In silence the two walked back to Adnilia’s house, stopping only when the prince struggles to keep up and needs to recover. “We need to get another helping of that healing brew into you”, she distresses softly.
They finally reached her home, what must have felt like ages for Nanthal. He hastily downs the brew and quickly falls into a deep slumber.
In that time Adnilia prepares herself for this journey, to support the prince. Setting out food and hiking supplies first for at least five days. Her trusted weapons, survival gear and she even dons armour and covers it all with a multi-shaded cloak. She pauses for a moment and looks over to the young prince resting. Then she starts to pack away his armour. This is not needed, not for this journey. He must not be overburdened, she thinks to herself.
In this weakened state his enemy is not coming from outside, but from within.
Dusk slowly falls in through the forest, the flutter of birds finding their nests and mice scurringy over the forest floor, avoiding owls sounding of higher in the trees. “Come on, we can’t stay here any longer”, she says as she pokes him with her staff. His blurry vision opens up to a dark room and a lone candle flickering next to his backpack. “Put on that clothing, it will help you blend into the forest”, his eyes follows her finger and sees the equipment set aside for him.
“My armour?”, a struggling voice asks. Shaking her head she replies, “No, I will handle any problems we will encounter. You need to make sure to keep the darkness inside at bay.”
Prince instinctively puts a hand on his chest, as if to try and find a physical point to the unknown energy inside. “Keeping this at bay would be fine, if I could get back to our healers in the city”, he whispers. “Take me to the main road and I will find a way home”, he says with some gravitas. Struggling to his feet he leans on the wooden wall of the tree house.
“Prince, a angry squirrel would be best you in this state. I, as a representative of the Bolgart’h Forest cannot let you venture forth. If that thing inside manifest into something greater, we risk more than just your life”, she says with steely eyes.
What is inside me?
He once again grabs his chest, his visions blurs for a moment and the words swirl in his mind, “The thing inside. Keep it at bay. Risk more than just my life”. He suddenly then feels that now familiar feeling of the healing brew. Like cooling breeze, dousing the hateful flame flickering at his soul. Some strength returns to his body and with a cleared mind, he starts ready his backpack and gear.
Adnilia starts to fill vials with the brew and while Nanthal is busy with his backpack, hand over four vials. A silent nod passes between them, they both know what this means. Four vials, four bouts of healing. Four days to find a permanent solution.
They finish their preparation. The food and water for the journey is packed last and as Adnilia blows out the candle, darkness overtakes her home. Nanthal walks out first and as she closes the door, sigils form on the frame and door. Nanthal stares in wonder and then suddenly he ponders. Is this her enchantment or someone else’s power that is protecting her home?
With silence the pair walks across the tree bridges, then down the stairs and slowly past some locals and a few guards. Adnilia only stops as she looks back to her fathers home in the distance. Nanthal see a village, but her elven eyes finds her father, standing on the large balcony of his tree mansion. A stern, yet concerned face meets her eyes as he nods to her and then fades into the shade of the coming dusk.
With a bit more vigor in her now, she starts to lead and the duo enters the enchanted and mysterious world of the Bolgart’h forest.
