Ride on

"I don't think that will be necessary" said Adella, with confidence. "I'm sure we'll pick up the right trail once inside the forest. We just have to keep a northeasterly track for a while. Moss grows on the northern side of trees, and we just travel in the opposite direction of the sun."

Courtney breathed a sigh of relief. "Sounds good to me. It sounds like you know what you're doing, and I have a feeling going back to Stewart for help would only cost us delays."

"Yes, that brother of mine has a way with women,” Adella let out a sigh. "Even with me."

"You don't need to explain that to me,” Courtney smiled.

"It wasn't anything more than oral sex over a lost bet. But I did tell him it would never happen again. His answer was 'We'll see about that' which is why I've tried to avoid him whenever possible." Adella lightly spurred her horse, and they moved into the Obsidian Forest.

At first they made good time as they tracked the tree moss and kept the sun at their backs. But the deeper they went into the Obsidian Forest, the more dark and dense it became. It slowed their pace a lot, and they had to keep stopping. Adella took out her short sword and carved X's into the trees as a reference in case they got lost. But little did she know the trees were full of mischief and magic. They healed themselves after the two women rode away from them, making it impossible for them to know where they were.

Deeper into the thickening, dark forest the two women continued. Sounds of life that were once heard gave way to a sinister and foreboding silence. Not even a shaft of daylight could be seen any longer, and darkness fell around them. Adella pulled out her necklace, and rubbed the stone that dangled from it. A soft, white light began to glow steadily around them, and they heard the forest gasp.

"Adella, did you hear that?" Courtney asked, not sure what to think of the low, rumbling gasp.

"Yes, I heard it" Adella answered quietly. "We are in the most ancient part of the old forest. It has been known to play tricks on unsuspecting travelers." She held up the stone as if showing it to someone. "I am Princess Adella, and I command you to give us safe passage, you ancient, brooding pile of firewood!"

The forest gasped again, then opened a path before the two women. But before they could move, a giant figure, tree like in appearance, strode before them. It stopped right in their way, and glared at them with ancient green eyes. "Ancient brooding pile of firewood?" the deep, treeish voice rumbled. "You dare insult me, and my kind?"

"I mean you no insult, and mean you no harm" answered Adella.

"No insult and no harm? But you have done both, little human whore." The treeish figure circled around the two mounted women, eying them over, causing them to feel disconcerted.

"I am not a whore" said Adella.

"You are what I say you are. You are in my Domain. But I will let you have safe passage for a price" the treeish face smiled slyly. Moss hung heavy under its chin like a beard. It folded its limbish arms and waited for Adella to speak.

"What is your price? Name it" Adella spoke, hoping she would not regret it.

The treeish creature grabbed Adella with both hands, pulling her up and over her horse. He sat her down on the ground, on her feet. "Since you are of royal blood, I need you to produce an heir for me. I have none to pass my domain on to. I am the last of my kind. I need your womb to produce a sapling. It will not take long, and might even be a most pleasurable experience for you."

"So you want me to have your baby?" Adella was taken aback by the request, but also found herself curiously fascinated. "How long will it take?"

"A few hours" the treeish figure assured her. "It does not take long to prepare your womb, and for you to birth saplings. Yes, you may have many. It would all happen overnight. Will you do it? I will forgive you, and allow you safe passage any time you require it."

Adella looked deep into the creature's wizened eyes. She could tell there was no malice, and that it had spoke the truth. She looked over at Courtney. "I guess it's a lovely evening to be fucked by a tree-man, isn't it?" She turned back to the treeish figure. "What about Courtney? What would happen to her?"

"She is also included in our bargain, if you wish" his voice softly boomed. "She may join us, and she may birth my saplings as well. So what is your answer, Princess Adella?"