The sun had descended well below the trees by the time Mykal lead Myst into a clearly better traveled area, depending on his elven born night vision to guide them. Her drow blood gave her superior vision, but her inexperience in the woodlands left her all but blind to the woodland’s paths. He came to a stop in what appeared to be the meeting point of paths from all directions, declaring; “We’re here.” “Where?” she quipped with a frustrated bite in her voice, looking about the maze of huge trees, but not seeing any sign of habitation; it had been a long tiring day trudging through the damp, chilly woods. In reply he only eyed her with an arrogant glare; then nodded upward. Following his motion, Myst looked upward to see a web of bridges and decks stretching around and between the enormous trunks. Lit windows, lanterns and globes illuminated the tree bourn town and the clearly humanoid shapes moving about above. With most of trees leafless, she could see that the town reached upward in several levels, surprising her in its similarity to how Maerimydra rose around massive stalagmites. Bringing her eyes back to the ground, she found Mykal with a satisfied smirk on his face, as he lead her amongst the massive trunks until they reach one with stairs that literally grew from its side as it spiraled upward to the lowest deck, some thirty feet above. They crossed several open decks and bridges, some supported by ropes, while others were grown directly from the branches, and climbed another two levels up, passing a few elves on the way, all of whom recoiled in surprise upon seeing Myst. Finally they reached a structure that was partially built around, and partially grown from, the massive trunk. Entering, they found themselves facing a reception desk attended by a pretty wood-elven maiden, who smiled welcomingly at Mykal, greeting him warmly; “I was beginning to wonder if you would return this winter.” “Sorry to disappoint you,” he retorted sarcastically, then added with mock formality; “Madam Hacathra Moonglamaer, may I present Ilamyst, formerly of Maerimydra.” “Welcome dear,” Hacathra met her with forced gentility as she eyed Myst skeptically, adding, as she turned back to Mykal; “Can I assume that you… and your guest… will want a bath prepared?” “That would be most welcome,” he replied with equally forced courtesy, while fixing her with a warning stare. Then he guided Myst toward an interior stairway, up a flight and down a hall of alternating doors. Stopping midway, he produced a key from his pouch, unlocked the door and ushered her into a simple room. After lighting a lantern, Mykal set a fire in the small hearth against one wall to dispel the chill, while Myst surveyed the room, which contained a small table and pair of chairs sitting under a shuttered window opposite a moderately sized bed, and a large metal tub opposite the hearth. “What is this… an inn of some kind?” she queried as she slipped off the cloak he had lent her, a little unsettled, but not overly surprised by her welcome. She had fully expected to share his bed in return for the aid he had rendered her, and now that the time seemed to be drawing near, she found herself welcoming the prospect… for the first time in her life. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Additional Credits: * Michael 4 from DAZ3D * Dragonworld: Wildenlander by DAZ3d and Luthbel * Glynn Hair by AprilYSH * Mystic Hollow by LaurieS * Fantasy Ranger for M4 by Xurge3D * Fantasy Ranger for V4 by Xurge3D * Weapons and Harness for Fantasy Ranger for M4 by Xurge3D