The dense growth of the forest stifles the air and blocks out nearly all natural light. It is hard to keep track of time and direction. Following Fluttershy's elaborate tale and your previous knowledge of these unforgiving woods, you keep on what you think is a true path.
It is hard to measure but you assume it is around noon from the supposed distance you've walked. Also, you are fairly good at guess how long ago it's been since you've eaten. You and Shimmer stop by a particularly luminous cluster of fungi near a tall standing rock. You scout around the place for a bit and find that the luminous glow that comes from the spongy growth seems to be absorbed or reflected from a few lonely beams of light. Light that plays in the glittering dust around the rock, shining down from the rough thicket above like rays into a murky pond.
"An old way-stone..."
You start, stepping up to it and placing a gloved hand on the cool surface. The stone seems to vibrate lightly under your touch.
"Perhaps we are lost after all, I never saw a way-stone inside of Everfree..."
Sunset steps up beside you and looks up the full length of the stone as it desperately reaches for the elusive light.
"The druids of old placed these, not to guide travellers but to protect nature from those that would bring harm to the realm. As they were infused with powerful magic, over the generations, most of them were used for many other tasks... I doubt there is even one left still performing its protective duty."
She looks to you and slowly raises a hoof to touch the stone as well. Nothing happens, she speaks no more for a moment. Then, as you remove your touch from the rocky surface, her horn flares up. The magic aura spreads like wildfire. It shoots up over the stone in bright, red lightning.
Anchored in the ground and up over the tip of the stone, the magic crackles loudly. The magic spits everywhere. At first, you stumble back but when you see the state Shimmer is in, you lunge forward and quickly put your arms around her. As you try to pull her away, the lightning flashes out further over the ground. The sudden burst of energy leaves burning trails in the undergrowth and blackened, singed snakes on the ground.
Shimmer gasps loudly and then goes limp in your grip. You finally manage to get her away from the magic magnetism and the lightning settles. The stone now hums rather loudly and the sparkling glitter around it swirls like a storm in the stuffy air. Sunset stares at the dark thicket above with unmoving eyes.
You curse loudly and quickly check her pulse and breath. Her pulse is thunderous but her breath is weak. You do your best to hold her in a way that comforts her equine body. You give her a few moments in hope she will right herself. Meanwhile you examine her a bit more. You find that her horn is red-hot. This earns another cursing from you and you fish out some of your last spare cloth along with your water-container. Wetting the cloth properly with drinking water, you wrap her horn in the soaked cloth at the same time she shifts and coughs.
"What happened...?"
You look down to her in your arms with a painful grin on your face. She must have been shocked back into last week.
"We touched the stone, I let go, you erupted into crimson lightning."
She grins back, even more painful. She shifts in your grip and slowly gets back on her hooves.
"That would explain why I feel like I've been flash-fried. Subsequently, it would explain the supernatural humming and gleaming here..."
She turns to the stone and looks up in marvel. She looks like she is focusing real hard for a moment. Suddenly, she cries out in pain. You are swiftly by her side and looks at her, concerned. She pants and wheezes for a bit, then she looks up to you with sad eyes.
"I cannot perform magic, my horn hurts real bad..."
You kneel down and cup the side of her face with one hand, looking into her eyes.
"It was burnt, hence the wet cloth. I'm surprised you didn't notice. Just let it cool off. Beyond that, If you have the strength, we should move on."
Shimmer looks at you for a long moment in silence, taking your words in and seemingly revelling in your touch. Her eyes flicker back and forth to the shimmering way-stone from time till time. Then, slowly, she answers.
"No... I feel like we must stay here, there is something with the stone... I have awakened it."
You are unsure if that is a good thing or not. Then again, she is the expert in magic, not you. You nod slowly and look around for a place to sit. Best make good time and eat, drink and rest here then.
"By your lead, lady Shimmer. Just make sure to rest and recover."
She nods to you but says or does nothing else than sitting down beside you, her eyes locked on the deeply humming stone. It does not take long before she is in some kind of meditative state.
