Spring, 1351
The City of Cuyahoga was hidden among the thick forests along the borders of the Eastern Ranges, nearly a week away from any path to other Sabine cities. Sufjan and the other Sabines treaded lightly, stepping over rocks and pushing through thick bushes. Mera had much more difficulty moving through, but made due stepping around trees and leaping over hills. It didn’t really matter: the route was so tangled and labyrinthine that both human and dragon soon got lost. Even looking back, Logan had no idea where he had just come from minutes before.
Sufjan read his thoughts.
“This was purposeful.” She explained. “Cuyahoga is our sacred city and our cultural and historical capital.”
As they continued through the thick underbrush, the Sabine added.
“It was good that it was hidden. All of our other cities burned under the Other Men.”
Sufjan bit her lip.
“The Elders are taking a great risk in bringing you here.”
***
After several days, the group found themselves deep in the wilderness, uncharted mountains shrouded in fog looming in the distance. And then suddenly before them lay their destination. Cuyahoga, like many Sabine cities, was worked deeply into trees of the forest itself, whether the intricate series of platforms built among the branches or the ground structures worked into the roots and trunks. This also included the sharp, nearly impassable thicket barrier that served as a palisade surrounding the massive settlement. A hundred feet high and forty feet thick, made of green vines bearing thorns the size of spearheads, with hollowed gourds acting like sentry towers, the seemingly insurmountable tangle of wood was as imposing as any castle wall.
In front of the Cuyahoga Thicket stood a large delegation of thirteen leaders, all old figures dressed in brightly colored, almost silk-like clothing, surrounded by a dozen guards. Sufjan went forward and bowed.
<I return, dear Mother, with the Dlareheht. As stated by messenger, they requested an audience with the Council over the possibility of a cure for the Scarlet Plague roiling the humans.>
The leader of this quintet of delegates nodded, and another of the group stepped forward to translate to Auxian for Logan’s benefit.
“On behalf of our Alderwoman we accept this request from the Dlareheht to meet with the Council, in recognition of their services to the Woodfolk during the Other Man invasion.” As one, the group then turned and bowed to the human.
“Welcome to Cuyahoga, Logan Durham, Forester of Stanton.” The translator stated.
They then bowed as one to the dragon.
*You honor us with your presence, Meratezatgh, Lord of the Southern Ranges.*
Logan and Mera looked at each other. Sufjan gave a look of quiet annoyance at the ceremonial display.
Then the Council members turned and headed towards the large barrier.
“Come join us in the city.”
***
The thicket which seemed impenetrable at first glance was in fact accessible. Well protected gaps, hidden within the folds of the barrier so that they were invisible until a person walked right up to the edge of the brambles, allowed entry through tree tunnels, though Mera had to gingerly scoot his way past the sharp thorns arrayed all around them. The Sabines of course easily picked their way through the tangled and tortuous path.
Finally, human and dragon reappeared with the Council members on the other side and with Sufjan leading the way, the large party moved out. All thirteen Council members, and a human and a dragon, were sure to attract attention, and most residents of Cuyahoga stopped their work to look at the procession with curiosity.
Logan and Mera were also gawking, for the sacred community was beautiful. What made Cuyahoga unique among the Sabine cities was its sheer size and intricacy: the settlement had all the nuance and planned spontaneity of a wild garden. Most of Cuyahoga was visible from the entrance, divided into self-contained groves of trees with hundreds of individual towering plants. Burls in the massive trunks appeared to hold entire households, hollowed trunks could hold platforms five stories high, while the terraces in branches thick enough to walk on spread out and interlinked with such a density as to appear like cobwebs. All around were beautiful bushes of flowering plants and water, arranged in ceremonial circles. A large river appeared from a massive spring, curved its way through the city, feeding the ceremonial circles, and then disappeared again underground- all within the confines of Cuyahoga. Finally the web of leafy branches above seemed to create a curved dome over the entire community, with large vines dangling from them like so many long tassels. There also seemed to be no evidence of human, Duregaren or Trasgu objects. No horses, no carts, no farming plots. This was as pure a Sabine settlement as there was.
And in the center of it, dominating the city even miles away at the entrance, stood a massive tree reaching up into the heavens.
Human and dragon stopped and stared, impressed.
“That’s quite something.” Logan muttered.
“That is the largest fucking tree that I have ever seen.” Mera replied.
