Visitors

Sarah sat meditating in her camp. Elu sat on the bench to her left, rotating two rabbits on a spit above the fire.

"They’re close," said Sarah. She stood up, stretched, and yawned.

It was nearly sunset when Emet and the others arrived. Elu looked up at Emet. Emet gave him a stern look. Elu lowered his eyes to the ground and kept rotating the spit.

"Welcome," said Sarah.

"Good to see you," said Emet. "Why have you sent for us?"

"I have news," she said. "Davion is gone. He went home to the capital. But before he left, he introduced us to some new friends. I think you should meet them."

"As you wish," said Emet. "Where are they?"

Sarah turned to her right and called into the trees. "Apollo?"

The forest folk heard loud crashing in the brush. Through the trees, they could see something moving. Something massive. Something tall.

The ground shook as the one-eyed giant stepped into the campsite. He raised a hand in greeting. "Hello," he said. "I’m Apollo."

The forest folk stared in disbelief.

"He’s from another world," said Sarah.

"And he’s a friend?" asked Emet, his eyes wide.

"He is," said Sarah. "He wants to help us."

"Why?" asked Emet. He looked up at Apollo’s one giant eye. "What are our troubles to you?"

"Dragons are dangerous," said Apollo. "If they take your lands, they’ll have access to the coterminous point in the ruins."

"The what?" asked Emet.

"It’s a place where you can travel between our worlds. We guard it from the other side, but we’d be happier if it were safe on this side as well. The historian thinks we may be able to convince the aristocracy to provide you with help."

"Giant allies?" asked Emet.

Apollo smiled and nodded.

Emet looked up at Apollo in disbelief and said, "The spirit of the forest has blessed us."