The vultures gathered around Bambra, eager to know what he saw and what happened to him last night. Trixter was sitting next to him and trying to calm down his companions who were shouting and asking too many questions.

“Give him some space for fuck’s sake!” Yelled Tolk, who was also sitting next to the summoner.

“He hasn’t recovered all of his strength to be harassed this much my friends.” Instructed them Trixter in a nicer manner.

“I haven’t seen much… you think I would have answers but I barely remember anything… all was dark and disturbing! And I felt so small in that darkness and many watchful eyes, hateful eyes… full of anger and threatening… they were everywhere… even Helgyr advised me to pull back… if it wasn’t for Ophior, Trixter and Tolk... neither me nor my veer would have made it alive…” Said Bambra.

“You mean even a veer was scared by whatever you saw?” Asked him Miyabe.

“Helgyr pressured me to stop the hedra as soon as I sent him scouting... and I didn’t listen but something got a hold of him... I felt cold hands around his neck and thus mine as well. Something or someone of great power grabbed Helgyr and tried to squeeze the life out of him and he couldn’t break free... after that all I remember was crystal blue eyes staring through him to reach me... so I struggled to pull back and all went quiet in my head and dark...” He shivered.

“Speaking of Ophior... she is badly wounded from last night.” Declared Zohra who tended to the witch with the help of Nanala and Zeena.

“She will be fine.” Asserted Trixter hastily. Some of his companions gave him a concerned look. “Don’t get me wrong... I was worried about her but I know she has incredible strength in her, she will be fine. Now, we have to get going the sun has long risen and we have a forest to cross. Where’s Chagga? I need to speak with him.”

“He is with Charaf at the gate.” Told him Mikkel.

Trixter nodded at Bambra and smiled to dismiss himself, leaving the summoner with the rest of the Vultures.

“Aren’t you going to check on her at least?” Zohra grabbed Trixter by the arm and whispered in an angry tone. “She will be expecting it. Show some decency Trixter.”

Trixter paused a moment and rubbed his eyes in frustration. “I can’t Zohra, nothing comes out good when we try the two of us try to chat.”

“Quit your whining you sound ridiculous. Go see her or heavens help me I will drag you myself!” She squeezed his arm and Trixter flinched in pain.

“Alright alright... you sound like my mother, fuck...” Trixter turned around and headed towards Ophior's tent. He froze a moment before announcing himself in.

Zeena was still with her but she left as soon as Trixter got in. Ophior turned and met Trixter’s eyes.

“What are you doing here?” She asked.

“Just wanted to check on you and how you’re doing.” He said. “You look a lot better than yesterday. That’s good.”

“I’m fine thank you.” She simply said.

“You think you can carry on?” Trixter asked sitting on the ground next to her.

“Are you underestimating me?” She asked rising an eyebrow.

“No never! I didn’t want to come because I thought you might take it as disrespectful.” He explained. “Well you better pack up, we’re leaving soon.”

“You’re terrible at showing affection it’s almost funny if it wasn’t sad.” Ophior declared, trying to pull herself up.

“I know, I was taught to handle steel and magic but never emotions.” He shook his head. “I care for you, like everyone else in the crew. Maybe a little bit more than the rest.” With that said he stood up and left the tent. He met Zohra outside, he gave her a quick nod and left to look for Chagga.

The dwarf was kneeling at the gate, his arms on his knee and his head resting on them.

Sharaf stood as proudly as ever at his left, standing guard for any danger that may come out of the gates of the gigantic forest. At the sight of Trixter, Sharaf put a finger on his lips to warn Trxiter to keep quiet.

“He is praying.” He whispered to Trxiter when the wizard got closer. “He prays for his lost child and for our journey to be safe.”

“To who is he praying?” Asked Trixter jokingly.

“To whom.” Said Sharaf.

Trixter stared at Sharaf, hands on his hips and tired of the annoying eloquence of his companion. “Listen Sharaf... I don’t speak privilege I was just trying to make a joke... nevermind.”

“Ah sorry! Humour... I should learn that. Will you be so kind to take me under your funny wings and teach me the art of mockery?” Said Sharaf.

Trixter stood silent for a moment trying to figure out if he heard him right.

“I am simply joking!” Sharaf let out a loud laughter. It sounded as proud as he looked as well. “Silly wizard! I needn’t to be funny, I am powerful.” The knight gave the wizard a strong nudge.

“You also just interrupted our dwarf friend’s prayer.” Said Trixter, rubbing where Sharaf’s elbow hit him.

“Oh dear me, apologies friend. Didn’t mean to.” Sharaf bowed his head to the dwarf who stood up in front of them.

“No need... tis nothing but a custom... no one is listening anyway.” Chagga said desperately. “I wish he is safe or peacefully dead.”

“Chagga, you said there are things in this forest that are unknown to us and you saw them... I think what you saw is what attacked Bambra.” Trixter explained. “What did they look like?”

