Of Good Woods and of Evil Forest
fter a few hours of preparations for another journey, their bags became heavy and were filled with food and water, and then Drinn, the Cabby Fairy, and the Talking Oil Lamp departed the castle.
“Can I at least say goodbye to my friends and my relatives before I leave this good life of mine?” Greenyoilylampee muttered as they started to travel along the road. Drinn and Greenyoilylampee were inside the hansom and it was the serious request of the Talking Oil Lamp but it sounds funny to Drinn.
And so Drinn said “Don’t worry Greeny, I will not let anything happen to you. Don’t be afraid you’ll be safe!”
“Who told you about safe master Drinn?!” said Greenyoilylampee. “We’re heading to the forest of Mirba and we’re safe? How ridiculous! And wait! Did you just call me Greeny?”
“Yes from now on I will call you Greeny.” Drinn said. “You just go and rest, I’ll wake you up when we arrive at the edge of the forest.”
On the other hand, the warriors of the Chosen One were nearly at the Woods of the Dryads. They were on along winding road made by the elves a very long time ago, where the grass was high up to their shoulders, for during those times it was safer to travel outside the protection of an Amulen Stone and the elves often seek the dryads for news all over Neriwonda. The suns were high on the cloudy sky when they had passed the grassy road, and as the road ascended, the Woods of Dryads slowly came into sight. It was misty, calm, and as quiet as the Elven Woods.
At length they were inside the woods where trees were massive like the trees in Firolwen. But the place was graver, mysterious and enchanted, especially for Bribble, Princess Meyah, and of course the Three Kitchen dwarves. The sounds of the hoofs of the horses became so noticeable inside the quiet woods, and their voices echoed if often times they had a few discussions of where to turn on the labyrinth of trees. As time went by, they rested and eat their lunch beside a giant tree that reminded them of Ilan’s great tree. They were all sitting silent without conversations and Eanna’s sadness was evident that she even refused to eat. Her mind was filled with memories of Firolwen and of Ilan, Cuauhtémoc, Isaiuhloc and Tallac.
“Things had change, we can’t find the river.” Halvene said gravely, for the river was to lead them to where the dryads stayed. “Even at the quietness of the woods I can’t even hear a faint sound of the water.”
“I guess I’ll take a little look from above.” said Reginleif “The river must be somewhere around here.”
So Reginleif flew above the trees and with his keen eye, he saw that the river was blocked with rocks somewhere north that the river a stone throw away left from where they stayed became dry. So Reginleif told them of what he had seen and after they ate, they continued heading north and as Reginleif expected, the sound of the river was slowly heard after a few hours as they went on. Soon the sound of the water flowing from the river filled the air, and it was a good sound to their ears like music, for soon they will be with the dryads’ secret place. And surely they found the river; they drank from it and refill their jars of water, for the water was clear, cold and refreshing.
“The water taste good, and it is a bit sweet!” Bribble said. “Anyway are we there yet? The river is already here.” he inquired of Reginleif who was also drinking at the river beside him.
“From here you can hear the sound of the raging waters, for not too far from here there is a great waterfall.” Reginleif said and then he splashed water on his face.
“A waterfall and then?” Bribble continued.
“And then you just wait, keep quiet, and follow us or I’ll be force to cut your tongue.” Reginleif said in a manner of a joke for he knew that Bribble will have an unending question, and it breaks the ice for everyone who heard it laughed and it’s been a long time that they all were too serious. And Reginleif was glad that even Eanna’s sad face smiled.
“At last I’d seen a few smile on your face.” said Reginleif to Eanna as he sat beside her. “I felt that there will still be lots of battles and travel from this chapter up to the last.” he said softly “Sad and lonely moments, but what awaits is peace when whole Neriwonda will be set free, again. And Lughnien will be restored and the Castle of Clenn-Daryn, where we all start as young ones and it’s been so long ago. I can’t wait for it.”
