To get to the fledgeling life the Circle and I sought out had been much easier than I anticipated. But the situation there was much worse than I could have guessed.

My brothers and sisters and I followed the distant call of the sapling, which had taken root in the foreign land of Illaniah. I took the liberty to announce our presence to the powers that be beforehand, following etiquette as much as I would have to, if only to make the passage for all of us easier. We were certainly aware that a war was raging across said country. Basically it was of those who wielded or existed through magic against those who were scared of it, their fear stoked by an unforgiving and cruel king. Yet neither of those motives were our concern. We had soon figured out that the sapling was indeed native to this land, akin to what people there called “The Tree of Life”. More specifically, we witnessed the sapling being called the trees son. The idea of which irritated me a lot. But then, who am I to judge on this matter. And, moreover, what difference would it make just what the creature was called. All we wanted was to protect and nurture it. With pride I think I can claim for us that we certainly put in every effort available to us. More than what could have been asked. And definitely more than what we should have given.

For this, we do not expect gratitude from the people there. We just need to know that the sapling lives and grows. And we will only leave once we know this is ensured. Our prospects are splendid, however, since what we are looking for seems to be the very purpose of the cleric monastery, the very location the last battle was fought and the war won for one side.

The whole journey did offer other opportunities as well. We made new acquaintances. Who knows? Maybe laid the foundation for future friendships. It was surprising to see so many unexpected moments of blossoming trust and courage. Especially from those I least expected to trust ever at all.

The first people we met upon our very rainy arrival were two squires, who had set up camp directly next of us. While we raised our tents, we were soaking wet. And while they did not offer support in that, they did offer fresh food and hospitality whenever we needed it. The other day, they even showed our group around camp and the monastery. Against my initial assessment, they offered good companionship and fought with us side by side. Chuláin thinks they have reservations against some particular species. But if they do, they at least were open enough to learn. Except from those who showed open hostility.

Chuláin… I never wished to pick a fight with him, yet we found ourselves at odds with each other after some occurrences in the camp. He said that I would not stand with him and the others, but rather behind them – after I refused to verbally attack the reigning lord right then and there. I told him that I could be at his side, but I could not lead the way in that moment. To me, this was the wrong point in time. I can see now why he must have felt deserted in his belief. Eventually, we did talk again. And I feel we managed to resolve our anger and disappointment. I find confrontation among us abhorring. Here is to hoping it will never happen again.

What came as a surprise was that, of all people, it was Fyrwyn who agreed with me. Much to my disbelief, we were of one mind quite often that particular weekend. I even managed to express my appreciation for that. To that extend, I think she, too, was somewhat pleased, stating that maybe we could find common ground through means of reason. She is very hard to read, almost always keeping quiet and locking her thoughts away, lest anyone should know her motives. So why on earth does her blessing or praise mean anything to me?

Another surprise was Erias, who not only went out of his way to talk to strangers – but also get involved in their problems and business. He, out of all of us, knows best that oftentimes, no good comes from this. And yet he kept trying to offer his hand in – dare I say friendship? For all the time I have known him, I have never seen him take so many risks. Quite often it appeared as if the circle’s reluctance to get involved in anything that wasn’t nature to frustrate him. He even came forth to lead the Ritual of Protection, which is unlike him. He is a performer who is shy of all the attention he can get. I wonder whether he surprised himself with being successful.

Chuláin and Erias must have made friends with another elf by the name of Sariel Flinksehne. She is as distant as Lord Kinre, the other elf we met, who often came to our grove to find rest and likeminded souls. But where he was distant and offered the smile of a man who had seen much more than any human can ever hope to experience in one lifetime, Sariel is distant and cold. That is, cold as in unapproachable. I know she got up and picked up her sword again, even though she should not have when I encountered her at the lazaret. So there must be something than merely land and ideals to fight for in her eyes. I doubt she would risk her life merely over some markings on someone else’s map. Those 25 years of war must have changed her to the bone. Perhaps Chuláin and Erias can see beyond that. If so, I am curious to find out what lies beyond.

