Cinnamon Bun Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Four - Tree Time

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Four - Tree Ti

I landed with a thump atop a big old rock, my knees bending with the impact and my ears flopping down so fast they tapped my shoulders.

Standing up slowly so as to not spook anyone, I took a mont to look all around . The last thing I wanted was to be ambushed while my friends were still above. Actually, I wouldnt want to be ambushed even with my friends around.

Ambushes were no fun.

The nearby stream gurgled and did happy little stream things, and the woods--despite seeming rather dark and foreboding from above--were actually real quaint when on ground level, with big trees as far as the eye could see and the occasional bush and scampering squirrel. It was a bit cool in the shadow of the Beaver but not so much that it was uncomfortable.

The only truly worriso thing was the trees looking at from within the forest. I could make out maybe six or seven dryads, so half hidden behind trees or boulders, others disguised by bushes.

If so of them werent moving a little, there was no way I would have noticed them at all. They certainly had an advantage when it ca to hiding in a forest.

I wondered if this world had a variation on missing the forest for the trees and whether it took into account dryads being a thing.

The rope ladder smacked the ground a couple of ters away, dragging my attention up to the Beaver where a couple of the lumberjacks looked like they were ready to co down.

Not to be outdone, Amaryllis climbed onto the rails, stuck her arms out next to her, and stepped off. She glided down nice and gently for a bit, then landed on top a pile of stones that shifted and clattered beneath her.

Anything interesting around? she asked as she brushed her feathers straight.

Not really, I said. Lots of dryads in the woods, but none have stepped up yet. Is everyone coming down?

Not everyone, no. Were supposed to et with so dryad leader first, then head over to the important trees. A huge waste of ti, if you ask . Theyre trees, its not like their opinion matters.

I shook my head. I dont agree, I said. They might be trees, but theyre still people. This is their ho. I'm actually kinda glad that they can defend it. It ans that we need to take them as seriously as they deserve.

Well, whatever, Amaryllis said. That five percent discount on goods, even if just applied to wood and lumber, will be worth any number of talking trees.

I rolled my eyes, making sure that Amaryllis could see it, because what was the point of rolling your eyes otherwise? We should go say hi to the nice dryads before the lumberjacks and company guys get down here. I have the impression that theyre not the best of friends.

You think? Amaryllis asked.

I made sure to bump shoulders with her as I passed by. Co on, lets go talk to so nice trees, I said.

We approached the stream, across from which I could see the largest number of dryads gathered behind a small pile of rocks and a few tightly knit trees. How do we call them over? Amaryllis asked.

We could go to them?

My harpy friend humd. I dont know. Itd feel safer to et halfway.

That was fair. And if they didnt want to, then Id go and et them myself. Sotis, to make new friends, you just had to put yourself out there a little. Hello dryads! I called out.

Amaryllis head snapped around to stare at . Are you okay?

Huh?

You sounded like soone just hit you in the chest, she said.

I patted my chest, still covered in intact armour, then looked back up to her. No? Im fine. I was just calling out to the dryads.

That was their language then? she asked.

How did it sound like? I wondered.

Like soone wheezing. Ive heard old birds who smoked pipes their whole lives speak more clearly, she said.

Shrugging, I turned back to the woods. It doesnt seem to have worked, I said. Cupping my hands over my mouth, I tried again. Hey there! My na is Broccoli, and Im a friend! We want to speak with you, please!

The trees rustled, and so of the dryads that may have thought they were hidden tucked themselves behind so trees and bushes in a hurry. The gesture was sohow very innocent and child-like. Were they young dryads? They were certainly smaller than Oak had been. Very cute! I approved wholeheartedly of little tree people. The only problem was that with bark-like faces it would be hard to pinch their cheeks.

Movent from nearby had turning just in ti to see a bush split apart and a pair of large dryads move out from hiding. They had been surprisingly close the entire ti.

One was shorter than the other, with a curvier body and a distinctly willowy look. The dryad had long, braided branches atop its head that fell down in a long cascade along its back. I was tempted to call it a her. She was definitely very feminine, with a few flowers in her hair and an outfit of sorts made of woven leaves.

The other, larger dryad was...

Oak!

Amaryllis eyed Oak, then . This is that dryad you know? she asked.

I nodded as Oak stepped up and placed the butt of his spear onto the ground next to him. He was a bit bigger than I rembered, with a few more scars along his tough bark-y skin. He was wearing a sort of toga made of woven leaves, with bits of wood placed along it. Armour of sorts?

Sister... Broccoli? Oak said.

Hey! I cheered before bouncing across the stream. A few of the dryads flinched at the motion, and I saw bows and spears rise, but no one did anything rash as I crashed into Oak and gave him a big hug. Oak!

Oak didnt so much as step back from the force of my hug. Sister Broccoli, he said before he started to pat on the head. Ears?

Yup! I said. I grew ears since last we t. Do you think theyre cute?