“Thanks Reg!” Eanna smiled a more cheerful one. “Promise me you won’t die till Clenn-Daryn is restored.”
“What are you saying?!” Reginleif snapped, “The great Reginleif die?! It’s nonsense!”
Eanna laughed and said “I’m glad to see that part of Reginleif back!”
“And I’m glad to see that part of Eanna back too!” he replied. “Well, come on we should be going.”
And so as they went on till afternoon they found the waterfall, it was a great waterfall that the place was filled with the noise of the water raging, it was like an unbroken sound of thunders and their conversations were turned into shouts for them to hear each other. The waterfall was actually coming from a hill filled with trees, vines, shrubs and different kinds of plant life. The river was foggy and a rainbow was visible from the fog all the way at the top of waterfall. From there you will actually feel that there were guardians of the unharmed trees.
“This is the door of their secret place!” said Halvene who was at last glad in finding the water fall. “We need torch-lights!” he said. And yes, they brought torch-lights that came from Vennashan. Soon torch-lights were lighted up and there were three, one was carried by Brinsop who was at that time polymorphed in a human form. This is one of the silver dragon’s ability where they can assume shapes of other animals or even as a human. He was at the rear and the second torch-light was carried by Brokk at the middle, and the last one was carried by Halvene who led them on narrow passage behind the waterfall, for there was a cave behind the waterfall. The cave was dark and a bit cold, and soon they could hardly hear the sound of the waterfall. The ground was slightly slanted down as if they were about to enter a mine, and soon the sound of the water vanished. Often times there were few passages, however Halvene knows the way, but soon enough after they passed lots of tunnels they came into a place where there were five passages and it seemed that place was gone out of the elf’s memory.
“Is there something wrong, why are we stopping?” inquired Brokk the dwarf.
“Just be quiet Brokk,” whispered Eanna who was in front of Brokk, “I think Halvene is trying to remember the way. And it’s been many years since he was last here.”
Halvene stood at the first passage and lifted his torch-light a bit and then moved to the second one till he came to the fourth one, and the elf still proved his expertise on leading them to the dryads. “This is the way!” he said gladly.
“How did you know the way by just lifting the torch-light?” Bribble inquired of Halvene as they continued.
Halvene looked behind him, smiled and said “The breeze Bribble. There is a breeze from here, the fire waved a bit at the fourth passage, so it means there is a way out over here. Don’t worry we are about to exit the cave. And I’m sure the dryads already know that we’re coming.”
And soon there was a soft green light coming straight ahead and the ground still descends till finally they came out of the cave and they found themselves on a green beautiful dale. There was a radiance of light-green color all over the place, for the sun seemed to be blocked by some kind of leaves that it made the place so good to look at. There were lots of colorful birds singing and flying at the huge trees. The grass was filled with drops dews as if it was early in the morning and there were also lots of ponds. And forget not the wild flowers filled with butterflies hovering at them. It was such a wonderful place that it appeared as if none have reach it before. And not too far from where they came out was a dryad of green hair, and her eyes where bright and was wearing a white fine linen dress. Her wings were green and with a little bit of purplish-blue.
“Greetings from our mother Heelina!” she said. “What brought you all here?”
“Greetings in the name of Quinlan!” said Reginleif. “We come to seek news from Firolwen and to use this way, we are to head at Prophet Glahei’s temple.”
“I see that you can be trusted and you are brought here by an elf.” the dryad said. “Very well come and follow me.” And the dryad led them into a giant tree, a lot bigger than of Ilan’s tree. The trunk was massive and the leaves far, far above scattered wide and it was that tree’s leaves that produced the light-green radiance all over the place. And there at the foot of the tree was Heelina the mother of all the dryads. Her hair was gold and her face was young and fair to look at from head to toe, but when you look at her green eyes, you will feel a very old memory that tells you; she was there since that world was created.
