and shrubs filled in the gaps between.
The woods smelled damp, a heavy mixture of earth and decaying plants, though the aroma was laced with a hint of smoke. A flickering pinpoint of light flashed in the distance. Ryl knew the location of that fire. His heart leaped at the thought of who'd be waiting alongside the blaze.
"Come, Da'agryn awaits," he offered as he quickened his pace along the straight forest path.
"Can any other than the phrenics command the paths through the Erlyn?" It was Andr who broke the silent revelry of their passage through the arboreal tunnel.
"I've never heard tales of the woods answering to the calls of any other than a phrenic. Yet, I admit the breadth of my knowledge on the subject is lacking," Ryl responded quietly. "That is a decision for the Erlyn herself."
Andr grunted in acknowledgement as they proceeded forward. It wasn't long before their forested path ended as the tunnel to the cave’s interior began. Ryl entered without hesitating, moving into the glistening hall.
The fire that burned in the open chamber ahead was weak compared to his recollection of his first visit. The feeble light danced off the reflective walls, casting its reflections throughout the earthen room. Even with the unnatural glow, deep shadows lingered in many
