“What we can know for certain is, at least part of this message is prophesied; not yet come to pass. In your vision, Hylas summoned the treants against Shyla. This alone is the link between current and future. Only the Vigil will know if this vision will come to pass? We must do what we can to prevent it. Tristan Alecourt has experience with such beings. Perhaps he can help us learn the truth.
Anneleigh remains quiet as Maris gives her directions to Highglades Lookout.
“Are you alright, Anneleigh?” Maris asks gently before Anneleigh can turn to leave.
Anneleigh considers for a moment. “Not really.” She says truthfully. “I wonder what would have happened during my vision quest if I had not been strong enough to save Shyla. I don’t know how I came to be part of the vision when they were all nothing but illusions. I worry that... “Anneleigh takes a big gulp of air and allows herself to voice what she has kept bottled up since first returning to Silverwood, “... that the Vigil was mistaken in me. That I am not strong enough.”
Maris comes forward to embrace her; the action almost moves Anneleigh to tears. Slowly Anneleigh regains her composure.
“Trust in the Vigil, Anneleigh.” Maris says. Her voice is once again strong and commanding. “They have seen your potential, but also your doubts. They would not have sent you to me if they did not believe you worthy. You are not invincible, but neither are you weak. As for why you were able to protect Shyla during your vision quest, well, some mysteries are not meant to have solutions.
Feeling slightly calmer, Anneleigh released Maris. “Thank you – for everything. I should be going.”
Maris nodded but did not say another word as Anneleigh left Sanctum watch and found the path towards Highglades Lookout.
As she approached the area Maris had described she was surprised to see, not simply the number of people gathered at the outpost, but also the massive expanse of hedges forming great walls behind them.
Anneleigh approached one of the few High Elf males among the group.
“Tristan Alecourt?” She asked. He nodded his ascent. “Maris sent me to speak with you.” She began, but her wonder at the hedgerow got the better of her. “What is this place?”
“This place used to be a tranquil grove where we could make offerings to Tavril in peace, but the invasion of the Fae changed all that. Soon after arriving here, the faeries began committing foul acts in the name of their false god, the life dragon Greenscale. This hedge maze itself was one of their acts of malice. As we sent in rangers to investigate their activities, the faeries raised hedgerows out of the ground and killed many of our men. We fear for the lives of the surviving rangers, but there is more at stake right now.”“More than you know.” Anneleigh interrupted. She relayed the story thus far to Tristan who, to his credit, was an excellent listener.
“We must root out these devious savages before Greenscale gains further influence in Silverwood.” He said. “Your vision confirms my own fears. The faeries have grown agitated, as if their nefarious plans were close to realization. Hylas must be involved. Let us uncover the deception that has tempted House Aelfwar from the Vigil and brought shame to my bloodline. “
Anneleigh almost stops again to ask him more about his connection to the Aelfwar, but retrains her curiosity. “What should I do first? Do you have any suggestions?”
“Yes, as it happens. Aelfwar have been seen within Hedgerow Court carrying strange, plane touched items, which I’d like to examine. Do you think you can pry them away from their owners?”
Anneleigh smiles as his rye humor. “I can give it a shot.”
“Be careful – planar artifacts can be dangerous.”
Tristan describes the Faestone Signets and shows Anneleigh to the entrance to the hedgerow.
“Understand, once you’ve entered the maze, we will not be able to see you. The maze is vast and we will not have the access to assist you in finding your way out.”
Anneleigh nodded her understanding – She must enter the maze to further the investigation, but she does so alone.
Tristan was not exaggerating when he said the maze was vast. Within a few moments it was impossible to know which paths she had traveled, and which were simply dead ends. More startling, Anneleigh felt sure the maze was changing behind her. Once or twice she turned to retrace her steps, only to find the path was now a dead end. It seemed to grow and change as she walked.
Adding to her concerns was the suspicious lack of aelfwar.
