Scene Two: The Old Forest

...Of Act One: Enter Ryoku

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In the eyes of Ryoku Dragontalen we are in

the Old Forest, in the world of Harohto.

It is early afternoon

in the autumn, the 4th of November,

In the year 2017.

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“We will take that one.”

The shopkeeper glanced where Will was pointing, nodding. It was probably about four feet long and little more than a gnarled oak stick, knotted at the head with what looked like a red gem embedded within the wood. “Sure thing. It’s oak, good fer fire magic. Y’know how ter use it?”

Will glanced at me, but quickly shook his head. “My friend is a bit new. Would you mind instructing him while I go meet my squad? They are just outside.”

“Not a problem,” the young shopkeeper replied with a grin. Will nodded his thanks, emptying a small handful of coins onto the counter before he took off toward the door. He nearly knocked over a display of long-handled axes, and shouted his apology behind him before leaving the door. “Enthusiastic kid, ain’t he?” the blacksmith said to me, shaking his head with a good-natured smile. “So yer just starting out, eh? This your first staff?”

I nodded politely in reply, distracted as I watched Will meeting up with a group of eight or nine soldiers just outside. They all looked similar to him, but some had differently-colored tunics and their armor pieces made of different materials. Most of them shared his distinctive dark hair and strong builds.

“A’ight, then listen good,” the blacksmith told me. He grabbed the staff from behind him in his big hands and put it on the counter. He leaned against the counter, gesturing to the staff. Now that it was closer, I noticed some details about the staff. It seemed to have two smoother spots near the head and close to the bottom, presumably handholds. Down the length of one side were what looked like pale blue runes. “This is yer standard oak staff. Normal staves are charged wit’ a single element. Oak’s primarily fer fire, pine fer earth, birch fer wind, etcetera. Ye can technically use any spell through ‘em, but the primary elements works best. Staves made with minerals enhance more than one type o’ magic, which’d be good fer down the road.

“Anyway,” he went on. “See this part ‘ere?” He nudged the small ruby embedded in the staff’s knotted head. “The staff demands a certain type o’ energy. Ya should feel it trying t’ pull the energy straight from ya when ye first hold it. That’s normal. Does it t’ all mages. So long as you can identify the energy it wants, ye can supply it. Once it gets it, the ruby’ll glow red. It does that, then ye can use fire magic.

“Then there’s the runes,” he said, running one finger down the light blue runes. “These’re called Charge Runes, speakin’ in official terms. If ye supply more energy than the jewel can store, these runes start glowin’. The more runes light up, the stronger yer magic’ll be. If ye fill the runes all the way… well, ye’d probably burn the whole forest down!”

I looked at the staff in wonder. The way he worded it sounded somewhat simple, but I hadn’t known there was so much to it. I tried to store all the information away in my mind.

“Best not ter absorb all o’ that in one sittin’,” he recommended. “There’s more than that I’ve told ye, but more than likely ye won’t need ter know it all right away. And I’m just a blacksmith. We don’t make these, but ship them in from Harohto’s magic school. If ye want to learn more, best place is the capital. But often, I hear folk like you abandon magic eventually in favor for plain ol’ steel, a hands-on weapon.”

I nodded slowly. “I think I get it,” I replied. “Thank you. I should go meet Will now.”

“Hang on a sec,” the man said, reaching below the counter. “Yer friend said ye’d need a bow and arrows too.”

I glanced at him, distracted as I saw Will arguing with someone in his group from the corner of my eye. “I think he decided on the staff,” I said. “I don’t know how to use a bow, either, and I don’t want to keep you.”

The blacksmith chuckled, and pulled an item out from beneath the counter. It was a short bow, almost half the size of the staff and curved taut by a wire spanning from both points. With it was a small, squared-off case filled with arrows.

“This here’s a recurved shortbow,” he told me. “A beginner’s weapon, surely, much simpler than the longbow or crossbow.” He took it from the table, flexing the string with two fingers in the motion of shooting. The wood curved with the movement. He pointed at two notches carved in the center of the bow, then a matching knot on the wire. “Pretty simple. Ye set an arrow to the notches here, like so…”

He plucked an arrow from the quiver and set it to the notches expertly. It sat upon the notches easily, the iron barb of the arrow sitting about five inches from the head of the bow. The feathered end of the arrow rested on the knot of the wire. In an abrupt and practiced movement, he swiveled the bow around and, just over my shoulder, loosed an arrow like a mouse released from the clutches of a cat. I flinched, but the arrow made a loud twang as it struck behind me. I spun around, alarmed, to see the arrow embedded in a small target mounted on the opposite wall. It had hit dead-center.