A cold terror crawled up Chagga's face and darkened it with an old memory.

“I was walking down the old path, tracing the north where I lost me child... was hoping to find a clue or a footmark left behind that I didn’t yet see... but I felt like I heard a voice... a cry. It came from the west. Deep down I swear I knew. I knew! I knew I shouldn’t follow the crypts’ road... but hope can be sickening... What if it’s Rûm? I thought. What if it’s my child? What if he has fallen in a pit and is waiting for me or someone to come save him? What if his leg is broken and couldn’t walk? I followed the western path... to the old crypts. I found nothing but the proud statues of kings of old. Vines covering everything. No soul was to be heard, not even birds sang there... and that was odd. Complete silence you could hear your blood flow. And I felt a presence that made me turn around... expecting an arrow flying to my head. Jumping like a hunted deer. Nothing... there was nothing. Suddenly everything went dark and I saw gleaming eyes. I swear like glowing torches in the dark... I was certain it was early when I got there... the sun was bright not even noon yet. But it was dark there and freezing like winter nights... blue they were the eyes. Unhappy and cold. I fell to my knees and covered my head. YOU’RE MAD! YOU’RE CRAZY! I cried and hit my head to snap out of it. It wasn’t a dream. The eyes soon became bodies and what was left of me of strength pulled me up and I ran, I ran through it all. I ran through bushes and through rocks but I didn’t stop and didn’t look once behind me and before I knew it, light was back. I tried to turn and steal a look of what was that...” He paused suddenly and started crying.

Trixted grabbed the dwarf by shoulder. “What happened? What did you see?” The wizard asked eagerly.

“I saw Rûm! I saw me son! Standing next to hundred eyes and he waved me goodbye with a smile!” He yelled.

Sharaf interfered to free Chagga from Trixter’s grip. “Let go my friend. He’s tormented enough.” The knight whispered to Trixter.

“I wanted answers and I’m left with more questions.” Trixter cursed. “Sorry Chagga, I didn’t mean to be rude. I wanted to know what might await us there... Anyway, there’s no turning back. We should get going now. Pack up.” With that the three walked back to their camp, where the vultures were packing back their belongings.

“As long as we don’t take the westward path we should expect no conflict right?” Sharaf asked Trixter.

“I suppose...” The wizard replied. “My friends!” He cried to gather his companions around him. “We have no idea where we are heading. But peril awaits us behind these gates. After all we have been through, the battles we fought and the seas we crossed, I am afraid this might be worse. Brace yourselves and do not leave the northern path. We move and stop together no matter the reason, we do not stray from each other.” He declared. “Oh and remember, we promised Capn we won’t die here.”

“Are you done? God you're boring!” Yelled Tolk. “No one is dying here. Just don’t make offensive jokes.” He smiled at Ophior who simply shook her head.

“Well you will be thrilled to know that you’ll be guarding the rear of the line Tolk.” Ordered him Trixter. “Agadir and Iguig as well please. Zohra, we will need discretion please veil our tracks.”

The warlocks did as they were told without any objections. Zohra pulled one of her stones and casted a spell to make their journey as quiet and as discreet as possible. No leaves and no branches would crack under their steps, and they will pass through the woods like shadows in the night.

Leading the party, Trixter walked ahead along with Sharaf and Chagga in silence. Qaarl and the two other dwarves walked right behind them, recounting tales of their land and how they grew up hearing about this forest. Behind in a single queue walked the rest of the group who were still amazed by the size of the trees.

“Do you think capn knows about this place?” asked Yufitran who was the youngest of the Vultures.

“Definitely! I bet he even visited before!” Affirmed Nanala.

“I won’t bet on that. Capn knows the seas better than anyone but not the land. He probably knows more about it though.” Objected Gulden.

“It does feels very ancient to say the least.” Said Tudert looking up at the proud and high trees.

“We can barely see the sky... those leaves are taller than Mikkel!” Observed Elea.

“How is you Mambra?” Miyabe asked the summoner who was walking in front of him.

“Fine I suppose... I can’t brush off this feeling in my heart though...” The wizard rubbed his hands and cracked his fingers anxiously.

“Here, have some of this.” Hazim handed him a piece of what seemed to be bread.

“Bread?” Bambra turned the piece around investigating it, and smelled it.

“Yes. I baked it using some herbs. It will help you loosen up a bit.” Explained Hazim.

“Oh sweet! Can I have some?” Asked Mikkel. “Me too!” Added Elea and Miyabe.

“This is no time for baked goods or baked people!” Zohra snapped at them. “Bambra don’t eat that!” She ordered the summoner, but it was too late for the wizard already swallowed it.

“Nice!” Said Hazim cheerfully, unaware of Zohra’s fury that stoke him from behind.

