The flight from Sylverwood glade

As the Greenheart Festival drew near, Oriana's heart grew heavy with the weight of her decision. While the anticipation of the festivities filled the air with excitement and joy, she knew that her own path lay elsewhere, beyond the boundaries of the Sylverwood Glade.

With each passing day, Oriana stole moments of quiet solitude amidst the bustle of festival preparations to finalise her plans for escape. She gathered supplies, stealthily gathering provisions and equipment that would aid her on her journey into the unknown. Her heart raced with a mixture of fear and anticipation, knowing that the path ahead would be full of uncertainty. After all she knew nothing about the world outside of the Glade, who knew what dangers were out there or if she could even find the way to the Sporewood. 

As the day of the festival dawned bright and clear, all the druids of the grove made their way towards the sacred glade. Oriana grabbed her supplies and hid them somewhere along the way so she could get them as the night fell and the march began.

As everyone gathered in the glade the games slowly started. The games existed off:

Woodland Scavenger Hunt: Teams or individuals search for hidden treasures scattered throughout the forest, following clues and solving puzzles to uncover secret caches of prizes.

Tree Climbing Competition: Adventurous spirits test their agility and strength by climbing the tallest trees in the grove. The first to reach the highest branch or complete a designated course wins recognition for their prowess.

Storytelling Circle: Gathered around a campfire, storytellers share tales of adventure, magic, and myth. Audience members vote for their favourite stories, with prizes awarded to the most captivating storyteller's.

Herbalism Challenge: Participants demonstrate their knowledge of plants and their medicinal properties by identifying various herbs and their uses. The druids judge their accuracy and expertise, awarding prizes to those with the most comprehensive knowledge.

Nature Art Contest: Artists create works of art using natural materials found in the forest, such as leaves, flowers, and twigs. Their creations are displayed for all to admire, with prizes awarded for creativity and craftsmanship.

As Oriana watched the other participants in the tree climbing competition, her mind drifts to thoughts of the uncertain future that awaits her. Despite her efforts to blend in and enjoy the festivities, the weight of her decision to leave behind everything she has ever known hangs heavy on her. With each moment of rest or solitude, Oriana's thoughts turn to her parents and friends, imagining the pain of their absence and the emptiness that will linger in their wake. She wonders how they will react to her sudden departure, whether they will understand her reasons or feel betrayed by her decision to leave. Memories of shared laughter and quiet moments of friendship flood her mind, each one a painful reminder of the bonds she will be leaving behind. The thought of their reactions to her sudden departure fills her with a sense of guilt and uncertainty, wondering if they will understand her reasons or feel betrayed by her decision to forge her own path.

Yet amidst the waves of nostalgia and longing, Oriana also felt a deep-seated yearning for something more, a stirring within her soul that transcended the bonds of friendship and family. She knows that she is different from those around her, that her dreams and aspirations extend far beyond the confines of Sylverwood glade, the grove within and the magic they teach here.

As Oriana wanders away from the festival, lost in her thoughts and the gentle embrace of the forest, she is unaware of her mother's watchful gaze from afar. With each step, her hand instinctively reaches out to caress the rough bark of the trees, as if seeking solace in their silent strength and wisdom. It's as though she's bidding farewell to the only home she's ever known, preparing herself for the journey that lies ahead. Suddenly, her trance is interrupted by the sight of a small bird lying motionless on the ground before her. As she kneels down beside it, a stab of sadness grips her heart, realising that its life has been extinguished. In that moment, she remembers the forbidden knowledge hidden within the pages of the tome she carries. 

With a glance around to ensure she's alone, Oriana's fingers trace the arcane symbols of the fungal rebirth spell, committing them to memory with each whispered incantation. She knows the risks of delving into the forbidden arts of spore magic, but in this moment, the allure of bringing life back to the fallen creature is too strong to resist. With trembling hands, Oriana gathers a handful of earth and gently sprinkles it over the bird's still form, imbuing it with the essence of the forest and the latent magic that courses through its veins. She closes her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest, as she channels the primal energies of decay and renewal, willing the spores to weave their magic and bring the bird back to life. As the spell was cast, a cloud of shimmering spores enveloped the little bird, weaving tendrils of vibrant green energy that penetrate deep into the essence of their being. The spores pulsed with life, infusing the body with vitality and sparking the dormant spark of consciousness back to life.

And then, in a wisp of shimmering green light, the bird stirs, its chest rising and falling with the rhythm of newfound life. Oriana's eyes widen in astonishment and joy as she watches the miracle unfold before her, a testament to the power of spore magic and the boundless potential that lies within her grasp. But even as she revels in the success of her spell, a shadow of uncertainty lingers in the depths of her soul. For she knows that she has trespassed into forbidden territory, and that the consequences of her actions may yet come to haunt her. As she looks at the bird flying away her mother, Elowen, emerges from the shadows, her eyes wide with astonishment and concern. She watched in silence as the miracle unfolded before her, her heart torn between pride in her daughter's newfound abilities and fear for the consequences of delving into forbidden magic.

For a moment, mother and daughter lock eyes, a silent understanding passing between them as they both recognize the gravity of the situation. Elowen's gaze softens with a mixture of love and apprehension, knowing that she must confront Oriana about her actions, yet unwilling to shatter the fragile bond that connects them. As Oriana rises to her feet, Elowen steps forward, her voice trembling with emotion. "Oriana," she says softly, her words heavy with unspoken worry, "what have you done?" Oriana meets her mother's gaze with a mixture of defiance and uncertainty, knowing that she has crossed a line that may never be uncrossed. She opens her mouth to speak, to explain the reasons behind her actions, but the words catch in her throat, lost amidst the conflicting emotions that swirl within her.