“Fairly easy when ye get the hang o’ it,” he admitted, handing me the bow and quiver. The quiver had steel plates at the top and bottom, where it attached to a baldric to fasten over my shoulder. A slot just below the quiver on the opposite side seemed meant to mount the bow. “Think o’ it as a gift. Will’s a good customer, and any friend o’ his is a friend o’ mine.”

I looked at him, surprised by his generosity. “Thank you!” I exclaimed, clasping my hands together with the bow and quiver while I dipped into a short bow. His eyebrows raised a bit, but he laughed. I was unsure if the bow my friend had taught me was suitable for this situation, as I remembered Caryl - the bartender at the inn - giving me a similarly odd look when I did so.

“Anytime, kiddo,” he waved me off as he retreated to a room behind the counter. I dodged my way around various weapon racks to exit the store while I slung my new baldric over my shoulder, hooking the bow to the slot on it. I kept them just under my bag.

As I left the shop, someone bumped into me. I nearly fell over from the impact, and braced myself with my staff, glancing after the tall figure who was already rushing away.

“Sorry!” a female voice shouted back at me. She was running down the street, a black, kite-shaped shield bobbing on her back. She seemed awfully tall for a woman, and was clutching something against her chest by the looks of it. I shrugged, surprised by the odd encounter, and turned to where Will stood.

My new comrade was facing away from me. I counted the soldiers he stood with. The three at the immediate front had silver tunics and copper-golden armor similar to Will’s, but wore medium helmets as opposed to his rounded cap. Another two had the same green tunics and silver-steel armor as Will, and even the same caps. The other three had light blue tunics and bronze armor, but no helms.

“So this is the kid?” one of the silver-garbed soldiers asked Will in a snide tone, waving his hand at me. If I had to guess, I’d say he might be in charge. He held himself with honor. A red cape was slung over one shoulder. Unlike the others, he had silvery hair spilling out from beneath his gold helm, and icy-blue eyes with a piercing quality to them. “I see what you mean. How much?”

“I am escorting him for free,” Will replied. By the tone he used, I guessed that he expected a challenge of his opinion. “He has little funds, Lancet, and he is ill-equipped for such travel. I offered to take him to the capital.”

"Free of charge?" the man, apparently named Lancet, demanded. He walked away a pace, his hands pressed against his hips, and cursed under his breath. Lancet was certainly the leader. By the way he drawled, I guessed that he couldn't be a good one. He returned to lean in toward Will, lowering his voice and sharpening his tongue. “Will. You seem to be making assumptions out of line, here. We will not escapade across the forest without a hefty price."

I stepped forward. "It's okay, Will," I said quickly, noticing my new friend's intense expression. "I can make it by myself, really. I have this staff now, a-and the man gave me this—"

"I told you that you could not make it alone," Will cut me off almost coldly. I was surprised to hear such an edge to the normally friendly soldier’s tone, but the commander seemed to put him on edge. "Feel no need to act brave in this situation. I will take you."

"I will go with you," one of the younger soldiers piped up. A sandy-haired boy stepped up next to Will, avoiding Lancet’s icy glare. “We came to Bytold in order to do good and gain experience toward our knighthood. Perhaps such a bold mission will pay off in the long run, but that is not why I choose to go. We rob the poor people here to take them through the forest. For once, I would like to do something as the honor of Syaoto encompasses. I wish to feel as though I am doing something right.”

Lancet glared at the young soldier, taking a step toward him. “You dare to—”

“Alex is right,” another soldier said firmly, one with the same attire as Will. He stepped in front of the young boy, Alex, to face Lancet. “This village does not need bullies, but rather guides. Will is excellently choosing our path in the name of Syaoto. Or would you prefer I write to Brom about this?”

The other green-garbed soldier and Alex’s two fellows closed in next to them, turning to face Lancet. Will glared at Lancet, daring him to challenge the odds. After a tangibly long moment, both of Lancet’s fellow soldiers broke formation, coming to stand with Will. Lancet had lost.

