Thalira Estom, 17, Human-Hybrid Dryadkin (Wildborn)
Five days had passed since Thalira and the tribe women moved closer to the forest of the Drows. Today, they would pass through the forest without fail.
"Everyone ready?" Thalira called out.
The tribe women and children shouted back that they were ready. They had woven small bags, worn on their backs, to carry their supplies and leaves. Thalira then covered their traces by manipulating the earth, smoothing over their footprints and disturbances in the soil.
With Emish secured in a carrier attached to her front, the deer asleep inside her pouch, Cloud resting on her shoulder, and her bag on her back, she was ready.
She also had to consider rest stops for Meini and the children.
They formed a traveling sequence.
Thalira stood at the front and center. Vorani walked to her right, holding Roha in a carrier across her chest. Norenshi, Vorani's twin, moved to Thalira's left.
Behind Thalira walked Caerin, Bai, Mesno, Meini, and Yesama, who carried Amisna's infant, Aryn. To Meini's right walked Amisna, while Sachi walked on her left.
Finally, Morino stood behind Yesama, ensuring no one lagged behind.
With their formation set, Thalira, the tribe women, and the children rooted their feet into the ground and began moving swiftly with the earth beneath them.
Only a few minutes into their journey through the forest, Thalira noticed something.
They were being followed.
With one simple signal from Thalira, Norenshi was dispatched to capture whoever was trailing them.
Prioritizing the safety of the group, Thalira raised her hand and shaped the earth into a dome around the remaining tribe members. After handing Emish to her aunt, she concealed the dome with surrounding trees before rushing forward to catch up with Norenshi.
"Let—" said a struggling voice. "Go!"
The scout kicked at Norenshi, who barely flinched.
Unfortunately for him, Norenshi had been the first among the women to discover her affinity—earth. This meant her body was firmer than the others and her strength far greater.
"Please don't accidentally kill him," Thalira pleaded.
She still wasn't used to the tribe women possessing such strength.
Norenshi grunted and placed the scout down onto the ground before patting him down, attempting to straighten the clothing that had been twisted during the struggle. She then held him again, though less tightly this time.
"I just want to meet your leader," the scout pleaded.
The queen had ordered him to return with the leader of these unknown creatures—who looked quite strange from his point of view—no matter what. And he intended to do exactly that.
Still... he was puzzled.
"Why do you want to meet our leader?" Thalira asked suspiciously, folding her arms as she stepped closer.
The scout instinctively leaned backward.
"Because—"
He paused.
He had forgotten what the queen told him.
This was his first day serving as a substitute scout.
"Well—" he chuckled nervously. "Would you believe me if I said I forgot?"
Thalira stared at him, slightly concerned.
"It's my first day," he said proudly.
"That's not something to be proud of," Thalira replied flatly.
"Hehehe," the scout giggled nervously.
Thalira glanced toward Norenshi.
Without hesitation, Norenshi flipped the scout upside down and held him by his legs, shaking the contents hidden inside his clothing loose.
"WHOA!" the scout exclaimed.
Thalira crouched down and examined the scattered items before finally requesting Norenshi to release him.
"You will take us to your queen," Thalira said calmly.
She smiled warmly.
"But if you are lying... I will not hesitate to bury you alive."
The scout gulped.
He gathered his belongings quickly before leading the way.
The women rooted their feet into the ground again, each holding one of the scout's arms.
"Just tell us where to go."
"Ah... okay," the scout replied.
He still wasn't sure what he had just witnessed.
What are they?
⸻
Vorensia — Forest of the Drows
"My Queen!" Faren shouted, barely containing his excitement as he entered the throne room.
"They have come."
The queen rose immediately, handing her infant to his caretaker.
"Well, where are they?" she asked urgently.
"We have them seated in the study."
Before Faren could blink, the queen had already left the throne room.
She simply had to see these creatures herself.
"Slow down, my Queen!" Faren called, struggling to keep up.
