"I've been inviting you in all the time, after all, sitting at the window isn't the way to chat. Ellie wasn't as reserved as you... By the way, since I mentioned her, where is she?"
Sylsa, somewhat self-conscious, did not move around the house, she simply stood looking inside, and responded evasively. "That is a powerful warrior." She pointed to the door, referring to House who had already walked away.
Hearing the praise towards his subordinate, Lann modestly said: "You have not met him nor fought with him yet."
"Warriors are not judged by their appearance, sometimes not even by their swords." Sylsa's eyes were complicated. "He speaks to you the same way we speak of Lady Eithné. You are fortunate, Coram."
Lann appreciated the words, although still not fully accustomed to the title of 'Coram' that the dryads had given him, he nodded and continued the conversation: "Where was our conversation?"
"You were asking me when Mrs. Eithné would like to see you."
Lann clasped his hands. "Yes, so when would she like to see me?"
Sylsa replied: "When it's convenient for you."
Lann thought for a while and said. "It might take a couple of days, I just got back here and there are a lot of things to attend to. In the meantime, you can stay here, there are a lot of empty rooms."
Sylsa nodded, Lann's house is indeed quite big.
Two days later, Lann fully organized the forces in his territory, the soldiers remained in place after his visit, and the refugees were duly cared for.
During this time, because Lann obtained the [Sharpshooter] talent, he found an artisan in the city to equip himself with a crossbow. The best quality ones would take time to customize. This allowed him to get rid of the dilemma of throwing the sword like a hand ax to a certain extent.
At this moment, in front of Lann was the Brokilon Forest, with Sylsa waiting on the side of the road.
"Let's go to Duén Canell!"
Lann brought with him Milva, the mayor, Levin Bloth, and House.
As they went deeper into the forest, the trees became taller and taller.
Black Wind snorted contemptuously, barely applying force even at his trotting speed, while the others' horses were already panting unable to sustain the pace.
"Black Wind, slow down." Lann patted his partner's neck helplessly, looked at the people galloping around him, and suddenly asked Levin.
"After you were taken to Duén Canell, I didn't follow what happened next. What happened?"
Levin said respectfully: "I have never thanked you. You avenged my father. The ladies of Duén Canell also told me that the reason why I am qualified to be sent there for treatment is It's because of your request."
Lann waved his hands carelessly. "You fought for me, that's what I should do. Besides, you're brave enough for even those ladies to praise you."
Levin respectfully thanked Lann again, then he hesitantly looked at Sylsa at the front of the team and said. "After my wounds, which should have killed me, healed, the ladies left me in the cabin for a while and asked me for... payment."
Lann was speechless. He followed Levin's gaze and looked at Sylsa at the front of the team. Before, Levin had been consciously avoiding Sylsa. Lann still found it strange, but now he suddenly understood.
It's no wonder that Ms. Eithné sent Sylsa to Brokilon Town. It turned out that both parties knew each other well.
After two days and one night of running, everyone arrived at Duén Canell at dusk. Even though Lann had been here once before, he was still shocked by the sight before him.
Sylsa dismounted and knelt down to pray. Milva stepped forward and hugged the root of a giant tree, indicating where her height was on the root. The girl sighed in a low voice: "Count, do these trees really grow thanks to magic...?"
Sylsa, who had finished praying on the ground, heard the girl's sigh, and she corrected: "This is not magic, it is nature, and it is the favor that Brokilon gives to its children."
Milva muttered under her breath: "This sounds even more magical."
After walking out of the forest of giant trees, everyone except Lann was blindfolded by Sylsa. This attitude made Lann strange. The only people who could enter Duén Canell without blindfolding themselves were the dryads.
Why should I receive this special treatment? With this question in mind, Lann met the Queen of the Dryads, Eithné.
Compared to the last time they met, perhaps due to the change of season, Eithné's attire had become more 'natural'.
The young people who accompanied Lann looked away slightly, while Milva did not look away, showing an unreadable expression on her face.
Behind Eithne, there were Dunkar and Braenn, both old friends.
"Long time no see, Lann of Cintra."