You eat some dried rations and other portioned foods you carry along. You do not feel like trying the local flora. More poisonous fungi here than edible ones. Your rest consists of staring at the unmoving unicorn beside you, wondering if she is indeed just meditating or if she is, in fact, in danger.
Just as you have begun picking at your gear worriedly, she snaps back into the land of the conscious. She breathes in deep, exhales slowly and then looks to you with a warm smile.
"I have communed with the stone, it was a rather giving conversation."
You just stare at her, dumbfounded. You know magic and magic-users are strange but talking to a stone just sounds... Insane. She notices your dumb expression and continues.
"It is indeed a magical focus, its laid dormant for many years. It seems my magic helped reset its original purpose, that is why... Um, well, it tried to absorb me. The whole me. It apologized and also said you saved my life by pulling me away."
Your blank, dumb expression remains. The stone apologized? You feel stupider after hearing a perfectly viable explanation. She giggles softly and leans in a bit closer.
"I can see the world of magic surpasses your grasp. Just know that your actions saved my life. I am very grateful."
Your blank face finally cracks into a smile and you bow your head for her. You have a feeling this won't be the last time you stick your hands into red lightning for her.
"Try to eat something... And how's your horn, you needed magic to... Talk to the stone, right?"
Shimmer starts digging around in her bag as you mention eating. She finds something, looks up and smiles weakly for you while unwrapping some rations of her own.
"My horn's very sore and probably burnt but my magic feels like it's back to normal, it was just the anomaly left by the stone that paralysed it momentarily."
After the fairly odd explanation, Shimmer eats in silence. You offer her water and keep watch. There is no chance the sparkling, crackling and humming of the stone has gone unnoticed. You just do not know what to expect. Wildlife, undead, unsavoury travellers? You get up and ruffle through your pouches once again. You pull out a small wooden case, check the contents and then turn to Shimmer.
"Think you can handle a few more hours of making way? We need to find a defensive position before nightfall. In either case, staying here will be dangerous."
You open the case and present it to her.
"Salve, for the burn... Shall I help apply it?"
Shimmer looks slightly overwhelmed, then gives you a soft smile.
"Yes, please... You sure are prepared for things, Anon."
You nod a few times. Ready or dead would be a fair motto. You take off your gloves and dip two fingers into the salve. Carefully removing the damp cloth from around her damaged horn, you replace the touch of water with the touch of fingers and salve. Sunset winces but remains still. You make quick work and then wraps the bandage back over it. She looks ridiculous but relieved.
You check your gear and get ready to move again but when you look to Shimmer, she is staring at the stone again. There seems to be an idea in her head.
"Give me a moment to consult the stone again, it might be able to guide us to a a safe place, an old druids grove or the likes."
You cannot do much but shrug, nod and watch as the unicorn again descends into a trance. This time the duration is much shorter and she actually looks satisfied when she turns her attention back to you.
"Apparently, I am now part of the Everfree druids circle, I have been indoctrinated as the newest and last of their order. The stone will guide me to places others cannot find, it is a stroke of luck!"
A strange relief washes over you. This place isn't all darkness and evil. You cannot wait to tell Fluttershy about it over another keg of cider.
"Very well then, my druidess, lead the way."
Shimmer grins wickedly and holds her head high. She does indeed take the lead but you follow very close. After a few minutes of walking, you realise that you are now hopelessly lost. Yet, you are walking on paths and you are certain there is a bit of overgrown stone-work here and there, no matter how ancient. Is Sunset lead by a magic force? You hope so and you hope with all your heart it is a benevolent force at that.
You speak with hushed tones to Sunset about your previous adventures in these parts. She offers some insight and experience of her own. What she has not done before is fight the undead. You reassure her that they are a fickle enemy. The fact that they know no fear, feel no pain and do not sleep is nothing against the fact that they aren't very clever.
You have fought legions of different beasts. Been close to snuffing it a good few times. Scars and broken bones are an everyday thing. You are a master of bandages and magic potions have lost their strange flavour. You spin a few tales for Sunset that she actually seem genuinely interested in until she comes to an abrupt stop. She motions for you to stay low and be quiet.
