The Forest

"All of you must focus. Cast your mind outwards and find the very edges of the forest without moving a centimeter." Ithilwen spoke softly, all three of her eyes looking at the circle of beings in front of her. They were standing in a wide circle in a clearing of trees, their hands linked, their bodies turned towards the center, and their eyes closed. The only sound was that of the forest and the soft, single note of Ithilwen's voice. The Court Mage was guiding them, gently nudging their minds back on track when she sensed them straying too far and exhausting themselves.

It was early in the day, just when the sun was peeking over the horizon. The time of the year was fall and the early morning temperatures were biting, though this could bother Ithilwen any less. She rose and dropped her temperature to her liking, she would teach her apprentice this later. The circle of young vessels shivered and tried to still their chattering teeth. Not only was the task given to them difficult, but their master had made them come out in numbing cold. They continued to chatter and shiver, their collective consciousness wavering and weak, until Ithilwen finally sighed. "I am assisting more than necessary already. I will not also tell you how to warm yourself. Fix this problem so that we may continue. I will give you five minutes."

The circle of 16 broke and the peace of the forest was broken by the bumble of the Chosen scrabbling for items to make a fire. Ithilwen's third eye rolled as she summoned a book and began reading.

Winielle's insistent snoring was cut short when she felt a book hit her in the face. She had woken up with a start, yelping loudly and nearly falling from the bed. "Who?!? Wazza...! Huh..?" She'd looked around, only to see Ithilwen in the doorway, fully garbed in her purple cloak.
It is the day.
She had said in her monotonous voice before turning and drifting away. The book that was now half open on the floor, was subjected on noses. The page it had fallen open to was snoring.

An hour and a half later, Winielle found herself meeting the whispered Chosen. A group of young individuals who had been rigorously trained by Ithilwen in order to magically assist Zenith during the Cold War. They were all different shapes, sizes, genders, colors, and even species, but they all had a black and simply designed third eye on their foreheads. It was more of a tattoo that showed what group they were in. Winielle had been greeted with incredible warmth from the 15 Chosen. They had touched at her horns and quizzed her on her realm. It was like being a child again and she loved it! 15 friends in a matter of moments! The little party quickly concluded at the sound of a high tone, a tone that the Chosen had come to associate with Ithilwen, their Master's summons. She made them circle up and link hands while explaining to them their task. They were to create a barrier around a portion of the Zenithian woods in order to keep the Zenith Folk safe during the Fall Festival! They all had whispered excitedly at the prospect of such a respected task but never guessed how hard it could be.

Now they were all scrabbling for items to make a giant bonfire and Winielle was being tugged along, not that she minded. She bounded off to join them, assisting them with her powers where they asked. In no time, the stones, kindle and wood was set. All that was left was for a Brown skinned female to light it with an elemental ball of flame. She then tended the fire for a few more moments until it was eating away at the fuel. Then they all circled up and cast their mind out again, the fire's warmth helping them focus.

Ithilwen watched her Chosen, and Winielle, link up again, watching how the fire warmed them almost immediately. She sent away her book, it vanishing into thin air as she stood and entered their circle. she began drifting around them, doing what she did before. She gently nudged their minds on track, or gave them minuscule hints to finding their way. This quiet, cult like activity continued until a Blue skinned male with a single horn sprouting from his forehead gasped and shuddered. Then it was a domino effect as the rest of them had their own reactions. "Excellent. Now. Create the barrier. Build it. Imagine every stone and every wall. Make it strong. Assist each-other." she plainly told them, while continuing to walk around their circle. Her set of eyes were closed, leaving her third eye open so that she could see what they were all working on. She nodded in approval and helped where needed.