Arrive at Silverleaf.

It's the afternoon of day four when you penetrate the fringes of the elven woodlands. With your mending magic and Amara's healing, the two of you don't even look like you went through an insectoid hell only a day prior. You'd normally feel even more worried about the forest than the journey to it, but by what you've been told, this is a safe destination apart from the ordinary dangers of the wilderness. After your last fight, you don't really fear black bears or the like anymore, so you breath a sigh of relief as you begin your way past the trees.

"Stay with me," Amara says. "I have been here before, so I know the way. And they should not fire at you as an intruder."

"Should not, or will not?"

"Ah. I forgot to mention. Upon sleeping last night, I discovered that I have reached level six."

"Congrats! Learn anything new?"

She nods. "Bless. I have gained the ability to temporarily boost one's abilities. It isn't a gigantic increase, but it can bolster your defenses and sharpen your senses."

"Well that's awesome. Hopefully we won't need to try it out while we're here though. If I see another roach..."

She leads you straight through the woods--between the trunks of ancient trees and around bushes and tall grass. It feels like you're lost, though she seems confident. After awhile, you start to hear voices. The trees thin, and you spot an opening up ahead.

Morniwo is a settlement built alongside nature. Houses are constructed inside and around the trees themselves, and the elven residents are dressed in leaves, animal hides, and other materials found in the forest. There doesn't seem to be a single human around. The elves walk down paths constructed down the trunks of giant trees, over bridges built over shimmering creaks, all carrying on with their lives in this place far from the empire--green hair, blue hair, hunters, craftsmen. It's a hidden city of charm and solitude.

It doesn't take long at all before somebody notices your presence. She's dressed in leathers with a bow slung over her back, and her pale pink hair is done up in braids. "An outsider I see," she says.

"Yes," Amara replies. "Me and my companion come from Avana."

"Then welcome. I trust you are not here to cause trouble."

You look between them. "I was expecting more hostility to be honest."

"Oh no," the woman says. "We get occasional travellers, usually for trade or to heal in our hot spring."

"Then why did you even mention them firing at us?" you ask, looking to Amara with a furled brow.

Amara giggles. "I said they should not fire, did I not?"

"That isn't funny."

"We are actually seeking out a single flower," Amara explains. "All we need is a frost lotus."

The woman puts her hands on her hips. "That should not trouble you then. I have seen many in my time out exploring the forest. Enjoy your time here, and I hope you find your flower. I need to get back to work."

"Thanks. Let's get moving then, Amara," you say.

Suddenly the woman puts a hand to her mouth, and is quiet for a moment. "Ah. That makes more sense. Have the two of you been here before?"

"I haven't. Why do you ask?"

"Then this is a lovely place to bring her. Have you yet to be wed?"

"Wait, what?"

Amara brings a hand through her hair and looks to you with a bashful smile. "Kyle and I are not wed, no."

Oh I said her first name! All the people here are elves! I didn't even think about it. Everyone calls her Amara. Now that we both did it, this lady is gonna think we're engaged or something.

"You two should really visit the hot spring," the woman says. She giggles, and then begins walking off.