Megan stared out at the scenery surrounding their small group as she rode astride a black mare down a rutted dirt path. Ramon trotted in front on his large black stallion. Three other attendants followed them on horses. One of them was the game keeper – Dallen. He brought up the rear with Shana – Ramon's daughter. The last member was a tall lanky man with red hair and pale skin, tinged red by the sun. Hills rose up on either side of their road, winding quickly out of sight. Megan could see a thick forest up ahead. Ramon had called it the Wakeful Wood. The trees within were seemingly sentient. Sometimes you could even here whispers shared between the trees. Ramon had warned her to stay close and not to stray from the path. No one knew exactly what dwelled in the forest. All who saw the creatures either died or went mad with fear. So, the creature's identity remained a mystery, but they served well as guardians for the creature living near the center of the forest – the one that Megan sought.

Dallen and Shana exchanged whispers throughout the trek, occasionally giggling at something the other had said. It was clear to Megan that Dallen liked Shana and that Shana felt the same way. But, considering their discreetness, she doubted that Ramon was aware of the two's interest in each other. She resolved not to bring the fact to light. It was not her place. Who was she to ruin their fun?

As they rounded the last bend, the forest came fully into view. The trees stretched high and thick across the vast expanse. They reached towards the clouds as if grasping for the heavens. When she looked closely, Megan thought the branches looked like hands with their fingers spread wide, like a child ready to accept a gift.

Ramon hesitated at the tree line. "From this point on no one leaves the group." He scanned the ominous grove. "If you value your life, you will stay close to me and do exactly as I say." Once everyone agreed, he spurred his horse forward and soon they disappeared into the Wakeful Wood.