A low hum hovers in the air surrounding us; it vibrates my eardrums in my skull. It was so loud yet so low and mumbling. The light it admitted was blinding, and the waves of the energy made my stomach turn. Crane pops his knotted knuckles and places them elegantly in his robe sleeve, stepping forward gracefully. He looks like he's floating... I trail off in thought. Crane casually walks into the beam of overbearing light; as his body passes through the energy, the hum increases in pitch. It screeches as his body is enveloped in the light, and he was no longer there. The lights vibrating returns to its constant hum. I stare intensely into the light, hoping to see Crane. I shift my weight to gaze behind the portal; nothing. "He's really not here anymore," I state

Kurky gives a dry chuckle, "Let's hope he made it to the other side."

Well, that doesn't help my nerves whatsoever. I ponder in thought for a moment before Kurky lets out a long-drawn-out sigh. "Let's just get this shit over with." He shakes his head and jogs forward, closing his eyes tightly. My eyes follow his small frame as he dives into the portal.

What has gotten into me? I am normally so cautious, and now I'm stepping through random portals with random people! I scold myself in my mind. "Well, it's now or never," I say aloud, walking hesitantly toward the beam. I stretch out my fingertips to touch the energy. It hums louder as my skin grazes the light. Tingles run from my fingers, trailing up my arm. It was warm and felt like smoke against me. I walk closer, pushing my body forward, even while my instincts told me no. The hum pierces my ears in a deathly ring as I walk through the portal. I hold my breath in my chest, scrunching my nose while closing my eyes.

The hum stops. Crickets, birds, the sound of leaves brushing together fills my ears. The smell was wet and earthy. I felt grass brushing against my calves and the wind pushing on my cheeks.

"Uh," A familiar voice pipes up, "Meli, you just gonna stand there with your arm outstretched and your eyes closed?"

I open one eye, seeing a young gnome in front of me. "Oh," I bring my hand to my chest, feeling quite embarrassed, "Sorry, I wasn't sure if I was dead."

Kurky lets out a small laugh. "You would know if you were dead," Crane says dryly, gazing at a branch hanging from a small tree, his back turned to Kurky and me, "I would bring you back, nonetheless. It would be quite interesting."

My eyebrows shift, and my eyes grow wide at his words. Kurky sighs, "Crane, saying those things can rub people the wrong way and make them uncomfortable," He shakes his head.

"Good," Crane states bluntly, walking through the long grass.

I switch my gaze back to Kurky, who is already studying my expression, "Don't fret over him; he's an old weird man." Kurky waves his hand in the air, swatting.

"You know I can hear your words, Kurky," Crane calls out.

"That's great!" He says with sarcasm, following after him.

I smile to myself as their bickering fades little by little. They're an interesting pair: a cranky wizard and a gnome monk.

I look behind me to see the bright light still dancing full of energy. Good, let's hope it doesn't close. My eyes reach up to the sky, finding a warm haze of dusk or maybe dawn. It was humid and warm, and a breeze brushed my stray hairs across my face. The trees surrounding me were tall, winding oaks, dark leaves sprouting from their branches, waving against the wind. White blooms of flowers were intertwined with the grass, growing straight and drooping down to form little bells. Where are we? It's breathtaking here. I see the opening that Crane and Kurky walked out to. I head towards them to find them standing on a dirt path, no more like a road. Their bickers are still echoing through the woods but had settled behind my thoughts.

"Where are we?" I ask, interrupting their banter.

"Not sure. I'll have to have more information to find that out. We still could be in the Material Plane." Crane leans down, gazing at the white blooms on the side of the path.

"Material Plane?" This is the first time he looks up to meet my eyes. They were a cold steel blue and peered at me inquisitively.

"Yes, as in the place we are from. The main plane of existence. Our plane." He states, almost annoyed I did not know this information.

"Well, don't be so sour." I cross my arms over my chest. From the little I know of Kurky and Crane, I definitely gathered that Crane could be a bit of a stick in the mud. Not a relaxed bone in that body of his.

