Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Three - Hello Darkwoods, My Old Friend

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Three - Hello Darkwoods, My Old Friend

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Three - Hello Darkwoods, My Old Friend

We were up bright and early the next morning to a breakfast of oats and a bit of cut sausage with some boiled veggies on the side.

The Beavers crew, all gathered in the port dining area, chowed down with alacrity while the rising sun painted orange patterns across the table. I munched and crunched my way through some carrots while occasionally picking up some sausage with my fork and placing it into Awens plate.

She was a growing girl. She had to eat to become big and strong so that she could give Rosaline some proper hugs.

So, Bastion asked as he dabbed his lips. Into the Darkwoods to confront some dryads about lumber rights. Not how I expected this trip to go.

Ah, well, sorry? I said. But thats how adventures should be. One big detour after another, so that you can grow strong and experience all sorts of new things. But, ah, if you want to stay aboard the Beaver, or even at the camp until we return, Id understand.

Bastion shook his head. No, no I dont think Id miss this for the world. As I said, its not what I expected to be doing, but its not necessarily a bad thing.

I nodded along and finished my meal while sneaking peeks at Bastion.

He was a bit strange, a bit calmer than my other friends, but he was also surprisingly nice. I couldnt help but feel that that was all it was though--him being nice and polite. He didnt think of me and the others as friends.

Not yet at least.

I knew that with a few adventures and some quality time together, wed break through his tough polite exterior and get to the gooey friendship inside.

Broccoli, Amaryllis said. I dont know what youre thinking right now, but its stupid, so please stop.

What? I asked.

Your face. Ive grown so accustomed to it that I can tell when something dumb is happening behind it. If were going to be going on any sort of diplomatic mission this morning, then it might be best if you keep the idiocy on a low simmer.

Thats a bit mean, Awen said.

Shes got a tough skin, Amaryllis said with an airy wave.Fôllôw new stories at novelhall.com

I pouted at her while stuffing the last spoonful of oats in my mouth. I would have liked to continue, but with breakfast done, it was time for work. Alright. Anyone want to volunteer for the dishes? I asked. Well need Steve and Gordon and Clive up top, of course.

Any amount of hauling rope around to avoid the dishes, Steve said.

Awa, Ive never done dishes before, Awen said. Resolution lit up her eyes. Ill try my best.

And Ill be as far away from that impending disaster as I can manage, Amaryllis said.

Clive finished his plate, pulled out a pipe from his coat and started to pad some leaves into it. So where are we going, Captain?

First, I think well head over to the camp. Pick up the East Mattergrove representatives there, I said. Then well head off towards the Darkwoods. I... dont know how deep into them. Do you think you can manage that kind of flying?

Bit tricky, but if we stay low enough, we ought to avoid any nasty problems, Clive said. The magic above the woods is messy when it comes to navigating. Theyll spin your compass the wrong way round and all, but well be eyeballin it anyway.

I trust in you, I said as I hopped to my feet. The Beavers chairs were all, by necessity, bolted to the floor. Some had magnets on their feet that could click them in place on the studs across the floor, but most were just bolted there. It made it a bit annoying to sit down properly. Alright, lets get this show on the road.

Are you implying that were a circus? Amaryllis asked. Oddly suitable.

You two, help the misses, Edmund said as he pointed to two young lads with lots of muscles and sharp chiseled chins.

Pulling the anchor up was very sweaty work that unfortunately ended all too quickly.

The Beaver turned a bit to face due east, and its engine changed tones as we started to push out ahead. I figured Clive had things in hand for a bit, so I moved over to Sebastien and Geoffrey who were both sitting down.

This ship is quite nice, Sebastien said. Ive never seen a design like this.

Its a bit of an experimental one, I said. Made by the Owl clan and refurbished by the Albatross. This is actually his maiden voyage.

Sebastiens eyebrows rose. How fortuitous.

Is it meant to be painted in such garish colours? Geoffrey asked as he gestured around.

Nah, it was a much more boring colour. Im thinking of painting some things purple, to serve as accents to all the yellow.

We were making good time over the top of the forest. Not moving too fast, but not too slow either. I think I could have out-hopped the Beaver while moving in a straight line if it wasnt for all the trees below.

I saw Edmund pointing off to starboard and the Beaver soon veered off that way, with Clive calling out to deploy some sails on that side.

The place Edmund seemed to be directing us towards was a little clearing with a river running through it, covered in boulders and rocks. Maybe calling it a river was an exaggeration, actually. The stream was maybe three meters across, and didnt look all that deep. The clearing around it hinted that the water would be higher at other times in the year though.

At first, I thought it was clear, empty, but then I saw movement and could make out that some of the trees along the banks had bright green leaves and looked a bit out of place, too close to some others and in some cases moving in the wrong direction to account for the wind.

There are dryads down there, I said.

Sebastien spun around and looked down, and I saw some of the lumberjacks tensing up.

The Beaver started to fight against the oncoming wind, holding in place with only Clives gentle touch preventing us from being blown away. Lower the anchors! the harpy called.

Make sure you hit rocks, not trees! I added. The last thing I wanted was to start any sort of diplomatic meeting by having to say sorry for squashing someone.

The anchors came down slowly, with a bit of help from the lumberjacks and soon with the Beaver firmly anchored, we didnt have to fight against the wind as much and could just rest in place. Clive even lowered the ship a bit more and brought the keep just below the treeline.

Im going to get my adventuring gear! I told the others before rushing off to the cabins.

When I got to my room, I ditched my captains hat and carefully threaded my bun ears through the holes of my trusty adventuring hat.

New Skill Acquired: Turtling

Rank: F

I wasnt entirely sure what that skill did, but I figured it would help me take a blow. My hat-wearing skill was almost ready to level up, so maybe by then Id be able to see what the acquired skills did more easily.

I grabbed a bandoleer that had a few pouches and a knife, then my trusty spade, and was out to the top once more.

The lumberjacks were all gathered by the ladder and my friends were right next to them. Awen had her big repeating crossbow slung over a shoulder, and Amaryllis looked competently bored next to her. Even Bastion was there, testing the fit of his sword in its sheath.

Is everyone ready? I asked. Because Its time to go meet some trees!

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