The blue light faded, and Serpentwood resolved itself in harsh, immediate detail: trunks thicker than wagons, bark furrowed and blackened at the base, and a canopy so dense it cut the day into green dusk. Leaves the size of shields hung low; a damp smell rose from the undergrowth. Thin shafts of sunlight pried through only in scattered lines that moved as the canopy breathed.
Eric steadied his footing against the aftershock of teleportation. The ground underfoot felt different here—soft with moss and spongy roots that snagged boot soles. His head was light for a moment; several of his knights squinted and swallowed hard. One near him made a small noise and steadied himself on his spear.
"What was that?"
"We're in the forest."
"How did we get here?"
The knights were confused and Eric gathered himself before he looked at everyone else.
