Finally, one of the mages broke the silence, stepping forward with his hands raised in a gesture of peace.
"We apologize if we've intruded," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "We didn't realize this was private property. We're just exploring and didn't mean any harm."
The villagers exchanged wary glances, their suspicions not entirely put to rest. One of them stepped forward, narrowing his eyes at the mages.
"You're not from around here," he said gruffly. "What are you doing in our woods?"
The mage tried to keep his tone friendly.
"We're mages from the nearby city," he explained. "We've been sent to investigate some peculiar rumors circulating in town. We heard tell of strange creatures in these woods, and wanted to see if the rumors were true."
The villagers looked at each other again, their expressions now more curious than wary.
"You heard about the ice spirits?" one of them asked, his voice hushed.
"Yes, that's what we were told," the mage confirmed. "We've heard stories of creatures that live in these woods, beings that are neither human nor animal. Is it true?"
The villagers nodded, their faces serious.
"It's true," said the first villager. "The ice spirits have lived in these woods for centuries. They're not dangerous, but they are powerful and mysterious. We've coexisted with them for generations, never disturbing each other."
The mage raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this new information.
"How have you managed to coexist with such powerful beings for so long?" he asked. "Surely there have been conflicts."
One of the villagers shook his head. "No, no conflicts," he said. "We've learned to coexist with the spirits in peace. We respect each other's boundaries, and we never approach them unless absolutely necessary."
The mage nodded, absorbing this information. "Interesting," he said. "And how have you ensured that nobody violates these boundaries?"
One of the villagers spoke up, his voice low.
"We have a strict set of rules regarding the woods and the spirits that dwell within. Everyone in the village is taught these rules from birth, and they're strictly enforced. If anyone violates them, they face severe consequences."
The mage raised an eyebrow, impressed by the villagers' cautiousness.
"And what are these consequences, if you don't mind me asking?"
The villagers exchanged glances, their expressions serious.
"If anyone breaks the rules regarding the spirits," one of them stated firmly, "they are immediately exiled from the village. They are no longer welcome here, and they must fend for themselves in the wilderness."
The mage nodded, understanding the importance of such a severe rule.
"I see," he said. "That certainly makes sense. You've developed a system that ensures everyone stays safe and respects the spirits' boundaries."