“Greetings aderyns, elf, dwarves, men and of course the dragon.” said Heelina. Brinsop was surprised for Heelina mentioned a dragon although he was in a form of man and that Heelina looked at him as soon as she mentioned the word dragon.
“Greetings in Quinlan’s name!” Reginleif greeted again, as he bowed his head. “We come to seek news of Firolwen and to use this way, we are heading to the prophet’s temple. We know it is safer to travel here for this is a secret place not known by Amarashans.”
Heelina’s eyes were sad as she continued “My heart grieves as well, for my eldest daughter Ilan and the dryads of Firolwen. They passed away a few days ago.” she said. “The Amarashans cut the trees and burned them all. The beauty of Firolwen was gone. And Amarashans still camp in there, although Vibac and Celandine went back to Amarash.”
“Those ugly Amarashans! They will surely pay for it!” Brokk angrily said.
“Do you have any news about the Chosen One?” inquired Princess Meyah to Heelina.
“Drinn the Chosen One was gone.” Heelina replied.
The Princess paused a moment and continued “What do you mean he was gone?”
“The Chosen One can’t be found anywhere all over Neriwonda.” Heelina answered. “You might as well look at the magic map.”
Reginleif quickly looked at the map and Heelina was right, Drinn was not on the map.
“What happened to Drinn?” Princess Meyah continued.
“The Chosen One was last seen by my daughters on the mount of Thuddin-Imal. And now he was nowhere to be found.” Heelina said. “My guess is that he found the portal, the Castle on the Clouds. And if my predictions are right, he is now in another world.” the dryad looked at her tree’s leaves and said. “It is one of his destined paths and I hope he would come back soon.”
“A destined path?” inquired the Princess.
“Quinlan led him to that place.” Heelina replied “But what the Chosen One’s task in that world is out of my knowledge.”
“What would you advise us to do?” asked Reginleif.
“I suggest that you continue with your plan, although the prophet has passed away. When you pass this valley, you will find the prophet’s temple. It has an Amulen Stone. All of you will be safer there.” said Heelina. “Be of more careful from now on. Some dryads have turned their backs on Neriwonda. There are few who choose the side of evil and their numbers are growing. The Amarashans might know where you are to go now.”
It was the second day of the journey, the blue sky turned grey and the wind started to get cold at Fantezze Quon’zt when Drinn and his companions arrived at the edge of the forest. The trees were of dark grey with their twisted uncanny branches as if warning them not to enter the forest.
“This is the place master Drinn.” Deegee said.
“Oh my, I wish this is just a dream!” Greenyoilylampee said.
Drinn asked Deegee “How many days would it take us to the cave of Mirba?”
“Two days or more if we don’t get lost.” replied Deegee. “We do have a map master Drinn, but this is an evil forest and the ways oftentimes change.”
“You mean you’ve never been here before?” Drinn said.
“Hundred of years ago I think.” Deegee answered. “It was before the forest turned dark and evil. And I hope we don’t get caught by Traa-zaas.”
“What are they?” inquired Drinn as he carried the bag and put it on his shoulder.
“Goblins created by Kizla.” Deegee replied, “They live inside the forest. For from here master Drinn, there is no morning. They could hunt us all day.” Deegee’s face became graver as he looked towards the forest.
“I hope my elf friend will wait for me.”Drinn said.
So after they ate their dinner they started to enter the forest of Mirba. It’s a good thing that it was full moon and that Greenyoilylampee was with them to shed light. Although all they could see were just about five steps or more ahead of them. At times, Greenyoilylampee would stop from seeing a shadow that moved in front of them that only appeared as a hare or other animals in the forest, and Drinn rarely noticed eyes gleaming, peering out in the trees. As hours passed by, nothing bad happened except for Deegee who bumped his head on a branch of a tree.
“I guess I will only have a day or two to live,” murmured Greenyoilylampee as they stride for hours. “If not for the Traa-zaas, and not for the dark wolf, I will die of weariness. Can we stop and rest now master Drinn? I might run out of oil.” for they’d been striding in the forest for a very long time.
