40 The Sylvan Woods

Dawn felt really happy when they exited the desert. Finally, the air was a lot easier to breathe. She allowed everyone to take a short break when they came to a brook in order to fill their empty waterskins and to refresh themselves.

As she waited for her companions to finish taking their half hour break, she looked around the area. She had never been in this particular part of Nix'Ryl, at least that she could recall.

It actually looked really peaceful, far different from the desert. There were sounds of songbirds in the trees, the babble of the brook as it maneuvered through the glade it was in, and a strangely peaceful air as if the place was untouched by time.

As she headed back she took a look at a rather large moss covered stone that jetted out of the ground. And she noticed that it had writing covering its northern side.

The writing was in the old tongue that no one spoke anymore, which meant it must have been written quite a long time ago. Dawn did not know how to read it, and she was not sure if anyone did, so she decided to ignore it.

As she was almost back in the glade, she grew aware that she could hear whispers. She looked around but saw no one other than her own companions who were all in a rather good mood.

Tira though also seemed to hear something and she looked up as well, her eyes scanning the trees with a slight frown on her face.

Dawn walked over to her, hoping that the ranger might be able to tell her what was going on.

Tira looked at her, her eyes sharp and calculative, "There is something in these woods. I think Lowks feels it too but I can't place it."

"Do you have any idea what it could be? And is it dangerous?" Dawn was more concerned with the second question.

Tira though shook her head, "I've never felt such a presence before."

Lowks interrupted their discussion, "Um… I hate to interrupt but I think we are going to find out."

Dawn turned, following the half elf's eyes and looking at the slender woman who stood in front of them. The woman did not look at all dangerous, having an innocent looking face, doey eyes, and dressed only in a green tattered gown. Her green hair was wild and hang down covering most of her face and enhancing her long slender pointed ears. Her skin was a lightly tanned brown color, and her green hair seemed frosted slightly as if with snow. Her eyes were a very vivid shade of green.

She looked curious as she moved slightly closer, her gown swaying around her slender legs. She moved until she was only three feet away, tilting her head as her hair swayed in the wind slowly.

Everyone just stared at the woman not sure what to do. She really did not seem at all dangerous but instead seemed harmless, completely and utterly harmless. As she stared at them, she suddenly slowly smiled and beckoned them as she turned and walked back into the forest.

Dawn had no idea why but she found herself following the woman into the woods. Her mind seemed to go blank and her body moved of its own accord. The whispers were louder now, rustling in the trees.

As the strange young girl passed the large stone with the writing she lightly ran one of her hands over it, almost lovingly.

A haze seemed to descend on them as they walked into the bright woods. And then they entered into another grove, which held the source of the brook they had been at. A lake sat pristine in the center of the grove, with a large bare and smooth rock rearing out of it.

The woman turned back to them and spoke in a clear vivid bell like voice, "Welcome travelers to Sylvan Woods, rest yourselves and refresh, let us care for your animals. And tomorrow continue on your way."

As Dawn came out of the haze she realized what manner of creature stood before them. She had not believed that dryads actually existed as they had not been seen in the civilized kingdoms in years, nor had she ever seen one when she had lived in Nix'Ryl.

"Why are you doing this?" Dawn folded her arms over her chest. There were many tales of nymphs and most of them made the creatures out to be not really all that friendly. Well dryads did not have as bad a reputation as the naiads did, but none of the legends ever said anything about them going out of their way to help someone.

The dryad did not answer the question instead she gestured for them to sit. "If you need anything please tell me. I know that humans always need a handle in order to talk to people so you can call me Willow. My cousin nymphs will not harm you either."

"How can we be sure?" Dawn might feel strangely inclined to believe this innocent looking creature but she knew very little of nymphs.

"These woods are sacred. They are the last of our most native home though we do have some of our own in any forest to keep watch over it. But here we are more active," The nymph smiled, "At least that is what the elders tell me."

Dawn could not come up with anything to refute and everyone else seemed good with what was happening.