Msaka yawned and rolled over, then opened his eyes and looked around. A cool breeze was blowing in through the window, just strongly enough to have awakened him. The last light of day was filtering through the window, leaving most of the room in shadow.

He sat up and pulled his pack over to him, taking some food out. Eating quickly, he set the pack aside, then stood up and left the room. He headed downstairs. The liontaur sorceress should have the information he needed by now, and he didn't want to waste any more time getting it.

On the way out, he approached the welcome woman and paid for his room for another day, keeping his manner polite. "Even if I find out where to go right now, I will probably need time to prepare for the journey." he reasoned.

Once outside, he walked slowly across the plateau, deliberately not rushing, despite wanting to do so. The breeze blowing over the city ruffled his fur slightly as he went, an annoying sensation, but tolerable. The sky was clear, save for the moon, which shone brightly down, illuminating both the city and the plains beyond, though from his present position, he could see neither as well as when he had climbed the tree the other night.

Dim light shone from the doorway to the liontaur's home, an good indication that she was within. No sounds accompanied the light, so it was unlikely she was involved in any spellcasting at the moment. Both were just as well as far as Msaka was concerned, as it would be quite frustrating to be forced to wait for her once again.

Reaching the door, he looked inside. The light was coming from the candles placed around the room, giving it an appearance of warmth. But there was no sign of the liontaur. He stepped in, gazing at the paraphenalia decorating the room and filling the shelves on the wall. "Perhaps she is in one of the back rooms." he thought. He began walking towards the rear doorway, but stopped. Those rooms might be considered private, and he didn't want to risk angering her with his impatience. "Are you home?" he called out, his voice breaking the near silence in the chamber.

"I am." came the sorceress' voice in reply, from the back rooms, as he had suspected. A moment later, she appeared, padding quietly in.

"I have found what you need." she said as she reached him. "There are many such beings as might suit your purposes which I found, and one of those is found nearby. However, its type is not such that may be approached in safety."

"Of course I didn't expect it to be safe." Msaka thought. "A creature of magic never is." Forcing himself not to frown, he asked, "What is this thing?"

"Were it a year ago, you could have tried to seek out one of the demons or demon worms which were present. As it is now, you will have to be content seeking out a thing touched by their taint long ago." the liontaur said, looking pensive.

"A few hundred years ago, one of the tribes began exploring magic that would have been better left untouched." she continued, "They conjured demons and other dark creatures to do their bidding, but this exacted a terrible price. Slowly, they came under the sway of those they had controlled. The resulting threat could not be ignored."

"Many were forced to come together to battle this tribe and their demons, and many lives were lost. The battle was won, however, and the tribe was shattered. A few of them escaped alive, though driven mad from the power of the demons and the battle which had shattered their power. They were pursued. Some of them were caught and killed, but some were not."

The liontaur took a deep breath before continuing. "It is unclear how it happened, though it may have been a final 'gift' from their otherworldly masters, it may have been through their own doing, or it might have been the action of another magical power, but the souls of the survivors of that tribe became melded with trees, which soon came to be named Ghost Trees when their nature was learned."

"In some ways, they now resemble the dryads of some other lands, but they are not dryads, and are certainly not the benign beings that dryads are. While each is tied to a particular tree, they retain much of their power, and some of their previous form, but are much more difficult to harm and have gained exceptionally long lifespans in addition."

She frowned as she spoke. "What is known of them now, is that when someone approaches, they are able to sense it and separate from their host tree, forming a body of wooden flesh. In this form, they may wield their magic as though they were still alive, and will do so against any intruders. While they each command different spells, they all share one spell, one which caused a great deal of trouble in the initial battle against them. It allows them to enslave another's will through song. Whatever other magic you may face in battling one, it will certainly attempt to use that power against you, and you will need protection against it if you intend to stay alive."

Msaka remained silent for several moments, considering what he'd been told. He wasn't happy. Battling another magic-user was dangerous enough, but fighting one like the liontaur had just described would be very risky, even if he was prepared for it. He considered asking about some of the other creatures, but realized they would probably be no easier to deal with, and he didn't want to appear afraid, either. "How can I protect myself from being entranced by them?" he asked, trying to keep his nervousness from showing in his words.

"I have a charm against such magics." the sorceress replied. "I will lend it to you, if you intend to find one of these creatures."

"I do." Msaka nodded. "Not that I have much choice." he thought to himself.

"Very well. Take this." the liontaur held out a crystal pendant on a silver chain, which Msaka accepted and put around his neck.

"As long as you are wearing that, magic that affects the mind will not work against you." the liontaur said. "As for where to find one of these creatures, look in the mountains to the north, where the savanna meets the jungle. That is the most likely place to encounter them."

Msaka nodded again. "Thank you for your assistance." he said. "I will not forget it."

"Fare well." she answered. "May you be safe."

Msaka turned and walked out onto the plateau. The breeze was still blowing, and began ruffling his fur again. He paid no attention to it though. His thoughts were on the danger that lay ahead.