To Whispering Woods

Aaralon knew his choice was pretty simple. He had made his bed and would have to sleep in it now. He would have to stick with the two Diviners, rescue the girl with them, get the virgin's last gasp and bring it back to the tower.

A short while later Camila and Carrie climbed out of Camila's large tent. Behind them the tents simply vanished.

It was a sunny day and travelling was easy. Aaralon found he could push some of his more paranoid thoughts to the back of his head but couldn't stop admiring Camila's chest. Carrie too had her charms; she was slightly older than Camila's but thinner. There was a definite wiggle in her hips as she walked.

The tree line filled the horizon from the very minute Whispering Woods came into view. So much for "woods" thought Aaralon. This place is a forest. Several hours later he stood with Camila's and Carrie on the very edge of the woods. It was noisy. The trees did seem to whisper, an audible whoosh of wind through branches and leaves, and if it wasn't his imagination there was the something else too. Something that whispered.

"If the Gnolls have entered the woods," said Carrie, still leading the expedition, "they would have entered round about here. I've not seen any tracks but I wouldn't worry too much about that. It's unlikely that the Gnolls took the very same route as us and we would have wasted too much time looking for their path. Now we're at the woods things have changed. We want to pick up their exact trail as quickly as possible. Look out for signs of recent fires and damaged trees. If we need to we can split up - but don't worry Aaralon, you'll be safe with either Camila's or myself."

Safe? Aaralon mused. He wasn't worried about encountering anything in the woods. Camila's warnings of demons near the centre had only served to peak his interest.

Without further adieu Carrie lead the way into the woods.

It was dark. The day had been sunny - was sunny - but very little of the light penetrated the canopy. This was only the outskirts too. How dark was it in the middle? It was hard to travel quickly and quietly. Aaralon settled for being as quiet as he could whilst keeping up with the two women.

Something gentle brushed against Aaralon's arm. It was Camila, her fingers lightly tapping him, "Look," she said in a hush.