The Vultures thread their way through the forest, undisturbed and peacefully for a long while, but their journey is long and they did not know what may await them still in the depth and forsaken parts of the forest. For ages Alesvag remained unbothered, to its own solitude. If it wasn’t for Chagga and Bambra’s unfortunate incidents, the forest wasn’t what one may call intimidating aside from the abnormal size of its trees. There were birds and squirrels, wild rabbits and deers much like any woods in the continent.

The Vultures halted in a small glade for their lunch and to take a breather. Chagga was uneasy and disagreed at first but he couldn’t bargain with them and change their minds so he simply sat silent and anxious.

“Relax Chagga. You’re in good hands!” Reassured him Mikkel, handing him a plate of vegetables and dry-cured sausages.

“How are you feeling Ophior?” Bambra didn’t get the chance to talk to her after saving him.

“I’m recovering fast! Don’t you worry about it Bambra." She replied in a soft and warm voice.

“You pushed yourself beyond your limits... you could’ve lost your life...” Bambra said.

“It is my job to save you. So is your job to scout for us.” She asserted strictly. “This only means that I need to get better! You can’t rely on a weak healer.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. Thank you. I wanted to thank you.” Bambra bowed his head in guilt.

“I’m sorry Bambra... I’m still tense about it. I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happens to anyone of you and I couldn’t help. I’m glad you’re safe.” She pressed her hand against his and smiled. “Eat, you need to recover your strength as well.”

“Yes, that bread Hazim gave me earlier made me very hungry.” Bambra smiled back.

“You seriously shouldn’t be taking stupefacient herbs now...” She shook her head in disappointment.

“But it did help me calm down!” Argued Bambra.

“Hey!! Sorry to interrupt!” Cànan jumped from behind. “I found berries! Here have some! They’re huge!”

“You shouldn’t be eating that!” Zohra was following the young wizard who in his turn was sharing his berries with everyone.

“Who bestowed motherhood on her?” Asked Sharaf jokingly.

“If it wasn’t for her half of us would have killed themselves the other half would be mad at each other.” Answered back Zeena in the same humorous manner.

The party filled their stomachs and rested their feet, some of them even laid down for a nap. The weather was gentle and they enjoyed the cool shadows and the fresh air.

“I could really stay here forever.” Sighed Yufitran.

“No no no! Wake up! Get up!” Yelled Chagga suddenly. “Don’t fall asleep!”

His screaming startled them, but a sudden fatigue befell on their shoulders and their limbs and sleep caught their eyes.

“Don’t worry Chagga. It’s just a nap...” Replied Miyabe in a heavy and sleepy voice.

“This is probably the first time I feel this serenity and peace of mind. I have absolutely no thoughts...” Said Hazim who sounded drunk.

“You never had any. Head empty.” Replied Tolk who was just as dizzy.

“O to be this euphoric forever. Numb of all woe and content.” Mumbled Sharaf.

“I bet you dream in cursive Sharaf.” Said Tolk jokingly, closing his eyes unable to fight sleep.

“WAKE UP! WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!” Yelled Trixter. “DON’T SLEEP!”

Trixter’s voice pulled his friends up from their creeping slumber. The three dwarves Qaarl, Borstig and Harek were the first to jump on their feet, followed by the warlocks. They shook their heads and slapped their faces. The men and women fell easily under the spell and couldn’t brush it off as quickly as their crewmates who were resilient to magic.

“Ophior! Zohra! Help them up!” Ordered them Trixter.

“On it!” The two answered at the same time.

“What do you think is going on?” Tolk asked Trixter.

“Absolutely no idea, but can you feel it too?” The bald wizard asked his friend.

“Yeah. How many do you think they are?” Tolk inquired once again.

“More than we can deal with.” Answered Trixter. “One thing is certain, whoever they are, whatever they are, they're not willing to fight us head on. They’re trying to take us by surprise. It was stupid of us to let our guards down. We should get going.” Explained Trixter.

“We’re walking right into our doom...” Whispered Chagga.

Tolk and Trixter gave each other a concerned look when they overhead the dwarf.

“How did we not know?” Agadir asked. “Yes how did we not notice we were under a spell?” Added his brother Iguig.

“We’re not dealing with the magic we know. This is beyond any of us...” Replied Bambra. “Trixter... we should leave.” He added.

“Ophior, if it’s not much to ask for, please shield our men and women. We can’t have them fall under tricky spells.” Trixter asked of her.

Ophior nodded and did as she was asked, but her body was still weak and she resented herself for that.

“She can’t keep it up for long.” Whispered Tolk to Trixter.

“I know... we have to hurry then.” Trixter replied discreetly. “Let’s go!” He yelled.

“Quicken your pace champs! The sooner we leave these woods the better!” Yelled Tolk who walked at the end of the line. He turned and looked behind him. “What the hell is that...?” He whispered to himself.