Sufjan looked back at the two and smiled.
“That is Izapa, the World Tree. It is the center of our existence. It lies in the heart of our home and is the tallest Ironwood in Nalbin. It may seem like there is a top to it, but there is not; the branches extend so far into the heavens that it extends into the spiritual realm. No one but our highest shamans venture into the highest branches.”
*There has to be a top.* Mera muttered in Draconic.
Logan ignored that comment, as did the Sabines. “Why has no one seen this before?” The Forester asked instead.
“The World Tree is made so that only those in the forest can see it. Even flying overhead, you won’t know where to look as it disappears with the fog of the mountains.”
The dragon gave Logan a look.
Logan looked back at the Sabines.
Sufjan gave him a look. Do you really want to try testing it? Her eyes said.
Logan’s eyes returned to the dragon.
Don’t test it, his eyes said.
Mera’s eyes rolled and seemed to lose interest.
***
“A meeting will be held in private at the floating island between the Council of Cuyahoga and the representative of the humans, Logan Durham, Forester of Stanton, regarding the usage of a Woodfolk cure for the Scarlet Plague on humans.” The translator announced officially.
“I am only speaking for my home, the Town of Stanton.” Logan answered quietly.
“You are human. Once our cure goes out, it’ll spread to all humans. That is inevitable.” Came the reply.
*Yes it happens so frequently.* Mera muttered under his breath in Draconic to himself. The Sabines however noticed, and one Councilwoman stopped and turned to face the Great Wyrm.
*Meratezatgh the Dragon, you are free to participate in this meeting, but I fear that it will be of little concern to you. If you like, someone can take you to the hot springs nearby, and others can bring over some roast boar so you can rest and relax.*
Mera grinned, gave Logan a guilty look, then nodded rapidly at the Councilwoman. *That would be greatly appreciated, my lady.*
As the dragon quickly disappeared with some Sabine guides, Logan sighed, but he couldn’t blame the dragon.
This was his duty to his own people.
Meanwhile a Councilman revealed a large lowered tree limb that allowed easy access to the upper branch networks and politely bid Logan to climb it. The Forester nodded and took a step up into the air.
***
The Council meeting held itself on a terrace made from a lattice of living tree branches hanging directly over the river, the steady torrents below carrying away the heat as well as drowning out the noise for anyone trying to eavesdrop from a distance. The thirteen council members sat seiza in a semicircle, with the Alderwoman on a small seat that looked like an open lotus petal directly facing Logan on the other side. Looking slightly nervous, Sufjan took a spot next to the head of the Council.
The Alderwoman started. <Sufjan, you say you know the human. Tell us of him.>
Sufjan nodded. <He is the Forester of the Town of Stanton, on the other side of the Southern Ranges. As First Sentinel of the Southern Foothills, I've run into him a couple of times. The first time was more than a decade ago, with that same dragon, Meratezatgh. A human that gains the respect of a great wyrm is a rare omen indeed, and we let them go. This was fortunate, for they became war heroes, shattering the armies of the People of the Snow during the Burning and ending the occupation. Now they come again. I respect them. Whereas he’s stupid like the rest of the humans, he occasionally does display decision and foresight I can respect.> The Sabine scout paused. <But I don’t trust them. >
<What is your recommendation?> Another council member asked.
<This is a dilemma. The MacGuffin Brew is a gift from the Ironwood Forest. It saved our people from the ravages of the Other Men Plague, the biological terror made by the humans now hitting them hard. I am concerned about giving that gift to such destructive people.>
<Do they deserve it? No!> A third voice proclaimed.
<We are not here to moralize.> The Alderwoman stated.
<We are not? After unleashing this plague upon the world, they deserve not to suffer the consequences of their actions? Is that not encouraging them to gamble with our future? There is no good that can come from handing over the brew to the humans. I say we kill him.>
<The hunter also has the dragon. It is capable of incredible destruction, even if we could kill it.>
Sufjan suddenly stopped, wiping the brow of her head as she collected herself to continue on. <I just realized something. Somehow the knowledge has already been revealed. The Stanton Forester knows we have that. Once one human knows about something, it is but a short while for them to all know. Killing him will do nothing-he is the first, but he will not be the last. This will not end with the destroyer of worlds. He is but a herald of what will come.>
<Perhaps introducing the MacGuffin Brew to the humans, as a gift, or as the terms of a treaty, would allow us to hold the boundaries of the Ironwood Forest.> Another Councilman replied.
