The Fifteenth Elder

Despite Sen having received her token, they had stayed a few days to discuss more of the questions and explore Bard’s forest home. The little place he had led her to as she was blindfolded, his old home, when she realized what it was she wanted to explore it again and then rebuild the place. It was a messy activity but fun in a different sort of way. In one sense, he imagined seeing her there with him as a young boy, building the house and taking care of him. A few times he wondered what it would have been like if they had both been human or both been dryadic, having similar ages and life spans.

The time they spent there was precious, roaming through the woods, spending time with Father and cleaning up some of the messes he had left behind. There was more he could do, they still had one more Elder to go, and then the return trip as well. This pushed them on, despite wanting to remain for a longer time.

Bard was also curious how Sal Shefa was coming along. How were the humans and dryads doing? Were the catfolk doing lots of trade with them? That place would become their new home after this trip, and he was growing a bit anxious thinking about them. Especially since he and Sen had so many talks about what their future would hold and who would take on which responsibilities.

Remembering how the humans changed their roles to fill needs, they agreed that they would likely face the same, despite Sen’s background in the silver woods. They weren’t the same sort of family she grew up with, so things would look a bit different. That also meant that the humans and dryads might have some problems adjusting to each other’s differences in procedure.

Bard looked around. It had been a few days now, and they were nearing Elder Pathfinder’s woods, but still there was no sign of shades. It had made stargazing very relaxing again, but also nerve-racking when he fell asleep. They were so prevalent in the north and south, but when they came to the east, they weren’t a problem at all.

They came to the foot of the mountains that housed Pathfinder, and Bard looked around with Kai to find the way through. The river that cut through, made it narrow and deep, and with them riding, the path forward wasn’t so easy this time. They managed however and when they looked down into the valley, Sen’s jaw dropped at the sight.

The smell of the flowers and the fields that ran near the river were elegant and simple, but what stood out the most was Pathfinder himself. He was a strange tree. With flowers that made him appear to be shades of amethyst and vines that tendril down, like some willowy tree. And then to be surrounded by a sea of smaller versions of the tree, it was a sight that would take your breath away.

Bard, however, sighed in disappointment. The most impressive display was winter, when Pathfinder’s branches turned blue and the glowing flowers Bard loved would spread across the land, illuminating the dark. This place was also rich in history, having some settlement ruins. Nothing big enough for shades to hide around, but one that showed that people once lived here, not dryads. Their old pathways still could be traced around the valley if you looked for them. Occasionally, lights would illuminate the sky in beautiful hues, but it was hard to see them in the forest when the branches were laden with leaves and flowers. No. Winter was definitely the best time to be here, and they wouldn’t be able to enjoy it like he had originally hoped, all due to an early winter that had cut them off from the western slopes.

With the sunsetting early due to the peaks around them, Bard had Kai stop near the entrance, and they washed their clothes and prepared to make their way into the valley and meet with Pathfinder tomorrow.

Sen shared a memory of how her father and grandfather argued when she was young, and how she didn’t want that for their future. Her remarks about not having a lot of time, so not wanting to spend it like that, cut at Bard’s heart a bit. He agreed with her on it, having seen how long the catfolk could argue and hold grudges.

This time, he shared about what it was like traveling with the catfolk and all the places he had seen with them. It was why he had met Elder Craft, as she was near one of their caravan routes. It was also the time he learned how to defend against shades, and before he began journeying with them, he hadn’t seen those creatures other than the destruction they left on the human settlements, and his encounters in the city, which he had assumed was their only locations that they dwelled. Sen laughed at his assumptions but also was just as touched by how different things had gotten over the last decade. They fell asleep reluctantly, wanting to talk more and listen to each other, making up for all the days they hadn’t done that.

Bard was roused by Sen who despite, the late nights, was still an early morning riser. She placed some food she had gathered in his hands and he held it while trying to get alert. Despite her encouragement to eat up, he really didn’t feel all that hungry. But since she had made breakfast, he did his best to eat, noting that somedays, he won’t want a meal in the morning yet. Their discussions all played around in his mind, and while some summoned tears at the idea of leaving her behind from old age, he also had come to acknowledge that it would be best if she found another in her own time, to take care of her where he couldn’t reach. It was both humbling and something he was learning to give up because he couldn’t change it. He would just do the best with what time he had.

