The Steridian Forest, a place of deathly silence and almost impenetrable darkness had become very much alive...and angry. The trees swayed violently back and forth as if they were trying to uproot and move. A wind was on the air that sounded like screams and anguish. DaChase and Simona led their remaining men guardedly and with caution yet with confidence. DaChase smiled to himself. Just who did Wake think he was to attack him and even worse to think he would escape his vengeance? As they were returning to his palace Simona had spoken with DaChase and convinced him that Wake was far too dangerous to risk any chances of keeping alive, that he must be killed and his body completely destroyed.
With Wake now dispatched and Ebon's whereabouts along with his daughter's in question, DaChase realized that his gamut was just about up. If he was to move against King Koa and claim the lands of Tribeca as his own he would have to act now and with extreme haste. But alone, his armies would not stand long against Koa's royal guards, he would have to recruit new soldiers and that would mean an allegiance with the King of the Azurine Cliffs and his hordes of wild men and covens of witches and other underworldly creatures. DaChases's horses reared up in fear as Simona and the rest of his men were suddenly surrounded by witches and men with crazed looked in their eyes who had all but materialized before them. Simona laughed wildly and prepared to attack her assailants but DaChase signaled for her to stay her hand. A tall, angry witch emerged from the trees and walked towards DaChase.
"Surely you are lost to come into this forest, Count." The witch spoke, staring directly into DaChases's eyes. He balked at her.
"Speak not to me witch. I have no interest in keeping audience with the likes of you. I seek conference with your King. Deliver me to him at once." DaChase returned the witch's stare and after a brief test of will, the witch turned away.
'The king does not speak with lowly counts and their minions. Begone before you become our sacrifice to our king. He is not pleased and is not in the best of spirit to entertain anyways. A boy of your land interrupted his tribute earlier this day and even killed some of our sisters. Prior to that he had laid waste to an entire band of the king's hunters. We seek him now." DaChase knew instantly that Ebon was whom the witch spoke of. He grew relieved that the boy was still alive and still moving. He would have him yet. But that would come in time as his warlock would surely be after Ebon and he still had to make his offer to the King of the Cliffs.
"Tell your king that he will grant me council. For I have something that he wants." DaChase commanded. The witched looked on with curiosity.
"Whatever could that be count? You have nothing to offer my king." hissed the head witch, growing annoyed by DaChases's brazenness. DaChase signaled to Simona who before now had been glaring wildly at the surrounding witches, ready to attack at a moment's notice. Now she drug forth a large sack that was tied behind her steed. Cutting it open she flung it's contents to land infront of the tall witch's feet. Wake's still form lay on the ground bruised and bleeding and seemingly dead. The witches laughed in approval. Smugly DaChase ordered the tall witch, "Now, lead the way."