Elowen grabbed Oriana's arm "you have to come with me, we need to decide what to do next" she said as she forcefully led Oriana towards her father. The air filled with tension, any joy they had from the festival seemed to have disappeared. Each step was filled with the weight of the unspoken words and fears of what could happen. Oriana's heart raced with a mixture of guilt but also pride. They approach her father, who is also a member of the council, Elowen's grip tightens on Oriana's arm, her expression grave as she prepares to explain the events that transpired. With a deep breath to steady herself, she begins to recount the sequence of events, her voice steady but tinged with emotion.

"Dion," she says, her tone soft but urgent, "something happened. Oriana... she... she performed a forbidden spell."

Dion's eyes widen in surprise and concern as he listens to Elowen's words, his brow furrowing with worry. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Dion turns his attention to Oriana, his expression a mask of sternness tempered with paternal love. He knows that as a member of the council, he must uphold the laws of the grove, even when it comes to his own daughter.

"Oriana," he begins, his voice firm but not unkind, "what you've done is a serious breach of our traditions and the laws of the grove. As a member of the council, I must ensure that justice is served, but as your father, I am deeply concerned for your well-being." "I now have to inform the other council members of your actions, I can't do anything till tomorrow, after the festival, so for now you're being locked up." Dion grabbed her arm, held his head low and led Oriana away from the festival and towards the prison. With a trembling voice, Oriana finally finds the courage to speak, her words choked with emotion. "Father... I... I know what I did was wrong," she begins, her voice barely above a whisper, "but this is where my heart lies. If you need to punish me for that, then I'll face the consequences."

Her father ignores her, his heart aching for her, knowing what punishment they would lay upon her, there were only two options for her, banishment or death, either way he would lose his daughter.

The prison of the Verdant Grove was a solemn and imposing structure nestled deep within the heart of the forest, its walls rising like ancient sentinels amidst the towering trees. Constructed from sturdy oak beams and thick stone walls, it exudes an aura of quiet authority, a reminder of the consequences that await those who transgress the laws of the grove.

As Oriana and Dion approach the prison, a heavy iron gate looms before them, its rusted bars a stark contrast to the verdant beauty that surrounds it. The gate creaked open with a mournful groan, revealing a dimly lit corridor that stretches into the depths of the building. The cells themselves were small and cramped, little more than stone alcoves with narrow slits for windows. Straw pallets line the floor, offering meagre comfort to those who find themselves confined within their walls. 

With a heavy heart Dion opened one of the cells and guided Oriana in it. "I will see you at dawn" he said as he closed the door, his voice filled with grief, sounding like he was trying not to cry. As he walked out the long corridor he turned around one last time to look at Oriana who was sitting at the door of the prison cell then he walked out, back to the festival.

As night time came she knew the march was about to start, this is when she would have escaped. "Why did I have to be so stupid" Oriana whispered to herself. Oriana's heart skipped a beat as her mother stepped into view, her face streaked with tears that glistened in the dim light of the torches. The sight of Elowen's grief-stricken expression pierced Oriana's heart like a dagger, filling her with a stabbing pain of guilt and sorrow.

"Mother..." Oriana's voice faltered with emotion as she reached out to her, the weight of their shared pain hanging heavy in the air between them.

Elowen rushed forward, gathering Oriana into her arms in a tight embrace, her tears mingling with her daughter's as they clung to each other in the darkness.

With tears still staining their cheeks, Oriana confided in her mother, her voice trembling with emotion as she admits her plans to flee. "Mother," she whispered, her words heavy with guilt and uncertainty, "I was going to run away."

Elowen's eyes widen with a mixture of surprise and concern as she absorbs Oriana's confession. She takes a moment to gather her thoughts, her heart aching at the thought of her daughter facing the dangers of the outside world alone. But determined to protect her child at any cost she takes Oriana's hand in her, her touch a silent promise of unconditional love and support. "We must act quickly" she says, her voice steady despite the 

"Then we must act quickly," she says, her voice steady despite the confusion of emotions in her heart. "I will help you escape."

In that moment, a surge of relief floods through Oriana, mingled with gratitude for her mother's unwavering loyalty. Elowen pries open the cell door that's keeping Oriana confined.

With her mother's guidance, Oriana navigates the corridors of the prison, their footsteps muffled by the cloak of darkness that surrounds them. As they reach the outer gate, Elowen's hands move with practised precision, unlocking the heavy iron bars with a skill born of necessity.

With a whispered word of thanks, Oriana embraces her mother tightly, her heart overflowing with love and gratitude. "Do come back to see us" her mother whispered, tears shimmering in Oriana's eyes as she nodded in response. With one last lingering embrace, she reluctantly pulled away from her mother, her footsteps echoing softly in the darkness as she disappeared into the night. Running through the forest she stopped where she left her backpack with supplies, quickly grabbed it and then kept running till she neared the edge of the glade.

She could see a vast, open meadow before her. She looked back over her shoulder one last time, but her determination to follow her path took over, she wouldn't return till she knew the secrets of the spore magic. As she took a step into the open meadow she knew she could finally stop running, no one of the grove would ever follow her outside here. She did it, she ran away from the grove and was now onto her path to sporewood, where she would hopefully finally feel complete.