She agrees to go scouting

Lux takes Willow’s hand in hers and gives it a squeeze, before gently easing out of her ****-grip embrace. “Sylvia’s right,” she says, noting a creak of shock from the treant overhead at her speaking so familiarly of the Queen of Dryads. “I have to go out there.”

Willow stares at her pleadingly, tears in her eyes. Finally, though, she nods, sniffs. Still holding her hand, Lux turns to face the others.

“Which way do you need me to go?” she asks.

“Minn can show you the path,” Juniper says, “down towards the Erlking’s court. See what you can find out about their forces, their defences.”

Lux glances at Minn. “You couldn’t have done this on your own?”

“Would I be hanging around here dying of boredom if I could?” Minn snapped. “Obviously the King’s prepared for sprites snooping around. You see how easy it is once we’re down there.”

“Great.” Lux shrugs. “All right, we’ll take a look.”

“Then you earn the gratitude of our kind twice over.” Sylvia gives a small bow of acknowledgement. “Blessings of the forest go with you,” she says, and Lux feels a tingle as the words make it so; old magic settling into her limbs, leaving a sense of strength. “I hope you will not disappoint my daughter by dying out there.”

No pressure, then. Lux turns to Willow, giving her what she hopes is a reassuring nod. “I’ll do my best.”

Willow looks longingly at her, still unwilling to let go of her hand. “Dear, sweet bird,” she says, “may the winds guide you safely back to me.”

Lux leans up to kiss her, savouring that wonderful taste, before they reluctantly move apart from each other. For some reason, it’s the quiet creaking of the treant that makes Lux most uncomfortable as it watches from its lofty vantage, its gnarled expression unreadable. She tries to put it out of her mind as she prepares to leave, accepting another bag of food and medicine from Juniper. Minn leads her towards the edge of the clearing, and they duck through the curtain of foliage into the forest beyond.

“So what can you tell me about the Erlking’s court?” she asks, as Minn flits ahead to light their way through the dim and enclosing woods. She keeps her short sword in hand, using to slash through a few patches of brambles that lurk in her path.

“Haven’t been there in a while,” Minn says. “Ever since the Queen got put away, the King’s been keeping to himself. Bet he really misses her.” A pause. “Hey, you think he’s been fucking that snake-creature thing you told us about?”

Lux grimaces. “I’m very glad I don’t know how to picture that,” she says, after a moment.

“Oh, I have some ideas,” Minn chimes in dreamily. “Imagine how much cock she could deepthroat. And still put her tail-tip up the butt. Or she could coil around and squeeeeeze – ”

“Fuck!” Lux swats urgently but ineffectively at Minn and tries to block out the images from her mind. “Just stay quiet and keep an eye out for trouble.”

“Fiiiine.” Minn pouts. “This way, this way.”

Lux grits her teeth and follows.