“Nubbins!” Ivor exclaimed, running over to the beast. The beast pushed its way inside the room and nuzzled its head against the elf. Noah backed away from the creature, still cautious despite its toothless grin. It appeared to be a mutated bear with the ears of a basset hound and owl-like eyes. Its fur was pale grey with dark streaks throughout, and it was easily larger than an Earth polar bear. Noah watched in disbelief as it licked Ivor’s face like a dog with its master. It was clearly a beast, and yet it did not show any sign of aggression. Noah was starting to wish that he had stayed in the hole, he felt like he had stepped onto an alien planet yet again. Finally, the two broke apart as a weary-looking drakon appeared at the entrance.


    “See here is the lizardman, safe as can be!” Ivor proclaimed.


    “I told you I am a drakon!” Jergin growled, his eyes lighting up when he noticed Noah. “You’re alive! Ivor was certain that you were dead. What happened?” He asked. Noah glared at the elf and shook his head.


    “Your friend Ivor failed to kill me and had to change his plan.” Noah stated plainly. Jergin turned to look at the elf.


    “Is this true? Why have you done this?” He asked. The elf shifted uncomfortably.


    “The trees do not like him, that seemed reason enough.” Ivor explained. Jergin recalled his companion''s antics as they had run through the forest and found it wasn''t too hard to believe. Noah snorted.


    “They are trees! I am a person! Shouldn’t that tell you something?” Noah exclaimed.


    “See what I mean, lizardman? Even Noah understands his place in the world! I am not at fault. I think we can move forward and part ways now.” Ivor reasoned. Noah frowned and thought to protest but stopped himself before he dug himself into another hole.


    “I agree, let''s part ways and be done with this. No harm done.” Noah agreed.


    “Wait Ivor, about Kyle–” Jergin interrupted.


    “Ah yes, the young one. I did see him, yes.” Ivor said, bobbing his head.


    “Where is he?” Noah demanded.


    “How am I supposed to know?” Ivor asked. “He was with that bog wench, they could be anywhere!” Noah looked to Jergin for an explanation, who in turn shrugged.


    “What is a bog wench?” Noah asked.


    “You don’t have bog wenches on your home world? Lucky break! Those foul creatures are evil parasites that feast on the lovely westrin trees! Sure some call them wood nymphs but those are the delusional ones!” Ivor raved.


    “Do you know where they were headed?” Noah questioned, ignoring his gibberish.


    “Of course! They were off toward the center of the forest, no doubt to desecrate the land with some odd ritual. Strong wench too, to be dragging along the boy like that.” He commented. Noah’s eyes widened.


    “Which way did they go?” He demanded. Ivor walked out of the building and pointed into the trees.


    “They went in that direction–” He was cut off as Noah began running into the forest.


    “Wait, Noah!” Jergin called, scrambling to grab their packs and follow after him.


    “Farewell Nubbins! Ivor!” He shouted as he left them behind. They sprinted through the woods, and Noah was relieved to get away from the strange pair. The whole day had felt like a fever dream that he wanted to wake up from, and he still couldn’t explain what actually happened. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    ~


    “That was a weird character, even for you, Ivor.” The toothless bear commented as its body underwent a change.


    “Gross. You know I hate it when you shift in front of me.” Ivor responded, grimacing.


    “That''s what you get for calling me Nubbins.” The newly formed elf replied, picking twigs out of her hair.


    “Did you get what you needed, Delia?” Ivor asked, pulling out his false teeth.


    “Indeed. I confirmed the identity of the human as the same one the king encountered. He has advanced significantly since then. With his abilities, I should have been detected, but it seems that even the best humans are clueless.” She answered, before tilting her head in thought.


    “What was that bit about a bog wench?” She asked. Ivor chuckled.


    “Just a young tree wanting to earn its keep. It took the boy deeper into the wood and agreed to put on a show for the pursuers. When they return to their settlement they will think they saved their people.” Ivor explained. Delia grinned.


