The Forgotten Zodiac

Verolen matched Bermuda's pace, determined not to let such a thing be so. Sylas was quite confused by the demon's demeanor, but didn't question it. "So, uh...what's Treefort like? Didn't we meet there, L'arc? I don't recall..."

"Yeah," L'arc said, looking back at Sylas with a small smile. "It was one of the "safe" places that you and I were allowed to go and play with each other," he said. "You don't remember? It's a hollow tree, very secure, and people built the city inside its trunk and among the higher branches," he said.

Kendra was walking by Verolen, looking around at the scenery as she remained close. She had taken it upon herself to guard the demon prince, and, by default, Bermuda, as Verolen was staying so close. Bermuda said nothing to the two, but glanced over and offered Verolen a small smile as they walked.

"Oh yeah. I remember being really surprised, because the hollowed out trees are actually still alive." Sylas grinned.

Verolen blinked at Bermuda, then said, "You know, there's still time..." They had discussed departing from the group earlier; L'arc still had enough people to cover him when - not if, when - something happened. Verolen, Kendra and Bermuda could very well leave and it wouldn't matter much.

Verolen didn't really see why Bermuda didn't want to even try to escape the fate he had seen. He was a bit miffed by it, but he did his best to ignore it and not bring it up. "Everything is peachy," He said, although he nearly growled as he spoke. "We'll be okay, L'arc, thanks for the concern."

"Hey L'arc, watch this!" Sylas called. He tilted his head back a bit and whistled. The birds echoed his tune, and one of them fluttered down and landed on his head.

"Yesyes, let's sing a song," The little sparrow chirped happily. Sylas laughed.

((Bermuda is afraid something worse would happen if he didn't go fulfill the preordained events.  ))

L'arc frowned slightly at Verolen's tone, and looked as though he was going to say something about it, when Sylas distracted him. Smiling as he turned to look at his friend, he nodded. "I love Turning years," he commented.

"Me too, me too!" Gabe echoed, waving his flag happily.

((xD Verolen doesn't know that.))

"Eeee!" A squirrel, which had taken a post atop Gabe's flagpole, squealed and jumped off the first chance it got. That only made Sylas laugh all the more.

But his laughter stopped when something landed on him. A nimble druid, female, toting what appeared to be a wooden sword that was chipped badly. "O-oh! I didn't mean to land on you..." She blinked, then looked up at the others. Slowly, she smiled. "Right. No threat, then. I'm sorry," She stood and got off of Sylas' back.

"That's...okay..." Sylas grunted.

L'arc turned to the druid and nodded to her politely. "Hello there," he said with his best political smile. "Ah... are you our... welcoming party?" he asked, trying not to sound as awkward as he felt.

"Sort of. I...ran ahead of the others. Probably shouldn't have," She brushed herself off as Sylas staggered to his feet. "My name is Cinnoa. I'll escort you to Treefort, if you want."

"That'd be okay," Sylas shrugged.

"Yes, thanks." Verolen had relaxed noticeably since the first moment the druid girl had dropped from the tree. He had tensed up quite a lot, as though expecting a full-out attack.

Bermuda seemed more uneasy the Verolen, even. L'arc glanced at the two with worry, before returning his attention to Cinnoa. "Yeah, ah... lead the way," he said, then hung back to walk with Verolen, Bermuda, and Kendra.

"Certainly," Cinnoa bowed slightly, then turned on heel and began the march towards Treefort. They met up with the others in the scouting group before long, one of whom (the senior of the three) scolded Cinnoa harshly before noticing L'arc.

"Ah! Your majesty, I didn't realize you were here...so soon, as well! The Council will be pleased. Versha predicted your return, but we never imagined so soon after your last visit..." The oldest of the group, a stocky Druid by the name of Laef, addressed the prince.

"Ah, yes, well..." L'arc stammered, then mentally kicked himself. He'd NEVER had this much trouble speaking to strangers before - was the only difference the thought of his coronation? The butterflies in his stomach made him feel uneasy. "I'm glad they'll be pleased to see me, because I need to speak with them," he said, finally finding his footing in the conversation. "This whole group is with me - I trust that they can all be accomodated?"

Laef looked at the lot of them skeptically, "Yes, I think we have room."

"I can just sleep in a nearby tree if it comes to it," Sylas shrugged.

"I'll sleep under his tree, so he has something to land on." Verolen snorted.

Laef didn't get it.

"Well then, come on," Cinnoa started off towards Treefort again, smiling still in spite of her scolding.

L'arc nodded gratefully at Laef, then motioned for the rest of the group to follow. Gabe took it upon himself to walk next to Cinnoa, practically waving the flag in her face in the hopes that she'd comment on it.

Kendra glanced over at Verolen, then to Bermuda. "Is everything aright, my prince?" she asked quietly.

Cinnoa blinked at him and pushed the flag away, not wanting to destroy it, but not wanting it in her face at the same time.

"It's fine, Kendra. Just...when it comes time, make sure to cover Sylas' back. He'll need the help, and I don't think Byrne is up to it..." Verolen shrugged.

"Aptly said," Kendra agreed, looking over to Sylas. "I will endeavor to do the best I can," she said with a nod. She glanced up to the sky where Rush and Israel were, making sure they hadn't strayed, before looking back to her company. "And how fare you, Bermuda?" she asked.

The Oceanid prince nodded, rubbing the back of his neck where there was a rune mark that was just finishing scarring over. "I'm fine. Thanks for the concern," he said.

"Something's definitely off with you lot," Sylas muttered. "But whatever."

"Yes, whatever." Verolen shrugged. "We'll tell you later, Sy."

"I'm sure you will. Hey, L'arc, look! There it is!" Sylas pointed up at the huge tree awaiting them, its leaves reaching high above the other treetops.

A smile broke over L'arc's face as the tree came into view. "I see it," he called back to Sylas.

Bermuda watched as the rest of the group picked up the pace. He sucked in a deep breath, slowing down a bit. "...you'll stay close, right?" he muttered under his breath in Verolen's direction.

"I'm right on your six, Bermuda. I'll get you out at the first sign of trouble. I will." Verolen insisted, putting a hand on Bermuda's shoulder, smiling slightly.

"It's all up in the trees...that's awesome!" Sylas grinned. Cinnoa opened the door for him, revealing the ladder that led to the upper floors and the whole of the city at the same time. "How do you get around town quickly? Bridges?"

"Yes, they're hidden by the lower canopy," Cinnoa nodded. "You seem...familiar."

"I don't remember." Sylas shrugged, darting up the ladder before she could say anything else.

L'arc smiled at Cinnoa. "That's Sylas," he murmured, before climbing up the ladder himself, knowing that the first room was the council chamber, and that was where he intended to go.

Bermuda smiled back at Verolen, allowing Kendra to follow L'arc and Sylas up before heading up as well.