Oak looked at them very carefully, and seed to ponder his words. Growing is... good.

I felt my cheeks warming up, and I stepped back from Oak. Thanks! I kinda like them. I clapped my hands. Oh, you need to et my friends. And I need to hear everything that happened to you. And whos this willow dryad? Is she a girl-dryad... is she your girlfriend?

Oak let out a long sigh, but it sounded like a happy sigh. Still talk fast, he said.

I couldnt help but giggle. Sorry! I just have lots to say.

Hello, Sister Broccoli, the dryad next to Oak said. She had a big smile on, and a bunch of flower bulbs in her outfit started to open up to reveal all sorts of pretty flowers. Im Wisp.

Hi Wisp! I said before opening my arms wide in the optimal hugging position. Can I hug you too?

Yes! Wisp said.

I wanted to be careful not to squish her flowers, but Wisp didnt seem to care at all and gave a tight squeeze. Whoa, youre strong! I said as I let go of her.

Wisp let out a breezy laugh. Yes.

So, are you a boy dryad or a girl dryad? Youre very pretty, I said.

Wisp seed to think on it for a mont. Im Willow, The dryad said. Girl, but mostly tree.

Thats so cool! I said. Are you the ones that were supposed to et here today? I asked.

Oak seed to hesitate before nodding. eting with the Destroyer, he said. Peace instead of war. And no more cutting of brethren.

That sobered the mood up a little. A glance over my shoulder revealed that not everyone was down yet. Awen had joined Amaryllis on the shore though, and they both looked nervous in their own way. Do you want to et my friends? I asked. Were here to help make things better.

Sister Broccoli will help? he asked.

Yeah, of course.

You already helped much. Weapons to fight the tree-cutters. He raised his spear.

It took a mont to add things together in my head and realize that sowhere along the way, I may have maybe made a little mistake. L-lets talk about that in a bit, I said.

New weapons? Oak asked.

Ah-haha, not quite, I said. Did your littler friends want to co out too?

Oak shook his head. They stay here. For protection. Wisp can co. He gestured to the willow dryad.

Alright. I gestured to Amaryllis and Awen. Co on, Ill show you to my best friends, and maybe later we can check out the Beaver together?

Beaver? Oak repeated.

Thats my ship!

He looked up to the ship, a frown growing across his brow. So much wood. So many brothers. But... to fly.

Flying is pretty cool, I said. Maybe Amaryllis can show you how to make a glider or sothing. It wouldnt be flying-flying, but it would be pretty close. And I bet there are magics that could help.

The thought of flying trees was too amusing not to imagine.

Oak nodded very seriously. I will learn, he said. Then, with a sweeping gesture, roots speared out of the ground beneath us and arched over the stream before planting themselves in the cracks and crevices in the rocks opposite. Soon enough, there was a nice bridge spanning the running water.

Neat! I said as I skipped over the bridge to my waiting friends. Guys! It turns out I know this dryad.

Amaryllis seed completely unphased, which was sohow a little disappointing. Of course you do. Will you be adding so trees to the crew next?

I was just thinking that! I said.

She whapped my head with a wing. You idiot, I was being facetious. Were not going to have an airship crewed by trees of all things.

But it would be so cool, I said.

Um. Awen said. It would be pretty, ah, neat?

Amaryllis tossed her wings up and stepped past to greet Oak and Wisp. Hello, she said.

I turned to find Oak looking at Amaryllis with his brows furrowed. You... hit Sister Broccoli, he said.

Amaryllis nodded. She was being an idiot.

He seed to consider this, then nodded as if it made perfect sense.

Hey! I protested. Huffing, I jumped over to the two and stationed myself next to them. I didnt know you could talk, uh, human-ish, Oak.

The dryad nodded. Have learned. For... communicating.

Im impressed, I said while giving him a thumbs up. So, this is Amaryllis, my best friend. And this over here. I reached out and pulled Awen closer. She ca, then gave the two dryads a shy little wave. Is my best friend Awen.

This one flies? he asked while gesturing to Amaryllis.

Wisp stepped up to her, and very carefully reached out a branching hand to touch her wings. Nice, Wisp said.

She can glide a bit. Like a chicken.

Amaryllis poked my side, right under where my breastplate ended. I understood that, she said. Youre still speaking common.

Oof, I said. Dont worry, Id never insult you without you being able to understand.

She poked again.

Oaks wooden face carefully twisted into a small smile. Sister Broccoli still makes friends, he said.

Grinning back, I nodded. Yup! Im glad to see that youre well, Oak. I was a bit worried for a bit when I heard that there was trouble with dryads around here.

Lots of trouble, Wisp agreed. Oak caused much of it.

Oh? I asked. Well, that sounds like theres a story behind it. Do you think you can tell us whats going on? Before we need to et with the others? If were going to help, itd be nice if we were all on the sa page.

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