That's it.

She gives you a longing glance and for a moment you think she may take things farther. Your heart pounds excitedly as you wait for her to make the first move when she sighs and gently pats your chest. "Your arm should be fine. You can go ahead and get dressed."

With that, she gets up and walks over to her bed and begins removing her armor. Not wanting to stare at her changing, you quickly turn your back. Despite the fact that you have pretty much seen everything under her clothes, you still don't want to be rude. While you listen to the somewhat arousing sound of her clothes sliding off her lithe body, a thought crosses your mind. One that you hadn't considered asking before. "If I may, Tara. I have a question for you."

You hear her stop changing, "Hmm?"

"What brought you to The Great Forest? Why are you living there? That home you have...It's more than just a temporary structure and Elven Lands are far away."

Her movements stop and for a moment you fear that you may have somehow overstepped your bounds. To an extent, you're relieved to hear her sit on her bed. "You can turn around. I'm decent."

You turn and see her wearing a thin, silken tunic. So thin, in fact that if the candlelight played on her body in just the right way, you can see the outline of her naked form underneath. However, you try not to stare too hard as she continues. "I suppose it's only fair that I tell you. We elves live a long time. Even half-elves can live much longer than the average human. It's no surprise to me that you humans have a view that my home, Elileithel is isolated and holds little ties diplomatically to the realms around it. For us elves though, it has only been that way for the last few hundred years. Not a very long time. Our Queen, she...well she has a lot in common with your mother."

Your eyes widen, "She's a demon!"

Tara opens her mouth quickly and looks like she's going to correct you, but then stops herself short and gives a little nod. "In a way...She is much different than the succubus that currently sits on your throne. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure what she is exactly. Our King married her after his wife died, a big deal for creatures that can live for centuries, and ever since she has been the driving **** behind Elileithel's isolation. Although she has no real power as the King's Consort, She's very persuasive."

You ponder her explanation for a moment, "What does this have to do with you though? You speak as if you have met both her and the king..."

" Elileithel is a Meritocracy. Which means that ranks and positions are based on your accomplishments rather than royal appointment. I was one of the best physicians in the realm, so I have met her. It's hard to describe what she's like, which is why she confuses me so. She's...very indifferent towards everything. Regardless, when I discovered her nature I protested. The King dismissed me and that brings me to why I came here. I heard rumor of a powerful sorceress who lived in The Great Forest in Northern Itheria. One who claims to be Queen of the Forest..."

You have never heard of such a thing. Although any expeditions into the forest, no matter how large have disappeared over the ages. It was often believed that this was due to the lethality of the forest rather than anything else. "I have never heard of such a thing."

Tara smiles politely, "I'm sure you have at some point. Perhaps as a story or a fairy tail. Either way, I have met her and she is indeed real."

Recalling your childhood, you do remember stories about the demons and monsters of The Forest snatching you away if you wandered too deeply. They were always cautionary tales of not wandering away too far from home. Especially not in dark, dangerous forestlands. "Is she a demon also?"

She giggles, "No, Just because both of our realms have demon problems doesn't mean that demons are that common. She's a beastfolk, a fox actually and very clever. She recommended that I settle down in the forest for awhile and have a wait and see approach. I suspect that she wanted me for her own devices, but since I have settled down; I have enjoyed helping the villages that surround the forests. Much more than I did serving my King."

You ponder this vast amount of information that you have been given and an idea forms in your head. "Could you take me to her? Perhaps she could help me with my demon problem, or at least give me guidance on how to proceed. Honestly, outside of heading to the capital and hoping that my own people believe me. I have no idea what to actually do against my mother..."

"I could take you, but I don't know if she would help. She's almost as indifferent as the demon plaguing my homeland and she's not a fan of visitors. Especially not unsolicited visitors. However, I don't know why you couldn't at least try and see if she would help. If that's the path you wish to take. I suggest sleeping on it. That path will take us back into the forest and back into danger. Continuing forward is a far safer course of action."

Nodding, you agree, "Let's rest. I'll think about it and we'll decide before we leave in the morning."

You lay on the bed as Tara blows the candle out. Perhaps this 'Queen of the Forest' is your big chance, or perhaps it's just a waste of time. Can you really spend time chasing after a fairy tale while a demon tries to run you country into the ground? These thoughts plague your mind as you drift off to sleep.