[Trade] The trees have eyes

"He should be around here somewhere!" said Elizabeth, her voice dripping with excitement which stemmed from her never ending curiosity as her small paws drummed across the forest floor with such speed as a startled critter running for safety. 

Amirqu followed behind the chaser, after they had noticed which direction the stout chaser was heading they couldn't have let them carry on alone in good conscience- after all everyone was acutely aware that this part of the forest was his abode and nobody just seeks that individual out and makes it out unscathed. The Runner sighed internally as they trailed after Elizabeth, having already tried to convince her to change her plans to no use.

The two were past introductions already, Amirqu having made it clear that they were just here to make sure that Elizabeth could see through what they had set into their mind to accomplish for today. Yet the rumors that surrounded that individual... they had caused Amirqus stomach to twist with discomfort, as they weren't exactly known for being the most pleasant character out there. Stories and rumors used to spread easily about them and the public as well as Amirqu were convinced that staying clear was the best course of action. Elizabeth however begged to differ. The two were blissfully unaware that Mel‘s eyes were already on them. Normally nobody was bold or mayhaps stupid enough to enter his part of the forest that he called home. Preferring solitude over company by leagues he had sent his familiars, a flock of reanimated ravens he kept around to spy on those that entered his abode. At a glance the ravens puppeted by their magic appeared normal, until you looked closer and noticed the gleam of green magic flickering in their otherwise unnaturally blank eyes that were devoid of life, besides that unnatural flicker that seemed to breathe a macabre immitation of life into the birds.

„They are a living rumor, a story others tell in hushed tones. I dont understand why you wouldnt be intrigued by that.“ shot Elizabeth over her shoulder before jumping through a bush that obstructed her way forward.

Mel was listening, watching through the eyes of his raven familiars that stealthily flitted through the tree tops, keeping keen eyes on the intruders. He was still deciding on if he actually wanted to allow these strangers to meet him or not as his Paws worked on a little experiment that Mel had conducted of combining certain parts from different animals together, as another clawed hand trailed over the page of a diary they had found, describing a curious creature that naturally inhabited Vitalus. 

The runner gave a sad smile allowing their thoughts to fully digest before responding. „I want to believe that these are all false rumors. In fact I would be happy if it were just a bad fairytale Reoseans tell their pups to scare them into behaving, but there have been reports of that Vayrons run-ins with others and how they looked after said run-in. If they aren‘t acting maliciously, then they are reckless with their magic or struggle to control it. Which are all options that dont necessarily make me content that you are seeking them out.“ 

Mel agreed with the Runner for different reasons choosing to ignore the comment on his mastery of the arcane, he preferred his solitude and sometimes when the situation called for it he did indeed turn into the boogeyman from the stories yet that only happened when his hand was forced. Curiously Mel flipped the page of the book they were currently flipping through, having found it in the bear carcass they were working on it appeared to be the scribblings of an apprentice to a necromant in Vitalus who was sent out to prove that they finally understood their masters teachings by successfully raising something to life in Warrenfall and bringing it back to Vitalus. 

Whilst the implications weren‘t lost on Mel that they had found said book inside of a bear, they didnt care about it, as their focus laid on the contents of the book before them. Sure there was the usual slock in here one would expect when reading a diary, but within the pages that Mel had skimmed through they had found bits and pieces of the things this apprentice had been taught and that had piqued their interest.

Sure he was already well versed in the arcane and Necromancy as a whole but seeing how someone else teaches it and goes about casting it? That was interesting. He felt like a chef, watching another create his signature dish with their own techniques, which caused a small smile to appear on his face, tugging at the corners of his mouth. They got up and started to draw a runic circle into the ground, following the instructions given by the book with unending curiosity as they compared how theirs and his processes to reanimating those that perished worked. The bear remains that had missing pieces filled in with wolf pieces laid in the center of the circle, resting eternally, though if Mels plans worked as intended that rest would soon be disrupted.

