Chapter Fifty-seven

A Mysterious Traveler

The forest turned more dark and creepy the farther we went. It reminded me of the Northwood. While I still felt comfortable, I was on my guard. I did my best to find clearer paths to walk through as we continued our journey. After a couple of hours, we came to a wide road in the middle of the forest. It ran north-northeast, our best guess was that it came from Dolanaar and went either to the Tree or to Felspring.

I flew above the treeline, trying to tell where the road went. After about half a mile I lost track of it, the canopy was nearly undisturbed wherever it ran. I wanted to keep going the way we had been, I didn't want to run into anyone who might recognize my face, from either side of the elves. Everyone else wanted to take the road, which I conceded made more sense. At the first sign of someone else on the road though, I intended to duck into the trees.

We traveled for just under an hour, when the sun started to reach the top of the canopy. Off in the distance was a cart drawn by a single horse. An older gentleman, a human, was driving it. His hair looked like it was going gray, but it still had a golden hue to it. There was a woman with him, about the same age, though her hair wasn't as gray and had more of a brown undertone to the gold.

I didn't duck into the forest, but I did step to the side and put the hood of my cloak up to cover my ears. Melima complimented the woman's hair, and Niadaroe stepped up to the cart. "Oh, thank you for coming, I see you brought us some supplies!"

The man stopped the horse. The couple looked at us for a moment, then the man smiled. "Are you in need? How can I help you today?"

He seemed almost too eager to help. He seemed genuine, but there was also something off about him. Naidaroe cocked her head. "Who are you?"

"We are just travelers in this land," the man said, "traveling here and there and helping those in need. What can I do for you?"

Ari'yasa leaned over and whispered to me, "I just cast a magic detection spell, the man is under some kind of spell or enchantment, or they're using some kind of magic on themselves."

"Interesting," I muttered. I knew there were spells that could affect people, including their appearance, but there was also... No, it wouldn't be that.

"What do you have to offer?" Melima asked the man. "Or how can you help our group?"

"I have many things that could help," The man said.

"Good things?"

"That depends on your point of view. Could be good, could be bad." The man nodded his head back and forth as he spoke.

"We are a guild of adventurers, intermingling warriors and spellcasters, seeking knowledge or increased weapons or abilities, or blessings, spells of protection," Melima said.

Jörgen meandered to the back of the cart, looking at what was there. Melima sighed "Don't mind our crusty old man, he's very odd."

"What you got here?" Jörgen asked. "You farmers?"

The man turned to Jörgen. "We are traders of sorts." He turned back to Melima. "I see, indeed. You are on a quest of sorts, yes?"

"Yes." Melima's voice was flat.

"Where are you headed?"

"To the Tree!" Naidaroe exclaimed.

"To Felspring," Melima said.

"Do you have an apple I can have?" Jörgen asked.

The man smiled. "I do." He reached back and flicked his hand. A sack opened and an apple floated out, landing in Jörgen's hand. "You're welcome to it. And just so you know, my name is Aurel Goldleaf. I'm a traveler here, with my companion. We are ourselves on a journey, seeking those friendships that would benefit us. If a friendship can be had, benefits can be had."

"Would you be able to tell us about where we are going?" Melima asked.

"You said you are going to the Tree, yes?"

"Yes."

"What interest do you have in the Tree?"

"We have a lot of elves in our group, and we can't meditate." Melima's voice sounded dejected.

"Indeed, that is happening all over this continent and this world."

"We sense it's connected to the Tree, and we are—"

"We feel it's in danger," I said. I was tired of beating around the bush.

"We're investigating," Ari'yasa said.

The man glanced at us, then looked back at Melima. "Indeed. There is much that has been in this land for a long time, and there is much magic that is not understood, and that is ancient, though with study, could be understood."

He cocked his head slightly while looking at Melima. "You have a different countenance about you than the others. Are you from this land?"

"No," Melima said quickly. She relaxed slightly. "I am. I am from this land. It's been a long time since I've been here, so it feels like I'm not here anymore. That's why I ask what has been going on here in the current climate, political, environmental. Any other strange things you've been noticing lately? Any information that a band of travelers like us would benefit from hearing and from understanding, and any equipment that would be important for us to obtain and have? Lest, heaven forbid, we come across things that could overtake us? Those kind of things."