He scoffs, standing from his spot, "We should head this way." he points down the road.

"Are you sure?" Kurky looks at the man; an eyebrow cocked in question.

"It has to lead somewhere."

"Fair enough."

Crane walks in front of Kurky and me, holding a tattered book open in his hands. Between the three of us, no one said a word. I was getting quite uncomfortable at the weird silence, so I gaze at Kurky only to find him picking under his nails with a spare dagger. I peer into the forest of large twisting trees, trying to count them as we pass. It was a simple game my father and I use to play while headed into the nearby town. I enjoyed it more than the old man ever knew. I sigh, reminiscing at the fond memory.

We continue down the wide dirt path for what feels like ages. I kick a rock on the path into the bushes, humming a tune of olden times. Kurky sighs loudly, annoyance coating his breath.

"I believe we would have run into a town by now, Crane." He heaves out. Crane slams his book closed suddenly, stopping in his tracks to look back at the two of us.

"The white verbenas pointed in this direction." He places his book in his robe with haste, brushing his blonde hair from his sweaty face.

My mind turns, unsure how the verbenas have to do with civilization. Flowers follow the sun or light, not pointing towards people. I feel like this is common sense. Maybe this wizard isn't as smart as he leads on. I chuckle to myself in thought.

"What's so funny, half-elf?" He asks a scowl curling from his lips.

I giggle, "Uh, verbenas do not point to people. They just point to light, which makes sense why we've been just going in the direction of the sun." I point up to the sky, "which I also feel off that the sun hasn't moved a tiny bit in the hours we've been walking." I state.

Kurky scratches his head, "That's true and strange."

Crane brings his fingers up to his temple and massages it gently. "Well, do you have any ideas?" he questions.

As the question leaves his lips, the ground shakes gently beneath us. Kurky, Crane, and I jump to attention at the loud thud that surrounds us.

"What is that?" I whisper, the thud growing louder and louder.

Just great we just got here and have no idea where we are, and now there is something massive heading toward us—my mind races.

I peer down the road, a sinking feeling lurking inside me. I see leaves and branches sway back and forth. Then, with every thunk, it moves forward. My fear turns to curiosity as Crane heaves a sigh of relief.

"Ah, a treant." He straightens his hood.

"Treant?" I pipe up with childlike wonder, "Like from the old stories?"

Cranes eyes study me with a confused playing at his eyes. "They are not just some fairytale creatures; they are real and not to be played with." He sighs.

I remember my father told me countless stories of the tall guardians of the forest when I was just a young child. He told me how mother had told him how she grew up near them, and they were kind, gentle giants. They protect their home and forest, but they were kind creatures if you meant no harm. Excitement coursed through my blood. A smile spreads across my lips, and I cradled myself in my arms.

"We should keep our head down and continue walking forward. When it passes, we'll go from there." Crane mummers to Kurky and me. It sounded like a mumble to me since my excitement was too much to bear.

The treant appears closer than before, the thumping smacking the ground with great force. Crane begins to walk at a steady pace Kurky following behind him closely. I stare in amazement at the giant tree in front of me. Their leaves were a bright color green and swayed with every movement it made. The branches curled and waved up to the sky, reaching for the clouds. I stare intensely, noticing his eyes glowing a warm amber tone from its eye sockets. Indentions, where I'd assume, is his mouth curled and creaked open and closed. Moss hangs from under its bark-like lips, forming a strange beard-like look. It begins to pass us, paying no mind to the small humanoids to the left of it. I feel my hand slowly reach out toward the giant subconsciously in amazement.

"Meli-!' Crane calls out in distress.

"Excuse me?" I question the giant; my words escape my mouth before I could stop them.

The giant stops in his track, his amber eyes shifting to the side to meet me. Its body creaks and cracks as it twists to get a better view of us three.

"Yes?" He breathes out in a meager and timber voice.

