Xander is determined; his mind is set. He moves through the forest quickly, almost running. He doesn't know how much time Bluebie has, but he doesn't feel like it's a lot. Hopping over protruding tree roots and rocks in the path, he only pauses once he reaches the river. Looking up and down it, he recognizes it as the Westfor river. He and Bluebie visited it scarcely, but it was an excellent source of Sana Moss, which had amazing healing properties. Despite their dislike for Bluebie, the villagers often called upon her when one of them was sick and seemingly about to die. She could usually save them, but as soon as that person was well again, she was shunned once more. It made Xander mad to think about, but Bluebie always tried her best to ignore it and encouraged Xander to ignore it too. 'It was just one of those things you had to deal with if you were involved in magic,' she'd said. After that, though Xander was still annoyed, he never voiced it to her again.
Walking a short way up the river, Xander finds the part of it that sports several large stepping stones, which makes it easy to cross. However, as he moves to the first stone, he begins to feel eyes on the back of his head. He pauses on the first rock, unmoving. He scans the surrounding area, searching for any sign of movement. There's nothing but the wind in the trees and the sound of the river rushing at his feet. Making a mental note to be more cautious, he carries on. He continues across the river, and just as his feet touch the earth, there's a voice.
"Where are you going?" Whipping around, Xander tries to see who spoke to him. The voice is cool, collected, and sounds bored as if asking just to fill time. The voice had sounded to be right behind him, but also bounced off the water. Xander, again, scans everything around him until his eyes come to rest on a figure in one of the trees to his left. The figure is hidden in the leaves, human-sized, and peers down at him with green eyes.
"Who are you?" he asks, taking a step back. The shadow shifts and falls from the tree. Rather, it glides down from the tree. Coming to land on its feet, Xander can now see that it is a man, probably not much older than him. Turning to face him, Xander is able to get a good look at his face. His skin is a light olive green, which contrasts his black hair. He doesn't have shoes, but his clothes are brown and similar to those he's seen the villagers wearing, just more skillfully sewn. His eyes glow green behind his thick eyelashes. The most striking thing about him, other than his greenish skin, is that his ears are long and pointy, and poke out from his hair. There are bits of shiny metals hanging from the points of each ear.
"I asked you a question first. Where are you going?" the green man says, his eyes squinting and moving over Xander. His voice is low and smooth. Shoving his hands into his pockets (in one of which lies a small knife), Xander answers him.
"I am going to the faerie city of Nympharum to retrieve a cure for my mother, who is ill. Now, I ask again, who are you?" The green man raises his eyebrows, but his lids stay low over his eyes, leaving him looking uninterested. Leaning against the tree, he digs his toes into the soil.
"I am Foster. Who are you?"
"You may call me Xander of Pineholly, son of Willowby the Blue," he says proudly.
"Hmm, I wasn't aware the witches could bear children," says the green man, Foster. Xander tilts his head and corrects himself.
"Adopted son, but she still raised me, and thus, she is my mother. I assume from your green skin and pointed ears, you are of the fae?" he asks. Nodding, Foster steps towards him.
"I suppose you want me to show you the way to Nympharum. Am I correct?" he asks. Xander, stepping back, nods.
"I can pay you, but all I have is silver and a few gold pieces," he says, "I left in such a hurry, I forgot to figure out which way to go. I was going to stop in by Eastfor and ask directions." Foster scoffs.
"Not only would none of those humans know where to go, but it's entirely out of your way. How many coins do you have?" He questions, eyeing Xander's coin purse.
"I have three gold pieces and twenty seven silver pieces."
"Hmm…" hums Foster, "I suppose that's enough for my services. Give it to me." Xander, however, knows how mischievous the fae can be.
"You will get your money when we arrive," he says sternly. A small smirk climbs onto Foster's face and he nods.
"You are correct to not trust me. I will take you to Nympharum, and then you will give me your money. Yes?" Xander nods. "Good. Then let us be on our way."