I watched as the bright flames danced before me. The warmth spreading up my forearms as their height grew, the wood beneath being consumed rapidly and their remnants billowing into the night sky. Shame that such a noble tree had to lose a limb. The way the leaves shuddered as Giselda swung her great axe deep into its flesh was more unnerving than the food that she cooked. The feel of its deep roots curling beneath us as it recoiled from the pain reminded me to try to disconnect for the sake of our own survival.

Giselda had a strong arm and a truthful aim, that tree only suffered for but a moment. If only she showed as great a skill in not being an annoyance. My eyes focused beyond the orange flames, finding the brutish woman talking to Reinia, their tankards splashing golden liquid with each dramatic gesture exchanged.
Falafel watched on from his spot beside a nearby tree, forever observing rather than participating but I guess I shouldn't pass judgement; these past few days I've also kept to myself. Snuffles curled up closer to my leg, resting his head atop my boots, green eyes staring up at me. His fur was barely distinguishable from the black and white, the outdoor elements covering us both in a thick layer of dirt

My ears pricked up to the sound of approaching boots, each step wreckless; cracking twigs with no sense of trying to hide their movement.

"You're missing out on the celebration," I looked up, a dented metal stein was held before me, the froth of the liquid teetering on the lip before beginning it's slow decent down the side. Boro's signature grin creeping from behind. "I saved you an ale before Giselda drank it all."

Ale. Such a common liquid for a human like Giselda to drink. I would've thought Boro would think lowly on the beverage much like myself considering we're both Elves - yet he continues to disappoint.

"I think I'll pass," My voice came out colder than I intended. "Thank you nonetheless."

"Come on forest dweller." Boro spoke in our native tongue, the familiar language not quite softening the blow of the insult he dealt. He extended his arm further, placing the beverage directly in my eye-line. "Loosen up. Have a sip!" I took the stein, holding the cold metal in both hands I feigned a smile. "Time for celebration."

"What are we celebrating? The job is yet to be over." I asked responding back in elvish. Bringing the stein to my lips the aroma hit me. Vile, people actually consume this? Scrunching my nose I lowered the cup back down. Boro laughed, taking the space on the log next to me. Great. I was so close to having the perfect, peaceful job. I never thought I'd be jealous of Falafel's social ineptitude.

Snuffle's reacted to the intrusion, removing himself from his comfortable position to one of defence, stretching out his claws before repositioning himself the other side of me. Boro's lute thudded gently against the fallen oak, the sound dissipating into the darkening sky. The fire's aura danced across his sharp features, making his hair shine like molten gold. I guess for city folk he wasn't atrocious to look at, but I'd never tell him that. Gods know not to inflate this man's ego, our element of surprise would truly be ruptured if his head grew any larger. Taking a sip from his own cup he cleared his throat.

"We're celebrating life, dear Astra." He smiled, nudging against my shoulder. "For tomorrow that could be snatched away from us, so let us not waste a single second." Ever the dramatic, that I've become accustomed too, but that stench of ale was now wafting from his breath souring the good mood he was attempting to create. He looked down at my still untouched drink, clinking his cup against my own. "Nor should we waste a single drop." Under his unbroken gaze and ever growing grin I gave in, returning the stein to my mouth allowing the liquid to flow freely down my throat. Swallowing hard my jaw clenched, the bitter beverage coating my tastebuds.

"Taste's exactly as it smells."

"You get used to it over time." Boro laughed. "Plus it cost's far less than the wine that our people raise us on." leaning forward he adjusted his posture, resting his elbows on his knees as he took in the warmth of the fire. He looked content considering he'd just toasted to his own mortality mere moments ago. I took another tentative sip, focusing back on the flickering flames. They moved with such grace, effortless in completing their task. Nature was such a captivating part of this world, if only others saw this as I do instead being caught up in their trivial doings.

"I realise I know nothing about you, Astra." Boro's words snapped me back from my trance. Furrowing my brow I looked over at him. Of course he knows nothing about me, it wasn't specified in our contract that any familiar knowledge needed to be shared amongst party numbers. He looked back at me, tilting his head to the side. "I have this thing- whenever I'm travelling with others on a job- that when we reach a point in our journey that may be life threatening, we exchange some details." He sucked in a deep breath through his teeth, adjusting the cup in his hand as he contemplated his next words carefully. "A location where to send your body and the name of next of kin incase you do not survive."

"I guess that makes sense." I spoke slowly.

"It provides the family closure and also-" Boro paused, his eyes trailing from person to person around our small camp. "-it reminds us that we're fighting alongside other's with equally important lives still yet to be lived and people that'll miss them. Make's us work better as a team than as an individual fighting for their own survival."

I hated to admit it aloud, but he spoke some truth. "Does that not also make it careless? More prone to mistakes if we allow personal feelings into a fight?"

"Very tactical of you to point out. But I like to think of it as; I'm trusting the people to not only cover my back but also give my family closure if things take a turn for the worst." I nodded in agreement, I guess from that perspective it makes more sense. He raised his free hand and pointed beyond the fire in the direction of Reinia who had slumped down against the tree Falafel was still hiding behind. Her fuchsia robes sprawled around her and she clasped her pendant between her thumb and forefinger, delicately planting a kiss against the silver.

