44 Donst follow me (2/2)

The two Jerichos merged back into one bard. {Glaw, you heard them right?}

{Indeed. Lead the way lesser wood elementals.} Glaw replied.

{Come!} The trees groaned and opened a path. The tiny plant shaped wood spirits make their way through the overgrowth.

Jericho and Glaw entered deeper into the woods. {Lesser wood elementals? They look like living plants.} Jericho inquired as their surroundings darkened.

{Yes, but living plants are not immortal wood spirits like these ones. There are a few other differences but that is irrelevant right now. I doubt they have come to get us just to talk. You are our both our brother and experiment at the same time. To them, you are currently like a distant cousin. At least I think that is how you mortals would explain it.} Glaw replied.

{I see.} Jericho grunted as the plant life became thicker and harder to traverse.

The whispering sounds around the two ceased the moment they walked into a grove enclosed by thickly woven plants. A large, old oak tree towered in the middle. Vines and branches sealed off the way they had come from.

{Greetings. I know mortals hold much sentiment towards names. You may call me, Eiche. What is yours?} The lone oak in the clearing opened its eyes and lowered its branched to look a little bit more humanoid.

{I am known as Jericho the Bard. But you can call me Jericho.}

{I am Glawio, but Jericho here calls me Glaw.}

The old tree creaked with laughter. {Jericho and Glawio, it is a pleasure to meet you officially. We have been watching you for some time. The forest has watched as you have avoided taking life unnecessarily. A rare feature among humans I might add. Is this something you have formed after becoming a water elemental?}

Jericho shook his head.

Glaw nodded. {Jericho and his sister, Dancing Princess, have been like this since before we met them. It was actually this part of their nature that solidified our choice in making him one of us.}

The tree smiled. {It seems my worries were needless then. Jericho, will you hear what I have to say?}

{I will listen. What is it that you wish to tell me?} Jericho replied seriously.

The large tree elemental creaked. {Since there is a bush next to you, there is no reason to beat around it.} The elemental paused to observe the lack of reaction from the bard. {Ah, I see my joke was lost on you. My apologies.}

Jericho continued to wait; he understood the joke but didn't think it was very funny.

{First, I should tell you that we do not possess a soulless wood elemental core here. So for now, we cannot further the desires of our ruler. I know that that is most likely one of the reasons for you to visit our forest and remain close to our territory for so long.}

Jericho shook his head. {To be honest, I didn't know your territory was here or even about the experiment until Glaw mentioned it yesterday.}

The large wood elemental paused. {Truly? Well in that case, there really wasn't much of a reason for us to summon you here then, my apologies. Regardless, we do not have the core you need.}

The bard nodded. {Glaw did mention soulless elemental cores were rare.}

{They are. However that is not all, the Wood King passed down an order. We wood elementals will not give any of the experiments a wood core until they have become acquainted with both water and earth. So before you can be accepted as part of the plant life, you must be accepted by the earth. If you can do that, then being accepted by us is not a problem. However you must find the wood elementals that are in possession of one of the soulless cores we have.}

[You have received the quest become one with the Earth: Become an Earth elemental. Reward: After returning to a place with wood elementals, they will willingly bestow upon you a soulless wood core however this particular group does not have a soulless wood elemental core so you will have to search elsewhere.]

The large wood elemental continued. {The three elements northward probably don't care about such precautions but it is wise to take the time to understand the risks of chaotic behavior. If you head west out of the forest, you will find the Clogwyni mountain range. Our Earth elemental friends there should have an earth core. But you are too weak. The mountains are a bit dangerous for you mortals.}

Jericho gave a nod. {I understand. You said they are to the west? There is an exit that way?}

{Of course there is an exit that way, the forest doesn't go on forever. But if you are asking if there are any mortal pathways, then no. Also the forest becomes more dangerous the closer you get to the mountains.}

{Thank you for being forward with me. It seems I must continue my previous quests. I was in the area to help a friend get past the satyrs without violence and got roped into making a song for a line dance for them.}

The tree-humanoid looking wood elemental nodded. {Until our roots touch once more.}

{Was there anything else or did you summon me here just to inform me of this information?} Jericho asked to confirm.

The tree shaped elemental lowered his branches. {Informing you was only half the reason however the other half has been completed as well. We wanted to be sure of your nature. I will inform the other wood elementals of what has transpired here today. They will be very relieved that you are a tranquil creature. You may leave.}

{Thank you.} Jericho gave a light bow as he turned to leave.

{Jericho, please wait!} A small daffodil shaped wood elemental cried out in front of him.

The bard paused. {Okay? Do you need to tell me something as well?}

The old tree groaned once more. {Narzisse, why do you stop him? We have said what needs to be said.}

The humanoid flower slumped. {But, my friends and I have been watching the elf girls he came to the forest with. We want to go meet them. Can we go? Please?} It pleaded with Eiche.

{Go then. Meet the mortals that have drawn your attention.} The tree replied.

{Yay!} Narzisse shouted and motioned for a few other small plant shaped lesser wood elementals.

The vines and branches blocking the way back opened once more. Jericho, Glaw and a small horde of lesser wood elementals left the clearing.