Lann looked meaningfully at Eithné and the two guards behind her: "I miss you too, Ms. Eithné."
Facing Lann's gaze, Eithné seemed not to notice, or perhaps she had seen too many similar gazes. "Perhaps I should call you 'Coram' now. I'm sorry for what has happened in Cintra, but don't worry, you will always be welcome in Brokilon."
Lann pointed to his eyes: "Since you are so familiar with Geralt, you must know my current situation."
Eithné smiled and shook her head. "No, no, Lann, our friendship is built on a stronger foundation, it's just you. The town of Brokilon is not even important, and other humans are not important, it is just you."
"Although circumstances are a little... worse now, we remain firm allies."
As she spoke, Eithné took a few steps towards Lann, showing sincerity. the guards behind Lann took two steps back slightly, possibly to show politeness. But then they seemed to remember their responsibilities and walked back to Lann's side with a straight face and head high.
Lann knew that he had to be especially careful when facing Eithné. Anything related to the dryads of Brokilon could change drastically, and one oversight could result in his exile.
Lann frowned slightly. "I'm not sure why you're so fond of me. I also heard that you told Luka that I would definitely come back?"
Eithné nodded: "This is exactly the purpose of inviting you here today. I have two friends who want to meet you, and one of them told me this news."
Friend? Lann raised his eyebrows.
"Friend." As if she knew what Lann was thinking, Eithné repeated. "But before you meet that 'knowledgeable' friend, there is another friend you should meet first. I'm sure you'll be happy."
Lann became interested.
Eithné gestured, and the group followed her, moving away from the large oak tree to find that they were continuing towards the center of the forest.
The real center of the forest is a clear spring in the mountains. When Lann arrived here, he felt that the air was filled with misty water vapor. At the same time, the Witcher Medallion around his neck began to shake violently.
A bold guess formed in his mind. 'Could this spring be Brokilon water?'
But Lann didn't have much time to think about that now. His attention was completely focused on the two people at the spring: one was a Dryad and the other...
"Uncle Mousesack!" Lann shouted in surprise.
At this moment, Mousesack is lying in a stone cave, with the water of Brokilon flowing out of the cave washing his body. His limbs are wrapped in sheepskin and a climbing plant with healing properties.
"Lann, long time no see." Mousesack looked at Lann striding over and seemed to be in good spirits. "Don't worry, I feel pretty good now."
As the dryad who was guarding Mousesack watched Lann approach, she showed no hostility toward a stranger. She stepped forward and nodded to Lann. "Hello, Coram, I'm Aglaïs."
Aglaïs is soaking in the Brokilon Spring with Mousesack. She carefully dismantled the sheepskin and healing vines on the Druid's body. Judging from her reaction, Mousesack was indeed fine.
"Lann, I'm sorry that I haven't been with you and Ciri recently." Mousesack already had the strength to move his body. He said while cooperating with the doctor's movements. "The mages of Nilfgaard trapped me with a teleportation portal, I fell into a trap. After escaping, I only had the strength to heal here."
Eithné nodded and added: "Mousesack was brought here by another friend of mine. I was shocked at the time. I've known Mousesack for decades, but I've never seen him in such a sorry state."
"Although his injuries are not completely healed yet, he can move normally today. The first reason I called you here is to bring Mousesack back. He is eager to leave."
Mousesack shook his head, seeming troubled by his experience of being surrounded by the mages of Nilfgaard and feeling guilty for not being able to help Ciri. "No one would have thought that Nilfgaard would train sorcerers as soldiers."
Lann comforted: "Those mages are war machines specially trained by Nilfgaard. I caught two of them. They can indeed use attack magic, but they can't even open the portal."
"According to my interrogation, they were all selected by Nilfgaard among those mages who lived in hardship, and their purpose in coming to Cintra was specifically to deal with you."
"You caught two?" Mousesack was surprised. Noticing Lann's eyes for the first time, he felt overwhelmed. "What I feared most has happened, Lann. Have you made this sacrifice for Cintra?"
Lann shook his head. "No, Uncle Mousesack, this is my own choice. Only in this way can I better protect myself, Ciri, and you."
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