Only a few minutes passed before the queen arrived outside the study doors.
She paced back and forth for a moment, gathering herself before entering.
When she opened the door, she found Thalira teaching Norenshi how to properly drink a cup of tea.
Upon seeing the queen, Thalira immediately stood and bowed slightly.
Norenshi quickly attempted to do the same—unfortunately spilling the tea she had just been holding.
Norenshi groaned in frustration.
"My sincerest apologies," Thalira said.
The queen was so fascinated by the two women that she didn't even notice the tea soaking into her carpet.
She stepped closer, examining them carefully.
"You're a Dryadkin," the queen concluded.
"Yes?" Thalira replied, slightly confused.
Are there really people who don't know our tribe exists?
This was the first time she had interacted with another species.
The Drow had violet-toned skin covered in tiny white specks that shimmered faintly. Their ears pointed sharply upward, and their hair ranged from grey-white to silver.
"It has been centuries since we have seen one outside Amorian," the queen said.
"How are you still alive?"
"Survival?" Thalira replied uncertainly.
She truly wasn't sure how to answer.
Truth be told... I never even expected this scout to be telling the truth.
She had originally planned to kill him along the way.
Fortunately for him, he had been honest.
"Why have you left your home?" the queen asked, finally sitting down in one of the armchairs.
"One cannot leave a place they never belonged to," Thalira answered, attempting to sound wise.
The queen studied her carefully.
"Then what is your reason for entering our forest?"
"We are only passing through," Thalira replied calmly.
"As you know, Vorensia stretches into Amorian. To reach our destination, we have no choice but to pass through your forest."
"Apologies for the intrusion."
This, however, was not the reason the queen had summoned them.
The scout who escorted them—Thalira had learned his name was Avin—had done such a poor job explaining things that the queen had simply decided to deal with the situation directly.
"Well," Queen Isim said, a faint smile appearing, "we will allow you to pass through... if you complete one small request."
"What would that be?" Thalira asked.
Norenshi, unable to follow the conversation, simply sat quietly drinking the replacement cup of tea that had been provided.
Isim snapped her fingers.
Servants escorted in the previous scout—Haim.
His leg was still trapped inside the hardened earth Thalira had left behind.
"Oh..." Thalira winced.
"Sorry about that."
She tapped the dirt lightly.
The hardened soil melted instantly under her touch.
Servants rushed forward to clean the fallen debris.
Haim's leg was finally freed.
Not only that—it felt stronger.
Reinforced.
Everyone watching the scene fell silent.
"I am Isim, Queen of the Drows," she said.
Even though introductions came a little late, the queen had already recognized how useful the Dryadkin could be.
Perhaps an alliance could be discussed later.
"And I am Thalira, Eryndra of the Wildborn."
The two leaders shook hands lightly.
Thalira then excused herself.
She had already gained permission to pass through the forest, and her people were still waiting.
There was no time to waste.
⸻
With one knock on the earth dome, it collapsed effortlessly back into the ground.
The tribe women and children inside looked worried at first.
Then they saw Thalira and Norenshi.
Relief washed over them instantly as they rushed forward and embraced both women.
"Where have you been?" Vorani asked, inspecting her older sister carefully.
"We've been worried sick. Thank Lior nothing happened," Yesama added.
The others nodded in agreement.
"What happened?" Meini asked, stepping forward.
"We met the Queen of the Drows," Thalira confirmed.
Norenshi nodded beside her.
Although the group stared in awe, Vorani remained focused on her sister.
"You should really learn to use your words again, Norenshi," Vorani scolded.
Norenshi shook her head stubbornly.
Vorani immediately began nagging her again.
Bai and his aunt rolled their eyes at the familiar exchange.
"I will explain everything once we leave the forest," Thalira told the group.
"But for now... let's focus on getting through it safely."
The group nodded.
They rooted their feet into the earth once more.
And the forest carried them forward.