Esmyra
They’d been walking in silence for what seemed like miles when Jenli finally stopped. “There she is,” she breathed, spreading her arms like she was greeting an old friend.
Before them stood a colossal tree, its trunk wider than any Esmyra had ever seen.
Jenli turned to them, her wild, green eyes bright. “Welcome to my home.”
“Is she kidding?” Draevyn muttered.
“I’m not joking, imbeciles,” Jenli snapped, twirling toward them dramatically as she glared at them. “Now, did you come here for my help or not?”
She raised her hand, fingers splayed, and whispered something toward the tree that was far too soft to hear.
And then the bark rippled.
The crew stepped back as a shimmer moved through the wood like a pulse. Then, with a low groan, the trunk split down the center, peeling apart and revealing a tall, arched doorway. The inside glowed with golden warmth, seeming much more inviting than the eerie woods surrounding them.
Jenli stepped inside the tree and most of the crew followed, all disappearing from sight.
Esmyra blinked in awe. “Let’s keep her.”
“No,” Draevyn and Jak said in unison behind her.
She turned, raising a brow at both of them as she placed a hand on her hip. “It’s cute that either of you think you’re still in charge here.”
“You absolutely do not get to keep the deranged woodland witch,” Draevyn said, eyes narrowing playfully.
Esmyra shrugged. “Well, I think she’s fun. Besides, when’s the last time there was another woman among us?” She pointed to the tree. “And power is power, regardless of how deranged. She could be useful.”
“She booby-trapped a swamp,” Jak groaned.
“All I’m hearing is that she’s skilled in several areas.” Esmyra winked before striding toward the glowing doorway.
After a beat, they followed, and the inside of the tree took her breath away. Despite the bark being solid and pulsing with life, the interior had been completely hollowed out.
Spiraling around the inner walls, stairs were carved into the wood, curving up higher than her sight could reach. There were rooms tucked into the bark at various levels—some with swinging rope bridges leading to them, others shaped with rounded doorways. The air within the tree was warm, smelling of sweet sap, herbs, and smoke.
Her crew stood silently in awe, forming a half-circle around her.
Jenli swept inside ahead of them, her arms raised. “Welcome to my humble, hollowed sanctuary,” she called back. “Explore if you like, butdo nottouch anything.” Her eyes narrowed on Ren, and Esmyra wondered what had happened between them all that time ago.
Jenli danced up a few stairs and flopped into a hammock hung by vines. “This place is very much alive, and she doesn’t take kindly to strangers poking about.” As she spoke the words, the vines holding her up seemed to twist and writhe.
“But go ahead and pick your rooms. Make sure you choose wisely,” she taunted.
The crew hesitated for a moment before spreading out. Their steps echoed on the spiral staircase, creaking as they climbed up to claim their rooms that branchedoff the winding path.
Draevyn turned to Samwell and Tommy. “Are you two okay with keeping the first watch? We’ll rotate every few hours, but keep sharp. I don’t trust these woods.”
“Aye, Captain,” Tommy agreed, but Esmyra took note that Samwell looked hesitant.
Finally, he gave Draevyn a nod. “I don’t trust these woods either, Drae.”
“If you need a little assistance just yell,” Draevyn said with a laugh.
Samwell gave him a mocking salute before turning on his heel and heading back through the door with Tommy.
Esmyra still hadn’t spoken to him since that day she sank his ship all those months ago. She wondered if he still hated her. She wouldn’t blame him if he did, and frankly, she didn’t particularly care.