“I will offer you a deal,” Lancet drawled, removing his helm. He shook his silvery hair free of the armor, letting it fall around his angular face without breaking Will’s challenging glance. “Duel me, Will. If you win, I will allow your foolhardy escapade. If not, then you will allow this Defender to do as he already said he could, and enter the forest alone.

Will had already drawn his lance over his shoulder. “I accept.”

The other soldiers backed away. Alex pulled me away just as Will and Lancet cleared the short distance between them. Their lances met with a brilliant spark reflected in the eyes of both combatants. They locked arms in battle, a match for each other’s strength. Just when I thought Will might break their hold, they both jumped back, skidding until they perched on one knee, lances drawn back over their shoulders like the stingers of scorpions. Will’s hand twitched near the steel blade at his belt.

The next moment was tense. The soldiers faced one another, their bodies taut and waiting for the opportune moment to strike. There was no sort of signal I caught when they leapt at each other again, their lances ripping through the air in a fierce arc. Lancet swooped down in a deep thrust aimed for Will’s ribs. With incredible agility, Will pivoted around the lance and swung around to Lancet’s other side, his lance curved up in a deadly wild spin.

The next movement was too quick to follow. Both moved with expert agility. In a single move, they came about to an entirely different position. Lancet was on his knees, his lance against Will’s upper calf, one elbow just above Will’s sternum. Will’s lance was leveled against Will’s collarbone. They held, unmoving, for a long moment. Will’s chest was heaving. Lancet barely seemed fatigued. Finally, Lancet sighed.

“You win this round,” he growled. Will’s weapon drew back slowly, and Lancet got to his feet, sheathing his lance over his shoulder. Will straightened, putting away his own lance, and they locked eyes. For a moment, I could see a hatred burning between them like a terrible fire. “You may embark on this… mission. Report straightaway to me once you bring this boy to the capital. If you receive payment, distribute it as usual. I will remain here, accomplishing something worth our money.”

Will's eyes did not soften. He bowed appropriately and thanked the elite soldier. He exchanged glances with the seven soldiers who had joined us, and led the way down the street. Stumbling with the staff still in my hands, I followed them.

By their expressions, Will and his crew thought nothing of Bytold. It was a small village by any standard, and took little time to traverse before we reached our destination. But I was sure I slowed them down, glancing around me wildly at all the sights. To me, even the shoddily constructed homes, the villagers running to and fro on their daily tasks, the babbling brook cutting through part of the diminutive settlement, all was new. I didn’t miss all the people who paused when they saw us, the group of soldiers escorting a boy who looked out of place. Albeit, it wasn’t long before we reached our destination. The Old Forest.

I gazed upward, my eyes lost among the numerous twisted, moss-covered trees that stretched out, threatening to consume the small village behind us, and disappearing beyond the hill that stretched seemingly miles ahead. Will stood at my side. The village behind us was unremarkable to him, but he seemed to appreciate the overgrown beauty of the forest with me. The only difference was that he’d been here before, while everything about this was new to me. Our small platoon of guards were spread out behind us, looking through their things in preparation for this task. I felt flattered to have such a strong team with me. I had seen Will’s expertise twice now, and I was happy to have such a skilled fighter at my side. I only hoped it wasn’t necessary.

“We are in for an arduous journey,” Will said, but his voice didn’t lack faith. His sapphire eyes wandered up the length of forest and to the distant sky, high above the small valley Bytold existed in. I followed his gaze, and only now noticed dark clouds looming far above, distant over the mountains but certainly incoming. “Rain will fall before we camp.” I glanced at him, and he looked at me with a small smirk. “You do remember I said this will take a few days, yes? Even for one who has traversed these woods many times. The trail is winding and generally uphill for much of the way. Perhaps two nights in the woods, but that is wishful thinking.”

I groaned, and Will chuckled. “I apologize,” he said, smothering his laughter. “If I could somehow magic you to the capital city instantly, I would consider it.”

Now I laughed, too. Will’s laughter was strangely contagious. At least I wouldn’t have to spend two nights with someone as stingy as a porcupine. While I laughed, I felt the alien bobbing of my staff against the back of my leg. It was something I would have to get used to. As I considered my inventory, I gasped.

“My bag!” I realized out loud, swiveling about. It wasn’t slung over my back where I was sure I’d left it. I hadn’t even noticed when I put my staff in its holster on the back of my belt. I recalled the girl who’d bumped into me earlier, clutching something as she ran off. Had she…?