<The brew is our salvation!> Came another voice.
<It was, but could it not also be our doom? Could we fight off the humans forever? Perhaps it can do more good for us to share it.>
<What should we tell them?> The Alderwoman concluded.
The Council members all looked at Logan.
Logan evaded the glares of fourteen Sabines. The forester had been sitting quietly as the council members and Sufjan talked, hoping for some good news but worried about what to do if his plea was turned down or if the Sabines simply stated that they did not have a cure for the plague. He wondered how Mera was doing.
The translator on the Council suddenly turned to Logan and spoke in clear Auxian.
“You speak of a cure for the Scarlet Plague. This is something we do indeed have. The MacGuffin Brew is an intricate medication, taking time and effort to make, but the forest provides.”
“Yet there are those who want to take from the forest, and only take, providing nothing in return.” Suddenly added another Council man. “They are parasites, but the forest has uses for them as well. The forest will not provide their salvation. They will feed the forest. The forest will find worth in them. Are you a parasite, Forester of Stanton?”
Logan shuffled uneasily.
“I certainly hope I am not.”
The Council members looked among themselves, before finally nodding. “Good.” Said the original translator. “We’ll discuss things without you for now.”
Sufjan got up and gestured for the Forester to do the same. “The Council will discuss with the Elders, Logan Durham. It is out of your hands now.”
“Wait Elders? You mean that this Council wasn’t going to decide?”
“The Elders divine the forest and see what it has to say about this request. No one ever knows how they decide. ”
“Then what have you all been talking about?” Logan whispered to Sufjan.
She looked back at him with slight amusement.
“Whether we should kill you or not.” The Sabine gave the shocked Forester a grin. “Don’t worry, I think it’s unlikely now. But being patient may help keep things that way.”
The Cure - A Forest
Greyscale doodle courtesty of TheDinosaurMann!
The City of Cuyahoga was hidden among the thick forests along the borders of the Eastern Ranges, nearly a week away from any path to other Sabine cities. Sufjan and the other Sabines treaded lightly, stepping over rocks and pushing through thick bushes. Mera had much more difficulty moving through, but made due stepping around trees and leaping over hills. It didn’t really matter: the route was so tangled and labyrinthine that both human and dragon soon got lost. Even looking back, Logan had no idea where he had just come from minutes before.
Sufjan read his thoughts.
“This was purposeful.” She explained. “Cuyahoga is our sacred city and our cultural and historical capital.”
As they continued through the thick underbrush, the Sabine added.
“It was good that it was hidden. All of our other cities burned under the Other Men.”
Sufjan bit her lip.
“The Elders are taking a great risk in bringing you here.”
***
After several days, the group found themselves deep in the wilderness, uncharted mountains shrouded in fog looming in the distance. And then suddenly before them lay their destination. Cuyahoga, like many Sabine cities, was worked deeply into trees of the forest itself, whether the intricate series of platforms built among the branches or the ground structures worked into the roots and trunks. This also included the sharp, nearly impassable thicket barrier that served as a palisade surrounding the massive settlement. A hundred feet high and forty feet thick, made of green vines bearing thorns the size of spearheads, with hollowed gourds acting like sentry towers, the seemingly insurmountable tangle of wood was as imposing as any castle wall.
In front of the Cuyahoga Thicket stood a large delegation of thirteen leaders, all old figures dressed in brightly colored, almost silk-like clothing, surrounded by a dozen guards. Sufjan went forward and bowed.
<I return, dear Mother, with the Dlareheht. As stated by messenger, they requested an audience with the Council over the possibility of a cure for the Scarlet Plague roiling the humans.>
The leader of this quintet of delegates nodded, and another of the group stepped forward to translate to Auxian for Logan’s benefit.
“On behalf of our Alderwoman we accept this request from the Dlareheht to meet with the Council, in recognition of their services to the Woodfolk during the Other Man invasion.” As one, the group then turned and bowed to the human.
“Welcome to Cuyahoga, Logan Durham, Forester of Stanton.” The translator stated.
They then bowed as one to the dragon.
*You honor us with your presence, Meratezatgh, Lord of the Southern Ranges.*
Logan and Mera looked at each other. Sufjan gave a look of quiet annoyance at the ceremonial display.
