Echoes of Moonfire

scien

slowly, palms lifted into the air. His eyes scanned the ma

voice clear but calm. "We're j

e, the masked figures began to lower their weapons. The tension in the air thinne

ks

th skin that shimmered faintly green in the light. Their ears were long and sharply pointed, twitching slightly as they took in scents and sounds.

the others instinctively made room for him to speak. His age showed in the white

size. "We're a bit edgy about visitors. The last ones stole from o

But how do you even survive out here? The hills of Tr

e a wry smi

ira asked, surprise thr

're asking a lot, but... could you help us? Just for a while. Somewher

"You're welcome here as long as you need. Come

square, leading to clusters of huts shaped like mushrooms and carved tree stumps. At the very center stood the largest structure-round, tal

"Reserved for guests of importance. It

ed glances. "Royalty li

yourselves at home. Your horses will be care

between them, piled with strange fruits, roasted root vegetables, flatbread

comfortably seated in a moss-cushion

ills of Trepidation?" he asked, watching them

Eira sa

ark on her neck, now glowing again-softly, like it pulsed with its ow

ked, setting his goblet

ly," she replied

Caelum added quickly, shooting her a

he began, but Caelum nudged

ply. "Yes. I gue

nother slow sip. "I'

y, folding his fingers. "

path takes u

aintly. "That's o

er and dry. "Believe

e matters to attend to. You're free to

s silently left the room, leaving Cae

a hand to Eira. "Let's walk. Stretch a bit

ed, then to

the roots of massive trees, giggling and chasing one another. Some of them had

me of us,"

anything more from us than to

a piece of crystallized fruit. She crouched to take it, smi

e stepped between the child and Eira, shieldin

soaked. Eira

ked in s

an't have you walking

. Caelum froze at the sound. She hadn't lau

at her and smiled. Her laughter was the

is face as she went around touching e

en chamber of roots and stone, th

do about them?" a voic

ponded, folding his hands behind hi

forward. "You know they're stronger than

chance to," a third voic

do you expect me to do? Call an attack o

epping from the shadows. His voice was smooth. His smile, colde

"That's why I put silver powd

lled the

ued. "But by morning, their strengt

entence hang

the location of our village rem

red at the f

. "What do you