Chapter 590: Vespri: Dharta (1/2)

/Inferno: Bali: Some hot springs?

/Inferno: Nix: That's my guess.

A wave of humid, warm air hit the Inferno duo in the face when they ducked under a heavy curtain that was drawn across the entrance to the caverns. The slight smell of sulfur combined with body odor's staleness tempted Nix to tear down the makeshift door to let fresh air in.

The narrow entrance quickly expanded into a cave about five meters wide. Stalactites hung from the brown rock ceilings, lit by torches that put out just enough light to navigate. Nix paused to examine the nearest torch; it definitely wasn't the flame variety.

/Inferno: Bali: It's a druid lamp, must be one close by. They create them with wisps.

He touched the torch with his bare hand; the light it cast was slightly bluish, and Nix found it uncomfortable to look at. ”I'll take fire any day.”

The cavern tilted down at a steep angle and meandered back and forth like a lazy snake for several minutes before ending in a large dome-like room.

Bali whistled softly. ”Never seen one this big.”

Nix nodded in agreement. The cavern ceiling was more than fifty meters above them; a dim cloud of smoke hung just below it, a testament that this had been occupied for several days. Even though it was lit with dozens of druid lights, the other side of the cavern could barely be seen. He had expected to see some disorganized mess, but this was nothing like that. From his vantage point, he could see that it had been divided up.

”I'll take you to see Mr. Sah. He's in section three.” Flazie shrugged out of her heavy fur coat and tossed it into a large bin next to the entrance.

”How many sections are there,” Nix asked?

Flazie paused for a moment, rubbing her chin with her slender fingers. ”There are three. We have the garden where Priscillian and her helpers grow things. There's the nursery where the really young ones are kept; I work there sometimes to help out. Then there's section three where the older kids and grown-ups live.”

Nix stared at their surroundings for a moment; the cavern's entire center section was green from plants, shrubs, and small trees.

/Inferno: Bali: It's druid work, Sir. They can grow things really fast... but this seems slightly off to me.

/Inferno: Nix: Same here. Deep winter is in its second week. One druid did all this?

The route to section three took them directly through the garden. Up close, it was even more impressive; dark green leaves and low-hanging fruit made it seem like a walk through a well-kept orchard.

Their final destination was a round table where a handful of people were sitting. Three men and two women were enjoying a meal together a few meters away from a cookfire. A round man wearing fine red robes stood when Flazie approached.

”Mr. Sah, this is Nix from the Inferno Guild.” Flazie seemed nervous under the gazes of the adults, moving slightly so that Nix was closer.

Quest Updated.

[Report to Felid Sah in Vespri.]

You have made contact with Felid Sah and his settlement. Find a way to reconnect the trade routes in Vespri. Heal the wounds and rewrite their fate!

Felid Sah looked nothing like Nix had envisioned him. He was a rotundly large man with dark braided hair and olive-colored skin. His bright blue eyes seemed out of place given his complexion, but they lit up with goodwill when he heard the Guild Leader's name. ”Mr. Nix! I am so happy that you're here.”

/Inferno: Bali: He's a crook... Don't trust him.

Nix shook the offered hand while struggling to maintain a serious expression. ”I don't want to waste your time. Could you brief me on the last few weeks?”

Felid Sah motioned for Nix to sit. ”Of course.”

/Inferno: Nix: Find this druid person and have a chat with her.

/Inferno: Bali: She's in the garden, it shouldn't be a problem.

The ranger patted Nix on the shoulder once and then turned back toward the garden; Flazie followed her for a few steps but lost sight of her when the Ain'Dhassi entered the undergrowth.

”A ranger? What race are you?” A gentle voice filled with humor spoke from a large tree base that was much too thick to have recently grown.

Bali stared as the tree's bark retreated from the womans' form, much like she'd seen the dryads in Oasis do. ”I'm a Demon-kin.”

The druid played with the dark green braid that hung over one shoulder. It was hard to be sure in the garden's low light, but her pale skin seemed to have a greenish tinge. ”Demon-kin? That's very interesting. Why are you here?”

Bali felt a strong compulsion to say what she knew; although it wasn't a secret, she resisted it. ”I was teaching my apprentice how to track game in the Deep Winter.”

”Game? There isn't any game in the area.”

”We hunt the Ice Howlers.” Bali caressed her bow with one hand, ” Four of them led us to a clearing less than a mile from here.”