The scorched ground was a painful
experience for Arthyr and his Wanderers to witness. This was a blatant attack
on Life and they felt obliged to heal and revive the damaged land they had
explored so far in the Realm of Fire. This Scorched Forest would be their
bastion, and they would slay all who meant it harm.
Arthyr stood beneath a charred and broken
tree, ancient symbols were carved into its trunk and still faintly glowed white
with Life. Next to him his pet and friend Tui darted back and forth trying to
catch the small flame beetles that were so common in this part of the forest.
Mandia Nightlock sat at the base of the tree, her green hair swirling in an
unseen vortex as usual. Arthyr and Mandia were discussing the vision of Orion
they had both witnessed and discussed what it might mean.
They had both barely managed to walk away
from an ambush by two separate Grot clans. In the midst of the battle an Avatar
of the Hunt had appeared and fought bravely alongside the Wanderers, however he
was only a small portion of the power Orion held and was eventually slain by
the Greenskins. Arthyr had been badly injured and now focussed on healing and
planning with Mandia while his sister Lyloth patrolled with the rangers.
Initially they had both believed the vision
had been a sign that Orion would return to them, however, when the Avatar had
been slain they worried this was an ill omen. As they discussed their thoughts,
the withered and broken tree suddenly shuddered, the ancient runes which had
only faintly been glowing earlier flared to life, bright blue and green light bursting
forth from the runes. As the tree shook the same blue and green light appeared
through a rent in the dry and parched earth directly in front of them and shot
away drawing a straight line of blazing light through the ground. Arthyr and
Mandia looked at each other, one word escaped from their lips at the same time:
“Ley-line!”
Lyloth strode through the ruined woods of
the forest, ahead she could see the top of an ancient Aelven waystone, the
bright white stonework shone in the light. Her rangers had returned and
confirmed that a force of Grots were attempting to pull down the waystones and
set up some form of filthy fortification. She would not stand for this, she
would kill them all and secure the ancient site. She directed her force to
spread out and surround the Grots. As Lyloth turned to head towards her
position she was confronted by a stranger, an Aelf, not of her kin. He took a
knee in old formal traditions and introduced himself. “Princess Lyloth, I am
Aranion. I have been tracking the Sentinels of Tal Stornos for weeks and wish
to join your ranks.”
His formality and unusual accent through
Lyloth off, the Sentinels of Tal Stornos were not known for their adherence to
high born traditions. They grew up in the forests and wilderness, being beneath
the forest canopy was where they were comfortable, not under some constructed
building. She looked him up and down, he was well armed and equipped, bow and
shield hung over his shoulder while an ancient looking sword hung from his
belt. His skin was tanned by the sun, whereas the Aelves of her kin had
ethereal green skin from their close proximity to the realm of Life and the
secret magical vortex at the heart of Spiteshade Vale.
“Stand up Aelf! No-one calls me Princess
apart from my Father, and he left the realm of the living long ago.” Replied
Lyloth. “You look as if you can handle yourself in a fight, but can you hunt
and live through a battle? I guess we will see. Follow my sisters and support
them, they should keep you safe.” She turned away and headed to her position
before arrows rained down on the Grots catching them unaware.
The battle was fast and bloody, the Grots
had their pet gargant and his pet squigoth with them both reaping a high toll
on the Wanderers before being brought down. The Grot chief slipped away in the
carnage with a large force of Grots. As the Wanderers secured the waystones a
line of brilliant blue and green light flared to life across the cracks and
runes of the waystones, the trees around the area started to sway as if caught in
a gale. Lyloth looked around, taking in the sight, as the trees swayed she
could see patches of colour breaking through the burnt and cracked bark. Life
was returning, these trees were fighting back the damage caused years before.
Aranion approached Lyloth; “Princess, it seems we might be witnessing a new
season.” He smiled, cocking an eyebrow at her.