Excursion

Chapter Fourteen - The Ixmin Forest

  We packed up our things for the forest shortly after our meal. Valentino and Willa were sorry to see us go, but they wished us luck on our journey and gave us provisions for the road.

  "We may cross paths again on your journey, Chum cake," Valentino told Esis, slapping him on the back. "I'm going to Lazuli this weekend to meet with Nova again."

  "Really?" Esis inquired, perking up. "Give her my best."

  "I'll do more than that," Valentino laughed. "I'll put in a good word for you."

  This seemed to please Esis remarkably, for our guide was off like a shot as soon as we started traveling upon the trail once again, this time following the signs that read 'Ixmin Forest'. Unlike the rest of the signs we passed, the ones we were following were rugged and unpainted, and sometimes, a chunk was even taken out of the side.

  "Esis?" I inquired as we began to approached a long line of trees. "Why are we traveling in here, again? I wouldn't mind spending some time in Wilpindur, if this place is truly as dangerous as everyone makes it out to be."

  At that, Esis let out a long, troubled breath. "The Empikah will be extremely upset with me if I delay any longer in getting back to them. A delay in Wilpindur may have gotten me fired."

  "Really? But they seem like such kind, agreeable folk."

  "You haven't actually met them, have you?"

  I hadn't.

  By this point, the three of us were fully immersed in the world of trees, and although I could still clearly see the sunlight behind us as well as shafts coming down through the branches, the entire atmosphere left me thinking of nothing but fear and dread.

  "I know we have to stay on the path..." Salandil brought up after some moments of silence had passed, "... but why? What's beyond the path?"

  "They say that's where the loonies are kept," Esis murmured, glancing around. Even he was beginning to look like a hunted animal. "Strange sounds and smells have been reported by the people who've traveled through here, as well as glowing eyes and blood splatters upon some of the trees."

  "It would be nice if someone did know exactly what was back in there," I noted. "Then we would know what we're up against."

  "I think it's better to leave it a mystery."

  Walking through the Ixmin Forest was not a calming experience. It seemed like every dozen feet or so, one of us would hear footsteps in the distance, or see paw prints upon the soft dirt, or have to stop to move some large tree branch out of our way. It became unnerving after awhile – almost maddening – so it was a relief when I saw a light up ahead. I looked to Salandil, who was also smiling, but when I looked towards Esis, I saw that his eyebrows were furrowed and there was a small frown creeping up onto his features.

  "What's wrong?" I asked him. "It's the sun! We're almost out of here!"

  Esis didn't speak for a moment, but when he did, he slowed to a halt and began shaking his head. "No, Nomen. That's not the sun."

  "Esis, it's the su-" I began, thinking that the messenger was going crazy.

  But then I saw exactly what was off. Instead of staying in one place, like the sun would have, this light slowly wavered from side to side, never once staying at the same brightness or in the same spot for more than half a minute. Also, as I stared, I noticed that it was much smaller than the sun's light would have been. It only looked larger from a distance because it was reflecting off of the leaves of the trees.