Elizabeth popped back out of the bush to look at Amirqu, their reemergence from the shubbery startling the normally composed runner a good bit. The chaser cocked her head curiously at them, loose leaves now decorating her body and mane. „I believe they have a story to tell and want to ask them myself. Its as easy as that. Besides why do you care so much about what happens to me? We barely know each other.“

She had spoken the obvious, so nonchalantly, which caught Amirqu off guard, having thought that they had explained their reasoning properly already when they had gone over introductions. „Look-“ they started, walking past the brush to continue walking deeper into the forest.

„There are a lot of bad people in the world, and I just- cant watch well meaning individuals get hurt by those that delight in hurting others. But I also want to help those that do misguided acts of violence. Its a conflicting feeling. I- just want to help better people and if I can protect someone in the process then thats all I can ever hope to strife for.“ Amirqu was still leading them deeper into the forest to their destination when they heard a sound from the chaser they hadn‘t expected.

As Elizabeths laughter reached the runners ears they turned around in confusion, to watch Elizabeth wipe tears of joy from the corners of her eyes, even Mel was amused by the almost sickening levels of heroism, dripping with naivety, that radiated out from the runner, as he watched through the eyes of his familiars, the vision they shared with him overlayed with what he himself saw before him. Having drawn the base structure to the runic circle they now turned their attention to the glyphs that he was supposed to replicate in the dirt.

„You are quite corny has anyone ever told you that?“ retorted the chaser, which got Amirqu to blush in return, feeling awkward with this change in conversation that they hadn‘t anticipated. „But you have your heart in the right place. Doesn‘t happen everyday that someone sneaks up on you in the forest after they had eavesdropped on you to then offer to be your guard you know?“ Amirqu blinked, now recognizing that despite the chasers bubbly personality that easily made them come off as naive that they had all along been judging their character, keeping a keen eye on them which they hadnt noticed before. Suddenly Elizabeth stood in much higher respect in Amirqus eyes.

Amirqu glanced over their shoulder having felt this growing unease that they were being watched rise within them yet only seeing a few crows here and there stare back at him, he shook this persistent nagging feeling.

„I-„ offered Amirqu, not quite sure what to tell Elizabeth who once again took the lead and continued to traverse deeper into the forest, choosing to instead remain quiet and follow Elizabeth. Questions started to form in Amirqus head- such as if Elizabeth was really just looking to have a chat with this feared reosean or if she was here for more… selfish reasons. Amirqus eyes trailed over Elizabeths equipment that they were wearing, spotting the quill, inkwell and book once again that peeked out from a bag she carried with her that he had  noticed before.

Mel who was still observing the travelers knew that his time to get out of dodge before these strangers would come upon him was running out, but the chance of trying out a new reanimating technique that had fallen by chance into his claws took priority over his want for Isolation. As he finished etching the last of the glyphs into the ground, he watched with baited breath, feeling the magic in the area swelling once again like it always did when he performed Necromancy, a feeling like an electrified wave of cold air radiating out from the remains in the middle of the summoning circle were the herald of something truly interesting about to happen. He had wondered if such a damaged specimen could once again be convinced to walk the earth, following his command and as such his eyes scanned the bear for even the slightest twitch of a muscle.

Elizabeth broke through the dense foliage and stumbled out into a large forest clearing, in which a crimson coated Puller sat, white cracked markings adorned his pelt and the top of the coat, had a mesmerizing iridescent sheen to it, almost like that of birds of paradise. A hulking form rose next to the lounging Reosean, who seemed to have been expecting Amirqu and Elizabeth, giving both of them curious glances, as the resurrected forest critter rose to its feet beside them.

Elizabeths eyes were immediately filled with wonder, whereas Amirqu was on guard, eyes darting between the creature and the Reosean that controlled it, he was trying to read Mels intentions, but felt himself unable to due to the pullers composed nature.

Initially Amirqu had wanted to keep himself between Elizabeth and Mel, but the chaser was quick and Amirqus attention solely on the thing shambling next to the imposing Reosean. „Im so glad that I could find you!“ yelled Elizabeth toward the Necromancer with a beaming smile.

