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Blog Post 53: The Adventure Shop: Part 20

12/13/2023

“Why is it so hot today?” Dahlia noted as she trained with Brawn. 

Brawn had her exercising every day in various forms to work on aspects of her strength, endurance, as well as her overall mind and body connection. 

Today was no exception, but the heat made it unbearable.  She felt as if her body was going to slide off the mat she stretched on from all her sweat, which she would never admit outloud.

A few yards away the babbling brook sat beckoning with the rush of ice cool, crisp water. It made her want to inch closer to the river and jump in, forgetting all of her training that still was on her schedule for the day.

“If you want we can switch up your schedule and do swimming lessons? The current would actually provide good resistance.” Brawn smiled looking at her and then the water.

Dahlia sighed, “Don’t you ever do anything for fun?” 

“Fun?”

“Yes, relaxing, makes you happy when you do it, enjoyable fun.” She defined for him.

“I know what fun means. I just don’t understand why you are asking.”

“Because I can not believe you do this all the time.”

Brawn blushed slightly and shrugged, “I actually do. This is fun to me. It is relaxing and it makes me feel stronger. And when I have too many thoughts in my head it is nice to just block it out with one of the exercises I like. Sometimes I need something to connect my mind and body back together, other times I just need to let myself push until I can no longer, but mostly it is just fun to see where my limits are. And then I usually push past them.” 

“I can respect that, even if I do not share your enthusiasm. I especially do not understand how you can run with a smile on your face everyday.”

“Because it is freeing and feels like I have power to go anywhere as the wind flows past. It is in the rhythm that puts me at ease. I can’t really explain it.”

“Runners are weird.” Dahlia shook her head as she went into a pose Brawn taught her, trying not to slip as she wiped her hands on her pants. “I’ll never understand.”

“Yes, much like how I do not understand how you and Carnelian are so fascinated by chemistry and play around with it for fun. I will never understand that, or people that do math for fun.”

“Really? You don’t like math?”

“Numbers are hard. They get all twisted in my head. I would rather eat a block of wood than have solve an equation.”

Dahlia laughed at him, shifting into another pose. Her foot slipped out from under her as she met the mat with a squeaky thrumph sound. 

She stayed laying where she slipped with her face pressed against the mat, “Ith justp too hoth.” She said as she smiled at her garbled words.

“It is good for your body to sweat! Enjoy the feeling of getting soaked in the figurative power your body is gaining as weakness is leaving your body. It is your body upgrading.” 

“You are a liar and I will never believe you. Especially after yesterday routine.” She sat up and said in a mock interpretation, “Just one more! You can do it, Dahlia! Yes, I promise it is only one more. Seriously, just one more. One more set. Let’s do one more!” 

She crossed her arms, which still felt sore from yesterdays ‘easy’ workout.

“I never specified how many of one more we would be doing.” He raised an eyebrow mischievously as she plotted his murder.

“Next time I get it in writing. I will never do one more anything. Is it a curse for people like you or do you just find it fun torturing the less physically inclined?”

“Come on you big baby.” He said placing his hand before her, “It is time for you to practice with the Captain.”

“You are both cruel. I do not know how I am supposed to hold a sword for hours after you torture me all day.” She placed her hand in his and let him pull her up as she tilted her head back dramatically to show just how ‘tortured’ she truly was.

“You poor thing.” Brawn smiled, shaking his head.

“Dahlia!” Marianna called out, running to them at such a pace it startled Dahlia. 

The fear in Marianna’s eyes told her something was wrong as Xaxol followed close behind her.

“We need to get you hidden or out of here!” She said as she breathed.

“See the effects of not running daily.” Brawn waved his hand over her to prove a point as he looked at Dahlia.

“Shut it, I have more important things to say.” She said as she still recovered her breathing.

“Well if you actually took up running you would have enough breath to run over and say what you needed to without having to recover.”

Dahlia raised her hands remembering the alarming look in Marianna’s eyes before she ran over and started squabbling with Brawn. “Why did you look afraid?”

Marianna turned back to her with wide eyes, as if finally remembering why she ran all the way there in the first place. “There are soldiers here. They are asking if a shopkeeper attached to a moonstone is here. They look official. Like they are from a kingdom.”

“You need to hide or run.” Xaxol noted.

“I suggest the running bit.” Bart came up to them with a pack and a few other things hanging from his shoulders. 

There were two packs that looked like hers that he promptly handed over as a few others joined their circle.

Some of the adventurers who traveled with them before and the new troop she had met since.

“The Mother Tree said that she and hers would hold them off our trail for as long as possible, but we need to go now. She said there intentions toward you are questionable.” Psyche said as she hosted a pack that hung off both her shoulders slightly higher, securing a band around her waist that seemed to assist with the weight of it.

Dahlia wondered what could be in the heavy pack and shook her head remembering what question she should actually ask.

“How much time do we have?” 

“Well they are here, so basically none. We should actually have left a lot sooner.” Bart noted.