I glimpse back at Crane and Kurky, seeing the horror painted across their expressions. They obviously felt scared, but I don't feel an ounce of fear. Instead, I look back at the giant and give a soft smile.

"My acquaintances and I are lost. Do you know of a nearby town?" I ask him, placing a hand over my chest.

"Hm." He ponders with a low grumble, "The nearest town is this way." He extends a long wooden arm and points in the opposite direction of where we had been traveling. His words were slow, and his syllables were extended with every vowel. I see Crane and Kurky's shoulders drop, showing they had relaxed somewhat. "You are headed in the wrong direction." He states.

His eyes peered into my very soul as he studies me thoroughly, "You were not planning to harm the forest, are you?" He leans in closely, the smell of wet wood radiating from the ancient being. His glowing amber eyes switch between my own, staring intently into me.

"Of course not; we are mere travelers in search of sanctuary," I state, holding my hands up to him in defense.

"You have a childlike spirit, young half-blood." He leans up from me before walking forward with a thump, "I may show you the way." He motions with his large woody arm.

"I appreciate you!" I smile excitedly, looking back to a tense Kurky and Crane.

"What..." Kurky trails off, "What just happened?"

Crane's eyes fall to the small gnome, "I believe she just found our assistance." Crane clears his throat.

"Are you two coming?" I question them, motioning them to follow the treant. They nod their head in unison, stepping hesitantly beside me.

"You are one strange woman." Crane breathes out, shaking his head.

The treants pace was just like his words, slow and steady. I hum a small tune to myself, studying the surrounding once more.

"Any idea where we are?" I speak aloud.

"Ah, yes." Crane gleams, his voice sounding more cheerful than usual, "I believe it is called the Feywild. By the abundance of nature and..." he trails off gesturing at the treant, "I could only assume this is indeed the Feywild."

The treants body creaks and snaps before letting out a small chuckle, "Yes indeed, little human, you are in the Feywild, home of the Fey." Crane nods, falling back slightly.

"So, Mr. Treant, do you mind if I ask your name?" I smile up at his woody face as his eyes land down on me.

"I am Betula Pendula, but you may call me Be if you wish." He says, dragging his words calmly.

"Ah, Be," I repeat, "how long have you lived here?"

Be lets out a bellowing laugh, "Why, since I was a small sapling. About one hundred and six years this seventh turn of the sun."

"One hundred and six?" My eyes grow at the number,

"Yes, my father grew to be four hundred." Be ponders in thought, "I still have much to learn about this world."

"Oh, my." I knew they lived for a long time, but four hundred years? That was an unfathomable amount of time to me.

"We tree folks are the protector of the forest and all of its creatures; I care very much for my home, you see." He says, pushing a small branch out of the path.

"Yes." I nod. Kurky walked up beside me, leaning close to me. His head was a little too close to my chest for comfort, but it could not be helped, given his short stature.

"You think he's actually going to take us to a town?" But then, he whispers, "Even if he did, how do we know they are quote-on-quote good people?"

"Yes. Why would he have negative motives for us? We are not harming anyone." I state honestly with a kind smile, "We'll just figure it out as we go."

"I trust your insight, Meli." He beams.

"It's our better option, as bad as I hate to admit it." Crane lets out a huff.

Suddenly the treant stops in his tracks, turning to face the three of us. I gaze behind him to see a fork in the road a bit ahead of us.

"This is where I bid you farewell." Be says with leisure, "Your destination is a little bit that way," he points down the trail that heads east, "Do not stray from that path, and you should reach a small town of the Unseelie kingdom."

"Uns-" I hesitate.

"I wish you luck on your travels." The tall tree turns and heads forward, leaving us alone and with a couple of unanswered questions.

"Seems he was tired of dealing with us." Kurky chimes in.

"It was all of your annoying questions," Crane crosses his arms, staring intensely at me.

