Peek: Leaving the Woods

"I hope you two are sure about this," comments the Bear as he leads the two denizens to the border. Neither really is, but the prospect of something new makes them want to try anyway. They're both grateful for the Southwood, of course. He spawned them, after all. And yet, when it became obvious he would like to trade a couple denizens to the ally Thedeim, the fox and smaller bear found themselves drawn to volunteer.

It'd be a lie to say their decisions had nothing to do with how the battle with the harbinger went, and the end of the Maw. The bear was on the front lines of the battle on the surface, standing side by side with Thedeim's forces as the least tried to pour from their breach like twisted ants.

She suffered an injury before the Harbinger emerged, and though she felt she could have stayed and continued to destroy least, Leo the Warden ordered her to rotate out and get healing. Her instincts screamed to keep destroying the invaders, but the Warden was firm and had the Southwoods' backing, so she relented.

It hurt her pride to fall back, but being treated gave her the time to come to grips with the larger plan. They didn't know how many least were waiting, so taking unneeded losses could be bad overall. And when the Harbinger finally emerged, she was glad to be so far back. She followed the order to rush into the underground cavern eagerly, anything to get away from that abomination. She feared for the Southwood, feared if she fell, she might not respawn before that monstrosity could reach her home.

When two of the ally's scions fell, she thought all hope was lost. And then Rocky stopped holding back. She still doesn't know what he did, but the Harbinger fell and the oppressive weight on her mind lifted, giving her the strength to rally with the others and finish off the scattered and confused least.

The fox was there, too, though in a support role. He wove his illusions to keep the least swinging at phantoms, never knowing the true foe from fiction. When Honey had explained that particular misdirection, he was incredulous. Overlapping an illusion makes it obvious, but the little bee scion proved to be correct in her assertions. Sure, the least must have known that only one of the figures mashed together was real, but in the heat of the moment, they can only try to guess, and be delayed by indecision. In a fight, even a moment's hesitation can bring ruin.

When the Harbinger emerged, the fox tried to weave his illusions to help, but it seemed to only draw the beast's attention. When he respawned, he was surprised. A monster like that could surely destroy even the Southwood! His panic to join what he feared would be a desperate last stand was squashed by the peaceful atmosphere, and the news that one of the allied scions obliterated the Harbinger.

Those two are not the only ones with a greater respect for Thedeim after that, but they are the two most curious about how he functions. Asking the denizens on expedition about it would usually earn a smile or other bit of humor at how impossible it is to describe how Thedeim does things. And so, when Thedeim made it apparent he'd like to trade for a couple denizens, this fox and bear were eager to put themselves forward.

"Look alive. They're here." The Bear's warning pulls the two denizens from their musings on the past, and focuses them on Leo and Honey, and the imminence of their transfer. They both feel the weight of the Southwood's attention, always a cooling breeze or a warming ray of light. He's saddened to see them go, but proud of their bravery, and confident they'll find their niche with Thedeim.

The Bear sits heavily, his refusal to be formal a deliberate decision. "Good to see you guys. I have the two who want to transfer. I don't suppose you'd sweeten the deal with a bit of honey, too?"

Leo and Honey both smile at that, with the latter dancing her reply before Leo can.

"I haven't had time to make any, apologies."

The Bear shrugs. "Doesn't hurt to ask. Have you done this kind of thing before?"

Leo shrugs as well. "Almost. I'm a transfer, but I was dominated by a delver who Thedeim defeated. With her spell broken, I didn't have much else to go, and offered to join. I initiated the transfer, instead of getting traded, but it should be pretty similar."

"What was it like? Adjusting, I mean," asks the fox, earning a lolling tongue of laughter from the Warden.

"Like nothing I could have predicted. He's a good Alpha, and has a good pack. We'll make sure you both do just fine, don't worry."

The fox and bear are still concerned, but the transfer happens before they can voice anything. The cool, calm presence of the Southwood fades until they can only barley feel it through the ally bond. At the same time, the small brightness of Thedeim expands until they both fear they'll be crushed under the weight of it.

And then suddenly, something shifts, like they've breached the surface, and now they float in the presence of Thedeim, now a part of his dungeon. They can feel intense curiosity and a desire to make them more, before their new dungeon reluctantly pulls his attention elsewhere. They're on expedition now, and there is very little he can actually do with respect to them for now.

Leo huffs in humor, and even the Bear rumbles a happy sound as the two shake their heads, coming back to their senses after the transfer process. "You'll get used to it. Once we get home, he'll probably try to introduce himself better, make you two scions, set your spawners, then give you a bit of room to adjust. There's a lot of things to do back home. I'm sure you two will find something that catches your interest."

The Bear snorts at that. "A lot to do? Better you than me. I hope Lord Southwood follows Thedeim's lead and makes more scions. Directing expeditions isn't the worst, but it cuts deep into my fishing and napping time. It's no wonder everyone says the Stag is so high-strung."

Honey buzzes in amusement at that and dances. "It'll be a big change in how he runs things, but I think the Emperor has shown how effective it is. Just be patient."

The Bear nods as he gets back to his feet. "Patient I can do, at least. You two have fun with the new dungeon, and I hope all of us can enjoy some quiet boredom for a while. I wasn't even here for the war, and I'm exhausted by it."

Leo nods as the two denizens move to stand near him, uncertain what else they should do. "We can hope, but a lot of forces try to resist change. It never goes well for them, but they try all the same. Good hunting, Bear. Southwood."

Before long, the new denizens find themselves joining the throng headed for their new home. They each have the feeling that, though they might enjoy some peace with their new home, quiet and boredom will be in short supply.