You don't catch up, but it does catch you

You navigate mostly by instinct. Of course you use your sight to get Aegis through the trees, but its the emotional bond you share with your **** that keeps you on course. It's almost more of a pull, really. As long as you keep yourself open to it, you find yourself naturally heading in that direction. This frees up the use of your eyes and ears... and a good thing too, since you're able to duck this time when the forest gets uppity again.

"Whoa, Aegis!" You stop your horse and wheel him around at once, preparing to ride your way out of a maelstrom of tree branches. No more attacks come, but the trees begin to sway back and forth all around you, as if caught in a mighty wind.

"Why do you insist on befouling my forest with your presence, succubus!" The voice is thunderous, you can't tell where it's coming from. It's also feminine.

"I mean you no harm! I only want to treat with you to recover my companion and pass through here without conflict!" You shout as well so that your voice can be heard over the din.

"Your existence is harmful! You are a creature of lies, and perversion. Your 'companion'," The voice exaggerates its sarcasm at this, "has made many pacts with us, she is ours. We will cleanse her mind of your influence. Turn around and seek her no more. You will find no safe passage in these woods, nor is there anything left for you."

That's... about as final of a declaration as you've ever heard, but you won't give up so easily. "You're wrong about me! I am... I was a paladin of the Burning Rose! A daemon stole that path from me, corrupted me, but Indra was helping me to find my way again. I carry the holy sword of Saint Magdalena, which I intend to return to the High Abbey in Gerlangen so that Thoros, who threatens even your forest, might be defeated... but I need Indra to help guide me, or else all is lost!"

Your plea is earnest, if sprinkled with a dash of white lies. You hold your breath hoping that they sense your sincerity and will at least talk with you.

You have your answer as the wind dies down and the trees calm. Your held breath becomes a sigh of relief. You dismount Aegis and walk forward a few steps, slowly, your hands spread wide in a show of peace. "Please, let us discuss these matters reasonably."

You wait for only a few moments before a fully naked women walks out of the tree just before you, as if the tree itself were some doorway. She is painfully beautiful, a bit taller than you, and with perfectly proportioned curves. Her green eyes and wild green hair glow softly, and her skin is a creamy light-brown. A dryad, a guardian spirit of forests. Of course.

"Very well, succubus who says she was a paladin. Discuss, and if I am not angered by your words, perhaps I will not feed you to my forest."

Spirits in general can be a fickle lot, and the dryad of this wood must be ancient, and stubborn, short-tempered... you'll need to pick your words very carefully.

Or, maybe there's another way. She is a female spirit... perhaps you could seduce her instead? Just the sight of her is beginning to whet your appetite. Of course, you've no idea what sort of effect that would have on the forest...