"Why do you blame me, you cranky bastard? At least I was not scared of him." I jab, crossing my arms over my breasts. I watch as Crane's face flushes with a warm color before he trudges down the forked path. "Ha!" I point after him, "That's proof, Mr. Wizard man was scared!" I tease.

"I will acid spray you, you brat!" He calls out to me.

Kurky and I burst into a fit of laughs; seeing his face as red as an apple brought me joy. The fact that Crane didn't seem as cold anymore made me feel like we could maybe be friends one day. Kurky nudged his arm gently, his eyes holding tears from laughter, "She got you good." Crane threw his hands in the air storming down the pathway. Kurky and I follow behind him, mocking his tiny tantrum.

We didn't walk very long until a stone wall came to view. It was tall and stretched for about two miles. Two guards stood at the gate leaning against a stack of barrels. On top of the wall walks four archers with silver-like crossbows catching the dim sunlight. They pay us no mind as we begin walking through the open gate. The sun was in the same position as before, casting a warm bit of light through the town. Echos of people erupt from the streets as they move about their everyday life. Carriages roll through the mud, and people swiftly move by each other, carrying on their tasks.

Kurky nudges Crane, "Those elven ladies are a wonder, are they not?" Crane agrees with a smug look across his face.

I feel the heat rise to my slanted ears, and my face burns. "Perverted men." I huff, pushing by the two.

However, the elvish people were exquisite. The town looked run down, but the people looked like the equivalent of the royals of the humans. They were swift with their motions and held things with poise. Even though I am half-elven, I had never once been connected to this part of me. I grew up around humans and was raised by a human father. My mother went missing when I was young and never came back. As a result, I act more like a human than an elf. I watch the people in awe. There were elves in the Material Plane, but this place was different, and I couldn't quite place my finger on why.

My boots click on the cracked stone walkway. I see the grass peek through the cracks of the crooked bricks. It was caked in layers of dirt and muddy footprints from the crowds of people. The street was narrow before opening up to a larger area of a market type set up. The buildings are so different than where I was from. Some were three stories, while others were barely a shack. The structures were made of cream-colored brick, and the entrances were decorated with curved arches. Moss and vines cover some pillars as if they hadn't been trimmed in years. Wooden stalls sat at the edge of the street and the center of the wide area, with men and women yelling out advertisements for their wares. The street was more crowded in that area, and I realized we were right beside the town's square. I stray closer to the wooden stalls, my eyes scanning the giant selection of goods.

"Get your fresh fruits and vegetables here!" A petite lady calls out into the crowd, "Best in all the Unseelie!"

"Rare items from travels far beyond this land!" A man's raspy voice echos after her.

People gather to the stalls, picking up apples and leafed vegetables, inspecting them with a close eye. A woman rushes from behind me, a basket in hand, a baby tied to her torso, and a small child no older than six gripping her hand tightly. I pull at the fur on my top, rolling it in my fingertips. I make a mental note of the stalls and shopping we could do later.

Trees were scattered here and there, some nearly dead and wilted. The grass I had seen earlier was little to none this far into town; instead, only a thick mud was slicked across the ground. A massive wooden stage was placed across the way, standing taller than me. I adjust my staff tied to my back, trudging toward it. The crowd of people was mostly centered around the stage.

Is there some play or show? I wonder if Kurky or Crane would enjoy it. I debate returning to search for them so we could enjoy it together.

The people surrounding the stage looked abundantly different than the individuals at the shopping stalls. The men were dressed in velvets and fine leathers, bags of money clearly tied to their waist with a golden laced string. The women wore satin and silks that beautifully hugged their small frame. Some of the elven men flaunted over the ladies, bowing and delicately grasping their hands. Others, however, couldn't be bothered to take their eyes from the stage.

A lanky man walks out on the stage with haste, pulling at his white blouse; with every step, the wood creaks and snaps beneath the man's weight. He clears his throat, turning the attention of the mob to him. His face was red and sweat beaded at his brow.

"The auction will start momentarily!" He states, "Thank you for your patience."

"Auction?" I question aloud.

