The Dryad 58 Lillian

I realized something important as Gray walked away. "Ma'am, I don't think I have had a chance to properly introduce myself. I am Laurel, a sorceress specializing in plant magic." As I said this I saw a bit of confusion on her face so I explained. "I use my craft to study herbs and research medicine, which is why I often introduce myself as an herbalist. Istan and Gray are acting as our guards and Emily and Leafia are my students. May I ask what your name is?"

As I introduced our group, I heard a harrumph from Leafia about her being just as good of a guard as either of the men, but I ignored it.

"Sorry, where are my manners? I am Lillian Brightmoor, but you can call me Lillian." She said this with what I a.s.sumed was a very proper curtsy. She appeared far more graceful with it than the few inn staff I had seen attempt it. As Lillian finished straightening back up, Gray brought over the horses. Seeing that everything was ready, I walked over to my horse and was about to mount it when Lillian called out to me. "We can't have you ride a horse in your state. Come ride with me in my carriage." Once again my embarra.s.sment grew due to her statement. But there way no way to refuse. "My carriage can fit three well enough. Pick one of your ladies to ride with you. I think you would be more comfortable that way."

I looked over at Emily and Leafia. Emily was already absorbed in talking with Gray, so I beckoned Leafia over. "Leafy, you are going to ride with me in Lillian's carriage. Can you have the others lead our horses?" Leafia nodded and walked to the others. It was a little odd for her to stay silent like that, but the smile on her face led me to believe that if she was to say anything she might start laughing. I bit my lip to repress the begrudging smile that was trying to creep over my face due to the absurdity of the whole thing. I was having a hard time trying to act sickly. I was feeling the most giddy I had all day. It was strange enough for someone to burst into laughter in the middle of town. Even more so when said person looked green enough to be on death's door. So I did my best to act my part.

"I confess that I am quite surprised. You seem very close with the other lady, Emily was it? I surely thought that you would choose her to accompany you," Lillian said.

I smiled at her and responded, "I am close to both of them, but Emily is too busy flirting with her husband right now to notice anything else." I then did my best to push the smile back down to play the sick person that she thought I was.

"Oh my, that might make it harder to share rooms. I only have three free rooms. I thought the two guards would stay together and your two students would stay together. What are we to do now?" She was starting to get worked up over this. "I wonder if one of my acquaintances might have a room available to let to us... It would not be fair to ask guests to stay in servants quarters."

"Please do not worry about it, we will be fine." Then, to Leafy who had just walked back over, I asked, "Would you mind sharing a room with me for a few more nights?"

For some reason Leafia blushed at this question but quickly said, "Sure." This was very terse for her, but now was not the time to try and figure that out.

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"If you are ready to go, I will signal my man over." I nodded slightly, and Lillian raised her hand. Within a moment a carriage pulled by two horses came around the corner. This was an almost typical small tan box carriage. One man was on the front driving the carriage, and it appeared that she had a footman and a guard standing on the back, as well. However, it was clear that this was far from any typical carriage I had seen so far. What made this one stand out was the gla.s.s in the windows. If she could afford gla.s.s windows, this must be an expensive carriage.

Gla.s.s had been something of a mystery when I stepped out of my woods this time. I had not seen any a thousand years ago when I last stepped out to explore. It was such an odd thing. It was like calm water through which you could see and plants could get the light that they needed. But it stopped the wind. The first time I saw it, I thought that it was a sheet of ice and that people had finally advanced far enough in magic to make ice in thin panels. But it only took a quick touch for me to realize that it was not ice.

I really should head up into those mountains north of my woods again. I would like to see if those ice sprites had transformed into greater spirits. They were something of an oddity for me. Ice and water were basically the same thing, but two different types of spirits could form from them. I should get a sample of this gla.s.s and take it to the ice spirits. I think they might be able to have some fun with it.

I was really getting distracted this time, but it was really impressive how far humans had come in just a thousand years. I might really need to start becoming more proactive in protecting my forest if they continue growing at this rate.

I think I managed to keep my mind from wandering too much since I noticed when the carriage pulled up that Lillian was talking to the foot man as he opened the door. I was lagging a little behind the others but that was to be expected of a sick person. See, I was really just playing my part. It has nothing to do with losing focus. My thoughts were again interrupted as Lillian said, "Tell Jennifer to prepare the guest rooms when we arrive. These five will be our guests." The footman bowed at her words but I could tell the guard frowned a little. I could understand that. She was bringing strangers into her home. That would mean more work for him.