Lesser Bloom

Journey to the North

Hughan

After filling up my stomach and made sure my mother will be fine while I'm away, I headed to the gates of the city. As I walked along the familiar streets waved goodbye to a few peers and nodded to the guards at the gates. The huge metallic doors clanged shut behind me and the early afternoon sun drew my shadow on the ground next to me as a loyal travel companion. One more time, I adjusted the straps of the worn backpack on my back, the weight of provisions, a coiled rope. I touched my trusted blade and the sensation of its weight gave familiar comfort against my thigh. The air still carried the mingled scents of woodsmoke, fresh bread from the markets, and the salty tang of the Neverwinter River. But ahead laid the wilder call of the north. I followed the High Road northward at first. It was a well-traveled path flanked by stone markers and occasional patrols. For the first day, the journey was almost pleasant: rolling hills dotted with farms, the distant rumble of the river to the east, and the occasional merchant caravan heading south toward Waterdeep. Yet with each league, the land grew wilder. Soon I turned westward, leaving the safety of the High Road for a narrower, overgrown track that locals called the Forest Way. As getting further and further from civilization, the trees thickened rapidly. This was the edge of the Neverwinter Wood, a vast, primordial forest said to be older than the city itself. Sunlight filtered through a dense canopy of emerald and gold, painting the forest floor in shifting patterns of light and shadow. The air grew cooler and heavier, thick with the scent of moss, damp earth, and wild herbs. I have traveled here a couple of times, but never had to get so deep into the forest. Knowing that trouble might await me on the small, rarely frequented roads and passages, I stayed alerted, didn't want to become a bear's dinner before even reaching out of the forest. Not to mention, that if I ended up kicking the bucket so early, just by entering to Neverwinter forest, I would've been the biggest shame for the Red Knights... As the days passed, the forest deepened. Towering trees with trunks wide enough to hide a horse gave way to misty glades where strange flowers bloomed in impossible colors. Streams of crystalline water cut through the land, their songs almost melodic. At night, I made camp in sheltered hollows, building small fires and listening to the haunting calls of night birds and the distant howl of wolves. Luckily neither bears or any kind of monsters found me interesting while getting through. Only a rat stole one of my travel provisions, but I have accounted that as a collateral damage. The full journey took several days but finally the ordinary trees of the Neverwinter Wood thinned, replaced by trees of breathtaking grace—silver-barked with leaves that shimmered like starlight even in daylight. The air itself felt charged with subtle magic, and the oppressive weight of the wild wood lifted into something more... alive.

This was the threshold of Aerindel.

Ancient standing stones, covered in flowing elven script, marked the boundary, making sure to all people who arrived that this was the land of Elves. Vines heavy with luminous blue flowers wound around them. The path, though faint, seemed well maintained and leading the way through the thinning trees. I have heard of this city before but never saw it with my own eyes. The elves weren't particularly welcoming of someone like me, nor I had any interest in their snobby kind. But, when I caught the first true glimpse of the city, I had to admit it looked straight out of a fairy tale. Graceful spires of living wood and white stone rose in elegant harmony with the forest, bridges of woven branches arching over clear streams, and lanterns of softly glowing crystal hanging from the boughs. It was a hidden elven realm tucked away from the eyes of men. The forest here sang with power, old and protective.

As I stepped past the final stones, a soft breeze stirred, carrying the faint scent of blooming night-bloom and the distant sound of ethereal music. Before I could've walked any further my nose hit something hard and cold. I touched it in pain and heard some laughter as two guards approached me.

- Can't you see the door? - asked a small blonde guy with a cheeky smile.

- Sandor, don't be rude. He is clearly new around here and not one of our kind. Some human has trouble recognize concealing magic. - said a taller, brown haired and slightly older Elven guy. His golden eyes shined kindly as he said.

