An army passes by, again

An army passes by, again

Year 72 month 10 last few days.

A delegation approaches from the distance. Its the beginning of winter, and yet it is warmer than usual, so warm that I could feel something is in the air. My leaves, the warmth confuses them, and so they shrivel up a little. Somehow, this warm air is rough, and my trunk and bark feels a bit rougher as a result.

A delegation of soldiers, a hundred strong, carrying all sorts of materials and goods. An expeditionary force?

Friend, or foe?

Tree spirit. A voice calls out, one I vaguely recognise, but once he got closer, I soon identify the voice as Lord Rajjiv Nung. Hmm.. is it still asleep.Jura? Jura?

He seems to be better condition than the last time we met, maybe he gained some levels.

The elves are hiding, a little intimidated by the presence of so many men. I too somehow share that emotion, and am on my guard as well.

Should I go out, tree spirit? Jura asks, while that Rajjiv calls for him.

Hmmm

It is best I respond. Perhaps letting Jura hide is a better idea, but then I turn to Hendry and Alexis, Do you guys want to go out? Its a bunch of humans, maybe they can help you.

Hendry shakes his head, We dont know them, so well watch how this plays out, but we will help if needed. Our priority is still Meela, and by extension, your ability to continue to support Meela.

Seems quite reasonable.

Yes? What brings you here with a small army? I telepathically speak to Rajjiv.

Lord Rajjiv smiles, Ah you are awake! Great! We have much to discuss. He dismounts from his warhorse and walks closer, gesturing to my roots. May I?

Yes. He sits on the flat surface of the few protruding roots.

So, since our last battle, the defeat of the demon champion at our hands greatly improved our Kings opinion of natural spirits are a means to fight demons.

He pauses.

And so, we are wondering whether you are open to relocating yourself outside of our capital city.

No. I hate moving, I have to be decisive in rejecting this.

Ah I suspected as much. Well, are tree spirits able to produce offsprings or saplings which we can cultivate into a tree spirit? Would a branch of yours grow into a split version of yourself?

Eh. That, is a good question. I recall producing fruits and they do have seeds, but they only seem to grow into normal plants. If they did somehow grow into their own tree spirits I sure did not detect their presence.

Rest assured we will take good care of your offspring or saplings, we only ask it comes to our aid in battle.

But Rajjiv is asking a very good point. Could I procreate in a sense that allows me to create other tree spirits? Or my offsprings do not inherit any of my abilities or qualities?

I am afraid I am unable to produce any spirit-offspring. So far my offsprings and seeds are just normal trees..

Yet? Or maybe I do not yet know how?

Ah that would be a disappointment. But not unexpected.

Rajjiv stands and looks around the area.

Hendry chooses to mostly stay inside, wondering when his friends will return. Meelas still surviving, her body in a constant battle with the demonic rot within. Alexis spends time talking to Meela and playing with the younger elves, Brislach, Wahlen and Lausanne.

The older elves are still apprehensive of the humans, but the younger ones do not hold such prejudices. Perhaps, not yet.

A week later, Year 72 Month 11 Week 1

Twenty thousand strong, an army passes by. Half of them set up camp here, but from the chatter it seems they are meant to leave very soon. The other half march on, nearer to the rift where they will set up smaller camps closer to the rift.

With the numbers, comes traffic. The traffic in this area is much higher now, as messengers are needed for certain types of communication. There is also a small group of dedicated mages, and it seems their role is to facilitate long distance secure communication spells.

And winter is delayed this year. It's still warm. Something strange is happening to the weather.

Alexis suspects its the demons.

And refugees start popping up, an outcome of more demon raids, destroying villages that are closer to the rift. The rift, as Alexis elaborates, is a flux, a rip in space, and it joins our world with that of the demons, and it expands and moves, usually slowly but under certain circumstances, quickly. The longer the demon king remains in the world, the rifts will remain open and expand, and after their death, the rifts will shrink and eventually close. So, a world cannot wait forever for the heroes to slay the demon king, else the rift would expand so large and appear all over the world.

Year 72 Month 11 Week 3

From the bits and pieces of information I gather via eavesdropping the refugees and the soldiers, it seems no one knows I am a tree spirit. They presumed I am a normal tree that somehow survived this location, and that is interesting.

At this point I realise perhaps Lord Rajjiv has reasons not to share that information, and my assessment of him in my mind change accordingly. Him and his platoon took credit for the demon champion defeat earlier, ignoring my contribution. Well, though I do feel slighted, after dwelling on the idea for a while, I think keeping myself unknown is better.

Should I reveal my presence to the soldiers? I ask this of the elves and the three adventurers.

Hmm, but what would revealing your presence achieve, TreeTree? Belle asks, still peering outside. Emiles been talking about the heroes for some time now, and she is wondering where in the world are they.

True. I stand to lose more than gain. Given that I cant really move I cant exactly run away, can I?

If you have powers, its best to keep it a secret. Alexis said, holding Meelas hand. People will seek you for your power, and you become a tool, not a person. Your power will define who you are to the masses.

Fair point. She sounds really sad when she said that. Sounds like personal experience.

It is. Alexis holds Meelas hand a little longer.

Year 72 Month 11 Week 4

Another ten thousand or so soldiers arrive, they do not stop here for long, and they continue marching towards the rift.

At this point this surrounding area is pretty much a makeshift fort. The humans with earth magic mold a two layer wall complete with towers and ramparts, and staff them with soldiers.

Traffic is still high, and refugees seem to be constantly streaming in. The refugees dont stay for long, as the food available is meant for the army, and is barely sufficient, so they move on to safer, and hopefully more prosperous lands. There are minor demon attacks, small packs of hellhounds easily disposed by the army encamped in this place.

From the chatter, I gather new types of demons are appearing near the rift. Larger, more earthlike versions of hellhounds, and a half-golem, half-demon variant. Perhaps the demon king has some earth-elemental powers, since his minions does display earth-like features.

I wonder whether this has something to do with the mild shakes and tremors we have been feeling occasionally.

Where are they? Hendry is frustrated, though Meela is stable. It seems he is raring to get a shot of the demons, but is also torn with Meelas present condition.

Our friends will come back for us. Alexis assures him, Its.. It's fine like this. A bit of a break from all this killing. And maybe the heros power can help Meela.

Hendry scowls, but then he pauses to think.

You might be right, Alexis. The heros sem-divine holy powers may be able to counteract the demonic rot.