It was a balmy day in midsummer when they finally made their move to leave Coastall. After nearly two weeks of reacquainting themselves with their adoptive home the men made the decision to head off. Riakon had grown especially anxious to continue his mission partially out of his want to regain his access to his Paladin magic, but also partially out of his want to make his godly father proud.

Roden was less concerned with the latter of his two motivations, but knew completing this part of Riakon's mission would bring him one step closer to going home. Before leaving the men mapped out their route. Despite Errrkkkk's ability to grant flight with the addition of Branch as another non-flyer, they were unable to fly at any great pace.

Yet, when it came time to leave Branch had surprised all of them. The party stood atop the first large rise outside the city when Branch's frustration was made apparent. Errrkkkk attempted to calm the little Treant, who appeared to everyone else to be throwing a temper tantrum.

"What's the problem brother?" Riakon said, eyeing the grumbling Treant.

"I'm not really sure. I think he's mad that he's the slowest, cacaw."

"What do you mean?" Riakon asked.

"He says he can go fast, but can't explain how, cacaw." he said with a shrug.

Everyone present made vague gestures about the legitimacy of the little plant's frustration. When making their plan they had all been very excited at being able to move rapidly until it was pointed out that Branch would be a hindrance, even though Errrkkkk made it clear to Branch he would be making Riakon walk,

It was on that rise that Branch revealed the real reason for his consternation. Branch began to glow a faint green light. Riakon and Grok stepped away from him, but everyone watched in a mix of concern and curiosity.

Branch's wooden exterior began to shift and undulate in an unwood-like manner. His bark cracked and rippled. His truck split open and he started to grow taller. He fell forward landing on his arms in a quadrupedal stance. His entire body had transformed into that of a four legged shape with four skinny legs that tapered into thick hinged branches that poked out of his now horizontal trunk which had expanded to nearly four feet around. It wasn't until the neck and head finished adapting to the new shape that Branch's intentions became clear to everyone.

"My gods, he's fucking horse!" Riakon exclaimed in surprise.

Branch responded with a toss of his head followed by a trilling series of tweets that was wholly uncanny coming from a figure that should have snorted or neighed. Errrkkkk patted Branch's neck and murmured something to him in their language.

Horse Branch moved over to Riakon and lowered himself down in what the Dragonkin rapidly deduced was an invitation. Simultaneously, horse Branch sprouted thick vines to serve as reins and stirrups. When Riakon was seated, he felt the wood beneath him mold and adjust to form a more comfortable seat.

"This is amazing, Branch! I had no idea you could—" Riakon's praise was cut off when horse Branch rose into the air and galloped off toward the clouds.

With Riakon riding atop horse Branch, all members of their group were able to take advantage of Errrkkkk's flight granting abilities. They had made it a point to stop at their favorite camping spot along the river where they had frequently fished during their travels.

That night the newly expanded party enjoyed a rather lively evening by the river in Roden's treehouse. Everyone tried their hand at fishing, however, Branch rapidly made the endeavor unnecessary by skewering multiple fish with his wooden spikes in a matter of minutes, much to Riakon and Grok's dismay.

"How is it that the one who doesn't eat is the best at catching fish?" Riakon exclaimed in frustration while dragging himself out of the river.

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After Errrkkkk and Branch exchanged some tweets and squawks, Errrkkkk translated.

"He said he just likes the competition, cacaw."

"Who cares, just make a fire and cook it up and don't even think about bringing that stinky shit in my treehouse." Roden added.

After dinner the men carried on with their tradition of star gazing from the comfort of their treetop nest albeit Roden noticed Branch and Errrkkkk had added some additional twigs and leaves for whatever reason. He knew that without him and his treehouse those two would be crafting nests by hand so he didn't take it personally.

Once the sun was down each member of the team laid on their back and stared up at the dazzling night sky. Roden always looked forward to those moments. Ever since he was young and had discovered the majesty of space, he longed for the times he could escape the oppressive lights of the city.

