(Writer: Hopp) Come out of the trees before I smoke you out." Hopp called.
"We mean no harm!" A dwarf fell out of the tree and landed on Tyric and then jumped off him quickly and blushed. "I didn’t mean to do that, are you all right? It’s just that I’ve never climbed up a tree before, much less down one, so I jumped. Sorry."
"It’s all right" Tyric grumbled, rubbing his head.
"We really mean no harm." An elf had appeared beside the dwarf now.
"So what in toadtails is so interesting about the Forest of Sifune? I’ve never received so many visitors before... I wonder if you’ll be happy with simple herb tea, I haven’t had much of anything else, except maybe..."
Tyric cut her off. "Are you travelers?"
(Writer: Bolt and Silverleaf)"More than that," said the dwarf, still brushing himself off. "We’re adventurers!" He glanced at Hopp. "And believe me lady, this place is full of it."
"I know" she replied with a slight frown.
"And I am Tyric Aristides, student of the Star Crest Academy. Tyric or Drake work just fine."
"Star Crest?" Silverleaf said, impressed. "You are an initiate?" Tyric nodded.
Bolt chuckled. "Looks like a courtier to me. These woods are dangerous, lad."
Tyric began to reply, but Silverleaf got in first. "Bolt, Star Crest is a famed magical arts center. He can most likely hold his own here." Tyric smiled in thanks.
The sun had set now, and night was fast approaching. Bolt and Silverleaf seemed content to stay by their campfire, but Tyric was intent on getting back to Hopp’s home. After all, his traveling gear was still there, with the information on those "weavers".
"Listen, guys," Hopp said, "I really think we should get back to my place. I don’t like it here."
Bolt frowned. "The thought of traveling at night doesn’t particularly appeal to me. You live near here?"
Hopp nodded. "It’s really dangerous around here, more so than you think. You’re not safe out in the open woods anymore."
Silverleaf grabbed his pack. "Come, Bolt. She mentioned tea, after all. "
Bolt grumbled something about elves, and their poor tastes in drinks, but packed up his belongings. Hopp lit her torch in the fire, then set out in the lead, followed by Tyric and Silverleaf, with a nervous Bolt in the rear.
Silverleaf and Bolt were overwhelmed by the "tree-house". "Make yourselves at home," said Hopp. Silverleaf hurriedly dashed around the house, looking in awe and satisfaction. Bolt found the nearest chair and tossed his crossbow aside. He then dozed off. By this time, Silverleaf had finished his tour of the house and started conversing with Tyric.
"So how do you know so much about the Academy?" questioned Tyric.
"Well," replied Silverleaf, "I too study the arts of magic. I am considered a member of the Storm Rogues due to my magic and talents. My friend Bolt here uses a bit of magic himself." At this, Bolt stirred and awoke from his "slumber".
"Now... what about that tea?"
(Writer: Tyric)"I told you I would." Hopp came in, carrying a tray with cups and a kettle. "Now then, I do believe this is where we make formal introductions, and clarify what we are doing here," she said as she handed out cups of steaming liquid.
The dwarf stood up and began to speak. "Well, uh, my name is Linderfyll Suresight but friends call me Bolt," he said, gesturing to his crossbow, "and this is Silverleaf Half Moon of the Windstone tribe," Tyric recognizing the name from his Academy studies. "We met on the way here, deciding that two travellers had a better chance of surviving than one. Well, now that I’ve done my speaking, what about you two?"
Tyric stopped sipping the tea for a moment, and cleared his throat. "My name is Tyric Aristides, not a courtier, and I am an initiate of the Starcrest Academy traveling abroad. The Academy thinks that its students will learn more in the real world, and I think Hopp can speak for herself."
She nodded and stood up. "My name is Hopp, and I am a witch maiden- it’s a family thing, I think- but I also consider myself the guardian of Sifune." Bolt chuckled a little bit, but quieted down when Hopp glared at him. "Anyway, one of the reasons I live here is for peace, which I haven’t been getting much of."
Silverleaf jumped at the phrase. "You mean unnatural occurrences or just visitors like us?"
Hopp paused, "I’m not sure if I can tell the difference," she smiled briefly, "no, but in all seriousness, I am troubled by the sudden aggressiveness of some creatures, and also something that I discovered with Tyric today- the increasing frequency of these creatures- Weavers, the large arachnid thingies, and quite possibly, their 'nest' of sorts."
"So what do you think we should do?" Tyric asked.
Hopp’s eyes took on a steely look. "Simple." She said. "We eliminate them."
"Are you sure this is going to work," Tyric asked nervously as everyone polished their armor or rested. All during the afternoon, the band had been arguing whether to attack at all, but had finally agreed and formed a tentative plan of attack.
"Well, seeing as how they’re just spiders, I’d say we have a definite chance of winning." Hopp was clearly annoyed at the fact that "spiders" had decided to invade her beloved forest.
Tyric raised an eyebrow. "Just spiders, eh?"
(Writer: Hopp) Hopp nodded deftly.
"Just spiders, compared to other things I’ve seen." Hopp sighed. "And I’ve seen a lot." Tyric pressed her no further, and continued to wipe his blade with a magic liquid Hopp had given him. Tyric wasn’t planning on using it though, for he had been the top of his class in spellcasting, and was going to put those skills to good effect.
"So when do we leave?" Bolt asked Hopp, putting down his crossbow.
"Tomorrow morning. They seem to be recessive in daylight, whenever there is any, the trees are so thick in some places… So let us rest for the night, but first, dinner." Hopp smiled, finally.
(Writer: Bolt or Silverleaf J ) The following morning, Bolt was up bright and early. He did a few stretches, warmed up a little bit, then roused the others. Now that there was actually a promise of action, he was eager to get going. Hopp insisted on making a warm breakfast. Bolt objected to taking the time, but was overruled by the other three. Finally, after a tasty meal and a healthy dose of Dwarven grumbling, they set out for the spire.
"Hopp," Bolt began, "I can’t say I’ve actually fought one of these things. I’ve seen signs of their passing, but that’s hardly the real thing. Any weaknesses you know of?"
Hopp considered for a moment. "I don’t know, I’m used to frying or braining them," she giggled. "I suppose their undersides might be softer, but it’s just a guess."
Bolt nodded, then shrugged. "Magicians. Go figure. All your books and spells’nd stuff." Silverleaf gave him a light thwack on the head.
To the Library