Then the Council members turned and headed towards the large barrier.
“Come join us in the city.”
***
The thicket which seemed impenetrable at first glance was in fact accessible. Well protected gaps, hidden within the folds of the barrier so that they were invisible until a person walked right up to the edge of the brambles, allowed entry through tree tunnels, though Mera had to gingerly scoot his way past the sharp thorns arrayed all around them. The Sabines of course easily picked their way through the tangled and tortuous path.
Finally, human and dragon reappeared with the Council members on the other side and with Sufjan leading the way, the large party moved out. All thirteen Council members, and a human and a dragon, were sure to attract attention, and most residents of Cuyahoga stopped their work to look at the procession with curiosity.
Logan and Mera were also gawking, for the sacred community was beautiful. What made Cuyahoga unique among the Sabine cities was its sheer size and intricacy: the settlement had all the nuance and planned spontaneity of a wild garden. Most of Cuyahoga was visible from the entrance, divided into self-contained groves of trees with hundreds of individual towering plants. Burls in the massive trunks appeared to hold entire households, hollowed trunks could hold platforms five stories high, while the terraces in branches thick enough to walk on spread out and interlinked with such a density as to appear like cobwebs. All around were beautiful bushes of flowering plants and water, arranged in ceremonial circles. A large river appeared from a massive spring, curved its way through the city, feeding the ceremonial circles, and then disappeared again underground- all within the confines of Cuyahoga. Finally the web of leafy branches above seemed to create a curved dome over the entire community, with large vines dangling from them like so many long tassels. There also seemed to be no evidence of human, Duregaren or Trasgu objects. No horses, no carts, no farming plots. This was as pure a Sabine settlement as there was.
And in the center of it, dominating the city even miles away at the entrance, stood a massive tree reaching up into the heavens.
Human and dragon stopped and stared, impressed.
“That’s quite something.” Logan muttered.
“That is the largest fucking tree that I have ever seen.” Mera replied.
Sufjan looked back at the two and smiled.
“That is Izapa, the World Tree. It is the center of our existence. It lies in the heart of our home and is the tallest Ironwood in Nalbin. It may seem like there is a top to it, but there is not; the branches extend so far into the heavens that it extends into the spiritual realm. No one but our highest shamans venture into the highest branches.”
*There has to be a top.* Mera muttered in Draconic.
Logan ignored that comment, as did the Sabines. “Why has no one seen this before?” The Forester asked instead.
“The World Tree is made so that only those in the forest can see it. Even flying overhead, you won’t know where to look as it disappears with the fog of the mountains.”
The dragon gave Logan a look.
Logan looked back at the Sabines.
Sufjan gave him a look. Do you really want to try testing it? Her eyes said.
Logan’s eyes returned to the dragon.
Don’t test it, his eyes said.
Mera’s eyes rolled and seemed to lose interest.
***
“A meeting will be held in private at the floating island between the Council of Cuyahoga and the representative of the humans, Logan Durham, Forester of Stanton, regarding the usage of a Woodfolk cure for the Scarlet Plague on humans.” The translator announced officially.
“I am only speaking for my home, the Town of Stanton.” Logan answered quietly.
“You are human. Once our cure goes out, it’ll spread to all humans. That is inevitable.” Came the reply.
*Yes it happens so frequently.* Mera muttered under his breath in Draconic to himself. The Sabines however noticed, and one Councilwoman stopped and turned to face the Great Wyrm.
*Meratezatgh the Dragon, you are free to participate in this meeting, but I fear that it will be of little concern to you. If you like, someone can take you to the hot springs nearby, and others can bring over some roast boar so you can rest and relax.*
Mera grinned, gave Logan a guilty look, then nodded rapidly at the Councilwoman. *That would be greatly appreciated, my lady.*
As the dragon quickly disappeared with some Sabine guides, Logan sighed, but he couldn’t blame the dragon.
This was his duty to his own people.
Meanwhile a Councilman revealed a large lowered tree limb that allowed easy access to the upper branch networks and politely bid Logan to climb it. The Forester nodded and took a step up into the air.
***
The Council meeting held itself on a terrace made from a lattice of living tree branches hanging directly over the river, the steady torrents below carrying away the heat as well as drowning out the noise for anyone trying to eavesdrop from a distance. The thirteen council members sat seiza in a semicircle, with the Alderwoman on a small seat that looked like an open lotus petal directly facing Logan on the other side. Looking slightly nervous, Sufjan took a spot next to the head of the Council.
