It was not too far from the town that I began to get that strange feeling I get when I am near a faerie regio. I have spent so many years now researching them and finding them that I have a natural attunemen to their magical compostion. Katia being my filia has this ability as well but it is not as strong in her. I believe that if Dras stays in my company he will learn this as well.

We found a suitable place to rest for the night, even though the region is lacking in great forests. It is uncomfortable for me to sleep out in the open like we have had to do a few times since we have been here. After a small meal I found an opportunity to do some calculations on my astrolabe. The new plate that Eleanor has made me is quite powerful. She said it had been created with some intellgo vis from stoneglade. Though I have not learned all the intricacies of the plate in conjunction with the magical nature of the astrolabe it did offer some interesting insights into the where abouts of this regio I have been sensing. It was close enough now that Jora, my familiar, could probably find it with little trouble. The next morning I would have her fly about and scout the area.

After a quick breakfast and light conversation we packed up and continued to the river. Jora was flying ahead of us scouting the area. She spotted a small patch of trees that had recently been harvested. It is always difficult for me to see the destruction of such beautiful living things, but it is even more difficult when it damages one of the few magical places left in this area. Jora had found the regio and the deforesting of the area had punctured part of the ring that held it together. We quickly made our way to the area and picked our way through ruins of the forest. There had been many great trees that stood here but as we neared the regio I could see that there were two stumps that had been the walls of it. These great stumps were ancient in comparison to their neighbors. They had been preserved while the ones around them had been cut in previous generations. This is something that has always been sad to me. Seeing how little respect or even acknowledgement that is given to our ancient faerie friends. In past generations they were given respect but with the growing numbers of people and the encroachment of other religions our ways are slowly being crushed under their footsteps.

I approached with caution since a damaged regio is like a wounded beast, I was afraid at any moment it would lash out at us or even completely collapse. I took a few cautious steps forward and was right at the edge of the trees when I felt its pull. I can't resist it, it draws me in to that comfortable place that is away from the trivial troubles of the world and into a world of magical beauty. I stepped forward and fell an almost painful pressure on my body. I could still see out and realized that the world was slowed down to a crawl. I watched a leaf fall near Dras at a snails pace. It reminded me of looking out of the forest where I was born. I could see Katia moving so slowly towards me that I just wanted to pull her toward me to alleviate my impatience. And then I turned to see my surroundings.

The regio was tiny. Many times thay are vast in size compared to the way they seem outside. This one however was the same size. I could see the ripples in its magical aura. It was as if it was bleeding from a great wound. I could sense it was slowly dying and if it was not heal it would bleed to death in a few short days. Looking down I caught a glimpse of some very tiny beings trying to build a wall where the great trees once stood. I froze in place fearing to step on them. They were some Huldafolk, similar to brownies, and it had been years since I had seen any. As I was about to bend down to converse with them Katia broke through the regio and almost stepped on one of their homes. I quickly stopped her and pointed out the Vatir. We found it hard to hear them since they are so tiny and Katia cast a spell to heighten our hearing and quiet our voices.

We talked to them for a bit and sympathized with their situation. We learned that some woodsman had cleared some wood, but they were not to be blamed for the destruction of their regios defenses. They blamed a Troll for the damage and cautioned us to steer clear of it if we saw it. Dras had stepped in by this time and quickly stepped out since there was little room for him. I could sense something wrong outside though and Katia we quickly stepped free of the regio. I had a few pawns of vis on me and wanted to assist the Huldafolk with their repairs before I slipped out. Since time was so different I was able to cast a ritual to begin the growth of a great new tree that would help shield them. It was not an easy task to do in such a enclosed area but I am sure by now it is a fully mature tree helping to hold the regio together. After the ritual and a moment to catch my breath I stepped out of the regio. It was less painful to exit since the wound had been somewhat repaired.

I could see that everyone was worried and felt the ground shaking with the approache of a very large creature. Ani quickly fled with the horses and Dras transformed into his bear form. We saw the hideous troll break through some trees and came right at us. Dras did not waste a second and flew into melee with the beast. Though we had been cautioned against fighting it we could not let it further harm the Huldafolk. Katia and I both enhanced Dras's abilities by sharping his claws and making his pelt even tougher. Katia drew her bow and prepared a gold tipped arrow. Dras as always unleased devastating blow after blow. I quickly made the trolls club useless and Katia let the arrow fly. It struck it in the head but was unable to break its tough flesh. We knew we would be in trouble if Dras was injured. Dras continued to tear at the beast and Katia and I could do nothing but distract it since its magical defenses were too strong. I controlled the fallen trees to tangle its feet and push it around. Katia had beautiful dancing colors all around it. Dras continued to wear it down until it wasn't able to attack any longer. Finally it fell over in heap of foul smelling flesh.

We collected it teeth with a bit of trouble and I went back to the regio to talk to the Huldafolk. They were dancing with joy and were very thankful of our work. They said to come back at anytime.

We made our way back to the river with some helpful guidance from our new friends and went back to making our way to Stoneglade.

Teyla Waldwarden