At the border

[Gaius Vesennas]

The afternoon sun shone down upon the foliage. Most sunrays would not reach further than this. From the damp forest ground to the thick layer of leaves, the high space remained dusky all day long. In this everlasting twilight stood many ancient trees, great and high, untouched and untouchable.

And it was silent. No birds sang here; no birds were here. No creature was to be seen. Nobody knew for certain why no animal came here. But most believed it was due to a strange, magical presence those few humans who went here felt too, not frightening, yet not welcoming.

For this was the border of Vervollkommnung and Old Hallucination. The latter was widely known for the arcane arts of the northern lands. Though apparently these forests were forsaken of all life except for the trees, legends told of ferocious feminine creatures and walking trees. And there were rumours of magicians themselves now settling in these woods.

But today, the silence was broken. Steps sounded, branches snapped. Nine horsemen crossed the border into Old Hallucination. Five were of nobility, judging by their clothing. Three less striking men followed. In front went a man carrying a flag: crimson, decorated with only a yellow star and circle. Though there was no wind, mysteriously, the flag was waving.

Their journey had been swift and uninterrupted. No potentially dangerous creature had crossed their path: no ent or spirit, not even a boar. However, they hadn´t passed the border yet. The magical creatures of Vervollkommnung were relatively nonviolent. The beings across the border, however, were loyal to Andreas, the lord of those lands, who were at war with the duke of Kildare. Gaius knew they would be very hostile these days.

They had only just passed the border. The forest suddenly became very dark, though it was still afternoon. And all equtrians could feel the former presence to be much stronger all the sudden. The horses were snorting nervously. From the dark came now the shade of what seemed to be a woman. Her voice then sounded, eerie, charming and beautiful. "What brings you here, Antyans, trespassers, intruders, violators of our home? You enemies of our lord are not welcome here; your warlike kind is not welcome here."

The Marquess remained silent for a moment. These unfriendly words had startled him; and even more, this unexplainable, alien voice had stunned him. Then he replied, "My dear lady, war has not brought us here. Nor are we here to defile or hurt your forests. We only seek passage - and directions would help us too."

"Directions?", she asked.

"Yes. We seek a place known as the Atterockian-Novatainian Outpost for the Variously Arcane."

OOC: Andreas: as promised, here is my story. Could you respond to it, please?

[Andreas the Wise]

"Why do you seek it?" came the voice ...

OOC: Sorry, forgot, do continue ... (you can pass through to it)