While he thought this, Kai was up now and chased Sen around playfully, trying to get at her food and teasing her. It brought a smile to Bard’s mouth as he watched them, content more or less with the life he had.

After eating, packing, and cleaning up, they headed deeper into the woods. Bard watched Sen as she was fascinated by the trees. As they came to Pathfinder, she climbed down and gathered some of the flowers. Watching her, he remembered the day they met, a pleasant afternoon where Kai had alerted him that she had come close. He was aware that someone was watching them, as Kai wouldn’t miss that, but when she came close, Kai had only alerted just before she popped her head through the trees. Since Kai hadn’t said much it meant he didn’t feel any hostility from her, and knowing her now, Bard understood why. At the time, it was quite the shock. Her few broken human words were enough for him to realize she was curious. His Asternum was too rusty to follow along when she realized he knew her language and that had slowed things down. Those months felt like a dream now; wandering her woods, relearning her language, and getting to know her.

Sen pulled him from his thoughts as she looked around in confusion.

“Bard? Why is the song so…”

“Why is it a melody instead of a symphony?” He asked, chuckling as he dismounted and came beside her. His gaze fell to the flowers in his hand, and he took one and placed it in her hair. At first, it resisted, but eventually it kept the flower. She looked about, her cheeks a bit flush. “Pathfinder is an interesting tree. You’ll understand a bit more when we get closer.”

They walked the rest of the way to the towering tree. The vines that hung down hardly moved as the wind blew, but several petals danced around them as they made their way down. They heard the trees around them creak and shift.

“Our paths cross once more, Bardon Jaystrum,” Pathfinder said in a steady, unrushed voice. The trees around them parted in strange patterns and ways, as if they were one whole. Sen seemed to notice it.

“As it is a pledge you are bound to, you must find what is hidden to receive my token.”

Sen looked up at the tree and a gust of wind blew the flowers around her.

“What exactly are we looking for?” Sen asked, taking one step towards him. The ground undulated around them as Pathfinder seemingly shrugged.

“There are wild herbs that grow only by the river, a lone tree bears fruit out of season, and a stone with markings older than my memory.” He paused. “You will need all three.”

Bard bit back his words. He recalled those. He had been unsuccessful for nearly a year to find them, and so he did remember where they were, however this was Sen’s trial.

“Where do we start?” Sen asked. Pathfinder chuckled, the land vibrating. “That is the wrong question. Ask instead, ‘how do we begin to see the way?’.”

Sen looked at Bard, who shrugged. He couldn’t answer that for her. She then began to look around, hesitantly.

“We need to find the path first,” She said, confused that it wasn’t forthcoming.

“Now you understand,” Pathfinder hummed. She looked at Bard once more, and he sighed, signaling to Kai to stay put. He offered his hand to her and she took it.

He guided her to the edge of the wood and she looked around.

“Can you show me the way?” she asked sweetly. She was quick to ask for his help, which made Bard chuckle.

“Do you remember the view we had coming in?”

“Yes. There was a river on that side of the valley,” Sen said, indicating southwest. Bard tilted his head, waiting for her to decide on what to do. She looked around once more and decided on a path towards that direction.

They passed through the trees and undergrowth, bird flitted about, more abundant than some of the other forests. As they came to the edge, there were waterfowl that greeted them before flying towards the river. Bard watched them, but Sen seemed to ignore them, as if they were just a piece of the picture. Inwardly, he sighed. Now that he was here a second time, and the mission was similar, he was picking up on all the hints that pathfinder laid out for them. The birds were the messengers of the trees, and yet, since they didn’t speak and interact with them like anything but wildlife, it was easy to overlook. Even now, despite having talked with communication and emotion, Sen was overlooking the little creatures.