That night their conversation was a subdued one that carried no steady stream. Someone would point out a particularly shiny star or they'd all share a moment of awe at a shoot star. Grok was the least impressed by the twinkling stars. He only lasted an hour or so in complete darkness before he hopped out of the nest to, as Riakon explained, grab a snack presumably speaking about one of the many nocturnal flying beasts out hunting insects.

After a few hours they all grew tired and were about to head off to their rooms for sleep when Roden broached the topic of their destination.

"So we're off to Mu'tumbo tomorrow." he said it with the air of a question despite knowing that was their plan.

"Yeah back to the lycans." Riakon answered unenthusiastically.

"What's wrong brother-cousin, cacaw?"

Riakon groaned, "Don't yall remember what happened last time?"

"Yeah, you destroyed their special spirit bone thing, cacaw."

Riakon huffed, "I was actually talking about the gathering and communing with Tiamat, but yeah that too."

"What about it?" Roden said with a carefree gesture.

"Don't you think they will be mad or at least not as welcoming?"

"Mad at you maybe, but I didn't do anything, cacaw."

"You mean we didn't do anything." Roden added.

"You broke the wall of their gathering house, cacaw."

Roden had to think about his statement before it dawned on him, "you mean when Seven tossed me through a wall?"

"See? You broke the wall, cacaw."

Roden rolled his eyes, "Anyway, I don't think it'll be an issue mate. Their guy attacked and we took care of it and saved Mu'tumbo's life."

"Oh yeah I forgot about that part…" the dragonkin said reluctantly.

"Honestly, I'm just looking forward to some of that mead and fireweed." Roden quipped.

A collective "mmmmhhhhmmmmm" came from the three while Branch sat in silence.

A memory floated to the surface of Roden's mind and he sat up, "Holy shit! Yall do not let me forget to get some seeds from Mu'tumbo!"

"Oh? Are you going to try and grow some fireweed in your mom's garden?" Riakon replied surprised.

"What?! No, one of my spells adapted to my elven magic and requires a blessed seed of sorts. I'm pretty sure Mu'tumbo has a tree that will meet the requirements." Roden paused and slapped a palm to his forehead, "Awe shit, I probably could have gotten one while we were in Port Sept too."

Errrkkkk clucked, "geez such a bad cleric, cacaw."

Roden wanted to argue his point that it wasn't his forgetting about magical spell materials that made him a bad cleric, but he let Errrkkkk have his moment instead after all he was a relatively bad cleric for multiple other reasons.

"Ya know, we should have brought them some supplies as a peace offering." Riakon lamented.

"Damn that would have been a great idea." Roden agreed.

"Too late for that now, cacaw."

A moment of silence fell over them as they all thought hard on the idea. Nearly simultaneously all three men slowly turned to look at Branch, who for his part was lying quietly looking every bit like a fallen log.

Roden gestured at Errrkkkk to ask the little Treant what they all were thinking.

Errrkkkk whistled and warbled at his little companion who shrugged, responded in kind before starting to rise up to his feet.

"He said, he'll go get some fish for us, cacaw."

"Perfect! What a good boy."

Once the Treant had started his climb down Errrkkkk added, "He's a sassy boy. He said he'd do it for some fireweed, cacaw."

"He can't know what that is." Roden said.

"He doesn't have a clue, but I said we'd get him something else to pay him back, cacaw."

Another long pause followed. Riakon broke the silence.

"Can a tree even smoke?"

"It feels like a strange form of cannibalism, when you think about it." Roden replied.

"I don't think he wants to smoke it, I think he just wants it, cacaw."

"What if we gave him mead?" Riakon suggested.

Roden scoffed, "Alcohol can't be good for a plant."

"I figured we could scrounge up some honey, cacaw."

Riakon frowned, "I don't know, those lycans loved their mead. I doubt they have any lying around that isn't already on its way to being mead."

"Either way we can't give him either of those things, right?" Roden said as the topic of the conversation was starting to make him giggle uncontrollably.

"Neither can be good for a growing boy." Riakon admonished no one in particular.

"I'm not worried about it. We can figure it out when we get there, cacaw."

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