Kael stirred awake to the rhythmic clopping of hooves, his body swaying gently with the movement of the carriage. His eyes fluttered open, greeted by the dense, shadowy green of the Deep Glades rushing past. Foliage that seemed almost alive flashed by in shades of emerald, jade, and muted olive. Occasional bursts of strange, vibrant colors—hues he couldn't name—flickered at the edge of his vision, vanishing before he could focus on them. A tight knot of panic twisted in his chest as reality crashed back over him: the shop, the adventurers, and... the abduction.
His breath quickened. Kael jerked upright, his head spinning as he took in the cramped interior of the carriage. Barrels, sacks, and bundles of pelts were stacked around him, and the air smelled of leather, herbs, and iron. It wasn't a prisoner's cage, but the supplies told a grim tale nonetheless. These were warriors' provisions, collected with brutal efficiency, no doubt intended for dangerous journeys. He was clearly a part of that now, but how?
Where am I?
Before he could even form the question aloud, a voice echoed through his mind, smooth and deliberate. **'Good morning, Kael.'**
He flinched, his gaze whipping to the side where the sorceress rode on horseback, keeping pace with the carriage. Her storm-grey eyes flicked toward him, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
**'Don't be alarmed,'** the voice continued, unmistakably hers yet entirely telepathic. **'We're in a rush. And no, you haven't been kidnapped. You've been recruited.'**
Kael's mouth went dry. Recruited? His heart pounded as he tried to piece together how in the gods' names this had happened. "Recruited for what?" he croaked aloud, his voice hoarse with disbelief.
Nyxara's gaze remained sharp as her lips curved in mild amusement. **'To fix our equipment and ensure we survive what's coming next.'** Her words rang in his mind with a sense of unspoken gravity. **'You'll thank us later.'**
He shuddered, trying to wrap his head around the situation. "Fix your equipment?" he echoed, his brow furrowing. "What could possibly be so urgent that you'd kidnap an inscriptionist? You could've just asked…"
Nyxara raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying his confusion. **'We don't have time for formalities.'** The edges of her mental voice were tinged with amusement, though her eyes remained as cold as the storm magic she wielded. **'And besides, you're here now. Make the best of it.'**
Kael's stomach churned as he scanned the dark, twisting trees that seemed to close in on the narrow path they traveled. The air felt heavy with a presence—something ancient and watchful. It made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He'd always heard stories of the Deep Glades, how they were teeming with wild magic, older than the kingdoms themselves. Some claimed the forest had a mind of its own, others said it was haunted by spirits of the Old Gods, long abandoned by mortals. He never thought he'd see the cursed place himself, let alone be dragged into its depths.
Something tugged at his awareness, a pulse of energy, faint but unmistakable. His mind instinctively latched onto it, and for a brief moment, he could almost feel the forest breathing around him, a rhythm in the earth and trees that thrummed in harmony with his own pulse.
The sensation was overwhelming. He gripped the side of the carriage, trying to steady himself. Nyxara's sharp gaze flicked toward him once more, this time with a knowing glint.
**'You feel it, don't you?'** she asked. **'The magic in the air? It's impossible to miss out here.'**
Kael swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. "What… what is this place?" he asked in a whisper, his voice barely audible over the steady clopping of hooves.
Nyxara's eyes darkened, her amusement fading. **'The Deep Glades. You're not the only one who's heard the stories. This forest is alive in ways most people can't understand. And right now, it's listening.'**
Her last words sent a chill down Kael's spine. He stared out at the trees, noticing for the first time how still they were. There was no breeze, no rustle of leaves. Only the unnatural hum of magic that pulsed faintly in the distance, growing stronger with each passing mile.
"What… what's listening?" he whispered, barely daring to breathe.
Nyxara's lips tightened into a grim line. **'The forest itself, and whatever ancient magic lies within it. That's why you're here, Kael. We need your skills to keep our weapons and armor attuned to the right frequencies. Without you, we're walking into a death trap.'**
Kael's heart sank. He had known his inscription work was important, but never had he imagined it would be a matter of life and death. His mind raced as he considered the implications of what she was saying. He was in over his head. These adventurers weren't just passing through; they were on a mission, one that involved magic far beyond anything he'd encountered.
"You need me to attune your weapons... to the forest's magic?" he asked hesitantly, still struggling to grasp the enormity of what they were facing.
Nyxara nodded once, her expression now serious. **'Yes. The Deep Glades won't let just anyone pass. You'll understand more soon enough. But for now—be quiet.'**
Kael pressed his lips together, his mind reeling. He could feel the weight of the forest pressing in on him, ancient and inscrutable. He had no idea what awaited them in the depths of this place, but one thing was clear: his skills would be tested in ways he had never imagined.
The thought made his pulse quicken.