At first, you are surprised, then you see them. Up ahead in an otherworldly clearing stands some ancient cages. It is unsure what material they are made of but it does look like jagged old iron. What is the real sight to behold are what is contained inside of most of the cages.
Rattling, raging, skeletal undead. Most of them have distinctive pony features, others are a gruesome mix of wildlife, ponies and you are pretty sure you see a few human limbs as well.
"Abominations!"
Shimmer hisses the word. You shoot a glance her way, then continue surveying the terrible clearing. There is no sign of habitation, nor anyone around besides the undead. Whoever jailed them is not here. This is a mystery of certain magnitude. Hidden paths through the forest and you have stumbled upon the obvious meddling of someone.
Drawing your sword, you glance over to her again.
"We must dispatch these horrors before they are unleashed upon the world."
Before Shimmer has the chance to protest or stop you, you are already making a mad dash across the open ground. The air out in the clearing is delightful but as you get closer to the cages, the stink of rotting flesh becomes stronger and stronger.
The skeletal undead in the cages are going absolutely berserk as they spot you. Claws, hands, and hooves swing for you as you pass by. The rusty old cages groaning from the strain of the sudden assault. You slash and stab in through the bars, cutting bone and cracking skulls. This all seems like a walk in the park.
Until suddenly, you hear the twisted sound of rusted metal breaking. You have cut down perhaps half of the horrors, now it seems the rest are loose. They aren't fast, nor agile but you have no defensive position at all. Before you can do much, you are surrounded. Dodging the first clumsy blows from the abominations, you give back tenfold and crush more bone, wielding your longsword in both hands.
A rough push from behind sends you off balance and then the shredded pain of claws dig into your thigh. You swing around and bring your blade down hard. Another one falls, two more take his place. Did you horribly miscalculate their number? No. They are rising up from covered mounds in the ground.
You busy yourself with slashing low and kicking or stomping the ones that fall. In the middle of the frenzied mêlée, you throw a glance over to where Sunset should be. She is gone. You do not have much time to despair before the orange unicorn charges in from your flank. She was already coming to help you from the probably horrible defeat you rushed into.
A pained expression on her face and horn aglow, she tosses some of the undead to the ground with her magic. Then continues to stomp them in the same fashion as you, hooves grinding brittle bones to splinters. Soon you are fighting back-to-back, she brings them down or holds them still. You slash and crush. The two of you dance around, fending off the hellish beasts where ever they strike.
Claws and teeth gnash. You fling up an arm to stop a pair of wicked jaws to sink its crooked fangs into Sunset. You beat the beast off but feel a river of warm blood flow down your arm. You grunt and then roar as you split the last skull. Shimmer is looking at you with eyes wide.
"Anon... Your arm..."
You sheathe your blade and give Sunset a pained grin.
"That's my payment for being a fool, we should get away from this place and swiftly. I rushed headlong into what turned out to be an obvious trap."
Good intentions doesn't keep one alive, good decisions do. Then again, this fight is over. Sunset wastes no time leading on, away from the clearing with the horrible and strange display of creatures that now lay trampled and still. You examine your ragged wound as you walk. It is not gushing out blood and you have most of the functionality left. It mostly just hurts and makes the whole arm a bit stiff. A minor injury but something that has to be cleaned and kept none the less. Such a rookie mistake. You reflect on it all for a while, wondering why you did something so rash as charging an unknown enemy alone. Are you desperate to prove yourself to Shimmer?
Well back amongst the trees and an appreciable distance away from anything that might be stalking you, you slump down with your back against the trunk of a mighty tree. You instantly get to cleaning your arm and adding some herbal remedy before wrapping it tightly in your rapidly dwindling bandages.
Shimmer watches in silence, her face looking like she'd be guilty but you have no blame but for yourself. When you are done, you test your fingers and then smile for her.
"Carry on, druidess, there are better places to rest."
