Eternal Staircase
Gemina smiled once Iatairris had stated that she wouldn't mind being referred to as Irris, and also explaining that the new words was only two syllables long, making it easier for her companions to say. "Two syllables... Irris... I like it!" Gemina repeated the name a few more times before saying again, "Irris... It rolls off the tongue in a pleasant way doesn't it?" As Whisper and Wallace reached the bottom, Gemina gave another smile. She was quite obviously enjoying having new companions, even if she was the one instructing them... "You know, I've lived a life alone with my father for so long that it's nice to have you three with me... I'm sure that we're going to get along well." The woman paused momentarily, before starting again. "It's time to leave our abode. I won't be able to so effectively test your abilities with challenges as I have here for reasons that I might explain later... We will have to resort to other methods... Ah... Anyway, let us be going!" Striding forwards, Gemina walked to the side of the tree trunk, and turned a door knob embedded in the wood, whereupon opening the door. A waft of fresh air drifted over the travellers as Gemina led them outside of the treehouse abode, closing the door behind her.
The section of the forest into which they had emerged faced north; a narrow, scarcely-used path winded its way underneath the canopy into the distance. Lining this path were a multitude of berry bushes and fruit trees of all shapes and sizes: gooseberries, blackberries, redcurrants, sloes, redcurrants, apples and plums... A juicy paradise for a fruit lover's stomach. "Mezonas and I have tended and nurtured these fruit plants for many decades. Autumn is the prime season for many of these... I've brought four sacks along for each of us, which you can sling across your shoulder. There is a waterskin inside of each, and room enough to carry enough fruit to keep you going for a few days..." Gemina gave Whisper a quick look, knowing that the other woman especially would appreciate the time and effort required to sustain a small grove, before placing three of the small bags on the floor. This done, she went about collecting her own supply of fruit to survive on. This task completed, she returned to the location of the door, and sat down in the path, waiting for the others to finish collecting for themselves. Once the others had done what they needed to do, Gemina spoke again, "We will be able to fill our waterskins a short while from here. Tonight, we will make camp, and will discuss what the first stage of our journey will contain... Do any of you have questions as of now?"
Tretana Village
The man groaned in pain as Jokir punched him in the stomach, causing the hooded man to snicker again, "Foolish boy. You don't seem to know any self control..." The man ignored the rest of Jokir's demands and Kaiden's questions, concentrating solely on Akana, who now wanted to make the duel fair by being struck herself, which the other man promptly did. The two men then left to spectate; the not-so-foolish one letting him lose from the root platform. Free to move as he wished, the hooded man turned his back on Akana; walked back a few paces; before turning again to face the woman. Reaching with his right hand across his body, the man drew a curved sword from his belt. The weapon having previously been concealed within the interior of his cloak. Twirling the weapon around with his hand, he spoke again, "Duel me you will Ancslá. Do not think to presume that I am a weakling to be toyed with. ...and if your friends interfere, they will pay the price. You must agree to this." Snickering again, the man began to pace towards the right, meanwhile waiting for the woman to draw her own weapon...
The Forest Glade
The corner of Mezonas' mouth turned upwards in a slight smile when Arkadi referred to him as the 'Leaf Oracle'. "If I was to be an oracle, I would be the 'Water Oracle', but alas I am not, and I do not wish to be either. "If you are to travel with us, we must run to catch up with our companions. We must take the long way around this area of the forest to reach our friends... The forest surrounding the Hall is too dense for us to travel through it by normal means... We must run. Follow, Arkadi. Let us hope that you have stamina enough to maintain my pace." Mezonas gave a last, longing look towards his home, before turning to face the exit to the glade. Sprinting forwards, he ran out through the entrance, and turned east, running seemingly at random throughout the trees. The ancient man didn't stop, but rather expected that Arkadi would be following...