One day, a group of adventurers approached the forest,
priests in seek of a refuge for themselves and their families from the
desolate lands beyond the beauty of the forest. The ents resisted them,
and they turned away, knowing that they were far outmatched, and not
wanting a fight. Andille heard of their plight, being turned back to
the wastelands from whence they had come, and wished to see them, having
seen no human for over fifty years. He hurried to catch up with them
as best he could in his aged form. He caught up with them by nightfall
in their camp of circled wagons, huddled by their campfire. The icy night
chill cut them to the bone, they unprepared for the approaching winter.
"Of whence come ye?" asked Andille, stepping through
a gap formed between two wagons.
The leaders of the four families, priests, drew maces.
"What do you want of us?" they asked, weapons at the ready.
"I wish to know of your order of priests," he stated simply, holding his hands
out in a gesture indicating that he had come unarmed. He had the kindly look
of an old man, dressed in tattered woodland garb and a silver beard protruding
from the hooded green cloak that he wore.
"We are outcasts of Grendoll. We fight the destructive use of machines that have
began to replace men there. An evil priest there has learned the art of animating
things mechanical. They are the new army of the city. They mine the ore, leaving
the old miners homeless and without work. Times have left our simple lifestyle
behind," said a tired priest in flowing blue robes. A gold cross hung from his
neck, on a well worn chain. "It seems that only we few still await the coming
of our Lord. Those of the priesthood have abandoned the faith in the acquiring
of riches. They build cathedrals while the needy go to bed hungry. I would live
in a world where a pure sould was yet treasured."
"Enough talk of this," the man said,"What do you want from us?"
Andille sighed long and deep, and sat upon a charred stump.
"I beg your forgiveness for the inhospitality offered by the treemen of the forest.
They know not who you are. They fear that you are sent by the goblins. Enter
with me and you will be welcomed," he stated simply, offering a hand of friendship
to the leader of the group.
"I am Andille, Druid of Light."
"But, your order has long since perished!" said the humble priest,"All killed
at the beginning of the last decade for trying to stop the use of the enchanted
machines. When they began to mine the land furiously, your order stepped in,
pleading for the trees and plant life that was being destroyed. My name is Blindar
of the order of the Silent. I am, truly, at your service."
"Gather your horses and wagons, and you will find rest in my home this night.
Come."
Andille led the weary group of weary men with their wives in simple dark attire,
and little children to their wagons. He walked ahead, leading the way. They
made their way to the edge of the forest, where strong, tall ent warriors blocked
their path.
"Andille, what is the meaning of this," one young oak said, reaching high with
its thick limbs.
"These, like me, are outcasts. They can yet give you all hope," said Andille,"Please
let us pass, and you will live to rejoice over this day."
Hesitating a minute, the trees moved from the road, letting the slow moving
group make their way into the forest. Andille requested aid for the group,
and towering trees pushed the wagons along their way, the horses alltogether
exhausted from their long journey that day across the burning sands of the
desert.
Little boys and girls hid in the wagons, too frightened to speak over the massive
trees that helped them on their way. Such things they had never seen in the
years of living in the border town of Grendoll. After a time, the fear was
replaced by curiosity, little heads peering from behind crates of provisions
to see the huge gnarled trees making their way along on strong roots which
served as feet.
After two hours of travel, the group arrived at the Shadowed Vale. As they
entered the clearing around the lake, the children gasped at the sheer beauty
of the valley with its crystal clear lake now black, reflecting the moonlight
of the world's two reddish orange moons, towering mountains surrounding them
on all sides. Near the lake they could see a wonderful fortress, a palace made
for Andille, with its spires reaching up to meet the starry sky above.
They made their way up the path to its gates. Andille called to the ent guards
above to lower the drawbridge. On heavy vines, the bridge labored its way down,
and the people entered the Castle. A warm magical fire served to take the chill
of their bones.
