Broken Glass - Taekook

29

It takes us a long time to get through the first section of the Rymateri Forest, and the ground becomes more rocky underfoot the further we go, closer and closer to the base of the mountains. We pause more often, more comfortable now that we're not stuck out in the open. The food here is plentiful, if a little repetitive. This part of Eithyr feels more alive than the grasslands, though I'm not sure why. 

We slowly continue our journey through the forest, more confident now that there is no evidence of the Karulian Knights behind us. But Namjoon's scar, and the way he reacts whenever he twists to check on something, reminds us that we can't forget about the dangers. We have to remain vigilant, even if our minds tell us that nothing can possibly catch us, near the edge of the kingdom. 

We are not invincible. We are not invisible. And we never have been. 

Close up, the Semorara Mountains are much more imposing, though still not as impressive as Eithyr's Crown, or the other peaks near Hazelpoint. There's just something about the power of those north-eastern mountains, that make them feel so much more present in the surrounding landscape, though I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the fact that they feel like guardians, following our journey despite the distance. Or perhaps it's merely the sheer size of them. 

Regardless, they're still massive, and it would be stupid to try and cross them. It's so much quicker to scoot round the edge, even though it's a shorter distance to physically travel. The difficulty required with climbing mountains is something we have to consider, even if the map seems to indicate we'd be fine. There's too much at risk here. We cannot spare the time, even though we're not rushing anymore. 

The trees begin to change in nature, as we continue. The triangular shape of coniferous trees begins to replace the ball-shaped ashes, oaks and birches we're more used to seeing. The leaves are needle-like, a darker green. The bark is barbed in places, like arrowheads waiting to be plucked off of the trunks, and shot into the sky. 

But we don't take more than we need, or more than we can carry. It would be rude to waste the resources of the world around us. Especially since it's keeping us safe. 

This close to the border, dryads are much more likely to pop out of nowhere, as it's further away from the influence of the king. It's still extremely rare, but it's somehow less surprising to see a face appear on tree trunks, or to hear a voice whispering through the leaves. 

The animals are different too. About two weeks after our exit from Rushgrove, we pass a pack of silver wolves, who regard us with calm, amber eyes. Namjoon retrieves Aphelia from her little pouch, and one particularly large canine approaches, and touches its nose to the tiny orb of light. It then looks around at us all, and then just walks away without any other acknowledgement.

Whilst we're eating that evening, the mage explains to me quietly that the wolves are often seen as the guardians of this part of the forest. They protect the more vulnerable creatures within, stopping them from being discovered by anything that could threaten them. According to Aphelia, they noticed us and came to investigate. Namjoon's choice of bringing out Aphelia to speak on our behalf apparently made us safe, for whatever reason, and they decided to let us be. 

I don't know if she told them what we're here for, or if they just wanted to know if we were a threat, but I suppose it doesn't matter. As long as we aren't dangerous to the forest, and its guardians accept our presence, that's all that should matter to us. After all, we're just passing through. Our understanding of the Rymateri Forest is limited, and we aren't planning on staying here, though we may pass through on a return journey. 

Having said that, we still don't know where we'd be heading on that next journey, which does complicate things slightly. But maybe the golden river will tell us, when we get to that point.