"Take Reinia for starters. I may not not know too much but what I do know is that she has a wife back in the Crossroads named Millan." His hand traveled to the left, his pointer finger falling on the large figure of Giselda bent over a rock, swiping a whetstone over her blade, the moonlight catching a glint on the polished metal. "Giselda has traveled from Silver Coast. Her incase of death contact is her mother, Frida."

"What about him?" I asked pulling on his sleeve till his finger was pointing back at the tree Reinia was propped up against, the tattered robes of Falafel barely visible against the tree line. Boro's eyebrows raised as a dry laugh left his lips.

"Good eye, Druid." He chuckled, lowering his hand back to his knee. "That one I'm certain doesn't even know where he's from himself. Let alone have someone for us to write to."

"Then your system is flawed." I spoke matter of factly, taking another sip whilst grimacing.

"My system only works on willing contributors." Boro shot back. "So, Astra, will you provide details or should we leave your body to rot and waste away in this hamlet if you were to die tomorrow?"

I felt the words bubble up, whether I'd live to regret this time will tell. But the thought of putting my father through any turbulent emotional distress forced the words to leave my lips.

"Rowanswood. My father's name is Kanmah." I watched the brief flicker of recognition roll across his features. A common look I've grown used to on my travels, especially from elves.

"Rowanswood?" He repeated, letting a low whistle into the breeze as he rocked backwards. "Don't see many of you lot freely travelling about."

I scoffed in response, swirling the amber liquid back and forth, watching it rock close to spilling over the edge before crashing back into itself, spraying foam upwards from the impact.

"Not to sound brash," He started, turning to face away from the fire to look directly at me. Snuffles sat up, baring his sharp fangs as he yawned before placing a padded paw on my thigh, heaving his burley frame onto my lap, nestling his head into the crook of my elbow. Dark eyes staring Boro down - a warning not to get any closer to me than he already was. Boro cleared his throat. "I always expected the Elves of Rowanswood to look a bit more, you know...tidy."

My eyes dropped to my dirt stained fingers, the nails upon the tips splintered and blackened. The cloth skirts once vibrant shades of green now fell in heavy clumps from my waist, mottled and torn. I was far from being tidy.

"My mother told us tales of The Forest and the mystical settlement that laid in it's heart. How the Elves that lived there wove pure gold into their words and poured liquid moonlight into their potions." His eyes ignited with a childlike glee. "She would say that only these Elves were permitted to pass through The Forest's tree line, for it would hunt and consume any other that tried. A terrifying story that always kept me and my brother up at night." He laughed, slapping his knee. "How can a forest hunt and consume?"

"It controls it's own path," I explained, my voice steady. His laughing ceased instantly. "It drives those who choose to cross it's borders insane, leading them round in circles. Delivering them to the entrances of dens belonging to creatures that most can't even begin to fathom." A genuine smile started to pull at the corners of my mouth at the look of bewilderment that eclipsed Boro's face. "That's when The Forest is feeling kind. If someone finds themselves experiencing severe misfortune, The Forest will lead them into the path of Rowanswood Rangers." I stroked my hand through Snuffles' coarse fur, his nose twitching in response. "They'll tie you up, take your belongings, interrogate and if feeling merciful...kill you on the spot. If not, then they leave you for dead- and yes- The Forest will then consume the bodies. Bone marrow makes perfect nourishment for its soil."

"But, it was all just a bedtime tale?" Boro stammered, raking a hand through his hair. This was the most joy I've felt in a while, maybe I should've spoken to these people sooner. He took a long swig from his cup, the froth clinging to the corners of his mouth. "That can't be true."

"All stories stem from truth," I answered, scratching behind Snuffles' ear. "Granted The Forest isn't as formidable nowadays. People have gotten smarter in their navigations. But very few make it out of The Forest unscathed." The skies above me began to darken, thick clouds rolling in bloated with rainfall. I should probably stop talking about The Forest, it'll only lead to more questions and that'll lead to the heavens opening like they did that night. They always did when I retold that story. I felt my stomach sink at the mere thought. Red flashed behind my eyelids, the taste of iron filling my mouth.

Boro looked on still aghast. "I think I'm going to need something stronger," He looked down at his near empty cup. "Wait here, I have something stored away. I was going to have it after tomorrow, but this, this is the perfect excuse to open it now." I watched as he stumbled up from the fallen tree. His frame shrinking as he scurried over to his tent, pulling back the canvas he disappeared.

Around the camp others were beginning to extinguish their lamps, leaving their boots and armour outside tents as they settled in for the night, their ale filled bellies guaranteeing a deep slumber. I should too retire to bed, it'd be wise to do so, tomorrow would require a deep meditation in order to prepare for the ambush. Yet there's an ache- no, not an ache but a need- to tell someone about him. It's been so long since I've spoken his name aloud, I've forgotten what it sounds like.