“Very well then, let’s rest here.” Drinn said.
“So how do we know if it is morning,” asked Drinn “If there’s no morning here?”
“The clouds master Drinn.” replied Deegee who was drinking on a jar of water and then looked up above the sky. “When the clouds are grey, it is morning.” he said.
“I guess we’ve been traveling for about seven or eight hours.” Drinn replied.
“Eight hours!?” interrupted Greenyoilylampee, “Are you kidding me? It feels like we’ve been walking inside this awful forest for about two days!”
“Just go on and sleep Greenyoilylampee.” replied Deegee. “And stop murmuring!”
“And I think you forgot something Greeny.” Drinn added. “You have no feet, you’re not walking.”
“Oh and why did I use the word walking?” Greenyoilylampee asked himself in a whisper. After a few minutes they all fell on a deep sleep.
Morning came and the clouds were grey as Deegee told it, after eating breakfast they continued on their journey, although Greenyoilylampee kept on begging for a few more hours of rest.
Nothing unusual happened the whole day.
It was clearer the third day or their eyes got used to at the dark. And it was Drinn who noticed that it seemed like they were passing on the same road for quite a few times.
“I can remember this road.” Drinn said looking intently at the place. “We’ve been passing this road for the third time I think.”
“I noticed it too! We’re lost!” cried Greenyoilylampee.
“Will you please keep quiet Greenyoilylampee?!” said Deegee. “Goblins might hear your horrible cry.”
“But that’s the truth, we’re lost and we’re gonna die here!” replied Greenyoilylampee. “We’re gonna die!”
“Never mind him master Drinn.” said Deegee while the oil lamp kept on mumbling himself.
“I think the forest is playing with us, we’re just following the map.” Deegee continued.
“A monster, a monster, a monster!” Greenyoilylampee exclaimed as he went hiding at the back of Drinn. “I saw a flying monster master Drinn! It’s there at the road!”
Drinn quickly pulled his sword and said “Where is it Greeny?”
“A few feet ahead the road!” the oil lamp replied pointing ahead with his trembling hand. Drinn looked at it and he was relieved for it was just a big white dove.
Drinn laughed and said “It is just a dove Greeny!” as the dove flew and went on a branch of tree. “Very well then dove, we have to go. See you around then.” said Drinn. But as they went on the dove flew on Drinn’s shoulder. Drinn took the dove and said “Sorry dove you can’t go with us.” He threw it in the air and let it flew but the dove just went flying around and then came back at Drinn.
“I guess we should scare it off master Drinn.” Deegee said.
Drinn was on a deep thought and said “Wait, dove’s don’t usually stay on this kind of forest, where it is always dark. Maybe the dove wants us to follow it?” And just as he finished saying those words the dove quickly flew off of him and shined a bright white light as it land on a tree far from them.
“I think you are right master Drinn!” Deegee cried. “A magical dove it is!” They ran towards the dove but it keeps on flying on different trees, and for an hour they kept on following the dove until they came on a river. And then the dove flew up higher and came back no more.
“Master Drinn the dove led us to the river!” Deegee said gladly. “We just have to track the riverside northwards and it will lead us to the cave.”
“Very good then.” said Drinn “I wonder where that dove came from?”
“I don’t know if I should thank the dove or not.” Greenyoilylampee said. “We’re not lost now but we’re nearly at the place where I feared the most.”
“And what is that sound I hear?” asked the oil lamp, as he widened his eyes, for besides the sound of the water they could faintly hear a sound of drum beating.
“Traa-zaas!” cried Deegee. “Run!”
“Oh no, not again!” Greenyoilylampee muttered “We just finish running. And now we are to run for our lives! Oh fly for my life instead!”
“Can you keep up master Drinn?” said Deegee “Greenyoilylampee and I will fly.”
