Moving through the jungle of Kohkiri Forest, I noted many types of flora I have never seen before. Studying a large bird that looked like it had leaves for wings drinking, what looked like, water coming from a tree branch. Stopping, I took out an empty vial and rinsed it, filling it with the water to inspect it later.

Tucking it into my bag, I quickly grabbed a notebook and started sketching a reptile the size of a bread loaf, but with leaves and flowers growing out of it’s scales. Luring it closer with a piece of an apple, I was able to see the leaves parting the scales growing out of it’s back, it didn’t look like it was a growth that was infecting it, it did seem like part of the body.

Finally moving on and watching some more of the plant life, I hear a commotion across the next ridge. Trying to move as stealthily as possible without touching any plants I couldn’t recognize. Who knows what kind of poisonous things there are here! I creep up to look over the ridge and find a rather large treant being harassed by some children with torches. Reacting without thinking I cast force cage to try and figure out what is happening.

Holding my hands up, I walk down slowly, while watching the treant. Feeling my book against my waist, I think of the fire spells I have prepared for the day. Firebolt, Bonfire, of course Fireball. Thinking I will cast Fireball with a follow up of Bonfire I proceed closer. “Hello! I mean you no harm!”

“Thank you, I tried not to hurt them, but it was becoming clear that talking was doing no good.” He slowly picked a piece of burnt bark off of himself, while looking at the 3 in the cage. “I am glad you came along, I was thinking of throwing them in the ocean, but I was concerned they would drown.”

“What do you think we should do with them?” Looking them over, while they pounded against the invisible wall of force, “We could kill them or I could bring them back to their parents. What would you like done with them?”

The tree rumbled, “I saw guards going through here earlier.  I did not speak to them, as I did not know their intentions.  But maybe they can be given over into their charge, if their parents can’t be found. I do not feel harm needs to come to them.  They are young and will learn wisdom as they grow.  Maybe they need kindness shown to them, so they can show it to others.”

I thought about that for a moment, quickly wrote a note in one of my notebooks, and held it up against the force cage for them to read.  “I will tie you up and you will come with me to either the guards or your parents. If you try to flee, I will kill you, understood?” 

After a quick conversation, they both nodded and we waited for the force cage to drop. I tied them up and started to walk back to town with a promise that I would be back once they had been taken care of.

After dropping them off to their parents and explaining the situation, informing all that next time the treant would throw them in the ocean to be beaten against the rocks. I headed back out to the treant.