The Siege in Fiqquetti Forest

Passage of the Winged, Segment 4: "Shadows and Streams"

One day passed after Fire's squad and the pine beetles reached the border of the Land of Dew, home to the Water Striders. As they approached, they noticed something unusual: the border was deserted. They initially thought the Water Striders might be busy with a cultural ceremony. However, one of the pine beetles commented, "It's strange. The Land of Dew doesn't have a cultural ceremony today."

"What?!" Fire exclaimed, surprised.

"Yes," the pine beetle confirmed. "The Water Striders only celebrate once a year, during the second week of the first month of the new year. There's no ceremony happening now."

"Then why is no one here?" Fire asked, puzzled.

One of the injured soldier ants from Fire's squad suggested, "Uh, sir, maybe we should head to the center of the land. They might be gathering there for some reason."

"Good idea," Fire agreed. "Everyone, let's head to the center of the land."

They all nodded and set off, remaining vigilant as they ventured further. After a short walk, they spotted the Lake of Heart, the central landmark of the Land of Dew. As they approached, they noticed strange movements on the water's surface. To their shock, they realized that a group of jumping spiders was attacking, and many Water Strider warriors were dying.

Fire's squad quickly dismounted from the Tunnel Riders and secured them safely. Along with the twenty pine beetles, they rushed to help. The jumping spiders, seeing the new threat, decided to retreat. The leader of the Land of Dew emerged from a hidden chamber, followed by many innocent civilians. It was clear that half of the Water Strider warriors had been killed in the battle.

By five in the afternoon, the survivors and their leader returned to their respective places. At exactly six, Fire's group and the pine beetles reached the leader's palace, built on a giant rock near the lake. They entered and were soon in a grand room. One of the pine beetles stepped forward and introduced himself and his team. "I am Scout Niddlepine from the Land of Pines. I'm here to assist the fire ants on their quest. These are my squad members."

Fire followed, introducing himself. "My name is Fire, from the Kingdom Beneath the Grass. These are my squad members," he said, gesturing to the nineteen fire ants.

The Water Strider leader nodded in acknowledgment. "Nice to meet all of you. I am Leader Rippletide, the leader of the Land of Dew."

"Nice to meet you, Leader Rippletide," Fire and Niddlepine's team members chorused.

The room was filled with a mix of relief and tension as they all settled in, ready to discuss the recent attack and their next steps. The soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the palace windows, casting a warm light on the gathering.

"As you all saw, our land has been attacked by some new inhabitants of the forest. You arrived just in time, and we are very grateful. Thank you, fire ants and pine beetles," Leader Rippletide said.

Fire, Niddlepine, and their squads nodded, acknowledging the leader's gratitude.

Niddlepine then interrupted, "They're not from the Fiqquetti Forest. They come from the forlæten hús."

"The abandoned cabin?" Fire asked, looking directly at Niddlepine.

"Yes. There are rumors that the abandoned cabin, also known as forlæten hús or the Land of Arachnids, is home to various spider species. It's said they're trying to destroy all inhabitants of the Fiqquetti Forest," Niddlepine explained.

"But that area is at the human border, and I thought humans lived in that cabin, even if it's abandoned," Fire said.

"No," Niddlepine replied. "Years ago, during the first forest fire, many insects died, and the fire reached the cabin. Some say a human was trapped inside and burned to ashes."