"There is more to it than that, it seems," Da'agryn continued. His mouth no longer moved, though the words rang clear in their ears. "He will need to understand the way, though the woods have granted him access to the pathways throughout her domain."
Da'agryn knelt beside Andr and Ryl, lowering a single knee to the soft bed of grass that covered the clearing. His form seemed to merge with the grasses, and a stronger tint of vibrant green crept its way up his leg.
"Never before have the woods answered to the call of man," he whispered. "Man must come to realize that which they don't understand is not evil. Not infallibly wrong."
Andr still wobbled slightly as he intently studied Da'agryn. His head nodded slightly in response.
Without another word, the elder phrenic stood slowly, moving to the right side of the great tree. He placed his hand on the bark of the massive trunk, closing his eyes. After a moment, he too nodded his head, though his body faded slightly with the motion. Through his wispy figure, the broad leaves of the trees and the sharp points of the bramble behind him were now nearly in focus.
This time his gaze fell on Kaep.
"The Erlyn will not leave you without a share of its bounty, my young phrenic," he announced.
As the words rang through the area, the arboreal wall that formed the border of clearing along the opposite side of the great tree began to swirl with motion. With a quiet rustling of leaves, the branches and brambles bent and twisted as they morphed into a sheet of vertical hanging vines. The thin tendrils sprouted slender, overlapping, oval shaped leaves. The foliage filled the gaps in the narrow opening forming a curtain. The appearance of the living doorway was eerily reminiscent of the leaves of the great willow. The Prophet’s Tree.
Da'agryn’s right hand remained firmly against the trunk of the tree while he motioned Kaep forward with his left. As he did, his body shifted slightly, seemingly moving into the gigantic tree that formed the heart of the Erlyn.
"This is a gift, for you and you alone," he whispered to Kaep. "Time is short. Fear not, though our assistance may be limited, the Erlyn will not abandon you. I will not abandon you."
As his final word spun through the clearing on the final tendril of breeze, his body disappeared into the tree.
Andr was the first to move. The first to break his eyes from the scene. With little help, he took his place standing between Ryl and Kaep. His right arm was draped casually over Ryl's shoulder for support.
The three met eyes momentarily. Kaep blinked, holding hers shut for a moment longer than normal.
Only a moment.
With a deep breath, she turned her head to the wall of leaves. Without hesitation she strode forward through the emerald curtain.
The branches swung gently from side to side as she passed, before sealing the gap behind her.
Chapter 40
Ryl and Andr had little time to wait before Kaep reemerged from behind the veil of leaves. She moved casually to meet them as they relaxed on the grass in the center of the clearing. Her head was held high, the undulating folds of her cape billowing gently behind her as she approached.
A small smile rose unbidden on Ryl’s face as she made eye contact. The look that flashed between them was confusing. Her eyes looked conflicted. They looked morose.
She looked scared.
The expression that appeared had passed before Ryl's smile could fade. She smiled back, though the effort looked pained.
"Welcome back," Andr interjected, his voice still coarse.
She offered her hand, assisting the recovering mercenary to his feet. He wobbled slightly as he stood.
"We'd best get back to the others," Ryl added softly as he rose from where he sat on the grass. Andr grunted and Kaep nodded her head subtly in reply. In unison, they all turned their gaze back to the great tree.
A breeze rippled through the clearing. The light wind pushed the hair across Ryl's face, jostling his cloak as it passed. On its wings came an emotion.
Hope.
As the last tendril departed, a single vision erupted in Ryl's mind.
The clearing in the forest was massive, as were the trees that were arranged in a ring around the interior. Pillars of light streamed down through the canopy nearly a hundred meters overhead. The floor was clean and looked well-worn from frequent use. Small patches of grass grew in places and a single, large fire pit lay dormant in the center.
The root systems of the giant trees rose high above the ground. At the base of each a large darkened opening split the roots, offering access to the interior.
Ryl needed no additional visual cues to understand the message contained within the unexpected image of the location.
Familiarity rushed through his veins. He knew the area well. His body felt as though he’d walked those grounds countless times. He'd experienced the comfort of the spongy earth in the hollowed-out enclosures under each tree as he'd spent many a night slumbering under their roots.
Along with the image, along with the recollection came a deluge of feelings. Ryl felt joy. He felt pain. He felt loss beyond comprehension.
This was a site that had seen so much hope. Yet had suffered undeniable loss.
It was from this stronghold that Taben with his phrenic army had struck out at the forces of the Horde that sought to besiege the world.
It was from here they'd saved Damaris.
It would be here that they'd save the tributes.
The gasps from the others gathered at his side confirmed that the vision had sprung to life in their eyes as well.
"What was that place?" Andr gasped.
"That was the camp for the phrenics who stood with Taben to defend Damaris so many cycles ago," Ryl answered bluntly, though there was a reverence to his voice.
"Tabenville is a destination well known to those who seek the