The Alderwoman started. <Sufjan, you say you know the human. Tell us of him.>
Sufjan nodded. <He is the Forester of the Town of Stanton, on the other side of the Southern Ranges. As First Sentinel of the Southern Foothills, I've run into him a couple of times. The first time was more than a decade ago, with that same dragon, Meratezatgh. A human that gains the respect of a great wyrm is a rare omen indeed, and we let them go. This was fortunate, for they became war heroes, shattering the armies of the People of the Snow during the Burning and ending the occupation. Now they come again. I respect them. Whereas he’s stupid like the rest of the humans, he occasionally does display decision and foresight I can respect.> The Sabine scout paused. <But I don’t trust them. >
<What is your recommendation?> Another council member asked.
<This is a dilemma. The MacGuffin Brew is a gift from the Ironwood Forest. It saved our people from the ravages of the Other Men Plague, the biological terror made by the humans now hitting them hard. I am concerned about giving that gift to such destructive people.>
<Do they deserve it? No!> A third voice proclaimed.
<We are not here to moralize.> The Alderwoman stated.
<We are not? After unleashing this plague upon the world, they deserve not to suffer the consequences of their actions? Is that not encouraging them to gamble with our future? There is no good that can come from handing over the brew to the humans. I say we kill him.>
<The hunter also has the dragon. It is capable of incredible destruction, even if we could kill it.>
Sufjan suddenly stopped, wiping the brow of her head as she collected herself to continue on. <I just realized something. Somehow the knowledge has already been revealed. The Stanton Forester knows we have that. Once one human knows about something, it is but a short while for them to all know. Killing him will do nothing-he is the first, but he will not be the last. This will not end with the destroyer of worlds. He is but a herald of what will come.>
<Perhaps introducing the MacGuffin Brew to the humans, as a gift, or as the terms of a treaty, would allow us to hold the boundaries of the Ironwood Forest.> Another Councilman replied.
<The brew is our salvation!> Came another voice.
<It was, but could it not also be our doom? Could we fight off the humans forever? Perhaps it can do more good for us to share it.>
<What should we tell them?> The Alderwoman concluded.
The Council members all looked at Logan.
Logan evaded the glares of fourteen Sabines. The forester had been sitting quietly as the council members and Sufjan talked, hoping for some good news but worried about what to do if his plea was turned down or if the Sabines simply stated that they did not have a cure for the plague. He wondered how Mera was doing.
The translator on the Council suddenly turned to Logan and spoke in clear Auxian.
“You speak of a cure for the Scarlet Plague. This is something we do indeed have. The MacGuffin Brew is an intricate medication, taking time and effort to make, but the forest provides.”
“Yet there are those who want to take from the forest, and only take, providing nothing in return.” Suddenly added another Council man. “They are parasites, but the forest has uses for them as well. The forest will not provide their salvation. They will feed the forest. The forest will find worth in them. Are you a parasite, Forester of Stanton?”
Logan shuffled uneasily.
“I certainly hope I am not.”
The Council members looked among themselves, before finally nodding. “Good.” Said the original translator. “We’ll discuss things without you for now.”
Sufjan got up and gestured for the Forester to do the same. “The Council will discuss with the Elders, Logan Durham. It is out of your hands now.”
“Wait Elders? You mean that this Council wasn’t going to decide?”
“The Elders divine the forest and see what it has to say about this request. No one ever knows how they decide. ”
“Then what have you all been talking about?” Logan whispered to Sufjan.
She looked back at him with slight amusement.
“Whether we should kill you or not.” The Sabine gave the shocked Forester a grin. “Don’t worry, I think it’s unlikely now. But being patient may help keep things that way.”
The Cure - A Forest
Greyscale doodle courtesty of TheDinosaurMann!
Category Artwork (Digital) / Doodle
Species Elf
Gender Female
Size 768 x 1280px
Hmm, the MacGuffin Brew.
I'm guessing Mera isn't used to humanoids understanding Draconic.
I'm guessing Mera isn't used to humanoids understanding Draconic.
My quest items have all the subtlety of a mallet.
And nope he is not!
And nope he is not!
I've read The Subtle Knife. The Subtle Mallet has a bit of a different ring.
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