Jörgen took a bite from his apple. "Do you have any magic swords in here?"

The man ignored Jörgen and leaned closer to Melima with a raised brow. "Who are you? You look familiar."

"You first," Melima said. "Wait, you already told us."

"I am Aurel Goldleaf. Who are you?"

"I am Melima Moonfeather," she blurted out.

He smirked as he leaned back. "I thought I recognized a Moonfeather. I was just traveling from the city, just visiting with your father."

"How's he doing?" Melima asked.

"The current condition makes him weak in physicality, but he is still strong in mind. Though I thank you for your honesty, I suggest on this road, and further it, until you are in the capital, to hide your identity."

"I'm glad that we can trust you," Melima said, a bit of cynicism in her voice.

"Indeed." He turned back to Jörgen. "Now, as far as magic swords go, I'm a bit short. But for trade of a favor later, if needed, I can offer you these." An ethereal hand appeared, taking a cover off of a box. There were potions inside, healing potions.

"If you'd like them, one potion, for one favor later," Aurel said. Jörgen took the darkest one, the most potent.

Aurel motioned to the rest of us. "Any of you who wish, the price for one potion, is a favor later."

I didn't like the sound of that. What favors would he ask of us later? Sephra stepped forward and took two potions. Melima looked at the potions, then back at the mysterious man. "Aurel, is that your real name?"

"It is my name."

"Is that what you go by?" The man seemed confused by the question.

"Are you a wizard or a sorcerer?" Ari'yasa asked him.

"I am not a practitioner of the arcane arts, but I know magic."

"What were you doing with my father?" Melima asked.

"We were discussing the current nature of what's going on around the world, and also what's going on in the forest, with everything, and discussing what might be occurring."

"What is the climate? What is going on in the forest?"

"Well, there are many things that are happening in the woods. The woods are getting darker. There are creatures that are emerging from the underdark, from other planes, and they are infringing on the natural forest, where me and my companion live."

He pointed to the east. "My home has been under attack recently, and I am on the move until things calm down. But I take care of myself and my companion. But we are not one-hundred percent sure— The king, I believe, knows more than what he is telling, even to one of his old friends. Maybe you might have more luck with him, being his daughter."

"What were you trying to talk to him about? Or what were you trying to persuade him to do?" Melima asked.

"Not necessarily persuade him to do anything, but just share what he knows. He seems to be weary of what is going on, and is not telling everything that he knows."

"What did he tell you?"

"He told me that he was worried that the Tree was dying, that something from beyond our material plane was affecting it, and that he doesn't know how to stop it."

Keothi stepped forward. "Why are you seeking for favors and friendships? What benefits are you seeking to gain?"

"I am one that, because of my age and because of my time in this world, I am in need of help, when the time comes. I am a collector of sorts, of different things, and there are times when I am in need or in times of trouble. I am not one who is evil, I will not take advantage, but there are times when I need a favor from those who are strong," he said, nodding to Keothi, "those who are smart" gesturing to Jörgen, "and those who are cunning."

Collects things... Was he? No, that wasn't that uncommon.

"Do you have equipment that would aid a fighter in battle?" Keothi asked.

"Hmm." Aurel thought for a moment. "Unfortunately, not on me, but if— Here." He pulled a gem out of his pocket, looked at it, then looked back at Keothi.

"When you are traveling back this direction," Aurel continued, "and you get to the end of the grasslands, if you get that way, hold this out, and speak my name. And when you speak, I will appear," he then handed the gem to Keothi.

"And when I do that, will you come, or will I just be able to communicate with you?"

"I will come," Aurel said.

"And you will have something?"

"I could have something, yes. That weapon of yours is unique. Are you looking to replace that? Are you looking for something to aid you in offensive battle or your defensive battle?"

"Always both. I recently increased defensive battle, so I am looking more for offense."

"Indeed."

With that done, Melima started talking to the man again. "Aurel? Is that how you say your name?"

"Yes, Aurel. Or Aur-el is the original pronunciation." Original pronunciation? That sounded awfully like... No, stop being so paranoid.

