Climbing Trees
By Sean Hillman

Gwenllian sits cross-legged on the roof of the old fort picking at her hands. She is wearing nothing but a long robe; the bulk of her clothes have been discarded at the base of the oak she had climbed to get here. This is a place so long forgotten that maybe five folk in all of Gyruff would know how to get here. The gentle rustling of leaves and a slight breeze tells her that one of those five has arrived.

Gwenllian looks down and sees Briallen emerging from a pine tree very close to her own oak. The other druid notices the pile of discarded clothing and then swings her eyes up into the air. Briallen waves and begins climbing the oak. Gwenllian follows her progress with interest until she emerges at the top and steps onto the old roof, her chest heaving a bit.

"After so many years of raising an eyebrow and being transported wherever I want to go, I had almost forgotten how to climb." Both women smile at the comment and then Briallen sits down, very close to her friend. "You did it barefoot though, I am impressed."

"When I was young I could climb any tree, even better then my brothers. They were always jealous. Especially Elidyr, the poor boy could not climb to save his own neck." Gwenllian looks away from Briallen as she speaks but the other woman senses her discomfort.

Laying a gentle hand on her arm, Briallen squeezes it before speaking. "You never speak of him, no one does. Owen never does and none of the court." Bravely she moves into more uncomfortable territory. "It's another secret shame we all have to keep, isn't it?"

"It was the only way to save Geoff." Gwenllian responds, never looking into her friend's face.

"Was it?" The words came out of her mouth almost before she realized it.

Gwenllian turns her head sharply to look at her friend and then stands. "Oh no. Not you too. It's bad enough that the Frost Maiden lectures me daily on why the dead should stay dead, now you have to add doubts?"

"My only concern is for the balance between the Land and the Gyri. I understand too well the necessity to sometimes tip the balance one way or another and I understand too well the temptation..." Briallen stops for a moment and her eyes go very far away, "...the temptation to unbalance." Standing, she walks up behind Gwenllian. "You have to understand that the Land is not about what's best even for the Land. It is about what is. It is about truth. Deception breeds corruption and corruption will be removed."

"Did you just come here to depress me further?" Gwenllian finally manages to ask.

"Of course not." Briallen drapes her arms around Gwenllian and hugs her tightly. "We are all in this together. We all succeed and we all suffer." Letting the embrace drop Briallen smiles again. "And I came here to tell you that it is time."

Turning, Gwenllian finds she too is able to smile. "Time for?"

"The Seven to be open."

Gwenllian stares blankly for a moment and then all traces of sadness disappear. "Do you think so? Our heroes are tired and the new crop have yet to stand out too brightly."

Brillan folds her arms and nods. "Do not sell them short. I have been watching a few and find them more then up for the task. Cerian agrees. Many are eager to have full access to the Ways."

Gwenllian puts her hands on her hips and bites her lip. Slowly she walks around in a circle, thinking about the situation. Briallen stands calmly, waiting for the Arch Druid to make her decision.

Finally she does. "Alright, we should put out a call to the heroes of Gyruff. Have them assemble near Aberglain. Tell Cerian she may put her plan into motion."

Without another word, Briallen bows and then climbs back down the tree, leaving Gwenllian alone in the cold wind.

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