“Then why are we still standing around like this?” She asked as the others looked at her before they started to walk into the forest. 

“Where are you going?” She asked adjusting her own packs and watching them walk into the trees of who knew where, it certainly wasn’t to any road.

“The road is in that direction.” She pointed in the opposite way that her friends currently marched off.

Marinna beckoned Dahlia to continue with them as she answered, “The Mother Tree can not protect us on the road. As long as we stay where her children can see us we will be under her care. She can keep the guard from finding us, but not on the road. It is too clear and she can not protect what her roots do not touch.” 

Dahlia started walking, “Can’t they just go under the road?”

Marianna shook her head, “No, there was magic placed when the road was created that prevents her from taking it back. She can not grow anything there. Otherwise she would have taken back the land a long time ago. It was too keep the trees from destroying the road that merchants had created, but it cut her off from her other children. She does not have a connection with anything on the other side. Which is why we can not travel there.”

“That is awful.” Dahlia noted as she walked after her friend, occasionally looking behind her as if the soldiers would come up at any moment.

“Stop looking back or will you twist your ankle.” Xaxol scolded, “And if you twist your ankle I am not carrying you all the way back to Aster.” 

“I am not going twist my ankle.” She said narrowly missing a small fallen tree that she awkwardly hopped over due to the timing of her brain speaking to her body about the potential hazard. 

Xaxol smiled at her smugly as Dahlia stuck out her tongue at him. He rolled his eyes, “You are so annoying.” 

“I know you are, but what am I?” She laughed as his face scrunched up.

“I swear if you to don’t stop I am going to separate you.” Killian threatened, looking between both of them as he pointed menacingly.

“That’s right. You tell them.” Marianna said smiling mischievously, in playful mock tone that did not support her encouraging words.

Dahlia looked up Xaxol, “When did they become the parents?”

“Borg and Hazel left. They kind of jumped at the chance to parent everyone. Well Marianna took to it naturally. Killian” Xaxol shrugged, “Not so much.”

Xaxol smiled slyly at Dahlia and pointed at Killian. Though Killian’s head was turned Dahlia could see that he was slowly starting to fume.

Knowing them both it kind of made sense in a weird way, “Killia,” She began.

Killian turned around, “No!” He said slightly shouting as he pointed at both of them, “You both stop whatever childish squabble this is and we will be walking away quietly now. Because I am not sure if you noticed, but Dahlia, sweetheart, your life is on the line. Were not sure who wants you this time and now you both are arguing like siblings!” He shouted the last bit fully, and Dahlia noted it almost looked like he stomped his foot.

“He has a good point. You both are very noisy for an escape attempt.” Mistral noted as she snuck up next to Dahlia.

Dahlia heard a whistling sound past her ear and heard Killian cry out. Looking she saw from his knee protruded a arrow as he toppled over. 

Xaxol picked him up as he started running with him, “You have bad luck with arrows my friend.” 

“I am getting this leg replaced with wood made of the Starlight Forest. It is lucky. Maybe that will help.” Killian said, resigned to being carried like a sack of potatoes over Xaxol’s shoulders as the others continued to be wary of the arrows flying around them.

“I do not think that would help. I believe it is you, and nothing you do will assist. Now that I am carrying you I would appreciate you watching my back as I am not as fond of arrows as you are.” Xaxol laughed as Killian took a sword from his back and sat up to watch for any arrows coming towards them.

Dahlia was not sure how they could have such a casual conversation while arrows flew about from unknown archers.

“Mother Tree!” Mariannna called out, as the trees seeming to respond to her cry began to create a shield around the running travelers. 

Marinna called out to Dahlia, “She says she can not hold them or they will destroy the haven. She will try to shield us while she can, but we must get away.”

“We will buy you time and meet you at the town of Extensios. Go, keep running and do not look back.” Bart said stopping as the others in his crew paused with him.

Dahlia shook her head, “No, I will not let more people get hurt on my behalf.” She side eyed the Fairy slung over the Ogres’ shoulder, “Except Killian, I can’t really do anything with him.”

“Hey!” He shouted as Xaxol continued to run off further with him.

Bart took her hand, “Go and we will find you. This is not the end for any of us. And I am much more equipped to stop these knights that anyone else in your party.”

“How?” She breathed out, uncertainty she was certain written all over her face.

“I am a Siren. Illusions are my speciality.” He said winking as he turned to face the what would be coming.

Dahlia looked to the others who nodded in affirmation of the decision that they would stay to fight the battle that was not theirs.

She nodded and ran after her friends as the Mother Tree slowly began to take away the shield of trees and roots blocking the soldiers path.

Dahlia looked behind her as her new friends placed something in their ears before nodding to Bart who smiled as if in waiting.

She heard the most beautiful melody coming from the pirate that made her want to run back and sit at his feet listening to his promises that he sang. The words he weaved formed in her mind of things that she had only dreamed of becoming, of knowing, of feelings she longed for that she never knew she needed. It was beautiful and yet, felt as if it pulled at every empty part of her, awakening every void she was not aware existed.