"You mentioned for me to hide my identity, can you tell me more about what's going on for Melima in this climate?"

"Well, from where you are currently standing, you are in wood elf territory, and that is not at the best of terms at this point. The wood elves are blaming the high elves, and the high elves are blaming the wood elves for what is happening, politically. The governments are a little more at tension than they have been in the past."

"What about these two?" Melima said, pointing at Sephra and I. "Should they be concerned as well?"

I'd been trying to avoid him seeing me too closely, but at that, I stepped forward with a huge sigh. I pulled my hood down and looked up at him, keeping my golden, high elf eyes closed for just a moment.

He looked at me, then cocked his head in curiosity. "You are a curious lot."

"You have no idea," Melima said.

His golden-brown eyes flashed whitish-gold in his pupils with an arcane energy. "Indeed, both wood and high elf I see in you."

He looked at Sephra, and she showed him her ring. He looked at it and raised his hand as if going to cast something. "If you don't mind?"

Sephra nodded, and he touched the stone of the ring. There was a brief flash where his finger connected. How did he know so much magic if he claimed not to be a practitioner of the arcane arts? "Interesting, I have not seen one of these in a long time. A ring of disguise, if I'm not mistaken?"

"Yes."

"Unfortunately, I do not have one as powerful as this. I do have some others, but they are even more precious and more rare."

"Melima," Sephra said, "I think it would be wise to get a ring for yourself for a time that we are going to the high elf capital or traveling through the wood elves."

"Do you happen to have anything that would help us disguise?" Melima asked.

He rubbed his hands together in thought, then opened another crate with his magical hand. It retrieved a jewelry box and placed it in his hand. He looked in the box, then closed it. "Though this won't hide your visual physicality, this will aid you in trying to hide your true intentions."

He opened the box, showing her a small amulet containing a ring, with a reddish-yellow gem set into it. "This will allow you to hide your true intentions from those who you wish to deceive."

Melima accepted the box. "How about Tawariell? Does she need protection?"

"Right, am I in danger in the current climate?" I asked.

He looked at me again. "You are one, easy enough, just keep a low profile, don't make yourself stand out. And I would suggest that at least while you are in Felspring, to just keep your hood up. I unfortunately do not have anything else that I can offer at this time."

"Thank you for your advice," I said, slightly bowing my head.

"Stay together. Definitely use your ring to hide yourself," he said to Sephra. "You, in either community, are not welcome."

"What were you doing with my father? I know you were discussing the climate, but what would a man like my father be— Who are you to him? How long have you been friends? Does he owe you favors? Do you owe him favors?"

"It has gone both ways. I have had favors to him, and he has had favors to me over the years. Though I don't look it, I've known your father longer than most. And I believe that he is still a good man. He is still a good king. Though there is much he still does not even reveal to his closest of friends."

"Are you familiar with magical jewels and gems?" Ari'yasa asked.

"I have some knowledge, yes. Is there something you wish to seek knowledge about?"

She pulled out her necklace, opening the locket and showing him the inside. "I'm looking for more information about the history of this Stone."

Aurel leaned forward, trying to see it. "I don't recognize it right off. Would you mind bringing it closer?"

She approached the cart, holding up her necklace. Aurel cupped it in his hand to see it better. "Interesting."

He looked at it a moment longer, then scanned over the rest of us. "You really are the most interesting lot I have ever met. One surprise after another."

"What can you sense from the Stone?" Ari'yasa asked.

"Well, for one, this is very, very ancient."

"Is there a two?"

"Two, I would suggest you don't show this to anyone." He closed the locket and handed it back to her. Ari'yasa quickly put it back, her face flushed.

"We already knew that," Melima said. "Do you have any other information?"

"Without further magical study of it, I would not be able to tell you more than what I have of it."

"How did you know what to tell us?" Melima asked.

"Well, from the way it is cut, and the way it is set, and the design of the locket and Stone itself, it is an ancient design."

"Is it valuable? Is that why people would want to take it?"

"I mean, it is an artifact. In certain places, someone might pay a lot of money for a Stone of this sort. But without further magical assistance, I could not tell you exactly what this is for."

"When was the last time you saw my kind of ring?" Sephra asked.