“Fret not,” Will said, tapping the heavy brown rucksack he carried. “You had little enough as it was. Our company always carries enough supplies to amend for multiple travelers. Once we reach the capital, I will purchase a new bag and supplies for you. A Defender cannot go voyaging across worlds without supplies!”

I chuckled, surprised at his offer, but my eyes caught onto the Old Forest looming ahead of us again. Staring out into those endless, twisted trees, it seemed horribly ominous. It looked like it never ended, stretching out to the very horizon. It was the beginning of my journey, the first true hurdle I had to face.

"Was it okay of you to say such things to your leader?" I ventured. I didn't miss the soldier's crestfallen expression again.

"His name is Lancet Cooper, as I believe you caught onto back there," he told me, his fists clenched over his bag straps. "He is a man who cannot do something for nothing. For the many years I have known him, I have not once seen him act charitably." To my surprise, he spat on the ground. "He is without honor."

I was silent for a moment. I was thinking of somebody I knew once, back home, who was much the same way.

Will sighed deeply. "We would do best to depart," he spoke lamentably. "We would not want to take a day longer for our standing and chatting. I would enjoy this city air while I could. All you will smell soon is pine and fungi."

"Goodie," I muttered. "Cause we all love the many smells of mold."

Will laughed, as did some of the soldiers behind us. I was glad to see, unlike Lancet, that they were quite light-hearted as well.

Will tightened the straps on his enormous rucksack, adjusting the baldric holding his long wooden lance. I self-consciously adjusted the bow, staff, and knife in their places. We took another deep breath, and stepped forward into the world of tangled moss and trees. Our small team of soldiers were right behind us, delving into the mossy abyss.

As soon as we entered the cover of the trees, it was noticeably darker. Dust glittered in the air like falling stars in the sunlight, giving the whole forest an eerie, magical aura. We trod along a dully made path, checkered with fallen trees and tangled brush. Where there was nothing underfoot, suddenly a slope would appear and I would stumble down or up it. I watched shadows of the forest canopy playing across the soldiers' armor and tunics as they skillfully ascended nature ahead of me. I quickly lagged behind all the soldiers.

And Will was right - all I could smell was green.

The Old Forest path - or so Will claimed the wretched thing was - was constantly worming and spiraling it's way uphill, around large, twisted trees, and, occasionally, beneath a natural arch of dirt, roots, rock, and trees. Will and his team walked with purpose up this path, and I stumbled behind.

After nearly two hours of walking - or so I guessed, from my partial abilities of reading the sun for the time of day, Will diverted his gait from the path. I blinked in surprise, and followed him. But he didn't go far. He approached a large, lichen-coated rock, and sat upon it. Curious, I followed suit. Over my head, Will made a handsign. With a nod in unison, the soldiers broke off to scout the area.

"Let us take a breather," Will spoke. I was startled to realize he was hardly short of breath - but that couldn't be said for me. Relieved, I sank back into the rock, letting the past supposed two hours catch up to me.

"So," Will said, turning towards me. "You are truly a Defender then?"

"Yeah." I didn't know what more to say. Did my kind normally carry licenses or proof of purchase?

"You must be new," Will said quietly. "You are nothing like the type that usually come here."

I straightened, shocked. Was I doing this all wrong? Who could I blame for that one?

"Defenders," Will went on. "From the moment they begin their adventures in this world, they take everything for granted. They are the steed that tramples on the dirt road of the Spirit World.

"It's not long before they get really arrogant," Will's normally chivalric tone suddenly darkened. "Once they know the ropes to this place, they start bossing us spirits around like child's toys. We're just supposed to be their guides and guards according to them."

As his tone dripped with lethality, I found myself empathic. I pictured large men, like the ones back in the tavern, pushing around other people like that pretty tavern-maid. My fists unconsciously tightened.

"Something about you is different," Will said. I realized he was staring at me, and I smiled in reply. He didn't appear so angry now, and his normal tone returned. "You do not carry that air of... superiority. The one that they are dripping with."

I looked down. Was that a bad thing?

But Will was still staring at me.

"Where are you headed?" Will asked, a different tone to his approach. "I mean, after we get to Harohto."

Now I deliberately stared off into the distance.

"Perhaps that was the wrong question," Will said quickly, raising his hands in defense.

