Chapter 4

The party then began the long trek through the woodlands towards a large mountain that marked a boundary with the territory of Asulnarath. It was immediately apparent that the woods were sickly, though not in grave danger as yet from death. Demala dealt with any fungal growths Fallie pointed out to her with precise miniature fireballs that burned only the fungi and nothing else.

“It’s a derivative of firelance,” she explained to a curious Balat. “It requires very little magic and was taught to me by Mesoli as a means to kill a creature by burning out something vital.”

“Even if shielded?”

“Apparently, there is a way, though I have not been taught it yet.”

“Fascinating.”

“There are spores in density all over the forest floor,” Mirion informed the group.

“We can only deal with them when they grow,” Fallie replied.

“The herbs I used to help the villagers will work if used in a liquid form,” Mirion informed the surprised Dryad.

“We can grow them quickly,” an excited Fallie said. “I just need to know how to make this medicine.”

Balat, Mirion and Fallie then began an involved conversation as the group moved forward along the trail, with only Demala being busy dealing with any growths she or the other Elves saw. Finally, a camp was set up for the night, and a deep firepit was dug to cook the evening meal. Demala was with Mirion and Fallie as several Woodnymphs arrived carrying huge bundles of herbs, which Demala dried out using her magic. She also taught one of the woodnymphs how to do something similar. Once dried, the herbs were powdered, added to a large pot of water, and heated over a hastily dug second fire pit.

“Thank you, Demala,” a grateful Fallie said. “We can now combat this evil with the potion and the aid you gave young Nione.”

“A Woodnymph with fire magic will be a boon for dealing with the spores,” Mirion added.

“Indeed so,” Fallie agreed. “Normally, fire magic is only something we Dryads learn.”

“And growing the herbs necessary is no issue at all for the forest folk,” Balat smiled.

“The trees have informed the other woods; the forest folk are gathering them even as we speak and will make the journey here,” Fallie informed them.

“Nione is going to be very busy for a while,” Demala pointed out.

“She is; her ... ability was frowned upon by her sister Nymphs, but has now become a great asset in this insidious war,”

“When this is finished,” the spirit of Doriel said, startling the group by stepping out of Balat. “Nione is to travel to Dorlianath to be trained by Mesoli. She has much potential as one of my children.”

“It shall be as you request, my goddess,” Fallie replied with a complex gesture of respect before Doriel stepped back into Balat.

“I take it you’ll use wind magic of some sort to spread it?” Darras asked.

“Yes, Darras,” Balat replied. “It’s a far more common form of magic amongst the Woodnymphs.”

“They’ll form it into a vapour and coat the ground with it,” Mirion added. “It must be done regularly until the problem is eliminated.”

“We are preparing for this in the most affected areas first,” Fallie explained. “But unless the source is dealt with, it will not go away easily.”

“We’ll attempt that,” Darras replied. “I take it you have all you need?”

“We do; we shall praise Lomarris for this as we give special thanks to Hallis, too.”

“That’s all that’s required,” Balat nodded.

“Let’s find out where this is coming from,” Darras announced as the group set off again.

It was a long, arduous two days of travel, with Demala occasionally having to deal with spore infestations that the group chanced upon. Finally, they reached the top of a high valley and gazed down into Gresh.

“Down there,” Firios pointed, having used his spyglass to survey the dense forest dotted with giant fungal growths.

Using his spyglass, Darras observed an upright ring of fungal matter and several figures dotted around it. It was obvious that they weren’t humanoid either.

‘Keroush, ’ Erren named the beings. ‘Out of place and time, an even earlier life form than the dragonoid.’

“What are they?” Darras asked. “They look insectoid.”

‘Not quite, think more like scorpions.’

“Stingers?”

‘Poisonous barbs on their limbs, very nasty creatures, ’ Erren explained. ‘Not terribly intelligent, but capable of carrying out magic and basic manual tasks if shown.’

“It’s obvious they are using wind magic to force the spores up the pass and into Asulnarath,” Darras murmured after passing the information onto the Elves.

“I can target them with an area effect spell,” Demala offered. “It would deal with the fungi, too.”

“Erren?” Darras asked, seeking permission.

‘Yes, it’s allowable; these creatures are attempting to destabilise the environment outside of Gresh, ’ Erren replied.

“Go for it and make it count, Demala,” Darras ordered the young Elf.

“Stay back from the lip,” Demala requested as she drew a magic circle.

