Traveling through the sparse vegetation of the highlands was significantly easier than crossing the ashen plains, and the temple provided them with a good observation point, so they planned their path beforehand as well.
They reached the hill in the early afternoon, leaving them with some time for observation and choosing the next step.
Each of them had a pair of binoculars - courtesy of Grond's shop and Koravel's stash - and was looking in a different direction, to speed up the process.
"The further we go from the capital the more intact structures remain" noticed Cassian.
Calen nodded in agreement.
Cassian was right, the devastation here wasn't as severe as what they seen in Asharil, and he suspected that closer to the royal capital everything was razed to the ground.
The landscape was still mostly lifeless and desolate though, just less so.
Their first observation target was the great tree - an ancestral home of the druids. It towered over the surrounding forest, devoid of any signs of life.
Both the tree and the small city at its base vere silent and unmoving, but if one looked closer it became clear the settlement wasn't completely abandoned. The palisades didn't have any holes, and the buildings were strangely well preserved.
Granted, it could be just a barrier that kept the city spotless for centuries, but it didn't really matter for them - inhabited or not, it seemed to be safe space.
"Anyone found anything interesting?" Asked Calen.
"Everything is still as far as I can see" answered Cassian
"Same here" said Isara
"I... I think I got something..." Quietly admitted Elira
They all turned to face the same direction she was, and looked into the distance. Far away on a mountain cliff there was... something.
The air was distorted, and only a vague shape was visible, but something was clearly there. It would tak them several days to reach it, so for now they had to just remember it was there.
"What do you think it is? Another temple?" Asked Isara
"I don't think so, the last one didn't have any masking abilities." Calen shook his head. "But I bet it's still important, maybe a settlement, or a place where we can find a Guardian."
"We got general understanding of the area now, let's go to the tree." Declared Cassian.
The journey was rather short and uneventful. Soon enough they were surrounded by dead trees, facing a tall wall made of sharpened logs.
Everything was completely silent.
"So, what now?" Asked Calen.
"I think this is an illusion." Said Isara.
"Why?"
"Because this keeps vibrating like crazy."
She held up the Moon Eye that was currently attached to her necklace.
"Try looking through it then."
Isara closed one eye and observed the world around through the gray piece of glass. She looked around slowly, until her gaze stopped at a one specific point above the palisade.
"Did you find something?" Asked Calen.
"Yeah... but you're not gonna believe me..."
"Just say it."
"There's a guy standing there."
"...what's he doing?"
"He's waving at us."
______________________
Not long after the strange interaction an opening appeared in the wall, inviting them inside.
They were greeted by three unarmed men wearing simple leather and linen garment.
The middle one stepped forward and bowed. He was very tall and bald, his skin was a few shades darker than Elira's, and he had a black tattoo in the shape of grapevine coiling around his left arm, going up his neck and ending just below his eye.
"Welcome to Greenheart outsiders, I'm the current Archdruid of this circle, Vinifer. What brings you to our humble settlement?"
Surprisingly, the one to answer was Elira - she bowed in the same way as the Archdruid and said:
"Greetings, Lord Elder, I am Elira and these are my companions - we seek shelter and guidance."
"You move and speak as we do child, have you trained under a druid?"
"Yes, I trained under an elder of the radiant circle for a few years."
"I see. We will shelter you and your friends for as long as you need of course, but why do you need our guidance?"
"I believe my friend is better suited to explain." Elita indicated Calen.
Calen, instead of explaining pulled up his sleeve slightly and showed the mark to the Archdruid.
Vinifer's eyes went wide, and he seemed to be in a slight shock.
"But how... That's..." He quickly collected himself. "I understand now, we indeed have much to discuss. Someone will show you where you'll be staying, and we'll talk during the supper."
The left guard indicated to follow him, and he led them down the labyrinthine streets of the city. The settlement was significantly bigger than it looked from the outside, not only were parts of it carved into the tree itself, but the city had an underground layer.
It also didn't quite fit the picture of a barely surviving, post apocalyptic town - children were playing in the street, men and women were gossiping around corners, and Calen could swear that he saw a tavern.
They didn't have much time for sightseeing though, as their guide set a very quick pace.
A few minutes later they entered a giant wooden building, and were led to a corridor containing four identical doors.
Their guide coughed to get their attention, and said:
"These will be your living quarters for the foreseeable future, I hope you find them comfortable. The supper will be in an hour, we'll send someone to fetch you."
Then he bowed, and left.
"How about we check out our rooms and meet back here in five minutes?"
Agreeing that it was a solid plan, they chose their rooms - Calen and Isara on the left, Cassian and Elira on the right.
The room was bigger than Calen expected, It had a double bed, a wardrobe and a nightstand, as well as a desk, a small sitting area, a separate bathroom and even a balcony, shared with the room next door.
That was when he found Isara after his brief inspection of the bedchamber.
"How do you think he'll react when he finds out about the balcony?" She asked, looking at the city below.
"I think Cass will freak out - I don't think he was ever truly one on one with a girl before, especially not in such a casual environment. What about Elira?"
"I think she'll be embarrassed, but also a bit happy. She doesn't have much friends, and she's quickly growing closer to Cass."
"Awww, and you aren't embarrassed to have a common space with me?" Calen asked with obviously fake disappointment.
He was met with a deadpan stare.
"We've lived in the same building for almost a decade Cal, we're waaaay past the point of being embarrassed."
"But maybe I want you to get embarrassed"
She actually smiled a little at that
"Maybe you should actually try then." She turned around. "Come, the time for inspection is up."
Cassian and Elira were already standing in the corridor, desperately trying not to look at each other. It looked like they were right on the money about these two reactions.
"It would be good to discuss what we should and shouldn't share during the dinner." Said Calen.
"Is there even anything we should hide?" Asked Cassian doubtfully.
"I... I'm not sure actually."
Calen was rather cautious when it came to sharing information with people he didn't know, but he had to admit there was nothing worth purposefully concealing. The druids were weirdly okay with everything so far.
The fact that they didn't even comment on the wyrm sitting on his shoulder this whole time showed that they weren't the type of people to pry.
Calen sighed.
"Then what do you propose we do for the next hour?"
Cassian looked at all of them and lifted an eyebrow.
"How about we get out of armour and clean ourselves?"
Despite the relatively calm journey today they were still covered in ash for camouflage and sticky from sweat.
"You know what, that's a good point. See you all when it's time for supper." Calen unceremoniously turned around, and disappeared into his room.
The rest of the party looked at each other for a moment, and then followed his example.
Half an hour later they were all bathed and dressed in new clothes - courtesy of the Archdruid, how did he get their measurements was anyone's guess.
Their new garments were similar to those the druids and all the other residents of the city wore, but slightly more elegant.
"Cass, you're probably the only person who looks more comfortable in a metal armour than in a linen tunic." Joked Calen
Cassian wasn't very amused
"It's entirely to thin to provide any real protection. I understand why I can't take my sword with me, but why can't I wear the armour at least? It would make me feel much safer."
Cassian's complaining came to an end when one of the druids entered the hallway. This time it was a woman, probably slightly younger than them - likely a trainee.
She bowed clumsly and said:
"The meal is ready, Master Vinifer is waiting."