She gives you a grin, a mix between a smile and worry. You have lost none of your vitality, as you quickly prove by matching steps with the graceful quadruped. Soon things are back to what they were before with you telling little tales and boasting about far worse injuries than a bite in the arm. A bit exaggerated perhaps but fitting.
You cross winding paths and strange patches of moon-flowers. The forest is growing even more dense. It seems with each step, something snags your clothing or tangles in your hair. It is like the trees are trying to catch you both. Light spills in from above but it seems to be coming from darkened, grey skies. The sky was bright and clear when you went in. Probably another trick of the wilds.
Even if the light is unnatural, you are thankful for it. The glow of mushrooms and strange flowers makes anyone drowsy and had you lose track of time way too quick. Sunset seems tireless, she leads on as if she has a map of this twisted place burnt into her mind. After the encounter with the stone, that might just be the case.
The surrounding turns more rocky. Things that stick out of the tangled undergrowth as places of reference for distance and direction become more and more sparse. Still, Sunset pushes on. She seems driven by a goal now, you have no reason to question her. Before too long, a rock in front of you stands out from the rest. Another way-stone.
Sunset walks up to it but you hurriedly stop her from touching it. She looks at you with a confident look on her face and shakes her head slowly.
"Don't worry, Anon, my charge of the first stone should magically transfer to this one. It will cause me no harm."
You want to protest but do not. She flashes you a smile and turns back to the stone. She strains a bit with her damaged horn but manages the same glittering glow as usual. Magic still baffles you, even in its most understandable and ethereally visible form. The communication with this stone does not take long at all, even though the short moments feel longer as you are prepared to pull Shimmer away from crimson lightning again.
Once done, Shimmer looks to you with a stupidly satisfied smile.
"Look at this."
She turns to the mossy rock-face behind the standing stone. Even without her horn glowing, the rock splits and starts gliding apart with a low rumbling. A passage opens up in the weathered stone. The way is completely dark but Sunset enters without hesitation. You take her lead and follow. Strangely enough, just a few meters in, there are unlit torches in rough sconces on the walls. They look ancient but they are dry enough. A few moments with flint and tinder and you have a lively scorching torch.
The passage leads lazily downward and fairly straight. At first, the walls are dry and rough but after some time, they seem to get more smooth. Polished by running water and prickled with moss and other cavern-dwelling growth. The passage opens up to a large grotto that looks to be partly natural, partly dug by hands or hooves. Could this be one of the druids' old sanctuaries? It seems likely as it let Sunset and you in after she talked to another stone.
However much you want to relax and just stride on into the dark chambers, you are in no mood to stumble into another trap. You keep your hand on the hilt of your blade and an eye out for trouble. The other eye on Sunset as she marvels at the old cave. Every alcove, every passage is a threat. At least in your mind. There are plenty of things possibly inhabiting dark, forgotten places.
A while of exploring later, you seem to have found the main chamber. There are a few passages that lead off into the mountain or further underground. Most others are alcoves to living quarters and storage rooms. No salvageable supplies other than a fine abundance of torches. You were hoping for some cloth but none of it would make good bandages. Your scavenging ends when Sunset calls you over to an altar in the middle of the great hall.
"Look at this, Anon. The water in the pool here, doesn't it strike you as strange?"
You give her a quizzical glance, then examine the small body of water closer. It is a round shape hewn into the rock. At first it doesn't look like anything but drippings from the cave but when exposed to enough fire-light, you see that the water is crystal clear and seemingly swirling lightly.
"It's... Fresh... And, uh, alive?"
You feel like a right nonce taking a guess like that. Shimmer seems humoured.
"Close enough, its an enchanted scrying-bowl, kind of like a two-way mirror. I'd bet we can get eyes all over the forest with this. If the stones are willing."
You have already accepted the strangeness of talking to stones, so you do not object or question her will to commune with a puddle. You stand aside in silence and think about how much odd magic-business you've had to endure of late. Sunset carefully dips the tip of her hoof into the bowl, sloshes it around for a little bit but then quickly pulls it out. You are instantly next to her, concern riding your face.
