The Grass Swordsman

Chapter 2: The Whispering Woods



### **Chapter 2: The Whispering Woods**

The forest grew darker and denser as Trill and Bren moved forward. The sunlight barely pierced through the thick canopy above, leaving the ground bathed in a dim, eerie twilight. Trill walked ahead, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his sharp eyes scanning for danger.

Bren trailed behind, adjusting her battered armor. Despite its cracks and missing pieces, it fit her snugly, revealing curves she didn't bother to hide. Her auburn hair, messy and streaked with dirt, still caught what little light filtered through the trees. Trill noticed her beauty but forced himself to focus. Beauty meant nothing in the face of betrayal.

"So," she said, her voice cutting through the oppressive silence, "you're not much of a talker, huh?"

"I don't need to be," Trill replied curtly, not turning around.

Bren sighed and adjusted the strap of her cracked leather shoulder piece. "You know, if we're going to survive this forest, it might help to work together."

Trill's voice was cold. "I didn't ask for company."

Bren stopped walking, hands on her hips. "Look, I get it. You've got trust issues. But you saved me back there, and I didn't run off the first chance I got. Doesn't that count for something?"

Trill stopped but didn't turn. His hand grazed the medallion around his neck. "Everyone has a price. I just don't know yours yet."

Bren tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. "You think I'm using you?"

He finally turned, his piercing gaze meeting hers. "A stranger follows me into a cursed forest and starts asking questions. What am I supposed to think?"

Bren frowned, then took a step closer. "Fine. You want to know why I'm here? I'll tell you. My name's Bren, and I've been running from slavers for months. They destroyed my village, killed everyone I cared about, and sold the survivors—including my little sister. I barely escaped. Ever since, I've been trying to track them down."

Her words were raw, but her tone was guarded. Trill could sense she wasn't telling the whole truth.

"And you just happened to end up here?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

She shrugged, a flicker of defiance in her green eyes. "This forest was the only place they wouldn't follow. Maybe it's suicide, but at least I'd die free."

Trill studied her for a long moment. She held his gaze, unflinching, but he still didn't trust her. People lied too easily. He'd seen it too many times.

Before he could respond, a low growl rumbled through the forest, followed by the creaking of massive roots.

"What now?" Bren muttered, gripping her sword.

The ground trembled, and the Grove Warden emerged from the trees. Its towering, gnarled body was covered in moss and thorny vines, and its glowing green eyes burned with primal rage. It let out a roar that shook the forest, sending flocks of birds scattering from the canopy.

"Stay behind me," Trill ordered, stepping forward.

Bren smirked faintly. "Sure, tough guy. You handle the walking tree monster."

The Warden swung a massive, branch-like arm, and Trill leapt aside, narrowly avoiding the blow. He extended his hand, summoning clusters of flowers that burst from the ground. From the blossoms emerged tiny, glowing pixies, their translucent wings shimmering like sunlight on water.

"Go," Trill commanded.

The pixies swarmed the Warden, darting around its head and emitting bursts of golden light. The creature roared in frustration, swiping at the pixies but unable to catch them.

"What the—those things are adorable," Bren said, her voice tinged with awe.

"They're not for fighting," Trill replied. "They're for talking."

He closed his eyes and focused, channeling his will through the pixies. The tiny creatures began to sing, their voices high and melodic, weaving a spell of calm. The Warden faltered, its movements slowing as the light in its eyes dimmed.

"It's listening," Trill muttered.

"Listening? You can *talk* to that thing?" Bren asked, incredulous.

Trill ignored her, stepping closer to the Warden. The pixies' song grew softer, more soothing, and the Warden lowered its massive arms.

"We mean no harm," Trill said aloud, his voice steady. "We're travelers passing through your domain. Let us go, and we'll leave your forest in peace."

The Warden tilted its head, the sickly green glow in its chest flickering. Its thorny vines receded slightly, and it let out a low, rumbling sound that almost resembled words.

Bren leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "Is it... agreeing?"

The Warden lowered itself, its massive body melding into the ground until it resembled a gnarled tree stump. The glow in its chest faded, leaving only faint traces of its presence.

Trill let out a slow breath, dismissing the pixies with a wave. They vanished in a burst of flower petals.

"Well, that was... unexpected," Bren said, relaxing her grip on her sword.

"Not everything needs to be killed," Trill replied, his tone sharp.

Bren crossed her arms. "You know, you could've warned me about your powers before you started conjuring glowing pixies and sweet-talking monsters."

Trill started walking again. "I don't owe you anything."

Bren scowled but followed. As they moved deeper into the forest, she studied him, her thoughts swirling. There was something about this man—his abilities, his secrets—that intrigued her.

And Trill, for all his suspicion, couldn't ignore the feeling that Bren was more than she seemed.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.