A Druid Among the Pines (Open)

[kokoran714]

Taiaz walked into the Third district, dead quiet, because Artiona had indeed sensed a left-over aura of an extremely powerful magical being. Taiaz, unlike how he had been just days before, exiting the Second District was now quite careful and serious; he had, by now, found some help settling into Traverse Town, and had found a place to stay and a reasonable place to obtain food.

But that didn't mean that things were simple. Artiona always had her fur on end, sensing something watching the duo, almost at all times. Taiaz had, out of his peripheral vision, spotted eyes full of luminescence glaring at him from the shadow, but quickly dashing off before he could investigate.

The druid, by now, had learned his world had been besieged by darkness, and had lost its "heart" to beings called Heartless, the shadow beings that crave the hearts of people.

Other than on Celtia, Taiaz had yet to meet these creatures, but had a feeling he would be shortly reintroduced to the shadowy foes. But that was not why Taiaz was here. Quite the opposite; it seemed to Artiona that no shadowy beings could be sensed, just the same, menacing, frosty aura she had sensed so long ago.

Notice the snow, Taiaz; we must be reaching the source of whoever's responsible for this. But I find it strange so many trees are growing in such a town. Perhaps we should investigate.[/color] The spirit bear suggested to her summoner. Nodding his head, Taiaz walked over to a younger looking tree, one that would not have so many tales to tell.

Bending down in the snow near the tree's base, Taiaz spread out a small circle of blank stones, each bearing no marks, and flat. These were rune stones, common equipment for druid's in Celtia, and then stepped back. Drawing a myrtle leaf out of his herb pouch, Taiaz crushed the leaf in his hand, blew it all over the tree, and said in the ancient language of his people, communing to the plant, "Hiberno laetissima partu ligno, mihi revelare secreta (Tree of Winter's birth, reveal to me your secrets)."

Taiaz waited a moment, and then what he was waiting for happened; the runes swirled around the tree, rising up in a whirlwind of snow, and then landed neatly in a circle in front of Taiaz. Taiaz read the stones clockwise, each bearing a rune marking Taiaz read aloud, "Royalty, Winter, Summoning, Ears, Eyes, Praise, Royalty, Winter."

If I'm not mistaken, that must mean these trees have been enchanted to be spies for whoever this Royal of Winter is. And they're apparently happy. Taiaz swore in the ancient language; other than an "Aeon" he had just recently met, no winter spirit so far had proved itself very trustworthy or kind.

Turning to his familiar, Taiaz told her "If these rune stones tell the truth, which I am fairly certain they are, the enchanter of these trees is most likely the one who commands whatever has been watching us, and these trees as well. In fact, they are most likely listening to this conversation right now. Be prepared, which I'm most certain you are."