She is clearly shaken but not hurt. She has to collect herself before talking. There is an ominous hint of fear, both on her face and in her voice.
"I saw... Visions, at least I hope they were... Bloodmane keep was bustling with evil activity. It was very hard to tell if it was from the past, future... Or present."
You kneel by Sunset and look into her eyes, trying to be as comforting as possible.
"Never worry, if the evil was as present as we'd fear, the princess would have seen it. We wouldn't be sent to face an army, surely the magic is just... Being magic."
You hear your own words of comfort turn to sand in your mouth. You do not fear The lingering darkness of Faras Bloodmane but you are beginning to suspect there is more to all this. It cannot just be about a lost apprentice and some artefact small enough for one pony to recover. Sunset seems strangely consoled by your simpleton's explanation. She puts on a brave face but glances around nervously at the encroaching darkness.
"I don't think I'd rest well here tonight, shall we find the exit from this would-be sanctuary?"
You nod twice, your earlier cautiousness now re-kindled from Shimmer's behaviour. Shimmer takes the cue and begins leading you two off into one of the passages that do not lead to rooms or storage. You silently hope she is still guided by a benevolent force.
You light another torch on your first, as it fades. The open sky is not guaranteed at the end of this crawl through the darkness but the thought is invigorating. Time to get out of this bleak place and back into the wicked wilds. A fair exchange, one bad place for another.
The rocky passage is narrow but well-worn, it has been used vigorously. You insist on walking ahead as the corridor only leads one way anyway. Torch in one hand, dagger in the other. Sword is no good for enclosed spaces like this. Your re-found cautiousness is lessened slightly as you step out into surprisingly soft greenery. This vista is more becoming of druids. The sky above shows the first stars of evening in the cloudless sky. The air is fresh although the murky scent of Everfree is still present. A hidden grove to rival any you have ever seen. There is a small river cutting through the once well-kept greenery. A short stroll through the overgrown yet soft nature within rocky walls, you find bushes and trees you know bear fruit and berries that are not toxic.
You pick a few handfuls of berries and offer them to Sunset. She trusts your judgement and eats them happily. You join her. They taste a bit stale and the ever-present influence of the Everfree seems to have fouled them up somewhat. They are juicy and give new strength none the less.
"And now we have become one with the darkened wilderness, never thought I'd find something to eat in the Everfree forest."
Sunset looks critically at a low-hanging apple, then back to you. She speaks slowly, as if her mind is heavy with worry.
"We have to be measured about the continued journey. This place still doesn't feel right but I am rather certain it would be the safest of places to spend the night. Those undead in the cages... Someone put them there with intent, someone with more knowledge of the hidden parts of the woods than we. This druid glen is a blessing, surely the stones' acceptance is worthy of that."
You brush your gloved hands together and lick your lips thoughtfully as you look around.
"Perhaps if we can fortify a corner of this place, rest as much as possible and then strike out as early as possible. We could reach our destined nightmare-keep before dark falls."
Shimmer looks like she is about to say something but nods in silence instead. You both know this is a bad plan but it is also the only plan. At least the only plan with some current validity. Without further ado, you begin taking another look around the grove. This time looking for a defensible position and seeing if you can find something to build out of.
Before too long, you have secured the place to a degree that feels at least decent with your survival instincts. Shimmer sits on a nearby rock and reads the stars as you shimmy together an improvised shelter from trunks and branches. The wildly grown but still rather soft and natural local flora gives all materials you need. When you are done, you have managed a fairly hidden, wind-resistant little nest. You make your way over to Sunset and pull her out of her meditation with soft words.
"Let's get some rest. No fire tonight so we'll have to share warmth."
Sunset looks to you with a calm smile.
"As long as I don't have to wake up with your tunic in my mouth again, that thing is filthy."
You fake an offended look.
"I'll tell it to behave."