“Go on, I’ll just follow you!” Drinn said.
The sound of the drum was getting louder as they kept on tracking the river. And soon when the drum beating became louder, the cries of the Traa-zaas was heard and arrows started whistling at them.
Drinn was knocked down for he got tripped over from a rock. Drinn quickly pulled the sword from the sheath although he thought it was the end of his life. But to his wonder, the Traa-zaas were not coming any closer. And slowly the noise of the drum fades as if something had scared them away.
“What happened master Drinn?” Deegee asked for he and Greenyoilylampee came back as soon as they found that Drinn was not behind them.
“I don’t know they just went away.” Drinn said as he stood up.
“I think I know why they run away.” Greenyoilylampee said scarily. “Look around you.” For from where they were, trees were black, without leaves and were burned.
“This is the dark wolf’s territory” Deegee whispered. “The Traa-zaas will never go near this place.
“You can wait for me right here.” Drinn said. “If I’m not back for a long time, you should return and tell the princesses that I failed.”
“I’m scared but I will come with you master Drinn.” Deegee replied. “I’m starting to love this adventure, and if I may die, I die trying to save the queen.”
“I guess I too will! I will not let Deegee be the only hero if ever we come back home alive!” said Greenyoilylampee who seemed to found a little courage.
“Very well then, let’s find the cave of Mirba!” Drinn said.
As they went on tracking the river it came into a stagnant lake, the trees looked as if they were newly burned as smokes arose from them and the grass as well. The place was palpably deserted even with the wild creatures of the forest. And from the mist, they saw the mouth of the cave, dark and frightful and seemed alive. Drinn stood still as if hindered by a great fear rising from his heart. But still they continued, and as they entered the cave, a large number of bats came out for they were disturbed with Greenyoilylampee’s light. It was more silent inside the wide cave and the shapes of the rocks were strange and mysterious. And as they went deeper in the cave, it turned out that the air seems a bit hotter and the cave grew narrow. None of them spoke for they were all attentive of the cave and of what might appear on the bends of the tunnels. Soon enough, they came across a very wide space inside for they couldn’t see how high the top of the cave was. And from Greenyoilylampee’s light glinted the Amulen Stones scattered all over the place.
“Amulen Stones!” said Drinn “These are Amulen Stones.” as he picked up some and put it in the bag.
“And look! It is the queen!” said Deegee who saw the queen lying on the floor. They came near the queen but she seemed lifeless, her face was pale and dark magic seemed to bind her up. And as Drinn put his bag beside the queen, the green light of Greenyoilylampee was blended with reddish light and heat came from behind them.
“Who dares to enter my dominion?” said a vile voice. They looked behind them and saw an appalling creature. It was blazing with flames and was covered with smokes of wolf-shape, thrice the size of an ordinary wolf, eyes so fierce, vicious, and evil, and terror was within its form.
“Run for your lives!” cried Drinn. They ran as fast as they could towards a tunnel, while the dark wolf leaped a great height, as its flaming mane swirled a black smoke in the air. By chance they manage to enter the tunnel and fortunately the dark wolf had a hard time to pass through the narrow tunnel for its great size. Black smokes filled the tunnel as they tried to out run the dark wolf in a great rage. Stones were falling off of the cave and when the tunnel grew narrower it became silent that the dark wolf seemed to stop chasing them. Soon they were in a wide space again but from there it was a dead end. They were all breathing heavily from running, when all of a sudden the wall was shattered as the dark wolf came out of it.
Drinn stood up and pulled his sword as Deegee and Greenyoilylampee ran at the corner of the cave.
“You have nowhere to go!” said the dark wolf walking bit by bit towards Drinn. “And what does a sword can do to me? Do you think that your sword can hurt me?” And then the dark wolf growled at Drinn as its flaming mane turned violent and wilder. The ground shook and Drinn fell on the ground. The dark wolf then leaped at Drinn but to Drinn’s wonder the dark wolf was thrown aback and was smashed on rocks as if it was hit by a strong force from behind Drinn. He quickly rolled on the ground and looked behind. And what he saw was a great white eagle. The eagle seemed so calm and gentle, yet when Drinn looked at the eagle’s eyes it was filled with strength that even great dragons would tremble in fear.
