The Endless Forest

“Haldria!” Noria called out with a smile and a wave. Azelea was at her feet, frolicking as they made their way over to the tanner.

The sun was high, and the heat of late summer was in full swing. But instead of lazing away in the shade, the clearing was full of action. Oralyn was doing a wonderful job of organizing people from what Noria could tell.

And that was why she was on her way to see Haldria. The tanner desperately needed the enchantments that Noria could provide. She wasn’t the only one either. Over the course of the week, many had sought her out…

“Noria, there you are! I was wondering if you were too busy with your boyfriend!” Haldria responded with a wide grin.

Seems like she is in a good mood…

Azelea perked up. She right, you spend too much time with Lorem! But that okay, I forgive you. I like Lorem too.

Noria nearly missed a step at her partner’s words. T-thanks…

Recollecting herself she turned her attention back to Haldria. “Sorry, but some things have come up.”

“I’ve noticed,” the other woman said with a coy smile. “The group of you snuck off into the forest yesterday.”

“Ah… Just a bit of group training,” she said, doing her best to downplay it. “But never mind that, I have been thinking about what to do for enchants and I think I know what will be best for you.”

“Oh? I’m listening.”

Noria assumed the stance of a teacher. “For tanning barrels, I am thinking of a potency enchantment. It will, hopefully, make it more efficient. You wouldn’t need to use as many materials for it, but there is a small problem. It’s one we’ve discussed before, the enchantment won’t last for long.”

Haldria nodded. “I remember you saying something about that, but that’s okay. And don’t worry, I won’t pester you about using a scale.” She gave Noria a wink.

Letting out a sigh, Noria gave her a weak smile. “Thank you. Honestly, that’s been a small worry of mine. Several people have approached me about enchanting and I think they are hoping to convince me to give up a scale.”

The tanner gave her a knowing look before shifting the conversation back to the original topic. “Anyway, what about some of the other enchants? You made it sound like there was more.”

“Right, yes. I have a couple of good ideas for some of your tools, but I think the other big one I want to try is for the tanning rack itself. A quick drying enchantment should be doable, but that one will require some adjusting.”

“Adjusting?”

“Yeah. The way you explained it to me is that normally it takes a while. If I make it too potent, it might end up drying the leather out too quickly.”

Haldria put a hand up to her chin in thought. “You worried more about the drying process than the actual tanning?”

“I suppose the potency enchantment would need some tuning as well, now that you mention it. But that one you could easily handle by simply adjusting your mixtures.”

“Fair enough,” Haldria said with a shrug. “I could easily do a test batch and figure the rest out with that. I’ve got plenty of hides to work with. In fact, it's starting to become a problem…”

Noria let out a little chuckle. “It’s not a bad thing to be busy.”

“No, normally it isn’t. But since I arrived, a certain green kobold keeps coming to me with more and more hides. She’s been getting, well… Pissy with me. Bitching that I haven’t completed any of the leathers for her. I’m starting to wonder if she is trying to impress someone.”

“Haldria!” Noria shouted, her face reddening at the tanner’s insinuation.

That only seemed to encourage Haldria as she gave Noria a coy smile. “You know, now that I think about it… You would look good in–”

“Stop! Please…” And before the tanner could respond the completely embarrassed woman began marching away, heading straight for the equipment. “Anyway! I should get started,” she stammered out.

Haldria’s smile grew wider before she realized there was still one other person there with her.

“Well, hello little one,” she said, crouching down to Azelea’s height. “Aren’t you just the most adorable little jewel?”

The dragon cocked its head before letting out a happy little yip.

“What do you think?” she asked with a glance over to Noria. “Don’t you think she would look good in stained red leather?”

Noria, what she mean about you look good in leather?

“HALDRIA!”

“Well, I guess that’s my answer…”

The flight back to the clearing was interesting, to say the least. Felix found himself having to really focus and pay attention to each and every little movement Kyrith made.

I’ve really gotten used to riding on your back, Felix said to Zira with a slight grumble.

And I’ve gotten used to you riding on top of me. Eri keeps throwing my balance off every time she shifts! It’s frustrating.

He sent her a mental pat in sympathy. I bet Kyrith is complaining about me to Eri as well.

I bet so as well, you can never just sit still! But I’ve gotten used to it.

Felix rolled his eyes. Oh, ha ha…

It’s true though. Anyway, we are nearly back. You might want to focus and not fall off.

With a huff, he turned his attention back to Kyrith. The ember dragon moved and flew differently to Zira. It was subtle and only noticeable now that he was actually riding on him. It was like the dragon was flying to a different cadence than Zira did.

Actually, that makes a lot of sense… Felix closed his eyes and listened.

There was first the sound of howling wind rushing past him. However, he did his best to tune it out and listen to the dragon beneath him.

The next noise to reach him was the steady beat of wings. They were a long, rhythmic drum. The beats were a tempo, one unfamiliar to him. It was slower than what he was used to, yet there was an uplifting sound to them as well.

It was comforting, it was soothing and gentle. Like a friend you can lean on and trust.

Felix relaxed himself. Letting himself do exactly that, trusting Kyrith. His constant shifting stopped and soon he found himself able to better predict the dragon’s movements…

Eventually, they came in to land.

The landing itself was uneventful and the ember-colored dragon came to a gentle stop on the ground. Well, gentle enough. It was a little jarring for Felix but his experience with landing with Zira had helped him.

However, the next little quandary he found himself in was how to dismount. Normally, he preferred to slide off of Zira but he knew that Eri typically ‘hopped’ off. It hadn’t occurred to him that Zira had been making that easier for him.

