Whispers in the Woods

Boudica takes the walking stick and heads out, hoping to get Stefan and Moryana to safety.

Will goes with, too!

Miyana is already ready to get out of here and leads the way.

Anton joins the others, he really wanted to search for other relics, magical scrolls, potions, etc but he also did not want to have some ill omen befall him alone and never be seen from again.

Moryana kneels beside the injured fox once you make it out of the witches’ hut. The poor creature is lying curled in the dirt, sides rising and falling in uneven breaths. It doesn’t flinch when she gently titles its head and lets the drops from the potion fall onto its tongue.

A moment later, the swelling in its eyes begins to recede, the inflamed skin calms, and even the color and luster to its fur returns, until it seems health and lively again. The fox rises to its feet, and after a hesitant look it bolts away, pausing just once at the edge of the trees to look back at you before vanishing into the woods.

One by one, Moryana feeds the potion to the rest of the injured animals. The snakes slither away quickly through the grass, the badger following in their trail. Even the raven manages to flap its whole wings again, and with some initial effort, lifts itself into the air and flies away.

Not safe to travel at night. Let’s set camp, in as protected an area as possible.

Boudica nods in agreement, but says, "I fear you are right, Will, though I also feel uneasy remaining in the woods after what occurred. Moryana, do you know if the hags controlled all of the forest, or just their own grove? Do you think we will be safe here? And is there anything we can do to protect ourselves from their influence, even though we struck them down?"

Moryana looked toward the tree line, and the darkness that enveloped them. "I...I don't think they controlled the whole forest" she said slowly "There were paths I wasn't allowed to walk. Places even they didn't go. They sometimes spoke of the 'Lady of the Forest'. The way they said her name.... I don't think she was one of them. More like a spirit. Or a goddess. Something older. Wilder"

She trails off, then hugs her arms around herself as he looked away

"I’m sorry" her voice was barely a whisper "My mother was cruel. Even worse than you can imagine. She and Grandmother… they had plans for me. I think you stopped something terrible." Her voice raises a bit "It’s better this way. I know that. But…"

She doesn’t finish the thought. Instead, she reaches up and nervously strokes her long hair, twirling a strand around her fingers. It takes her a few moments to compose herself.

"I'm sorry. I was never allowed far from the glade" she manages to focus again "But I don’t think their power went far. I think we’ll be safe, if we’re careful."

Stefan clears his throat to speak up, and get your attention:

"I’ve heard of the Lady of the Forest. Old Misha used to tell stories about her, back in Threshold. Said he once went looking for her when he was a younger man" he pauses as he tries to remember the old man's exact words "He said he found her. Or maybe just caught a glimpse. It was enough. He was blind by the time he stumbled back to town. Claimed he’d seen such beauty that his eyes could never bear the sight of anything else again." He shakes his head as he remembers the old blind man "He said her voice could do the same to your ears. Not because it was loud, but because it was perfect. Like… once you heard it, you’d never want to hear another sound again"

He didn't know if it was just tall tales of an old blind man or not, but since Moryana did mention her, maybe there was some truth to it.

"Misha said she’s older than Halav himself! As old as the first groves... She can grant wishes, if she’s in the mood. But she’s fickle. Like the seasons; warm and gentle in Spring, cold and harsh in Winter"

The forest wind whispers through the trees when he finished talking, as if you were being listened to.

Boudica nods in understanding as the two young people speak. She places a hand on Moryana's shoulder, consoling her about her loss. They may have been evil, but they were the only family she knew. And now they are gone.

When Stefan speaks of the Lady, Boudica whispers a prayer to the Three to guide her. Like most Traladarans, she reveres the wild places, especially forests, but she does not know the ways of worshipping being such as the Lady. She only hopes the goodness of her heart and furness of her intentions protects her from any ill will the Lady might bear.

Then if no one objects, I say we set up camp. I’ll take the first watch, unless someone else wishes it.

"I'll take a middle watch," Miyana offers. Though she does not voice it, she makes a silent wish to the Lady of the Forest that she guide them safely home with their charges.

"I can take last watch, I'll need time to prepare spells anyways" Anton shifted uncomfortably. He felt he may have judged Moryana wrong, she may have been a victim in all of this. That made him uncomfortable, but what could he do now? For now he wore his emotions on his face, "...I'll gather some fire wood"

Will turns to the man and asks, Who are you, and what’re you doing here?

The man’s gaze doesn’t waver

"You are Halav. You made a vow, long ago, to return when your people needed you most. A thousand years have passed. The beastmen stir in their old warrens. Their cries will soon echo through the forests again"

The man slowly rises to his feet:

"War is coming. The time has come to fulfill your oath… and lead Mankind once more"

Will rises up as well.
The Lawgiver has been gone since the dawn of the Dark Age, friend. So, again, I ask, who are you?

The man doesn’t flinch at Will’s challenge.

"I already told you who you are" he insists " You are the Lawgiver. The Shield of the People and the Savior of Traladara. You have returned, just as you swore you would, as a man, born again into a world you once died to protect"

The man turns his head lightly, to get Will’s attention to the two handed bronze sword he retrieved from the burial mound:

"You have reclaimed your sword. Your armor will find its way back to you, too. The memories will return. Nothing is gone, only buried beneath time. And now that the beastmen stir again, it is time for you to rise and remember your oath. You are Halav, and the world has need of you once more"

Anton observed Will! as he spoke to the air, was this a trick of the hags, he looked around the perimeter of camp and tried to listen for any sort of chanting. He then stood and put a hand on Will!'s shoulder. "Will! what are you seeing, an illusion?"