A View Form Above

When the pair came to the river, something was wrong; the river was shallow and slow. Zekka bent low, putting her hand in the water. “It said very little to me. It seems that someone is stealing it and using it.”

Only Frick truly understood the gravity of the quiet river. “We need to solve this fast, not only is water a friend, it is a powerful ally.”

“The trees are not speaking either.” Zekka stood up, “Of Course!” She shouted in revelation. Eric twisted the spell sent out by Daharra. He wanted May.

“That means the target is nature, not the Divine Arcane.” Without saying another word, the two of them leapt back onto their horses and took off with as much speed as the horses could muster.

Frick pulled on a muscle that relieved the horses of their need to eat or sleep, running them at max speed until the sun was on the horizon. A deep night loomed on the horizon. A night with no moon.

“I’d rather not sleep here. Do you think you could pull me to Bronze home?” She asked him as they slowed to a cantor.

“You know, I never could find that muscle. Why don’t you pull the lever and switch like Malgastiflorian said you could.”he responded with a cheeky smile.

“I have no clue how to even go about searching. The forest isn’t talking, and the river is all but gone,” she said, sounding exasperated. She looked at Frick helplessly.

“May once said Oobook talked to the wind,” he said, knowing full well that Oobook was a master; it took him generations to achieve such a feat. Nevertheless, Zekka laid her head back and listened. Her face was serene, as she bounced up and down, listening for whatever the wind was willing to say.

“Please,” she begged, the wind blowing across her peaceful face. They rode like that for the next fifteen or so minutes. Until Zekka returned her gaze to Frick, she was excited; she had done in days what took masters their whole lives. “It told me I need the sun to set before I can do anything.”

“So it spoke to you? What did it say?” He asked.

“I need to beseech the Divine arcane. It showed me the muscle that Malgastiflorian uses to get in contact with it, but the trees are asking me to wait.”

“I can’t hold the muscle for the horses much longer. Why don’t we stop for the night?” There was enough time for a meal before the wind’s instructions could be followed. Frick set up the tent just in case. He was quite a pragmatic man. He caught a glimpse of May’s armor; it had dings and scratches. Zekka was starting a fire the old-fashioned way. He retrieved the armor. “Did you make that for her?” she asked as the fire sparked into existence.

Frick’s answer was barely audible over the crackling of the fire. “She is an impressive blacksmith; she would always tell me that, to her, metal was the purest form of nature. Twisting and forming it took strength, determination, and most importantly, discipline.” He remembered her truth fondly.

“Strength, determination, and discipline. That sounds more like Malgastiflorian than May.” Zekka mused.

“With all her strength, determination and discipline, she made this.” He held up May’s chest plate. He pulled a piece of fabric out of his pocket, polishing out the small scratches.

“May truly was someone special. She taught me to speak to the trees.” Her eyes gazed into the surrounding forest. Darkness was beginning to fall. “Now that they are not saying anything, I feel like I’ve failed her.” She was clearly hurt by this; even though the trees are busy protecting themselves as best they know how.

“The trees are not talking, because they are busy protecting themselves, not because of you.” Frick relayed.

“How do you know?” Zekka asked. Frick pointed to the beautiful hat sitting on his head. She smiled and said, “Well, if I must help the trees, I need my muscles back.” Frick put down the armor, and began to stand. Zekka raised her hand, “You’re not coming with,” she explained, motioning to Frick. He sat back down, returning to his task of gently rubbing the scratches out of his wife’s armor.

Zekka started to walk away, then turned around, an idea on her lips. “I wouldn’t mind it if May came with, though.” Frick handed her the hat silently. Zekka took it gladly. She was grateful to hear the voice of her friend, leaving her feeling quite comforted as she ventured off into the unknown.