You show Shimmer into the small but under-the-circumstances comfortable shelter. Before long, the two of you lie next to each other in a bunch ad tight as possible. Hoofcraft blanket spread over both of you. You resist the urge to chitchat about things not related to the journey. It just doesn't seem right. Shimmer's small body is surprisingly warm and her slow breaths are all the lullaby you need. Sleep takes you both.
Your dreams are a muddled mess of impressions. Otherworldly colours swirl before your eyes and you feel weightless, floating up over the dark grove. You are surrounded by dim stars and the vast endlessness of the forest stretches out like a roiling sea beneath you. Little lights among the trees draw your dream-gaze. They differ in colour and size. Some are still and some are moving. Whenever you try to pinpoint one of them, it seems to distort all others. This is when you notice the whispering. Was it there before? You try to listen but just as you do, you are struck with a cacophony of voices. Pitiful cries for help, great roaring shouts of agony, mumbled jitters of madness. Your head feels like it is going to explode, your astral form drifts on the non-existent breeze. Faster and faster over the jagged, tangled mess below.
You fly towards a goal that feels more and more ominous. The voices whisper as if they were in your ear. Fear, hate, helplessness. Finally, the entire choir of pain falls silent just as you reach your destination. A single voice calls out, you do not know it but it feels so familiar. Warmth bursts inside of you, even as you look down into the abyss of darkness that is the ruins of Bloodmane keep.
"Anyone, by Celestia, hear my words... Anyone, please help me out of this pit..."
The voice fades as quickly as it appeared and is replaced by the screaming and moaning of the previous nightmare-choir as you go crashing back into your body as if your astral form is tugged roughly by a rope. You sit up sharply and look around, your hands are shaking. You throw a glance to Sunset to see her sitting up as well. Your eyes meet and both of you exhale.
"I heard voices..."
She starts but stops and looks at you as if to confirm she is actually awake.
"I saw Bloodmane keep."
You hear your own words leave your mouth in a befuddled haze. Sunset nods slowly. Did you have the same vision? It is still dark and you have no idea how long you slept. You feel surprisingly rested.
"A feminine voice... Calling for help, saying Celestia's name."
Shimmer lays a hoof on your shoulder and nods a few more times.
"I heard it too, there was no doubt in my mind it was Twilight, calling for help."
You lay your hand over her hoof.
"Then she is alive, at least. We should leave as soon as we can, I doubt we'll be getting more rest here."
Sunset does not answer with words, she goes the way of actions. Rising and patting herself off, she very quickly gathers herself. You do the same, your gear has gone from an unfamiliar outfit to a second skin in a very short span of time. You roll up the blanket and check your things. you are both on the way through the grove before the morning sun even licks the sky.
Just as inside the rocky passages, Sunset leads on with a sure heading. The dark images from your dream linger and you have the feeling you are walking straight towards that very same shadow. At least you aren't lost in the endless woods. You ponder a moment of the horrors that hold Twilight Sparkle captive and wonder of what agonies she is suffering. If she was indeed captured by necromantic minions, for what foul purpose do they keep her alive?
Sunset helps dispel the thought just by pointing out the way out of the grove. Another descent into the rocky wall that seems to envelop the haven and keep the twisted wood out. No torches this time around, you curse yourself in silence as Shimmer has to strain her horn to produce magical light. The journey through the rocky tunnels is spent in silence and the dim blue glow she manages to keep.
A not entirely long walk later and you find yourselves by a small, mossy waterfall, trickling down from some unknown source. It looks to have been a mighty flow once upon a time and you are happy that it is smaller now. Filling your flasks and taking a drink of the cool water is a welcome break. The way down is tricky, wet rocks and a very uneven trail. Luck shines on you along with what morning light reaches through the thicket. You both make it down without incident.
Down on the forest floor, the only evidence of a hidden passage up by the waterfall is a small river that snakes through the undergrowth. No paths or structures here, just untamed wilderness. You do your best to get your bearings in this unknown place. You look to Sunset with a lost expression. She answers with something similar and begins walking through the grips and claws of gnarled bushes. Putting your backs to the hidden grove, you will have to hope for luck and the scent of danger to find your way for now. You walk alongside the tiny river for some time, finding the undergrowth near the clear water to be softer and more manageable to navigate through.
