The dawn broke gently over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink. Birds flitted about energetically, their cheerful chirps mingling with the soft rustle of leaves as they gossiped among themselves.
Dewdrops clung to the tips of grass blades and flower petals, sparkling like tiny diamonds under the rising sun's gentle rays. The world seemed alive, waking up from its slumber with an infectious enthusiasm.
Even the horses, tethered near the carriage, appeared refreshed and eager, pawing at the ground impatiently while waiting for their passengers to return.
Nearby, two figures stood by a small stream, splashing cool, crystal-clear water onto their faces. Liora cupped her hands and brought the refreshing liquid to her skin, feeling the chill invigorate her senses.
Beside her, Elowen mirrored the action, though her movements were more deliberate, almost ritualistic. The water shimmered invitingly, reflecting fragments of sunlight that danced across its surface.
Once satisfied, both women dried their faces with cloth handkerchiefs before climbing back into the carriage. With a flick of the reins, the driver urged the horses forward, setting off once again toward their destination.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the landscape began to shift subtly. Shafts of sunlight filtered through dense canopies overhead, casting dappled patterns on the ground below.
The air grew cooler, carrying with it the earthy scent of moss and damp wood. It was here, amidst this tranquil yet imposing environment, that Liora encountered something truly breathtaking—a sight far grander than she had imagined possible.
The colossal green wall of trees that had captivated her attention the previous day now loomed larger than life. Up close, the sheer scale of these ancient giants left her awestruck.
Each trunk boasted a diameter wide enough to rival the circumference of a modest house—some even reaching fifty meters or more . Their bark was gnarled and textured, bearing the marks of centuries upon centuries of growth. Vines coiled around their bases like serpents guarding sacred treasures, while smaller plants sprouted defiantly from crevices in the wood.
Liora leaned out of the carriage window, marveling at the spectacle unfolding before her eyes. "This must be what it feels like to be an ant," she mused aloud, her voice tinged with wonder.
"Every time the ants walk past grass and flowers, I imagine this is how ants feel navigating through such towering structures." Elowen chuckled softly, clearly amused by her protégé's analogy. "You think this is impressive?" she teased lightly.
"Wait until we reach the heart of Verdantia. The trees there make these look downright puny."
Liora whipped her head around, disbelief etched across her face. "What?! Are you serious? How much bigger could they possibly get?" Elowen shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Why would I lie about something as trivial as tree size?"
Liora narrowed her gaze skeptically, leaning closer to inspect Elowen's expression. "Trivial? You call this trivial? If this is your idea of small, then I'd hate to see your definition of big!"
With a playful smirk, Elowen reached over and flicked Liora's forehead lightly. "Just wait and see for yourself, kid. Trust me, you'll understand soon enough."
True to Elowen's words, the deeper they ventured into the forest, the more surreal the surroundings became. The trees continued to grow in size, their trunks swelling to proportions that defied logic.
Some were so massive that Liora found herself craning her neck just to glimpse their uppermost branches, which disappeared into the misty canopy above.
Despite the awe-inspiring beauty, one question lingered in her mind. "We've been traveling through this forest for quite some time now," Liora remarked thoughtfully, peering out the window. "And the trees keep getting bigger, almost unrealistically so. But why haven't we seen any signs of civilization yet? Not even houses or people?"
Elowen let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "You're looking in the wrong place, Liora. Try looking up."
Confused but intrigued, Liora tilted her head skyward. At first, all she saw was a blur of green foliage. But as her vision adjusted, faint silhouettes began to emerge—human figures moving about, buildings perched precariously atop the colossal branches. Her jaw dropped in astonishment as realization dawned on her.
Entire communities existed high above the forest floor, nestled within the embrace of these gargantuan trees.
"Wow… This is incredible! Absolutely incredible!" Liora exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. She remained frozen in place, staring upward as if afraid to blink lest the vision vanish.
Elowen watched her reaction with quiet amusement, allowing her junior to bask in the moment. After several minutes of uninterrupted admiration, the carriage finally came to a halt.
The driver turned to address his passengers. "We've arrived at the Royal Tree," he announced politely. Elowen nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you for escorting us safely. We appreciate it."
The driver smiled warmly, bowing slightly before turning his attention to Liora, who still hadn't moved from her position. Sensing an opportunity for mischief, Elowen leaned over and flicked the back of Liora's neck playfully.
"Come on, Liora. Get out of the carriage unless you want to hitch a ride back to Windoria with our friend here."
Startled, Liora yelped and instinctively grabbed her neck, rubbing it gingerly. Grumbling good-naturedly, she scrambled out of the carriage after Elowen, who wore a smug grin at her successful prank.
Once outside, the driver helped unload their belongings, offering a courteous farewell. "I'll take my leave now and continue the journey," he said with a polite nod.
Elowen nudged Liora discreetly, prompting her to respond. Realization dawning, Liora bowed repeatedly, stammering an apology. "Oh! Yes, thank you so much for bringing us here. Please forgive my rudeness—I was too busy gawking to remember my manners."
The driver laughed heartily, waving off her apology. "No harm done! First-timers always react the same way. Enjoy your stay in Verdantia." With that, he climbed back into the carriage and set off, leaving Liora and Elowen standing at the base of the Royal Tree.
"Aren't you coming, Liora?" Elowen called over her shoulder, already heading toward the towering structure ahead. "Your neck might snap permanently if you keep craning it like that."
Liora snapped out of her reverie, jogging to catch up. "I'm coming, Elowen! I can't wait to see what's next." Rolling her eyes fondly, Elowen led the way toward a peculiar contraption nestled against the immense tree trunk.
Two guards clad in ornate armor stood vigil beside what appeared to be a wooden cube elevated slightly off the ground. Its design was simple yet elegant, featuring a U-shaped bench inside and adorned with vibrant white flowers entwined around its supporting pillars.
Overhead, thick vines and oversized leaves formed a natural canopy, shielding the structure from direct sunlight. Upon spotting Elowen and Liora, the guards immediately bowed deeply.
"Welcome back, Miss Elowen," one of them greeted respectfully. "Please board the Escalatree with your companion. Allow us to handle your belongings."
Elowen inclined her head graciously, stepping into the cube-like platform without hesitation. Liora followed cautiously, her steps hesitant as she mimicked Elowen's actions. Once seated, one of the guards blew a whistle sharply, signaling the mechanism to activate.
Without warning, the platform shuddered slightly before beginning its ascent. Thick roots emerged from the earth beneath, wrapping securely around the base of the Escalatree and propelling it upward at a steady pace.
Liora gripped the railing tightly, squeezing her eyes shut as the sensation of rapid elevation overwhelmed her. Beside her, Elowen laughed quietly, thoroughly entertained by her junior's unease.
After approximately five minutes, the movement ceased abruptly. Slowly, Liora opened her eyes—and gasped audibly. Before her lay a sprawling vista unlike anything she had ever witnessed.
Entire villages sprawled across the treetops, connected by intricate networks of bridges and walkways suspended hundreds of feet above the forest floor. Homes crafted from living wood blended seamlessly with nature, their designs both functional and breathtakingly beautiful.
People bustled about, going about their daily routines amidst this arboreal utopia. Speechless, Liora sank back into her seat, her mouth agape and eyes wide with wonder. For a moment, she forgot to breathe, utterly entranced by the scene unfolding before her.