The Forest

I follow Liz through the forest and look around. It looks the same as before, and I don't see the Dryads.

"I thought Treena or Layla would meet us here?" I say and Liz shakes her head no.

"No, they're waiting in case the government official shows up." Liz says and I nod. We start walking down a path and Liz turns to me. "Eric? Did you ever call your school and let them know you wouldn't make it?" She asks me.

"No, Asami told me about it this morning. I completely forgot until she told me. Apparently, she did it while I was still out after the fight with Kurdes. So they're not expecting me back until Wednesday. Of course, I could show up tomorrow. But I'm not sure I want to." I say causing her to laugh.

"Lucky you, getting two days off of school."

"Says the one who doesn't go to school." I say causing her to laugh again.

"So, since you've recovered now, why is it that the school isn't expecting you until Wednesday?"

"Asami told the principal I got injured. Since he's a Lyna, he knows this could happen. Asami told him I'd be better by Wednesday at the latest. That's when Verona told her I'll have fully recovered. But she forgot that since I'm Gaia's Champion I have a much faster recovery time than usual. She was pretty embarrassed for forgetting that." I reply as we get to the Dryad's row of tree houses. We walk down the path in the center. We pass multiple Dryads and the large hollowed tree that I assume belongs to Treena or Layla, maybe both. Liz leads me to a small lake. There's a cabin, that looks man-made next to it. On the porch, I see Treena and Layla. They're sitting down at a wooden table and talking to each other. As we walk up to them I see another portal about fifteen feet away from the cabin.

"Hey Treena!" Liz says, nearly shouting as we get close.

"Good morning Liz, you too Eric. Thanks for coming." Treena replies. We walk around the railing of the porch and up the single step to get on it.

"You guys got here just in time, I was starting to get worried." Layla says.

"What do you mean? We still have about an hour and a half before ten." Liz says causing Treena to sigh.

"Yes, but he's decided to come early. He just sent a messenger saying that due to unexpected circumstances, he has to come by at eight-thirty. You just missed them in fact." Treena says and I hear Liz sigh.

"Well before he gets here, here Eric. This is the Pact I wrote up for you. The Dryads have already signed it." Liz says handing me a clipboard. On it is the Pact and a pen. I take the pen and sign it, skimming over it. It states that I'll protect the Dryad forest from anyone trying to steal or destroy it. In return, they'll give my Guild various materials from the forest. The materials aren't specified, but it does say that we can always change what material they pay at any time. As soon as I sign it and put my blood on it, it lights up. Two small coins, the size of my big toe appear. One falls on the clipboard, and the other goes to Treena. She takes it and puts it in her pocket. As she does the portal behind us starts crackling. Sparks and small bolts of what looks like lightning shoot from it.

"What's happening to it?" I ask, turning around after hearing it.

"That's what the portal looks like when it's receiving people. The more that comes through, the more of a reaction it gives. Judging from this, there must be about nine or ten people." Liz replies and I nod. We wait for a few moments until it stops. Ten people walk through the portal. The first is a man wearing a suit. He has a beard and looks like he's in his late 50s. His hair is greying and he has a sword on his hip. Next to him is another man. He's wearing a T-shirt and shorts. He holds a small blue gem in his hands. Behind them are eight people of varying sizes. They wear the same metal armor that hides their faces. Two hold spears, two hold a short sword and shield, and the other four only have a sword. They walk towards us, with the man in the suit leading the way. The other man with the gem stays at his side.

"Good morning Dryads. I didn't know you had company. If you'd like, I could wait thirty minutes at most for you to finish." The man in the suit says.

"Thank you for the offer, but that won't be needed." I say stepping forward. "I came here to talk with the Dryads but we'll need more than thirty minutes. But I can wait until you're done." I say causing the man to look at me. His eyes go wide in shock before he coughs and regains his composure.

"Are you Eric Steele? Guildmaster of the Steele Wolves?" He asks and I nod with a smile.

"Yes, I'm a little surprised someone recognized me." I reply.

"Well of course, no Guild has accomplished as much as yours in such a short time. No offense to the other Guilds of course. So we in the government have been keeping a close eye on you." He says and I look at him expectantly. "Oh, where are my manners. My name is Mark. I'm part of the government's Lyna branch. I'm here to speak with the Dryads ab..." Mark says before I stop him.

"I've taken up too much of your time. I hope you don't mind, but as I said, I still have business with the Dryads. So I'll step aside but I won't be leaving just yet." I say and Mark nods. I step to my side and Mark walks onto the porch. The others stay off it but they do stare at me. I turn and see Mark sitting with Treena. Layla and Liz are behind her.