Lyra and Aria continued to trek through the forest, their path winding around massive trees and through small clearings. Aria pointed out different types of flora and fauna, explaining their properties and how they were used in the kingdom.
At one point, Aria stopped to point out a strange plant with large leaves and a thick stem. "This is the smoke plant," she said, gesturing to the greenery. "If you burn it, it'll blast smoke everywhere. Useful for creating distractions or covering your tracks."
Lyra was fascinated and couldn't resist plucking a few leaves for herself. She knew it could come in handy in the future.
As they walked, Lyra couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that their mission to retrieve the sword was a success. It wasn't the original sword they were looking for, but it was still a powerful weapon that could help the kingdom recover a bit.
Aria noticed Lyra's quietness and asked, "Are you feeling okay, Lyra?"
Lyra nodded. "Yeah, I'm just glad we were able to get the sword. It wasn't the original one, but it's still a powerful weapon. It'll help the kingdom recover a bit."
Aria smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. But don't get too comfortable just yet. The forest is vast, and there's still much to explore and discover."
Lyra nodded in agreement. They continued walking, and as they did, the forest began to thicken. The trees grew taller and denser, and Lyra could hear the sound of a river in the distance.
"A river?" Lyra asked.
Aria nodded. "Yes, the Great River of the Forest. It's a source of life for many of the creatures here."
As they walked, they eventually reached the edge of the forest, where the river flowed out and formed a natural border between the kingdom and the forest. Lyra marveled at the sight, the rushing waters sparkling in the sunlight.
"It's beautiful," Lyra said.
Aria nodded. "Yes, it is. But we should be careful. This is where the forest ends, and the kingdom begins. It's not uncommon for dangerous creatures to wander over from the forest, looking for easy prey."
Lyra tensed up, realizing the potential danger. Aria noticed and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Lyra. We'll make it through together."
They continued along the riverbank, Lyra's hand never straying too far from the hilt of her sword. As they walked, Lyra couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them from the trees. She tried to ignore it, but her instincts were telling her to be on guard.
After what felt like hours, they eventually came across a clearing, where they set up camp for the night. As they sat by the fire, Aria began to explain the politics of the forest, and the different creatures that called it home.
"The forest is split into different territories, each one ruled by a different creature. The trolls that we encountered earlier are just one example," Aria explained.
Lyra listened intently, fascinated by the world beyond the kingdom. She couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the vastness of it all.
As the night wore on, Lyra and Aria eventually fell asleep, the sounds of the forest lulling them into a peaceful slumber. But even as she slept, Lyra couldn't help but feel that something was still watching them, waiting in the shadows.