“What are you doing Drinn?” said the great eagle, but Drinn was speechless. And then the eagle flapped its great wings as dust came at Drinn’s face and he closed his eyes.
“I’m here to help but still,” said the eagle, “This is your fight. Stand up Drinn!”
Drinn stood up and his eyes were a bit hurt from the dust, as fire came blazing up again from the dark wolf. The dark wolf then again growled with rage and the ground shook more violent. Drinn picked the sword up “I remember what you’ve told me,” said Drinn to the eagle far behind him. The dark wolf leaped a great height once more and Drinn threw the sword and it went straight at the dark wolf’s right eye and fell severely at the ground, slowly the flame was quenching as it struggled to stood up then it fell and died.
“No matter how strong, how powerful is the enemy. Strike it in the eye, and you’ll defeat it completely.” Drinn said. “You’ve already told me how to defeat the dark wolf the first night I came here at Fantezze Quon’zt.” He said to the eagle. “And you reminded me again when you flapped your wings and dust came into my eyes.”
“I can’t go wrong, you are the dove, and now you are an eagle. You are Quinlan.”
“As I told you, be sensitive for I’m always around.” replied the eagle “Follow me!” And the eagle flew and it landed at the queen’s chest. It shined a great white light and then the eagle flew beside Drinn. Slowly the queen’s fingers move a bit.
“Queen Esther is alive!” cried Greenyoilylampee. But as soon as the oil lamp cried the cave shook all the more and large rocks were falling as if the cave was about to collapse.
“The cave is about to break down!” said Deegee worriedly.
“Everyone close your eyes!” said the great eagle.
Suddenly the noise of the falling rocks was gone. None of them opened their eyes for about a minute or so until Drinn heard a whisper saying “It is done.”
Drinn opened his eyes and to wonders of wonder they were inside a room. The queen was lying on a great elegant bed, for they were in fact inside Queen Esther’s room at the castle of Fantezze Quon’zt and the great white eagle was there no more.
“We’re safe! We’re safe!” exclaimed Greenyoilylampee and Deegee as soon as they opened their eyes. They held each others hand flying merrily and spinning in the air. And then Greenyoilylampee hurriedly and noisily flew outside the room crying out “We’re home! Everyone we’re home! The queen has returned! The queen has returned! Princess Estee! Princess Ellyze!”
The day was bright and clear the next day, Fantezze Quon’zt was in great celebration of the death of the dark wolf and the return of the queen. Many fairies were there at the portal garden to say their goodbyes to Drinn.
“Are you sure to leave us at once Drinn?” said Queen Esther. “You can stay here as long as you want.”
“I love to Queen Esther, but I’m worried about my elf friend.” Drinn replied. “I don’t know if she’s still there waiting for me.”
“Very well then, take this ring.” said the Queen. “It is a magical ring, and whenever you put the ring on, you’ll find yourself here in Fantezze Quon’zt.”
“Thank you Queen Esther.” said Drinn.
“We are the ones who are in debt with you.” answered Queen Esther.
“No, it is Quinlan who saved us.” Drinn said. “I have to go.”
“Farewell then Drinn!” said Ellyze.
“You’re most welcomed here anytime you want to come.” Estee added.
“We’re going to miss you master Drinn!” said Greenyoilylampee and Deegee crying.
“I’m going to miss the two of you too Deegee and Greeny.” said Drinn. “I won’t forget our adventures. And now you two are heroes of Fantezze Quon’zt.” Drinn smiled and said “Farewell to all!”
He stood in front of the black round portal surrounded by vines, he picked his bag up paused a moment, and then jumped inside.