The west to the forest and the report of Elves

The great forest to the west was so vast that it was impossible to chart and so it was assumed that it was endless. Occasionally some intrepid, some would say stupid, adventurer would attempt to transverse the forest to see the lands beyond and claim the fabled riches but none ever returned. The forest was home to elves and other monsters if the rumours were to be believed.

All of these things crossed Lexi's mind and were quickly dismissed as she neared a small village a mile from the forest's edge. She was confident that she was more than equal if not more than equal to whatever the forest had to throw at her. Elves normally only gathered in small groups to raid the human settlements and no doubt the other monsters that lived in the forest were nothing but tales to scare people from entering the forest. The raids had become more frequent though and a local Lord had sent to the capital for a warrior in the hopes that when the next raid came the sight of a warrior would scare them off.

The day was warm and bright and Lexi was in high spirits as she rode her fine white mare towards the village but as she got closer her mood became more somber. She sighted wisps of black smoke on the horizon and began to fear the worst. By mid morning her fears were confirmed. The first building she came to was a mile from the village and several hundred yard to the left of the main road. It was the Lords house she judged by the size and location but now it was just a large smoking ruin, the only thing still standing were the stone foundations. Turning to look further down the main road the village could be seen in the distance. Even from here Lexi could see the whole place had been burnt to the ground. She urged her mare on and a half mile further a smaller dirt track lead off to her right, heading between fields and towards the forest. The track was well travelled. She paused and thought about her options.