“Right,” Anneleigh said to herself. “No need to find the way out until I’ve found the Faestone.” The renewed focus pushed much of the fear from her mind, allowing her to ignore the changes in the trap being laid behind her.On and on she walked, twisting and turning, attempting to follow the signs of the sun in the sky, though much of the sunbeams were blocked out by the overlarge silverwood birch and oak trees scattered among the hedgerow.
After some time, Anneleigh found what she believed was the center court of the hedgerow maze. From every angle came pathways leading into the center; empty except for one very large, empty planter and a single fae creature. Anneleigh watched as the fae, stoop backed and small, looked into the planter. “No, not planter,” Anneleigh thought, “summoning basin.” The fae seemed to be speaking into the basin. Anneleigh took a step forward in an attempt to gain a better position but failed to notice the twigs under foot. They snapped with a crack that disrupted the concentration of the fae, who turned and started towards her, knife drawn. Anneleigh removed her dagger from her belt and took careful aim. She threw the dagger; it met its target in the chest. The fae pulled it from its body, took two more steps towards her and fell to the ground.
The transaction had occurred in a matter of seconds. So quickly it seemed the person to whom the fae spoke did not realize the conversation was over. The basin smoked for a moment and then the vision of a much larger faerie emerged from its depths.
“Makirn! Look at me when I’m speaking to you. I told you for the last time, No!” He paused for a moment, finally realizing Makirn was no longer in a position to hear his commands. He surveyed Anneleigh with an icy stare. “No matter, Little Elf. Makirn is inconsequential. I’ve made a new friend.”
“I know.” Anneleigh said defiantly. “You are now working with Prince Hylas Aelfwar.”The faerie gave a knowing smile. “You know much, Little Elf. Yes, we have a pact - as you already know. Aelfwar cannot protect silverwood from the Wanton alone. Hylas knows this. “
“And what do you get in return?” Anneleigh called.
The faerie smiled again. “Not as knowledgeable as you seem, Little Elf. What fun would it be if I gave away all our secrets?”
With that, he disappeared into the basin and the center court became dark.
Anneleigh returned to Makirn’s body and searched his small pouch for anything useful. Inside the pouch she found a small smooth stone with a life engraved on one side and what seems to be a crown on the other. Pleased to know that the signets were not only carried by the Aelfwar, Anneleigh returned to the edge of the center court to choose a path. As she passed in front of one of the row, peering down to make her choice, the signet grew warm in her palm.
“Well, maybe this is how the Aelfwar and the Faeries are so easily able to travel through the maze.” Anneleigh considered the possibility of a new trap for only a moment. No one knows she has the signet, and there would be no reason to plot against Makirn.
At each new intersection she paused to feel the stone. Within moments she stood at the entrance to the maze, dazzled by the evening sunset and fresh air of the forest.
Tristan rushed over to greet her. “You’ve been gone for hours; did you manage to find a signet for me to study?”
“I did better than that,” she says as she hands over the stone. “I got confirmation of the plot. Have you ever heard of a faerie named Makirn?”
Tristan grows pale at the name. “Yes. Fae steal children in the night and torture mortals for amusement, but Makirn is the worst. “
“He won’t be torturing anyone again. He’s dead. His lord seemed amused by it actually.”
“What? You met Twyl?” Tristan asked, astonished.
"Yes. I believe so. He seemed the one in command, in any case. “
Anneleigh recounted what happened in the centre court. “And with his stone, you might be able to free any lost rangers trapped inside the maze.” She finished with a smile.
Tristan looks down at the stone in his hand and approaches the entrance. Anneleigh sees his recognition as shock crosses his face.
“This is...” he begins.
“...A beacon of sorts, yes.” Anneleigh finishes. “It will show you the true paths of the maze. It helped lead me out. “
“You must be exhausted.” Tristan says. “Brougan needs to hear about this as well. Why don’t you take the news back to Argent Glade? You’ve done more in one day than anyone could have hoped for.
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