It had been a week since Chippy Morgan and his shadowy escort had entered the borders of Britannia. A rain had come and gone, lasting a day and then moving on, leaving the lands green and vibrant and new. Dew clung to the leaves and blades of grass like sparkling diamonds, refracting the morning sun and casting hues of multicoloured light into the corners of the druid's vision. He sat within a small, peaceful grove that hugged the most adorable little brook he had ever seen, delicate and clear, trickling it's way towards the south. He was not alone. In the course of the past few days he had taken the initiative in getting to know several local figures of import, and had invited them to join him for some brunch. To his left sat a local farmer and family man, Mr. Bundy, and to his right was a clansman from north of town, Mr. Ikkimoto. Chippy had arranged a seat for both of them, but Ikkimoto's stool sat unused. Ikkimoto had declined the offer to sit, and while Chippy considered it quite rude, he also had to accept that the clansman's customs were different from his own, and he had done his best to accommodate his esteemed guest.
"Ah, the tea should be about ready! Would either of you care for a smoke with your drink? The weed is a little damp from the rain, but it is quite a delicate blend."
Bundy cocked his head to the side, a quizzical expression painted across his features.
"Wizard weed? I'm sorry, Mr. Bundy. I had assumed that you, as a local agriculturalist, would have known. It's just a bit of extra colour, I would say a necessity at a social networking event such as this. Would you care to try some?"
Mr. Bundy seemed to consider it for some time, before dipping his head in acceptance. Chippy placed a roll on the stump he had serving as a table, next to a cup he had set there for drink. In the morning, he had prepared several scones to accompany the arrangement, dressed with local wildberries. He was no cook, and usually did not entertain guests in this manner, but his chest swelled with pride over the spread he had prepared.
"...and you, Mr. Ikkimoto? A smoke?"
Ikkimoto stood motionless, his back pressed firmly against a tree. He looked at the roll Chippy had set out for farmer Bundy, and shot the eager druid a cold glance. Had Chippy offended him? He was not sure, but Ikkimoto seemed to be very difficult to please. Perhaps this meeting was not going to be all he had hoped. He bowed his head in a gesture of apology, and dropped the topic, instead turning and plucking his clay tea pot from beside the small fire he had.
"Now, shall we discuss the business at hand, gentlemen? As I stated previously, a fellow traveller and myself have recently arrived in these lands. I suspect we are being followed, by a massive, crimson haired she-ogre. We need shelter, we need storage, and most importantly, we need privacy. I am willing to compensate you any way you wish, within reason."
Chippy paused for a moment, to give them time to consider his proposition. Then he continued..
"Even if you cannot assist me yourselves, I understand you two both have extensive families. Surely you must know somebody who can offer what I need?"
Suddenly, and quite abruptly, there was a flurry of activity. Farmer Bundy shot upright in his stool, his eyes wide, nostrils flaring. Ikkimoto did not seem alerted, but his demeanor changed from one of quiet displeasure to a look of dark anticipation. There was a loud shuffle from the nearby foliage, and suddenly, a great white owl burst into the grove. In the space of two seconds, the owl swept across the little clearing, sunk its talons into Mr. Bundy's shoulders, and disappeared into the trees opposite the side it had come. The last thing Chippy saw was Farmer Bundy's fluffy little tail hanging beneath the bird of prey as it ripped him away from his scone and towards certain death. As the reality of what had just transpired dawned on the hapless druid, Mr. Ikkimoto finally broke his silence. Straining against the vines that bound his hands, feet, and naked tail tightly to the tree behind him, Ikkimoto stared at the empty seat beside him.
"IKKI IK-IKKIK IK!"
His laughter vomited forth, a high-pitched, piercing sound that tore Chippy from his stunned state. He strained forward against the vines that held him in place, the thick, coarse fur on the back of his neck standing straight. Laughing. Laughing at a life being taken during tea.
"That's it, Ikkimoto! I've had about enough of your BULLSHIT!" Chippy screamed, rising and brandishing his staff. At the druids fury, the runes on his staff swelled with power. Thick, sticky sap ran from the many grooves in the wood, and dripped on to the ground at Chippy's feet. As the first drop sank in to the earth, the tree Ikkimoto was fastened to shuddered and came to life. It's leafage, formerly relaxed in the calm morning air, sprang to attention and stretched towards the sky.
The tree began to grow.
Ikkimoto's raucious laughter halted, and his expression changed once more. As his arms, legs, and tail were dislocated by the rapid growth of the tree and his iron-strong bonds, his eyes became massive, feral orbs in his skull, he bared his teeth, and blood and saliva frothed from his lips as he began to scream. However, his scream was cut short as the tree finished it's rapid growth, ripping his torso free from its extremeties like a carrot being plucked from the ground. A great gout of dark blood crashed on to the grass below, and sank into the dirt to feed the great tree's new mass.
Chippy collapsed back onto his stool, his anger subsiding. A melancholy look upon his face, he sipped at his tea before lighting a fresh roll of wizard weed from the fire and bringing it to his lips. He took a deep drag, and held it briefly before allowing it to slowly flow back out through his nostrils. He looked out from under his wide and droopy hat, surveying the scene before him. Farmer Bundy's stool sat empty, the tea cup before it on its side, the scone and smoke soggy and ruined. Across the table, the great tree swayed and relaxed into its new form, the remains of Mr. Ikkimoto still fastened to its boughs. Thick, black blood ran down its bark still, seeping into the earth in a muddy mixture.
Chippy Morgan took one more puff from his roll before snuffing and stashing it. He felt slightly more relaxed now. He gathered his cooking instruments, and spread the ashes of his campfire. As he left the clearing, he made a mental note to drop by Mr. Bundy's family residence and inform his next-of-kin, and perhaps leave some fresh produce as well. It was the least Bundy deserved. After all, he was the only one who seemed interested in keeping the otherwise horrible tea party going. Chippy was sure they would have been friends, if Bundy hadn't been abducted and eaten. But there were more opportunities to make friends, and he wouldn't let a bad experience or two hold him back. A fresh start, yes, that was what he had, and he would make the most of it!
With that final thought, Chippy Morgan adjusted his hat, and strode forward towards the walls of the City beyond the woods.
A Vaguely Social Event
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