- Welcome traveler! My name is Lance, I am one of the many guards of Aerindel. Could you tell us where you are heading? We can help you find the right route. - I took one more glance at the short blondy and rolled my eyes before turning to the guard.

- My name is Hughan Driftveil, mercenary of the Red Knight and I'm here to talk with the lord of Aerindel. - The elf called Sandor started laughing at me and dramatically wiped his eyes like someone whom laughed so hard his tears fell. The one whom introduced himself as Lance, looked slightly ashamed and uncomfortable. I shrugged at Sandor's laughter and looked at Lance.

- You should send him to the infirmary, I think he might got some poisoning. - Lance grinned and Sandor acted insulted. He disappeared from my sight and Lance cleared his throat.

- No problem at all, have you got an invitation? - I reached into my backpack and gave him the writ about Lirael. Lance's eyes widened and their shine dimmed a bit.

- Have you find her? - he asked and I shook my head.

- Not yet, but to find her the information in that is not enough. That's why I came. Hopefully I could gather more intel about my target from her family and people who knew her. - Lance nodded. He moved his hand and a huge white marbe gate appeared out of thin air. The gates shimmered with a green light and opened as he touched them.

- Follow me Hughan. - I followed Lance as we walked through the outskirts of Aerindel. Curious eyes followed my steps, seemed that the people here rarely met anyone new. The streets looked similar to his hometown, except that everything was way more decorated and filled with lingering magic. Lance motioned at a smooth, winding path of pale white stone—veined with living roots—led deeper into the enclave.

- This is the King’s Walk, the main road to the castle. - he said and we walked towards the castle of Aerindel. Lance waved to a few of his acquaintances and turned to me with a bitter smile.

- I'm not sure they will help you to be fair. - the way he said that, made me realize that there must be something way deeper about this story than what I received initially.

- Why? They want her to be caught after the crimes she committed no? - Lance smiled again and shiver ran down my spine due to the amount of anger hidden behind that polite smile. He looked like a teenager, with still soft features and not a single patch of beard anywhere on his baby like face. But his eyes showed that this guy probably saw way more winters than I did already.

- I start to feel that the concept of crime is a very relative concept within these walls Hughan. - Light frown appeared between my eyebrows and before entering to the castle I asked Lance.

- You sound like someone who knew this girl. - Lance nodded.

- I knew her briefly, not directly, just from stories of friends and someone very dear to me.

- So you think she didn't commit those crimes. - Lance laughed. His laughter was harsh and filled with sorrow.

- She definitely committed them, but the reason behind her actions what we know, is something I doubt was true. If you want to have real intel, talk with Kragga at the stables, and some of the older soldiers, also Mara in the kitchen and Eldrin the healer at the barracks. - I nodded and wrote the names and places he mentioned. Lance reached for the handle of the castle gats but stopped for a moment and looked into my eyes.

- If you could, do me a favor, Hughan Driftveil.

- You were kind to me and gave me useful information, if it is within my capabilities, I can't see why wouldn't I help you. What do you need? - Lance smiled with that sad smile of his again and said in a very low voice.

- If you find Lady Lirael, tell her to live. To never look back and be happy, that's what was his last wish.

- Whose last wish? - I asked and Lamce put his hand on the handle, it shined with a green light just like the gates and before saying goodbye he said.

- My cousin, Pippin Burrows, he was her friend and he was head over heels for her ladyship. He passed away by an infection after the war where he fought along Lady Lirael. - The question popped in my mind "Why did no one treat his infection?" Lance as if he could read my mind spoke one more time.

- They... - he looked through the castle gates - didn't allow anyone to treat Pipp, because he was defending Lady Lirael's honor. That's why I hope she survived, and that's why you must tell her Pipp's last wish if you could. - I pat Lance's back and promised him that if his cousin was right, and I find Lirael I will tell her Pipp's last wish. I stepped through the castle gates where Lance told to the guards there who I was and why I was there before he bid goodbye and disappeared in the crowd.