Felix stored that, and the other, observations away and did his best to mimic Eri. With a little hop, he landed next to Kyrith and gave the dragon a pat on the side.

“Thank you,” he said, but it was in vain. The dragon was already turning to his actual partner. And as he came around, it was clear that the two of them were having a conversation.

Deciding to not intervene, Felix continued his way over to Zira. He knew she had things to say.

Thank the Gods that is over, she said with a grumble. You know, having someone other than you on my back is infuriating.

Not able to help himself, he let out a chuckle. Well, again, I’m sure Kyrith feels the same way. But don’t be mad at Eri–

Oh, I’m not mad at her, Zira corrected. But I am annoyed at the situation. It didn’t help seeing you riding on top of another dragon, either.

Jealous? he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Her nostrils flared as she gave him a snort. As a matter of fact, I am.

What did you want me to do? Jump back over to you?

There is a part of me that thinks that, yes.

Felix shook his head in disbelief. And what of Eri? Did you want her to jump, or were you going to carry us both?

His question was met with silence but she didn’t need to say anything, he could tell what her answer was just by her emotions alone. Thankfully, though, the elf in question spoke aloud, ending their conversation for good.

“So then, what happens now? I doubt we could agree on who actually won, so I am willing to agree to a tie.” Eri said, folding her arms.

“Oh? You mean our competition?” he asked, a bit of amusement in his voice.

“Of course, I was hoping to see you in a dress… A shame, really, I think I have something that would work for you.” she teased.

“Funny, very funny.”

“Exactly, it would be hilarious!” He watched with a frown as she began to laugh.

But what should we do? Let it go, I suppose… Too bad, I had some interesting ideas, he thought as Eri began to settle down. As he opened his mouth to speak an idea struck him.

If it’s a tie, then could we do something together? The thought was simple enough, it didn’t necessarily need to be a punishment either. His mind wandered to something Zira said when they were coming back from the village.

Hey, Zira? I’ve got a question for you.

What is it? she asked, tearing herself away from her own enjoyment of his misery.

Remember when we were talking about going out on a flight together, specifically to look for the sanctuary?

Yes, why– Oh… It appeared she was looking into his thoughts.

Yeah, I was thinking maybe the four of us could go up there.

She sounded disappointed as she responded. But, Felix… I wanted it to just be you and me. And the sanctuary was just an excuse, you know?

I’m aware, and I know you wanted it to just be us. But that’s why I am asking you, do you mind if we invited Eri and Kyrith for a little adventure? If I am being honest, I would like to take Eri out for a, uh…date. And don’t think I haven’t noticed you are getting closer to Kyrith either.

Zira grew quiet again until, and to his surprise, she agreed. I suppose the four of us could go out searching for the sanctuary. Kyrith barely fit through the portal and tunnel from what I heard… Finding the other entrance could prove useful too, if things go the way our visions say they will.

He couldn’t help but wince at that last part, but nevertheless she wasn’t wrong. That is a good point too… But I would also add, I want to see more of the island. I only know the manor and the village, and even then barely. I think Eri and Kyrith would like it as well, Kyrith was depressed about not coming with us to Bernel.

Fair enough, she said, But then it's just a matter of finding time.

Indeed, but I think we can work something out, he finished with, noticing that Eri was waiting patiently for him to speak.

“Sorry,” he started with. “But I think I came up with a compromise.”

“Oh? Are you going to suggest we both have to do something?” She had a mischievous look.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. However, not in the way you expect.”

“Hmm?”

“A date,” he said confidently.

“A…date?” That was indeed not what she was expecting.

“Yeah, a date– Well, sort of. I was thinking the four of us would go for a little adventure, if you will.”

“An adventure?! That sounds exciting!” Kyrith suddenly butted in. “Can we do it? We didn’t get to go to the village…”

Eri considered Felix’s proposal for a moment, patting her partner’s side absentmindedly. “And where to, exactly? It sounds like you have a place in mind.”

Felix was about to say, “The sanctuary,” but he remembered that they were out in the open. Thankfully, no one was close by, still, he decided to use caution.

“Remember that one place I showed you? That, uh, cave?” He did his best to make it as clear as possible of what he was talking about. However, it took Eri a few moments before she realized what he meant.

“Oh! Yes, ‘the cave.’ You want to go back there?”

“Yes, but not the usual way.” He added little air quotes as he spoke. “There is that alternate entrance, remember?”

“I do– I think I get what you are saying.”

“Can we go?” Kyrith asked, interjecting again.

“It would be nice,” Eri muttered. “But what about, well, all this?” She gestured to the clearing. “Not to mention, our training and the things to come.”

Felix took a deep breath. “That’s what I meant by it being sort of a date. In truth, we might end up needing to use the cave. I think it would be wise to know exactly where that particular entrance is.”

Kyrith’s excitement fell away, obviously picking up on his meaning. “Now, I don’t know if I want to go,” he said almost depressingly.

Putting on a reassuring smile, Felix came closer to the dragon and lowered his voice. “Don’t think like that. The cave will eventually become our new home. All we’re going to do is a bit of scouting.

“And besides, it’s mainly an excuse for us to get away for a few days. The whole trip won’t take too long, and we all get to see a bit more of the island.”

Eri, herself, didn’t seem entirely convinced. “Should we really be trying to do something like this right now?”

“It doesn’t have to be right now, but I think we can work something out with Calinna and Oralyn. We can even use the time for training, too. Maybe a rematch?” he added jokingly.

Her uncertainty slowly turned into a smile. “Perhaps… Fine, we’ll need to plan things out and discuss it with everyone, not just Calinna and Oralyn.”

“Fair enough,” he said before giving her a conspiratorial look.

“In that case, I think I have some planning to do…”