"Hmm, it's been a long time. It's been years. There are practitioners of the magical arts, a ring of this sort, it takes an extensive period of time to make. Probably in the range of one year to two years to make an item like that."

"Have you ever given a ring like this to someone?"

"Not of this particular kind, no."

"Okay. Thank you, for answering my questions," Sephra said.

"Is there anyone that you know of that would be safe to show my Stone to?" Ari'yasa asked.

"Well, besides your own party, which I'm sure obviously knows of it, I'd say the only other person you'd be able to trust with that knowledge would probably be the High Elven king himself. Because of his age, he may know more about it. I'm not certain."

"How long have you been friends with the king?" Sephra asked.

Aurel chuckled. "Long enough."

"Like, before he was married?"

"Not that long."

"Do you know anybody that does?" Ari'yasa asked.

"I don't know anyone who is older than the king."

"Or, as old?" Sephra asked.

"There are those who are of similar age, but many of his age have passed on," Aurel said.

"Does the name Duskryn mean anything to you?"

"That is indeed an ancient name. I have not heard that name in a long time. It's not one that is used in the Elven world much anymore."

"Anymore?"

He nodded to Sephra. "It is a Drow name."

"Do you know anybody that had that name?"

"Not personally, no. But it was one of the common names in the Drow civilization."

"I have a couple of questions," I said. "First, a basic question. Where does this road lead? Does it go to Felspring? Or to the Tree?"

"If you are headed towards the Tree, or the capital, follow this road for another few miles. In about four or five miles up the road, there's a fork in the road. From there go left, that will take you towards the Tree. If you are going towards the capital, take the fork to the right."

"Thank you. One other question, have there been any more spiders than normal in the forest?" I asked.

"There are many creatures that have begun to come out from the underdark and underground. Spiders are one in particular, yes."

"Any more than any other creature? Or is it just one of them?"

"It just seems to be one of them. Toward the mountain, there are caves that go down deep underground, and there are many creatures that come out and spill out of these caves over these last months, and year, nearly. They seem to be invading more, further and further. The local guard have been on higher alert as of late to keep them at bay from the local population.

"So be on your guard as you travel on the road. Though it is well-traveled, it can be dangerous with all the things that are coming out of the earth.

"Well, if that is all— Or do you need or require anything else?"

"We have a way of contacting you, but how do you contact us for that favor we owe you?" Sephra asked.

"I have my ways." He smiled. "The only thing that would make it easier, is if I knew your names."

We introduced ourselves, I apologized as I did. Why did I wait until the end of a conversation, or forget altogether?

"Well, if there is nothing further, I shall be on my way," the man said.

"Thank you, Aur-el," I said.

"Thank you, Aurel, you have been awesome," Melima said.

"You are welcome."

"Before you go," Melima said. "Who is your companion?"

"She is my companion, and that is where I will leave it. Some things remain private."

We said our goodbyes, and he returned them. "Thank you very much. We will meet again, I'm sure of it."

He snapped the reins, and the cart moved down the road. We started heading north along the road again. As we left, something didn't feel right. The hair raised on the back of my neck, like an enemy was nearby.

I looked back at the cart as I walked. Aurel was looking back as well, but his face had changed. It was the face of a dragon, snout and all. His eyes twinkled and he smiled as he saw me, then he turned away.

I kept walking, saying nothing. Had I really just seen what I thought I did? Was my mind playing tricks on me? But I couldn't unsee it. I couldn't quite make out what color his scales had been, but they were definitely metallic, probably gold, brass, or bronze. He was a good dragon. Based on his name, it was probably gold.

It all made sense. I wasn't paranoid. His appearance being altered, him collecting things, claiming not to be a practitioner of the arcane arts, the way his name sounded.

And his vagueness about his age, appearing to be Human, but claiming to have known King Moonfeather for a long time. They all fit, because he was a dragon.

Should I tell my friends? Why had he chosen to show his true face right then? Why didn't he wait until we were farther away? He knew I'd seen him, and he almost seemed amused by it.

I tried to remind myself of what Bahamut had said, I did not need to fear all dragons. Some followed the right path, and I knew metallic dragons did more often than not. I decided I wouldn't betray his trust. My friends might not want to know yet that they had just made a deal with a dragon.