The forest felt alive. Not in a figure of speech. It was truly alive.
The trees towered high their silver leaves glowing softly in the filtered sunlight. Strange lights floated between the branches like spirits disappearing whenever you looked directly at them.
Even the air sounded different here. It was quiet. It was listening.
The group slowed down naturally as they moved deeper into the forest.
"This place gives me chills." Tomas said.
"We already crossed the borders to Sylvaris." Elira replied softly.
Kael looked up sharply. "It doesn't matter the wyvern riders is still pursuing us." he said.
The sound of wings echoed overhead.
It was distant at first. It was getting closer.
Then, the forest moved. Figures came out of the trees silently.
They had bows drawn. Their blades were ready. They were Elves.
One stood in the center. She was a woman with silver hair and sharp green eyes.
Lyriel.
Beside her stood:
Eryndor with a spear in his hand
Thalan carrying a shield
Faelyn gripping a spiritwood staff
The Elves immediately looked up.
They saw Wyverns.
Valtheris.
Lyriel's expression turned hard.
"Valtheris dares to cross our border without any announcments?"
A shadow came down from above.
Vaelor's wyvern landed nearby.
The captain stared directly at the Elves.
"As you all know harboring people who betrayed Valtheris has consequences."
The atmosphere became tense instantly.
Eryndor lowered his spear a bit.
"Did you say traitors?"
Vaelor pointed at Ronan.
"That man belongs to Valtheris."
Ronan said nothing.
Lyriel looked at him. Then she froze. She recognized him instantly. Her eyes widened. "Ronan?" she said.
There was silence.
Even Vaelor noticed the change.
Lyriel stepped slowly looking disbelieving.
"It's really you."
Ronan looked at her quietly and after a pause "Lyriel." he said.
The Elves around her stiffened.
Faelyn looked between them confused. "You know him, Lyriel?" she said.
Lyriel never looked away from Ronan.
"He was a friend from long ago…" there was a beat "He protected our villages from monsters." she said.
The atmosphere changed completely.
Thalan stepped forward immediately putting his shield, between Ronan's group and the Wyvern Riders.
Eryndor lowered his spear at Vaelor.
Vaelor's eyes narrowed. "You would go against Valtheris for him?!" he said.
Lyriel answered calmly. "Yes, we do." she said.
The forest itself seemed to tense up.
The first line had been crossed.
Everyone there knew it.