Garthalan: Mother of the Wood

This Little Adventure

Adaya pov

The cave seemed to be lit the whole way down but that was the only indication that this tunnel was recently used, there were cobwebs, and dust over the few peices of furniture that I did pass and it seemed that would not end, I had a feeling this would end though I was not positive. I drew my shortblade and continued a little more cautiously.

I heard a mans scream from the darkness. I moved to the wall just as a very large man emerged in a dead Sprint he did not even seem to notice me and ran right past, only to be impaled by spike that dropped from the ceiling when he stepped on a pressure plate. I had not even noticed this one. I should be more cautious from here on out. But what was this man running from? I  drew my bow along with an arrow holding the shortblade as well with my draw hand, this man was frightened enough I wanted to be ready for whatever comes my way, hopefully it was not an animal I always hated seeing them fall due to the fear of hunters or bandits.

The torches had ended so I sheathed my bow and took a torch from one of the wall racks. Then proceded into the darkness.

The tunnel seemed to go on for forever, finally I came to an opening this was lit and quiet obviously used I seen a table in the center with a single person sitting at it. I thought it might be a woman but I could not tell because of the cloak they wore. All the other people lay around the cave, dead in all kinds of akward positions. They did not have a peaceful death. I cautiously approached the cloaked  person.

"Miss?......Miss?" My call seemed to go unnoticed I did not want to give her the upper hand so I moved to the other side of the table so I could see her face without getting too close. Just before I got to my spot she spoke.

"This is no place for one such as yourself child." She had a calm soothing voice that made me want to lower my weapon I fought the feeling and kept the blade in my hand.

"why is this not a place for me?"

She chuckled because you are not a killer ad these men were. Now please lower that thing, I would hate to kill someone so innocent. Even if you will be the reason for  much more violence." I finally gave in to the feeling and sheathed the blade. I needed to know what she meant by those words.

"Why would I be the cause of violence?"

"Oh my dear, you will figure that out very soon though I can tell you it will start when you find your own history."

"Oh, and what can you tell me about my history?"

The woman rose from her seat and began to walk away. "I can tell you a lot though it'll be much easier on your mind if you figure it out for yourself." She walked into the darkness. I ran to catch her to find out what she meant but when I got there she was gone leaving the cloak behind. I grabbed it, it was thin material soft yet unnaturally strong. I folded it away and looked for something interesting in the cave I wanted to make it out of here with more than questions and a cloak.

My search proved useful I left with a new canteen made of spirit wood so I could add a bit of a potion to it and it would never be empty replenishing itself through the magic in the wood. I also found enough extra that I could make a few more things with it as well, and lastly I a very little bit of iron wool I will use it to make a sleave for the canteen so I do not have to worry about it breaking on me.

Spirit wood has great qualities but it is very rare and even more fragile. While iron wool is equally as rare it is the strongest metal you will find anywhere and just as well it is very flexible making it ideal for chainmail at sleaves. Though there is never enough for chainmail it is so rare even if you saved all you found in three thousand years you would only have enough for a mail shirt. I have enough at the house for a pair of boots.....if even that.

I arrived back at the gates and let out a shout to the guards. They were not watching roads. Great, maybe I do need to watch my back in the walls.

The gates opened and the same guard that sent me off greeted me again. "Adaya, how'd the foraging run go?"

"Er the what?" Snap I forgot I had lied to him.

"Gathering run." Great, he just thinks I'm too dumb to know the words. Oh well I spose it works.

" It went great I even found some extra supplies." I smiled at him this time hoping he would just let me head home.

" well extras are always good. You did not run into any trouble out there did you? I'm sending a patrol out."

"no I didn't but they should be wary nonetheless animals will not attack me, others are in danger though."

"will do las, you have a nice night."

Good, he wasn't in a talking mood either. I headed straight home, it was still in the same order as before and my patients had not moved, I set the supplies aside and went to bed.