The group withdrew slightly as Demala began a chant before ramming the tip of her staffwand into the ground in the centre of the circle. There was an immense sound of an explosion from the other side of the lip the group sheltered behind, and despite not being able to see the effect, a wave of hot air blasted its way over their heads.

“Is it safe?” Darras asked.

‘Yes, though you might want to be more careful when asking Demala to make it count, ’ Erren replied in an amused tone.

Standing, Darras observed the blazing area where the Keroush had been using wind magic to blow spores into Asulnarath. Nothing but devastation and smouldering debris surrounded the central blaze for almost a mile.

“Nice one,” Darras informed Demala, swallowing slightly.

“Indeed so,” Firios agreed.

“Ordinarily, I’d use water magic to put the fire out, but there are no forest folk down there,” Balat added. “Your powers are impressive, Demala.”

“It’s not something you’d ordinarily see from me, particularly in woodlands,” Demala admitted. “Nor in ordinary combat as an opposing magic user would have detected the spell I used.”

“Whilst Keroush can use magic, apparently it’s by rote,” Darras explained to the others. “They are set a task, and that’s all they do.”

“It will regrow,” Balat replied. “Though it will take at least a decade.”

“If we haven’t settled things by then, we can come back,” Tinara chuckled before the party turned and headed down the pass.

Casal listened in frustration to the report from the commander of the Keroush on the far-away border of Asulnarath. An immense use of magic had not only wiped out the creatures ... though they were quickly replaced, but had flattened and scorched the area for miles around the experiment.

“Do we know who?” Casal finally asked, his patience wearing thin at the incessant gabble.

“We do not; there were no survivors,” the being admitted. “From what we have observed, we assume it was a Dryad form, as the Elves are incapable of such magic.”

“It seems likely,” Casal sighed. “Were the Keroush not observing the area?”

“They were ordered to. However, it may be that they became lax.”

“Is it not your job to ensure they do not?” Casal asked ominously.

“You summoned me here to report, Great One,” the being replied. “As I was not observing the Keroush, I can only report what little I know.”

“Begone,” Casal commanded. “I will find another task for you in time that suits your ... character better.”

Two days later, the group finally returned to the area where Lammie was still dealing with the fungal spores. Numerous Woodnymphs were still busy bringing herbs that were being dried, crushed, and added to various clay vessels filled with water brought by an endless seeming stream of fauns. These were then taken to the other side of the clearing, where the Woodnymph Nione heated them to allow the fungicide to reach peak effectiveness before being cooled and carried away by the fauns to wherever it was needed.

“Greetings,” Fallie hailed them from where she was assisting the drying process of the herbs.

“We dealt with the spore issue and those sending them your way,” Darras replied after the assorted greetings.

“This is good to know,” Fallie nodded. “I take it that you had to burn out the cause?”

“I did,” Demala replied. “Had we just dealt with the perpetrators, others would have taken their place.”

“Yes, I understand. Worry not; your standing with Lomarris is unchanged.”

“Good, it bothered me terribly when I saw the devastation I’d wrought,” Demala confessed.

“Had there been an issue, Balat would have stopped you,” Fallie smiled.

“Yes,” Demala nodded. “Yet still, it causes me regret.”

“Doriel will speak with you upon our return,” Balat informed Demala. “She’s not angry with you but with those who chose to poison the homes of her people.”

“Gresh is not a place we, the people of Lomarris, would settle,” Fallie added. “It is a cursed place, nor like Ventris is it possible to remove the curse, just keep it at bay.”

“Not even a visit by Lomarris in person?” Darras asked. “Not that she will, just wondering if she could.”

“Yes. She could do it, but no, she won’t,” Balat replied, clearly speaking for Doriel.

“Thought as much,” Darras nodded.

‘I could too, but I won’t either, ’ Erren informed Darras.

“Not worth the cost?” Darras asked.

‘No, not at the moment, possibly not ever.’

Darras glanced over at Balat to see him nod in acceptance of the goddess’s wishes. The pair then explained what was said about Gresh to the watching Elves and Dryad.

“It matters little for the moment,” Fallie replied. “We do not inhabit Gresh and only wish to be ignored by those who dwell there.”

“For the moment, that is the case,” Balat replied. “However, it may be that my friends here will want to explore from the gateway, and Gresh is where they will explore.”

“They are most welcome to do so,” Fallie nodded.