The clanking of metal and yells echo from the alleyway just behind the stage. I watch inquisitively as one by one individual's slug from in between the buildings. The murmurs of the people around me buzz in my ears. A human man, an elf child, a halfling woman, and many others walk in a line up to the stage. Rope bound their wrists together and yanked them forward while their ankles were shackled with metal chains. Every one of them was scraggly, and some so sickly they could barely stand. Only a scrap of fabric covers their genitals; everything else was out for show. My eyes widen, and my breath freezes in my throat. My hand covers my mouth in shock, inspecting the disturbing scene in front of me. They kept coming from the alley until twenty individuals stand hunched on the rickety stage. Another much taller and burlier man stood behind the first man, shoving him forward. The human fell to his knees and stared at the wood below him.

"Get on your feet." He yanks the rope upward, pulling the man upward with ease.

"Ladies and Gentleman, we will now begin today's auction!" The lanky man states with a smile, his blonde hair falling down his shoulder, "First, we have this mid-aged human who..." I felt frozen my words, my breath, everything in me couldn't move or try to understand what I witnessed.

"Meli!" A voice calls out. I turn quickly on my heels to see a small gnome waving his hand side to side.

I pull myself from my spot, walking in his direction. "Where did you run off to?" He asks, gazing behind me. His face falls, and he peers back at me.

"We have to do something; this is cruel." I shake, my blood boiling in my veins.

"I don't-" Kurky stutters.

"What do you suppose we do, hm?" Crane walks up from behind Kurky, his eyes closed and nonchalant, "We free them. Right? Now we have a whole town out to kill us and some very pissed slave traders who just lost all their products."

"Products?!" I ask, flabbergasted.

"So now we are wanted criminals and can't complete any of our goals." He states bluntly.

"So what? We just couldn't be in town; we could live off the land." I raise my voice.

Crane's eyes pop open at my words, squinting in my direction, "Do you know how idiotic you sound? Get out of your little fairytale world, Meli. This isn't some tale of old where you come in and save the day and everyone in it. You would just cause so many more people so much pain, and you know it."

"But-" He turns on his heels, walking forward with ease. I gaze down to Kurky to see a somber look flash his expression.

Kurky lets out a deep sigh, "Let's go get a drink.

My shoulders shrug down in defeat. Kurky, Crane, and I head back near the town entrance since we had passed a tavern not long ago. My boots drag against the brick, my body heavy from exhaustion. Who made that mother fucker the one that has all the say-so? Those poor people were shackled and probably beaten so much. I understand that Crane has a point, but I can't sit by and be okay with that.

"You filthy little thieving rat!" A hoarse voice screeches in the distance, pulling me from my thoughts.

Oh, someone must have stolen from a shop or something. I think to myself, pushing past some of the elegant ladies dressed in blues and greens. This earned me snarls and small gags. I don't really care since I know I probably do stink like hell at the moment.

"I will kill you!" The voice calls out, followed by a loud smacking sound. I peer over to the other side of the road to see a small child, maybe the age of ten, clutching a piece of bread to his chest. I feel my heart sink to my stomach and the churning feeling overwhelms me. Not this. Anything but this.

"You stupid little slave! Thinking you can steal from me? I own you, worthless pig!" He grips the ropes binding his wrists together, yanking them toward him—the young boy yelps in pain, the coarse rope tearing at his pale skin. He wore similar clothing to the elves at the auction; only he had six gold rings on his fingers. The elf snatches the crusted bread from his grasp and throws it into the mud. Stomping it into the sludge. The man grabs a fist full of the young boy's hair, shoving his face into the sludgy mud-bread concoction.

I look around to see everyone carrying on their normal day-to-day life as if this isn't unfolding in front of them. Like it's normal. What type of fucked up is this. Why won't you do anything? I cry out to people around me as if they can hear my thoughts. Save him, damnit! I couldn't stand by, not this time. I refuse just to let this happen. I feel my body lunge forward in an instant to rush to the poor boy's rescue. A firm grip hold's my wrist, keeping me in my place. I snap my head to see Kurky's green eyes peering into me.

