They had been in the Arboreum for far too long. Though the shadowy half of the realm had called to Alasterea, the forest was no better than those of the Lopilands and after only a few days she found herself more than ready to return to civilization. Unfortunately, to get to the rift from which they’d entered, Alasterea and her companions had to pass through the dreadfully sunny part of the forest. As the trio marche...

The redwoods were a beautiful forest. In that, she had not been led astray. Though darkness of night had turned the vibrant collage into a muddled symphony of dark crimsons and browns, slivers of moonlight allowed select leaves to return to their shining scarlet hue. With night came a calm silence, quiet enough to highlight the sound of each leaf as it fell from its tree and drifted to rest on the soil among its brethren. This silence was broken by footsteps, th...