Chapter 72: Outpost Completion
In a creek with plenty of greens, Temeya sits by a dry rock writing on thick parchment.
"Dear Princess Kara, your highness.
The establishment of the outposts in forests is far more complicated manner than we imagine. As we comb the forest, we come to realize races different than ours dwell in this forest. If it is just elves, I plan to have them evacuate to the Dark Forest. But are of different demi-human races, a non-elf, which makes me reluctant to push forward with the initial plan. It is discriminatory, but to be frank, an elf can only trust an elf. The other forests that we wish to make an outpost similarly have their own tribes, and if not, magical species that we Pilgrims are unable to contend. The Dark Forest is the most notorious den of monsters, making us forget that these monsters not only exist in the Dark Forest but also in other places.
In the process, we lost eleven pilgrims to monsters in our search. I come to the arbitrary decision to compromise, and for this, I request Your Highness's permission. As your highness requires of me, I push on the project and think of a way to deliver. Discarding all thoughts of racial discrimination, I dedicate myself to my mission.
With the help of selected tribes, we hope to complete three outposts as long as you permit us.
First is the North West in an imperial territory where the Fairy Folk agrees on our occupancy in exchange for telling them stories. The Hollow Woods where the fairies reside are teeming with monsters, however, the fairies have methods as to how to avoid the monsters. I decide on the spot on agreeing to 'preach' them the Fae Legends every fifth day in exchange for the fairies' cooperation. The outpost's managing pilgrim will be responsible for the task of reading those stories on top of taking care of the pigeon messengers. The fairies will also help on protecting and managing the pigeon messengers.
Second is the North East in the Evergreen Fields of the Allied Kingdoms there exists a gnomish tribe that has a settlement underground. They are a very meek race, however, they have very curious powers. The knowledge of cultivating plants is very curious of them. Among their great feats, they can accelerate the growth of trees using their mysticism rituals by consuming live sacrifices. I am able to negotiate an agreement with them. They are willing to work for us in exchange for giving them safe shelter. As a show of goodwill, they raised an entire forest for us to use as Outpost.
Third is the south near the Dark Forest, in the borders of Jamar Principality and a small township of Allied Kingdoms with surrounding satellite villages is the Pinethorn Forest. There exist brigands and outlaws. I request the elven army to send Einherjars to wipe out the brigand element so that the pilgrims may occupy Pinethorn Forest. I believe Pinethorn forest is crucial for an effective information system.
The plans for the Pilgrims' information system after the completion of outposts are to have the pilgrims devote to a 'pilgrimage' starting from the Dark Forest to the Pinethorn Forest to the Hollow Woods to the Evergreen Fields or now Evergreen Forests and then finally return to the Dark Forest through the Great Anisia River. This will continue on a cycle in a clockwise direction.
The pilgrims will depart in set intervals following the changing of the season so that there will always be elves in the same but different places all the time. The outposts can serve as their rest stops and also places where they can disperse information.
For other matters, I have information to report. The recently rising demi-human rebellion group from further west of the empire is bad news. The last time the Valkyries are making contact with them is through a letter, and I assume they must be approaching them in a steady phase already. I advise Valkyrie Commander Lafira to disengage as the pilgrims learn of the demi-human rebellion as faux. The rebellion forces are led by a half-orc who is a bastard son of a count. There are rumors that the half-orc is loved, and seemingly is the next in line for the succession of a count's name. This rumor has been verified already.
Lastly, our cooperative partner, Wisley, seems to be facing problems. He didn't let us know, but the pilgrims know. The tobacco business is being boycotted by the nobility for its overly addictive and unhealthy nature. I suggest we offer aid to Wisley lest we lost a very 'profitable' ally. Meanwhile, the quarter elf is thriving. Her 'infamy' is not widespread, but in the smaller circles of nobility, her moniker as Black Widow has become fearsome.
That is all, your highness.
Truly yours, Chief of Pilgrims, Temeya."
Temeya stretches her arms from strain in writing. She similarly bends her aching back for too much hunching. She lets the still-wet ink dry until it is no longer wet.
She is currently in the Hollow Woods, and in front of her are the dancing fairies playing around. They are a finger's length. On average, at least an index finger's length. They have colorful butterfly wings, pointy ears like an elf, and an always smiling face. They are adorable and exude positive energy.
The monsters outside the human domains, and also the demi-humans like the elves are already characters coming from folklore. This is just simply how they look in a common person's eyes. However, fairies are a different case, they are a rarer existence compared to elves. It is because the fairies have an extremely low population that even the pitifully low numbers of elves will seem plentiful if it stands in comparison to the fairies. Case in point, fairies are already a subject of legends in this time and age.
"Messenger! Get this parchment to the Dark Forest!" Temeya rolls the parchment and its ink has dried.
The only elf, a young Ratatoskr, who is serving as Temeya's companion for surveying possible outposts runs to Temeya.
"How long will it take?" Temeya asks.
"I am on foot so it will take about 50 days. I will try to be faster. I think there is a village a few miles from here. I will try to steal horses and ride to the Dark Forest immediately."
"Good," Temeya nods in approval. "Go, not a second to waste then!"
The young Ratatoskr runs off into the Hollowed Woods from whence he remembers the fairies build a 'fenced path' where no monsters will be able to get a hold of him.
Temeya didn't bother with the Ratatoskr and makes it her focus to study the fairies. They are truly curious creatures. Mainly of female identity like most mermaids, the fairies' perception and way of doing things are similarly just as singular as how devoted mermaids are when it comes to hobbies.
If mermaids love songs, sightseeing, and adventure to the point of excessiveness, the fairies love stories, jokes, and pranks of equal passionate interest. The horror stories in the tavern as to how fairies lure people into their forest only for them to die by the monsters' hands are not a lie after all. The reason for this is so that the fairies can derive joy from the humans.
This is not out of cruelty, but necessity. Ultimately, the source of food for fairies is joy. That is why they are so fond of the consumption of flower nectars, or sweet stuff as their effects have a predisposition to improve mood. As a matter of fact, fairies' lifespan is indefinite as long as they are happy. The fairy race is true immortals unless they experience sadness.
Additionally, the horror stories in the tavern are only half true. After the fairies lure people into the forest, they make them tell a story or a joke. If the fairy or fairies doesn't like it, they tend to resort most often to violent pranks. While pranks might sound destructive, fairies are not a race that advocates murder. They are not cruelly conscious, just misunderstood creatures. The only reason the fairies are feared as the deceiver of the forest is because of the exaggeration of bards.
Temeya knows. It is not because she experiences failing on telling stories or jokes. The Ratatoskr who is acting as her bodyguard-cum-assistant after failing to fulfill the fairies' requests ends up upside down on some vines.
"Gather, my lovely little fairies! I am feeling generous today, so let me share another story. It is about a fairy by the name of Tinker Bell…"
The fairies gather on Temeya with fanfare.
"Wait didn't you tell this to us already?"
"No, that is the Peter Panny story something."
"Wow, it's tinky, a different story!"
"Oooh… Is this part two? Awesooome!"
"Ye~y count me in!"
They are like children to Temeya who so articulately begins her story with a bellow speaking of a time long past… and while that is how her story-telling begins, the author of the Fae Legends knows better that all of what he has written are fabrications, lies, and fancy imitations of what he remembers from his past life.
"In the Hangman's Tree, their home, hideout, and outpost live the Lost Boys… It is a familiar story, but today, I will share with you a different one… A story where there is no Peter Pan yet, no Lost Boys, but only Tinker Bell…"
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