    “That’s even better than what I had in mind!” She laughed, “Do you think he will fall for it?” Ivor shrugged.


    “I would get a laugh out of it if he did. I guess we’ll see.” He replied. “How is the other operation going?”


    “There was a small hiccup stemming from our favorite human, but the damage has been done. We will proceed with countermeasure ‘7A’ until further instructions are given.” Delia answered. Ivor nodded, content.


    “Do you have my next orders?”He asked.


    “Continue monitoring the humans. If any other outliers emerge, report them to the council. Catching Kyle was good work, the king was pleased by your preemptive action.” She shared. He beamed at the praise.


    “May his majesty’s ascension be swift!” Ivor shouted, with the classical salute.


    “May it be swift indeed.” She replied, before leaving him to his own devices.


    Delia departed from the clearing, almost as swiftly as the human had not long before. That elf is insufferable. She brushed non-existent dust from her clothing as she retreated to the elven city. She would do her duty even if it meant dealing with the fanatics. The king had been clear that no elven life was to be lost, and that all loyal subjects were valuable to his cause. She had asked him about that, as elves didn’t typically encourage such weaknesses and had been surprised by his response. The System had given him a quest to legitimize his nobility, whatever that meant, and it required a minimum amount of followers. She was curious, but it was beyond her station to ask more, and she would perform her role with all diligence. She arrived at the city gates, pausing only to show the guards her authorization. A runner found her not long after.


    “Is it done?” The boy asked.


    “It is. Tell the council to release the humans from the spell formations.” She commanded.


    “Yes Ma’am!” The boy answered before sprinting away.


    ~


    Noah sprinted through the woods with his drakon companion in tail. They had been running for nearly an hour and had just recently started seeing signs of their quarry. As they rounded another clump of trees they heard a yell of distress from ahead. Noah and Jergin shared a look, both drawing their weapons and approaching.


    “Let me down, you stupid tree!” Someone shouted. Noah’s eyes lit up as he recognized the voice.


    “Kyle! I’m coming!” He yelled in response, speeding up in his direction. Their target finally came into view, looking nothing like what Noah had expected. A tree monster, similar to the one he fought in the essence-rich zone but with legs, held Kyle by his leg while he thrashed to get free.


    “Let him down, bog wench!” Noah demanded. The tree turned and stared at Noah with a strangely offended expression on its face.


    “Noah—” Kyle tried.


    “Bog wench! I am a dryad you blind skinbag!” The tree yelled back. Noah froze, his mouth open in shock. Did it talk?


    “I think there is a misunderstanding, kindly dryad.” Noah offered, holding his hands up placatingly. “I was told by a nearby elf that a bog wench had taken my friend, and I am only here to get him back. I mean no offense.” The dryad paused and scrunched its barky eyebrows as it stared at Noah.


    “Did this elf have pointy teeth?” it asked, a new wave of emotion filling its voice, this time not directed at Noah.


    “Ah, yes. Yes he did.” Noah replied.


    “Hmmph. Ungrateful, tree hater. As if a bog wench could charm a whole village! Now that would be something!” The dryad muttered to itself. Noah frowned. No way.


    “You charmed the human settlement?” He asked, tentatively. The tree bobbed its head, in a dramatic motion causing Kyle to bounce up and down.


    “Sure did. Those foul apes kept traipsing through the forest without a care in the world. Who do they think they are treading on my roots?” The dryad retorted.


    “Can you let me down, please?” Kyle asked in the lull of the conversation. The tree looked at him briefly and seemed to shrug before dropping him on his head.


    “Is there a way to cancel this charm you placed on them?” Noah asked.


    “Sure. But why would I do that?” It responded. Jergin meanwhile helped Kyle to his feet and began talking quietly with him to the side.


    “Perhaps I could give a message to them, explain how they should interact in the forest.” Noah offered, unsure of what it would want. The dryad had a curious look on its face as it hummed.


    “I want a statue.”