Pools of Darkness - James M Brown [93]
"Is something wrong, noble druid?" Miltiades asked gently.
"Something is very wrong for us, but it is very right for my cousin. Talenthia won't be joining us to complete this quest. She has been given other duties by our god." Moving to his horse, he told the paladin, "We'd better find Ren and the others."
As they departed the druid's grove, a greenish white mist gathered protectively around the stones Andoralson had consecrated. No evil would threaten this glade in the druid's absence.
* * * * *
Evaine, Gamaliel, and Ren were miles ahead of the others. They moved as quickly as the brambles allowed. Evaine had the disturbing feeling something was waiting for them and guiding them. The sorceress tried to brush off the perception and kept the thought to herself. They traveled easily down a path that seemed to grow wider and flatter as they moved ahead.
The forest around them was increasingly tainted with evil. The trees were drooping, bent, and choked with red vines. The path was filled with dark, spore-clogged fungi that made breathing difficult despite the damp rags on the travelers' faces. The grotesque weeds and dark, humming insects told of a forest turned harsh and unfriendly.
Just after midday, the path opened into a small clearing just large enough for a single cottage. Ren and Evaine both found themselves wishing the others had caught up to them.
"I don't believe what I'm seeing." Ren pulled his horse to a halt and drew his sword.
"Neither do I, but I sense no illusions at work here," Evaine said, trying hard to detect any magics.
Ren was truly agitated by what he saw. "Look at this. A cozy cottage with white smoke coming from the chimney. A babbling brook of clear spring water is flowing along the back. In another second, a little old lady with a bent back will open the door and sweep out the dust from her floor. Then she'll invite us in for cake and milk."
"Will a tall woman of fifty winters serve instead?" a voice asked behind them.
Whirling, the trio saw a lovely, aged woman. She wore a flowing, white woolen gown whose color matched her short, curly hair. She held a large basket filled with mushrooms, which Evaine noticed were of both the edible and deadly varieties.
"I've been picking mushrooms. Please, rest your horses near the spring and come inside. I so seldom have visitors."
Gamaliel hissed, his golden eyes blazing. He stayed close to Evaine, waiting for her next move.
The sorceress cast a spell of detection magic as unobtrusively as she could. Faint, emerald energy flowed from her hands, encircling the woman and the cottage in their magical glow.
The woman's pleasant demeanor vanished. "Is that any way to treat your hostess? Your puny magics won't work here, girl. This is my glade, and my essence fills this forest. Now, we can have a nice little chat, or you can all be destroyed. Why are you here?"
"We have more than just magic working for us," Ren said, dismounting. Unlike Gamaliel and Evaine, Ren was attracted to this woman and trusted her immediately. She was truly lovely and seemed perfectly harmless. Ren felt that her eyes looked into his heart and touched his soul. He knew that beauty could hide all sorts of evil, but still, she was fascinating.
Evaine spoke to the cat, watching Ren carefully. "Come on, Tooth. We should be polite and accept this lady's hospitality."
The white-haired woman's mood softened and she eyed Ren closely. "I am called Lanula. What are your names?"
"The ranger is called Blade, I am Coran, and this is my pet, Tooth." Evaine lied.
Ren stood by, looking slightly puzzled. He couldn't understand why Evaine had given this charming woman false names, but he let her speak. He knew magic was involved somehow, and he firmly believed in leaving such matters to the wizards.
Lanula bent down to scratch Gamaliel's ears before he had a chance to back away. "Such a pretty cat