Walking with all the caution you can manage and keeping a watchful eye takes more time and effort than you would like. You lament this shortly as you are both taking a well-deserved rest by a fork in the river. Shimmer gives you a coy smile and sits down close to you, resting her head against your shoulder.
"We are close now... I can feel it, in my heart, hooves and horn... So would you please unwrap me?"
You look at her blankly for a short while, then realize what she means. You quickly raise your hands and pick at her bandaged horn with care. Under remnants of salve, the horn looks much better. Almost back to normal. You know enough about pony anatomy but things like unicorns' horns are still a mystery to you. Sunset breathes in deep and closes her eyes, she tries a spell. A few grunts and winces later, she seems to have cast magic on her own source of magic. Her horn looks as smooth as it did before the stone overtaxed her with lightning.
The situation goes up like the morning sun for you. You are quite possibly facing down a powerful magic-user, or several of them, in fact. You begin to pick around in your pouches for several little trinkets and ingredients. To some, it would be plain silly to even believe in wards, strange little totems and fetishes. The power of something like cross-tied lizard bones or a bag of breezie-glitter. In a place like this, heavily warded at its border, it seems this manner of witchcraft holds a bit more probability. You carefully fasten two charms at the hilt of your blade, another around your neck.
You hold up the small leather bag to show Shimmer.
"Pebbles of volcanic glass, tip of a dragon's toe-claw, dried Screeching bell and a bunch of patches from seven lords' banners... Always carried it, never seen it work. In the same sentiment, never been cursed either..."
Sunset tilts her head to the side as she observes your little ward-bag.
"Let's hope that all we need to fight this darkness comes in a little hokum-bag. Honestly, with all we've seen so far, I feel it'll be more by hoof and blood.”
She gets up and surveys your surroundings. She looks more confident now as her horn is back to its usual luster, even if it's a spell that keeps her going. You rise as well and stuff the bag inside of your tunic.
"Well then, a few more strokes through the sea of thorns and branches."
Sunset laughs out loud. She quickly stops herself and then snickers softly as if the laughter needs to come out none the less. When she is done, she shakes her head and looks at you, a tired smile but a smile none the less.
"You are a terrible wordsmith, Anon and I am beginning to think you half-mad."
You smile back and kick a fallen branch aside to somewhat clear the non-existent path.
"Someone of sound mind would have turned back already. Delighted we're on the same page."
Shimmer huffs, then snickers some more. Your stride and trot goes on through the varied undergrowth. Shimmer eventually finds a path, overgrown and unused but once rather broad. The discovery re-kindles a faster stride and sense of direction. Roads within Everfree are not to be trusted blindly but with Sunset tuned into the mystic energies that linger amongst the trees, along with the strange dream, you feel strangely confident on your way.
To both your great surprise, the overgrown path suddenly ends in a great cluster of thorn-bushes. On the other side of the prickly wall, the old great road is clearly seen. It is like invisible hands guided you. Wasting no time attempting to go around, you unsheathe your blade and continue straight through, slashing dry twigs and thick living branches alike.
Well out on the more or less open road again, you take a moment to brush yourself off. You pick a few twigs out of Sunset's mane and you both agree on the direction that seems right. It feels like the ruined keep is already looming up ahead, even though if it was, it would be obscured by the trees. There seems to be an evil aura blanketing the mid-day activity of the forest. It is almost entirely silent, save for the wind. In the unnatural silence, you become very aware of your footfalls and even your own breath.
As you walk down the road, or up the road for that matter, the uneven ground is hard to tell, the evil in the air hangs so thick you could cut it with your dagger. So far, no shambling minions or horrid abominations. Are they all kept in the ruins? Shimmer looks around apprehensively, then turns to you.
"In this silence, we can be heard approaching from a mile off. Do we play the role of gatecrashers and risk the wrath of uncounted, unknown horrors?"
You stop in your tracks for a moment. That was pretty much the plan, of one could call it a plan.