A chirp and then more caused Bard to pause and watch them. Something about their little songs blended with the melody of the forest and drew his attention.

“Bard?” Sen tugged on his robes, ever observant of him. He placed his hand on hers, a gesture he hoped was of comfort.

“Which way do you want to head?” he asked, redirecting her to the task.

She led the way happily, moving to the river that she could barely make out against the reeds and grasses. A few trees sprung up nearby and helped them climb down into the flood plains. Sen weaved through the grasses, and her hair avoided tangling. Bard let his fingers brush through as he passed, enjoying the feeling. They reached the bank, and again, a long-legged waterfowl stood at the edge and flew off after trilling at them. Bard bit his lip, wondering just how much he should reveal to Sen.

Hours began to pass as they walked. Sen backtracked a few times, wondering if she missed something. She pointed at plant after plant, but he shook his head at her inquiries. Those weren’t herbs, and the ones that were, also grew by Pathfinder, which wasn’t what they were looking for.

The waterfowl kept coming to them, so reminiscent of what Bard experienced. He, being the young tike, had found them annoying and scared them off, instead of realizing there was another motive at play here. Sen seemed to watch him as he looked to the birds. Then she began to take notice.

To his relief, she followed them up stream to where a small branch extended. The branch was slower moving and fed a pond full of floating plants, but it was too swift for algae to gather.

The leaves of one of the clusters reminded him of the five petal flowers that grew up among it. Sen paused, looking at the plant and then at Bard. He smirked and then looked out at the plant, letting her choose what to do. It irked him that she had found it so fast, but perhaps it wasn’t hard, it was that he had played too much instead of focusing on his task. Pathfinder had been his first elder after Father, and he was too used to the life he had led at that point. He hadn’t felt the urgency like he did now.

Sen grabbed a stick and tried to poke at the plant, her feet staying clear of the mud and water. Bard snickered at her reaction. At that, she pouted.

“But Bard, there was a snake in there,” she growled, and he laughed, before shifting his robes so they wouldn’t get too wet. This place wasn’t deep, but the water would get in his boots. He rolled up his pants and tread out to where the plants were, Sen eagerly telling him what she wanted him to do. Feeling a bit amused and seeing her expression as he came to her with some of the plants, he plucked one of the little flowers and presented it to her.

Her reaction at the gift was a bit of surprise, and she took it gently before coiling it into a bit of hair. She then smiled and jumped into his arms, giving him a big hug and causing him to stumble back.

“I take it that you liked it?” he teased, and he felt her cheek rub into his neck, confirming her acceptance with a hum. He carried her back past the mud and fully embraced her.

“That’s wet!” she squirmed, and he reflexively released her, laughing as she swatted at her back and then balked with the bit of mud on her fingers. She guided him back to the river, and they washed the plant along with her hands and clothes. She had this interesting fastidiousness about when she wanted to get dirty or muddy. Today seemed to be one of those days that she wanted to be clean.

“What else do we need to get?” she asked.

“The tree that bears fruit out of season and the stone-”

“With markings. Right.” She finished. “Which way are those?” she asked, and Bard shrugged. He had wandered a lot in his year he had been here, which had been long enough ago, that he wasn’t sure, but knew who to follow. If only she seemed that observant. The birds were waiting upstream from them, but she seemed to be ignoring them, dashing his hopes that she had noticed and would make this faster for them. As he rose to his feet, he noticed Kai was running amongst the grasses, enjoying playing with the birds and other animals, and it warmed his heart. Eventually the guy would want meat again, and they would move the hunt to the plains where the bigger game was, so he didn’t bother his small friends.

They meandered through the valley, before Sen discovered the ruins. At one point, there was a small village here and the inhabitants had planted orchards, which had overgrown and gotten wild. However, there was one strange part to the place, and ultimately that is where they would need to head, but for now, they made camp, watching the stars come out. Bard could feel the hum of Pathfinders, song, but there was still a lack of shades even at the edge of domain.

Sen snuggled up to him before Kai came over and made himself comfortable. There was a gentle ease that was somewhat strange for Bard to accept, but eventually he slept.