Even Warmund appeared astoundingly comfortable with the task to protect us. Whenever an alarm sounded, he was among the first to reach for his weapon and disappeared until the threat was averted. I have no idea what exactly he did or did not do. But, in all honesty, I envy him for his continued ability to fight, axe in hand, courageous and certainly an enemy to behold. The days I was able to do that are not that far gone that I fail to recall them. The ability to not only speak of protection, but also being able to grant it… is something I miss direly. Perhaps, in time I will be able to make my peace with that.

And I would have been used as a fighter. At one point, there was another alarm. A few moments later I found my way to the lazaret, trying to help with the wounded, maybe buy some time for the surgeons until they could get to everyone. Of all the people that could have come my way in that instance, it was nobody less than the Great Lord Paräus Schneefuchs. They set him down in front of me and I used my staff to try and keep him stable for as long as I could. Little did I know that the enemy had already made it past camp defenses. And so, while kneeling in front of Parsäus, I was struck with a battle axe, directly in the back. After that, I only barely remember collapsing into Parsäus’ lap, Aura licking my ear to keep me conscious. Rarely have I felt as embarrassed. But thanks to the diligent work of the medical staff, I was stitched up and managed to return to our grove. For the rest of the battle, I found myself wary of leaving the grove again… To Parsäus’ credit, he held no ill will against me. Or at least did not give that particular impression. He even came to listen to us when the circle voiced concern over the deeds of another highborn. Ironically, he was much more willing to consider our thoughts than the accused himself.

Said highborn, an elf no less, saw fit to bestow the gift of four lives on someone who had betrayed him. Whether or not that is fair punishment is for the gods to decide. But to dispense life only so it could prolong cruelty and death… Certainly this is barely tolerable for any druid I know. Most people I know at all. To accomplish this, so they say, he also had to sacrifice the life of his own firstborn… He claimed that his son had renounced his family, had turned criminal and was by now one of the worst lowlives. But even so. It makes him no less the son of his father. And Blueflame’s actions even more concerning than they already were. We did confront him, of course. But all he gave were long breaths filled with thousands of words that only served to prove his own innocence, if not to us, than at least to himself. We, of course, never agreed. He put not only the warband at risk – but every creature using magic, every creature depending on it in all of Illaniah. And while he says he was too far away to affect the sapling, I dare disagree. The roots of tree father and son reach much further than the elf claims. He might have scarred them beyond even our repair. Of which I am uncertain it is still wanted…

It is my greatest hope that Soara did not think too hard about Faldorian’s actions. She was the first to call him out, and I commend her for that. Yet I fear that his acts only give her more reason to doubt strangers, especially fathers. Not that she needed any more reason than she already has. It must have taken her great courage to speak up. More courage yet to stay her hand after. I wish I could have spoken to her in private more often than we did. Out of the six of us, she is the one I worry for most.

Ending on such dark thoughts would be a disservice to the other people we met, so I shall not. Our neighbours, of course. And Kinre – and perhaps even Sariel. But the deepest impression came from to other strangers.

One, a tiefling woman from Faerûn. She has a wonderful voice and knows to use it well in conversation. Chuláin took to her wit immediately – and I agree. I would have loved to listen to her for longer. Her tone was full of sparkling sprites. And yet… There is something underlying in what she says that I cannot put my finger on just yet. She is very well aware that she could have men by the dozen. But she never truly pushed for that, to the best of my knowledge. Others might say that the mystery she shrouds herself in is that of her race. However, I feel that said mystery is that of life, of a story lived that nobody knew would be told at all. There is so much potential… But does she wish to use it? And if so, to what end?

Her traveling companion is the other soul I should mention. Raik by name, he is a nobleman from the far away land of Aventurien, of which I have never heard. He plays his instruments well and has a wonderful singing voice. One he fears not using, like many other mans would, out of fear someone might notice that they, too, can enjoy art. Raik, however, makes no secret of this, proclaiming his interest freely, despite expectations placed into him. I have given him one of the teeth, so that my brother might know him for a friend, should they ever meet. Perhaps they can be helpful to one another.

So much of this life’s story has already been told. Still, I cannot shake the thought that this might just be the beginning of a new chapter. I pray it ends well for at least some of us.