Chapter 74: An Ant
Mela led them into a house built into the side of a massive tree. The inside was simple, just a table, a few chairs, and a fire pit in the center of the room. A woman with white hair stood there, watching them as they came in.
Nox carefully set Serian down, letting her lean against the wall for support.
’Damn,’ he thought, looking at the woman. ’The mana coming off her is insane. No way I can fight that.’
"Mother," Mela said with a bow of her head.
"Leave us," the woman said. Her voice was calm, but it held a power that made the air feel heavy.
Mela nodded and ushered her two sisters out of the house, closing the door quietly behind them. The woman, Fena, turned her attention to Nox and Serian.
"A Sun Elf," she said, her eyes on Serian. "It has been a long time since your kind has dared to show their faces in these woods."
"We did not mean to trespass," Serian said, her voice respectful but firm. "Our path north was... blocked."
Fena’s gaze moved to Nox. "And a human. One who fights my daughters and walks away." She tilted her head. "You are an unusual pair."
"The road turned into a forest," he said, shrugging. "We just need to get through. We’re not looking for trouble."
"Trouble has a way of finding those who enter my lands uninvited," Fena replied. She looked at Serian’s injured ankle. "You are in no condition to travel."