„Im sorry for just, coming here unannounced. I had hoped we could talk if thats alright?“ she asked, sincerity brimming in her words, and a plea for knowledge to be shared shining in her eyes.

Mel spoke, his words well chosen and calculated. They spoke calmly yet kept their cards close to their hand as they preferred their solitude and as such couldn‘t be seen as too approachable by others. 

„If I hadn‘t allowed you to find me then we wouldn‘t have met, Elizabeth.“ he spoke, immediately reigniting the chasers curiosity. „You know my name!“ she barked in surprise and then giggled as she retrieved the book at her side, quickly followed by the quill and inkwell.

„I wanted to know if the stories they tell about you are true.“ she started, whilst Amirqu had only now walked up to Elizabeth, bewildered by how casual this interaction was so far. They sat down next to the chaser, giving a sceptical but hopeful glance toward Mel that they wouldnt do anything rash.

„What people say about me is true.“ answered Mel, the excitement in Elizabeths face being replaced by a pensive expression as they considered this feared Reoseans words.

„Yet you are here talking with me. If you are truly so bad then- why?“ asked Elizabeth, internally she was nervous asking such a question but she knew that someone like Mel wouldnt appreciate her mincing her words, honesty and being direct whilst being respectful was the best way to show him that Elizabeth valued his time.

Amirqu nudged Elizabeths shoulder. „You got your answer Elizabeth- we should go.“ said Amirqu, something about Mel unsettled him deeply. It might have just been the fact that he appeared to know everything, their names, that they were coming- it was all feeling fishier by the second to Amirqu, they knew they shouldn‘t overstay their welcome and hoped that Elizabeth would also come to that realisation.

„We are in the middle of a conversation Amirqu. I suggest you reconsider your etiquette.“ spoke Mel the creature next to them shuffling over to tower over Amirqu. Mel didn‘t do this to threaten the two no, he just wanted to get this interaction over with but he was all too familiar with that look in Elizabeths eyes, that thirst for knowledge. He knew all too well that if he wanted these two to leave as soon as possible again that Elizabeth would need to get answers. Mel maintained eye contact with Amirqu for a moment longer as if to warm him to stop interrupting them before his eyes wandered over to Elizabeth to answer her question.

„I can see that you seek knowledge. I do the same.“ they answered quickly bringing up the journal they had read from before the two arrived to show to Elizabeth.

The sparkle of excitement returned to the Chasers eyes in an instant. „Oh you keep notes too!“ she said excitedly, flipping through her book to a certain page before sliding it over to Mel. In it were studies of runes and glyphs that were quite rudimentary, none of them were structured with elementalist magic runes being scattered on the same page as reports on mentalist magic. With a studied glance they scanned over the rest of the contents of the page and quickly realised that this chaser was still at the very beginning of her arcane journey and understood little about the glyphs that she had scribbled down into her book.

„This is sadly of little value to me.“ they noted, not wanting to encourage the Chaser more to come back to them, they stood up from their spot getting ready to leave and leave the strangers behind. Noticing this Elizabeth yelled out

„Okay, but if I find something of value then would you allow me to talk with you again? I want to hear more than just fairy tales about you, but I want to hear your side of the story too.“ they offered, determination plastered across their face.

Mel turned their head just enough to glance back at Elizabeth over his shoulder.

„Perhaps, but you have to make it worth my while.“ they replied before wandering off. This was all Elizabeth needed to hear as she had made up what her next mission would be.

Amirqu had been silently watching this whole exchange, not too sure what to make of it, but he would be sure to talk with Elizabeth again if it would really be a good idea to give something powerful and magical to Mel after they had confirmed the rumors. Yet for now, they were happy that Mel was walking away and taking this creature with them, it was only now that Amirqu noticed the crows following the puller as they walked through the forest.

„And done!“ said Elizabeth, quickly stashing her book into her bag again. Amirqu was puzzled as to what she had just finished but didnt pay it much mind. Elizabeth however would be sure to come back one day to seek out Mel once again, the drawing of the runic circle she had seen in the forest would prove that she had a starting point on her hunt for knowledge.