The Roaming Tree pt 2

Late April, 23 CE
Mid Afternoon, Partially cloudy

The Borderlands of Demacia in the wake of the Shadow Isles invasion were a muted, less lively place, as if the attack on the city had dampened the spirit of its outer lands as well. The warmth of spring itself seemed to have been tainted by the perpetually gray overcast above the main city.

Still, the open, serene fields of the farms of the Borderlands painted the horizon with hues of green, gold, red, lavender- the crops being grown by the humblest of Demacia's people. It was a peaceful place, livestock grazing and nary a bird nor cloud in the sky. The wind blew gently, and the trees and wheat swayed lazily to the soft rustling of leaves. One could almost think there was no Invasion. The territories were clearly defined, as the howling Marsh's treeline stopped as though forbidden to enter Demacia, and for a while there was naught but dry earth before the furthest fenced crops of Rivershire were planted and farmhouses built.

The people of the Demacian Borderlands were no strangers to strange sights, but the sight of a walking tree from the undead infested Howling Marsh prompted a call for the Borderland Guard, and soon enough a squadron of riders would be in the tree's view. At the fore of the squadron was a grizzled old veteran rider, one-eyed and graying in hair, who carried the company's banner, proudly carrying their colors.

"Well... he's certainly alot taller than what we see on the fields..." Said one of the riders behind, upon seeing Maokai in his full size. The squadron had slowed to a halt some distance away.

"Fortunate we are it is no Gallows Tree that has decided to search for prey. Milady, what is your action? Shall we call for reinforcements?" Spoke the old veteran soldier, addressing their leader- a young looking knight and woman, who wore the most elaborate of armors.

"I will speak to him. As any neutral champion with no allegiance to a city state, he is a visitor until his intentions are made known." She replied, after a long moment of silence. Her face and stance suggested one who carried many burdens, and many hardships but could not express it.

Hilde approached Maokai slowly on horseback, carrying lance in one hand and opening her helm in the other. She was most wary of the frolicking saplings, wondering if they would detonate at the slightest disturbance. She remains pragmatic and rides around them. There was also a cow there grazing near Maokai. The cow had no cares for the large tree. It was a very indifferent cow. Hilde spoke to the tree as she would any who entered Demacian territories.

"Greetings,traveler. You have entered the Borders of Demacia. I am Captain Hildeguard Von Ravencroft, appointed protector of these lands. Please speak your intent for being here... Champion Maokai."

Hilde pondered on an appropriate response, while having to calm her horse from the treant's booming voice. There wasn't really much she or any of her company could do to deter Maokai. He was a danger of course, but from her own judgement, he was not an immediate danger. She would take the path of diplomacy first.

"Well... I see no harm in that. As to your request, there are farmlands recently vacated by their owners. Please, follow me."

Hilde gestured for her troops to resume their patrol, then gestured for the tree to follow her. She continued speaking with Maokai as she would with a visitor, gesturing for Maokai to follow her.

"Are you staying long then? Would you like to ah, speak with a summoner? perhaps help from a healer? Or perhaps some nourishment... Er..." She asked, stopping herself. She wondered just how long Maokai needed to heal, now that she had a closer look to see the harm dealt to the great twisted treant. She also wondered what he needed to recover.

She would lead Maokai to the old Jensen farm, a property on a gently elevated property still quite some distance from the main town. the entire family having served and perished during the Invasion- and where now buried in the cemetery seen below the farm. A cemetery that had recently been expanded to accommodate the many who perished in the Shadow Isles invasion.

A gloom seemed to hover over the resting place of Demacia's heroic dead, the horrors of the Isles inflicting wounds that followed their victims' spirits to their graves. The earth of the graves of the slain felt subtly of the Shadow Isles's fell, spectral energies, nature having to slowly heal what the undead wounded. The cemetery was surrounded by a ring of freshly planted Solar Trees, a special type with subtle qualities planted especially to keep the dead at peace.

Hilde hid away her feelings from her speech, the battle still too fresh in her mind. She simply resumed speaking to Maokai, slightly projecting her voice stronger to ensure the tree could hear her well.

"The Borderlands are a large and quiet enough place, and I will ensure no one will disturb you. I request you would do the same and not disturb the farmers. We are willing to accommodate you as a guest of the State. Apart from the occasional undead or Gallow Infected that arises from the nearby Howling Marsh, Is there any else you require assistance with, Champion?"

She awaited his response, resolving to report this to her commanders personally later.

Hilde again, had to re-orient herself from hearing Maokai's LARGE BOOMING VOICE, and calm her steed down. She decided to dismount, and her gaze fell on the grave. Her eyes were fixed on one particular grave which bore her family crest.

She decided to be fairly honest of the nation's state of affairs.

"Not more than a month ago, the Shadow Isles came and attacked the city. Many perished. Too many."

Hilde looked up at Maokai, an idea coming to her mind but not her lips. She continued speaking in that polite tone, wondering what the treant had in mind.

"...None at the moment. We are still renewing our numbers. It is a burden on our ranks, as many grieving families still come and visit, and more bodies are still on their way to be interred. I can only be here twice a day myself."

Hilde looked up at Maokai, not quite understanding. She would not turn away help, but she didn't know what kind he offered either.

"How... do you intend to aid those who have passed on?"

A cool wind came over the fields, causing the plants to rustle and sway once more. Birds flew overhead, and Hilde's steed

"Quite helpful..." She mumbled under her breath. Still, she was slightly relieved for his presence here. A League Champion of his size situated in this location would deter would be attackers from harassing the area.

"Very well. Welcome to the Duchy of Rivershire, Maokai. Enjoy your stay." She said to him, before riding back to the road to rejoin the patrol.

Maokai would find the soil he occupied to be rich and fertile- expected of a farm. Thus far, there were no disturbances to speak of in the immediate area, aside from a few curious animals that approached Maokai, like birds, squirrels, hedgehogs and field mice.

Evening

Nightfall came uneventfully, and the crickets and howl of wolves filled the air. The moon shined bright and clear in the sky. However, ominous figures stood at the treeline to the Howling Marsh, and slowly entered Demacian territory. They were living- but wrong, gravely wrong. They seemed to be humanoid, but clicked and walked on all fours, despite being bipeds. They observed Maokai from a safe distance...

The creatures stood some distance away from Maokai, clicking among themselves and crawling about. They seemed completely devoid of intelligence, and yet they moved in unison, and crept back into the Marshes for now...

The evening would pass uneventfully.

Dawn

Warm sunlight flowed over the fields and plants, and then on the cemetery as a small caravan was slowly arriving to deliver coffins. Meanwhile, the creatures returned, emerging from the marsh, once again standing at a distance from Maokai, silently watching him...