"I'm sure Kirke's thoughts have merit - I will speak to him in detail about erecting a Palisade, later today. And Magic, Klanu? Well, I suppose you could say it is magic. But its story, i do not wish to disclose to you all at this time - my reasons are my own." Leyri closed the now empty case in his hand and twisted the latch to lock it once more. "And yes, Aurakh. Now would be a good time to enter. Hopefully the rest will not be too far behind, and they will catch up before long. Going at a steady pace, it will take a day and a half... perhaps two days to reach Falamir, and another three or so to find Uldama." The mayors voice trailed off for a time, as he turned to stare into the forest. His gaze seemed as though it pierced through the very trees to the center. He spoke once more, his voice neutral, "And take care. I feel something sinister about this forest..."
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II. Enter the Green
Six figures stood in the shade of great leaves, just shy of the border of the large forest.
A slender, petite woman stood to the left; Itascia Jarnagua. Her pale complexion contrasting with her dark hair. The woman was idly rubbing her neck, as though soothing a small ache.
With a stoic calm a large man - tattooed head to toe in an intricate design of scarlet and black - stood. Hashang karKureshmu's eyes were closed as, even now, he was in a state of meditation. Hidden between a spike of red and a swirl of black on the back of his hand was a separate tattoo of a snake fang, a droplet of poison beaded at its tip.
Klanu's eyes were open, however. Peering deeply into that forest, as though it were another challenge to prove his worth and manhood. Though he was somewhat discouraged by the absense of his master, Bryce, he was intrigued by the adventure this phenomenon might bring.
There was another who was peering directly into that forest - but Coram Denavere was looking for any unusual signs that the trees may harbor. Bieng a hunter of evil, Coram knew more of the darker side of the world than the others in the party, and as such, knew what to look for. But interestingly, there was nothing to indicate that this forest was out of the ordinary. Apart, of course, from the fact that it was not there several weeks ago.
With bow on his back and grim features on his face, Aurakh stood. Constantly alert and looking all around him, the tracker studied for signs of animals. He saw and heard little, barring the chirping of exotic birds, and the droppings and signs of several varieties of rodent.
And finally, there was A. R. Greyson. The grizzled mercenary had seen much of life, and the hardened expression given showed that a bit of it left a bad taste in his mouth. In his left hand was a coin-like object. Greyson was the first to speak, "Well, no time like the present..." And forward he stepped, followed by the rest.
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The first impression given from "The Forboding Forest" was... well, not quite that foreboding. Early morning sunlight filtered through the thick canopy above them, giving the forest beneath a lovely, luminescent jade light, not too hard on the eyes. The sound of foreign birds chirping filled the forest with music, and the soft 'crunch' of the parties boots upon the remains of the cobblestone path was rythmic and almost peaceful. For all the premonition of danger this forest brought out, it appeared to be quite a calming place. After a mere hundred meters, the smell of farmland and sounds of the waking town of Cuedrim faded into the distance. They were completely alone, in this forest.
Some hundred meters in Aurakh - and perhaps some of the more observant others - will begin to notice traces of animal activity. A small track in the thin grass here, a tuft of hare fur caught on a low branch there. A sound or two of scuffling of small forest creatures off the path once in a while.
