The Merlinian Legacy (working title)

Chapter 7: The Forest Whispers of Dragon Blood

The morning began as it often did for Alderwyn Shadebloom, with her daily communion with the forest. She rose before dawn, the air still thick with the coolness of the night, and stepped outside her tree dwelling nestled in the sacred Oak grove. The familiar scent of damp earth and leaves greeted her as she prepared for the day's rituals. Today, however, she would not meditate alone.

The Acolytes, young Druids in training, had gathered at the Fairy Pond just beyond the grove. Alderwyn had been their guide for years, teaching them not only the ways of the forest but also how to connect their bodies and minds with the magic that flowed through the earth. She led them in their daily morning practice—a series of slow, deliberate movements meant to synchronize with the energy of the land around them. The exercise was not unlike the practice of yoga... or was it yoda?... bagua?... bamba? Alderwyn wasn't certain of the name the mystics from the far east called their exercises. Its roots, however, were deeply Druidic, focused on the balance and flow of energy within the body and the land. It was also an excellent way to teach the Acolytes to harness and channel that energy.

The Acolytes moved in silence, their bodies flowing from one pose to the next, mirroring the graceful movements of trees swaying in the wind. Alderwyn's voice was calm and steady as she guided them through each posture. "Feel the earth beneath you," she instructed, her arms lifting toward the canopy above. "Let its energy rise through your body like sap through ancient roots."

The movements were designed to open their minds to the natural world, harmonizing with the forest's rhythms and preparing them to channel energy into their magic. Alderwyn herself felt the shift in the energy as the sun began to rise, bringing warmth to the forest. The distant sound of elvish prayers echoed faintly from the Moon Pond further up the river. Though the practice was soothing, Alderwyn couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was stirring within the forest—an unrest that rippled beneath the surface. The faint scent of feline, mixed with the forest's usual earthy smells, didn't help her unease.

After the morning session with the Acolytes, Alderwyn turned to her daily responsibilities. Her first task took her to the Ash groves in the west, where she had been tending to a group of young saplings that had shown signs of magical imbalance. As she walked through the grove, she carried a basket of enchanted herbs and salves, ready to apply the remedies she had prepared.

Her hands glowed faintly as she placed them on the trunks of the saplings, whispering ancient Druidic incantations. The trees pulsed with life beneath her touch, though the imbalance remained present. The forest's magic felt erratic today, as though the land itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

As Alderwyn worked, she sensed the presence of nearby creatures, their quiet lives woven into the tapestry of the forest's magic. A fox passed through the underbrush, its bright eyes watching her with curiosity, and birds flitted through the canopy, their songs echoing softly above. She could feel the interconnectedness of everything around her, but still, something was off—something just beyond her reach.

As she finished tending to the saplings in the early hours of the afternoon, one of the young Acolytes approached her, breathless with excitement. "Priestess Alderwyn," the Acolyte began, trying to catch her breath, "a messenger raven just arrived with news. It's from Redcloak."

Alderwyn straightened, her interest piqued. Redcloak—the Alpha of the nomadic Alpha Pack—had sent a message to her yesterday, asking her to help confirm the identity of a prisoner he had captured. Until now, Alderwyn had not heard any details or confirmation of their arrival.