"Meli," He says softly, "We mustn't bring attention to ourselves; we are in a new place. We cannot afford to get ourselves in trouble. Like Crane said."

I scoff, yanking my wrist from his grasp, "I can't stand by this time! Do you think he cares if we are in a new place?" I point down to the young boy who is now screaming into the mud as the hovering man slams his face down over and over. The blood seeps from his nose mixing into the brown mud and bread gunk. "Kurky, look at that poor boy!" I yelp.

Kurky turns his head, "That boy is-"

I spin on my heels, stomping my way to the old blubbering man. Staring into him, red coating my vision. I muster all of my strength I can before kicking his chest as hard as I could. The man's body jerks back and smacks the wall behind him.

"What in the hell!?" He screeches, rubbing his chest with his hand. Silence fills the once loud booming town, eyes land on the three of us.

The young boy pulls himself from the mud, gazing up at me with tear-filled eyes as blood pours from his broken nose. "Run, run away now." But, I tell him, he just stares at me, "Please, you have to get away." I plea with him.

Why is he looking at me that way? Why won't he take off in the other direction? Please run, please. His eyes were dull and glazed over, his bones protruding from his small frame. His cheekbones look as if they could tear from his skin at any moment. He was shaking and only had a cloth to cover his privates. He just watched me. His eyes piercing into mine. He isn't going to leave or run away no matter how much I beg him to.

"Please..." I cry.

"Stupid bitch!" He yells, hobbling to his feet, "How dare you disrespect me while I am dealing with my property!" His voice rings.

"He's not your property! He's a person!" I screech at him, my voice firm and confident.

He yanks a paper from his leather coat, shoving it in my face. "This is my deed to his life! He is my property, and I can beat, mangle, mutilate, or fuck it however damn well I please!" His face was red, and spit came from his mouth. My stomach churns at his words as the images of what has happened to this poor boy fill my mind.

"You sick fuck." I tremble out.

"What did you say, wretched whore?!" He reaches for me before a hand harshly smacks it away.

"Excuse me, sir, please forgive my sister. I forgot to inform her of this," He gestures at the young boy, "before we arrived here. Not to mention, she does seem to struggle with some mental issues." He gives me a side-eye, "I humbly apologize and wish you a prosperous day." Crane gives a wicked smile, gripping my waist and holding me close to him, "I apologize again." He gives a small bow.

"Get that half-thing out of here. Disgusting." He shoos at us, yanking the poor boy up to his feet, "You better teach your sister to keep her mouth shut, to someone else'll have to do it for you." He licks his teeth, his slimy eyes gazing up and down my body. I shudder and feel as though I could vomit any moment. Crane holds my waist pulling me closer behind him, shielding me from his prying eyes.

"I'll keep that in mind." He bows, quickly whisking me away with him.

I break away from him; my eyes fill with tears. "Why wouldn't he run away..." I ask myself in a whisper.

Kurky rushes to my side, "Meli, are you okay?"

Before I could answer, Crane, glares at me with a frown, "Don't be so stupid! You could get us all killed. What are you not understanding, Meli? You're acting like a reckless child!" I gaze up at his hazy blue eyes, disgust curling at his lip.

I give him a pained expression, but he yanks his eyes from mine, "I'll be at the tavern." I state, hiding my face from them.

Crane massages his temples, turning his back to Kurky and me."Good, I need to find a library, but I'll meet you two up at the tavern when I am finished." Crane states, "No one pull a stunt like that again, for the safety of us all." He signs, walking in the opposite direction.

I rub my fingertips through the fur fluffs on my top before pulling the ends of the green fabric over my belt. My face was hot, and tears threatened to stream from my eyes with frustration.

"So that drink?" Kurky asks, placing a hand on my mid-back.

I take a deep breath, "A drink would be great."