Investigate the noise.

Walking more swiftly now, you and Peony weave through the trails left behind by animals between the trees and dense underbrush surrounded by mountainous ledges. You remain close beside the dryad, matching her movements to not trip over any roots or slip into a ditch. You still don't hear anything, but you trust her instincts, especially in an environment like this one. It isn't too much farther when Peony begins to slow down. She perks up her ear and crawls down the rocks.

You finally hear it too. It sounds like a high, whimpering voice.

"There!" she calls out.

Up ahead, as the trees clear out once again to mostly stone, there are a few in the clearing, and you spot a huge brown bear clawing at the trunk of one. Not only that, but there's a small figure cowering in the branches. It's a boy, perhaps only about half your height. His hair is brown and cut somewhat like a bowl, and in his hand is a wooden sword. He isn't using it to fight off any foes at the moment, however, as there are tears in his eyes, and he's in quite the predicament. The bear's heavy body is nearly pushing the tree right over, and if that happens, the boy doesn't stand a chance.

Peony places a hand gently on your chest. "It's all right. Please, let me help him."

"Are you about to fight a bear?"

"No, silly." She begins stepping towards the encounter with little worry. As she does, the bear turns and glares back.

The boy gasps. "W-Wait! Just leave me, or you'll get hurt!"

"You're very sweet, but you worry too much." Peony walks right up to the terrifying creature, but instead of fighting, she places a gentle hand on its head. She strokes her fingers through its fur and hums quietly. "Relax. Please, the boy meant you no harm. I know that your children are near, but we swear no harm will come to them. They miss you. You're a good mother."

In an instant, the bear relaxes. It lets out a snort, and then it slowly waddles away, eventually disappearing between some boulders.

"Wait a second," the boy mutters. "Y-You're not human."

She raises up her arms. Suddenly, the roots of the tree begin to crawl up from the soil and stretch up towards the boy in the branches. They wrap around his body, and with ease, he's lifted up and brought safely back down to the ground. "I'm not. That's correct. You're a brave boy though, to face such a big cranky animal." She bends over and places a hand upon his head.

The boy looks up with pink in his cheeks. He swallows, trying to gather his courage. It seems facing such a gorgeous woman is even more difficult than facing a bear. "Th-Thank you."

You step forwards with a smile. "It's not every day you get to be saved by a lovely lady, so you might as well treasure it."

He quickly turns away from her with a nod. "Of course," he mumbles.

"What are you doing all the way out here? I don't think there are any cities even close by, are there?"

"My village is only a few hours east of here," he replies. "I came out here looking for a special flower. It's needed for a potion for my older sister who isn't feeling well, and we couldn't find any nearby, so I..."

"Relax. Let's make sure you get back someplace safe. You said it was east, right?"

He nods.

"I had no idea," Peony says. "It must be off the Pecho Peaks, beyond the woods. That's pretty far. But we'll still take you, right, m'lord?"

"Of course," you reply. "We can't leave a kid out here all alone."

"I'm not even that young," he grumbles.

You look down to him with a hand on your hip. "Of course. After surviving all the way out here, maybe you're a man now."

He scratches his cheek nervously. "D-Do you think so?"

"A handsome young man!" Peony exclaims.

The boy looks to her and blushes. "H-Handsome?"

You shake your head. "I'd say you need to learn to talk to women if you're going to be a man, but in my experience, that's unfortunately not a requirement."