She felt a pull and saw Marianna hook her arm through hers before replacing the hand back over her ear. “Do not listen.” She mouthed and continued to pull Dahlia.

Dahlia instinctively followed her friends example and it was not till the sound was muffled that she truly felt awake once more. As if she was in a beautiful dream that left her well rested and wanting more, and now it was missing as her mind became her own again.

Desire pulled at her hands, longing to hear the sweet voice once again. The promises that it spoke to her. A lullaby she could listen to and never need anything else. 

Marianna swatted her hand on the backside of Dahlia’s head as Dahlia shook awake once more, realizing how dangerous it was to have listened so long already. Reaching into her bag she pulled out bees’ wax she used in some of her projects and gave it to Marinna after placing some in her own ears. She ran over to her other friends and gave it out as they continued to run. 

Dahlia looked behind her once to see Bart looking at her run away, winking he smiled, seeming to know she was caught under his spell before turning back to his captive audience. 

Dahlia felt her heart flutter and smiled before shaking her head. 

It was just the magic in his voice. It was nothing real, after all it couldn’t be. But her mind wondered after all the time they spent together if maybe there was not something more there. And spending the rest of her life listening to his voice sing her to her softly. She could very well get used to that.

Marianna tapped Dahlia’s shoulder as she looked up and saw a bird come flapping through the trees looking for a place to land.

Holding out her arm the bird took advantage of the perch and rested as Dahlia saw a letter attached to its little foot.

She paused long enough to untie it and place the bird on her shoulder to give it a chance to rest. The poor thing looked exhausted. 

As she unwrapped the letter she saw Aster’s writing and a sense came over her as she questioned her own thoughts and feelings. Afterall, no she wouldn’t think about that now.

“Dahlia, 

You must leave immediately. There are soldiers searching for the Mother Tree. We have not gotten any information about why, but we have determined that they are looking for you. 

I am hoping that this reaches you in time. I would not forgive myself if my advice for you to stay would be what brought harm to you. 

Please pack up and run. I am not sure where to advise because I am not sure the reach of these soldiers. Some have stayed here, to monitor if there was any word on the missing shopkeeper. 

The bird that came with the letter is a magical creature that once hatched becomes attached to the one who hatched it. Allow with your affinity for magical creatures I would not be surprised if you stole his affection. 

He is young and still learning so I am hoping that the magic will guide him to you in time. Take care of him. And when you return this letter send it with him and a name. As I have not been able to decide on anything,”

“Dahlia! Watch out!” Marianna yelled as Dahlia felt her face hit and scrape against the hard bark of the tree in front of her. The little bird flew up and back to her shoulder as Dahlia felt dizzy from the hit.

“Serves you right for reading a letter while we are running for our lives.” Marianna scolded her as Dahlia removed the bees’ wax from her ears, judging they were far enough away from Bart to no longer hear his voice. 

Dahlia tucked the letter away to read the rest later as she tried to find her feet once again. 

“He let us know the soldiers were coming.” She said holding a cloth to her nose to stop the bleeding that began from her run in with the tree. Clearly nature would always have the upper hand against her, even if she was the one capable of movement.

“How wonderful that he let us know AFTER we had to run for our lives!” She shouted loudly as Killian looked at her and looked puzzled at their conversation. 

Clearly he had not yet removed the bees’ wax from his ears. 

Marianna shook her head and motioned in another direction slightly adjacent to the one they had been running, “The Mother Tree says we need to go that way. She also said that we can walk now if need be. That any trace of us has been masked and the soldiers have been, shall we say delayed?” She thought for a moment before continuing, “The Mother Tree said once we leave the forest she will not be able to keep an eye on us. But to look out for the ones who took her place when she was cut off from the rest of her children. That they will look after us, if we take care of them. Now all we can do is keep going.”

Dahlia felt the letter in her pocket and felt tempted to pull it out again and read what he wrote.

“No more reading till we are far away and standing still.” Marianna gave her a knowing look.

“Fine I promise. No more reading till we get to town.” She looked behind her and saw the forest with no indication of anyone. 

It was quiet, save for the crunch of leaves and sticks. It felt eerily quiet and Dahlia did not like it. The forest seemed as if it was holding its breath. As if it was waiting to see if her friends would escape the soldiers.

Dahlia wondered if it would be better to meet them head on and ask questions. She hated having unanswered questions. And at the moment that seemed to be the majority of what continued to pile into the space of her mind that held such things.

Something told her that the soldiers would make an appearance again. Without knowing why they were looking for her, it may leave them more vulnerable. 

Feeling the letter in her pocket that is the last she wanted to be. Because this adventure took away a lot of things that she was ready to fight to get back.

As she breathed the air she couldn’t help the excitement that formed in her. She could not longer stay safely at the Mother Tree’s haven, her friends had no excuse to keep her from this battle. After grieving the loss of who she was, she was ready to fight the woman who stole her power. Dahlia was ready to fight with who she knew she was now, and for the first time in a while Dahlia believed she had a fighting chance.