"No," I said just as quickly, but I didn't try to make eye contact. I breathed in deeply, and continued. "I'm looking for someone."

"Looking for someone?" Will echoed, tilting his head to the side. Just then, a strange emotion sparkled in his eyes - understanding. But it faded so quickly that I brushed it off. "Do you know where this someone is?"

"Not a clue," I murmured. "I only know I have to find him."

"Oh," Will replied. "They are male then." I mock-glared at him, and he laughed. "And here I was, thinking you were after some long lost lover!"

I laughed too. "If I had a lover, why would I kiss a pretty barmaid?"

Will chuckled. "I was thinking maybe you were not very devoted." We laughed again. Once more, I found myself glad to have a lively comrade for the two nights ahead. "That was a rather bold act for such a timid Defender."

I shrugged. "It seemed the right thing to do. Am I wrong?"

Will grinned. "I would not think so. The way her eyes were on you, one might think you were the only customer! She was drying the same spot on the counter as long as we spoke to her!"

I laughed quietly, but my mind wandered. I found myself wishing someone else in my life was as mindful of my existence.

"You do have a significant other!" My face went red, and I deliberately turned from Will once more. He was a very talented eye-reader. I'd have to be more mindful of that in the future. "Mayhap I am but a guide to you, but it concerns me to the heart! Be she another Defender, or a human in your own world? A spirit, even?"

I was lost again. I was only conscious enough to make sure I kept my eyes averted from Will as my mind wandered more heavily than I'd let it in two days.

One name was ringing over and over in my mind.

I imagined her face so clearly, so flawlessly, that I was entirely spellbound.

My fists tightened on the rock, digging in so hard that my fingernails stung, but I disregarded it. Her face was so entirely there that I could have sworn she stood in front of me.

But, she didn't love me.

For the billionth time that month, I felt my heart shatter. I'd once thought it impossible to feel your heart annihilate itself once. I was now sure it could - and would - happen over and over again.

Clenching my teeth, I forced a different picture in my mind.

And finally, I was back in the Old Forest, sitting on the rock. I brushed off the shattered heart like a broken vase. I'd grown used to these attacks on my heart, triggered by the name that remained imprinted in my heart.

That didn't stop them from hurting.

I forced my eyes back to Will. His face was wiped clean of all the arrogance it had held while he was pressing me for answers, and was replaced with worry. This, in itself, was enough to blow away the little shards that had been left in my chest.

Once the shards were gone, I smiled. Seeing myself reflected in Will's eyes, the smile was so convincing that one would think I'd just won the lottery.

It convinced Will.

"I see this girl still troubles you," Will murmured. His tone still held a chalice of worry. I hated worry.

"I'm fine," I assured him, letting my smile shine in full earnest.

"I understand," Will said quietly. His voice had plummeted to a whisper so quickly that I had to lean in to catch it. "Love. It can be so hard to wipe clean from the mirror of your heart. Eons later, it can still cut to glance into it."

I felt the sting again, but I brushed it off.

Will rest a hand on my shoulder. It felt so warm, so reassuring, that the sting was nearly forgotten. I smiled at him.

"I promise to not raise the subject further," Will assured me, his grin returning as well.

He glanced up. I realized, by how quickly he acted, that he'd been alert this whole time. I couldn't say the same. As I tried to mimic his agility, I only saw the flash of a shadow flutter over the break in the canopy of the Old Forest. I blinked, but it was gone. It could easily have been a bird, but... I doubted Will would jump for such a thing. And by the size, it would have been a big bird.

As if I wasn't chilled enough now, a sudden scream pierced the wind. Will's head turned easily toward the sound. It sounded male. Could it be... one of the squad?

"It would be best to get moving," Will said urgently, pushing himself from the rock. His gaze flickered to my staff as I clambered off the rock, not nearly as gracefully or quickly. "I apologize, Ryoku, but you will have to see a fight soon."

I grimaced as Will re-fastened his bags. Even as he prepared, his hand lingered near his lance.

"I trust you know something of fighting," Will half-pleaded. "From your performance in the tavern..."

I shrugged. "I've had some fights at the schoolyard, but..."

Will grimaced. Finishing with the drawstrings at his rucksack, he took off down the path again, faster than before. As I struggled to keep up, he called over his shoulder;

"What better way to learn than experiencing it firsthand!"

...End of Scene 2.