Livonna nervously took a smell, but the wood's forest was smelling only mushroom, rotten trees and dampness. She took a smell again, trying to catch a barely perceptible breeze. And she smelled a kind of an ancient magic. She nodded too Dame Athanasia. They were at the right way. Vampiress smiled and gestured she-werewolf to go first. So Livonna did. The smell of the strong ancient magic became stronger, and the stronger it felt, the more powerful the old trees became. The heart of the woods surely was much more immemorial then the ruins of the temple, which was hidden there since the dawn of time.

"Do you really think it is a good idea, milady?" Livonna asked nervously, rubbing her plump bottom, remembering how terrible all turned to her last time she trespassed the sacred border.

"You'd better not to challenge my orders, useless beast!" Dame Athanasia raised her hand, and Livonna immediately clutched her bushy tail behind her legs. "After all, now I came with you, since you just can't do anything not screwing all over!" vampiress said "This time all you need is just to distract that dryad, nothing more! And I'll do all the job! Now go forth and do your Best! Or I'll whip you myself!"

Livonna sniffed, but nodded and went forward, just like she was all alone. Just like the last time she saw the ruins and the sacred chalice, which was still on the altar, which was surround by a few pillars left from the temple. She-werewolf grinned contentedly. And just like the last time she saw a motion in an old stump surely ill-omened for her. The stump was growing. Few seconds later a slim beautiful girl with a green leaves on her head appeared right in front of Livonna. The dryad.

"Stop right there, traitor!" she said, painfully pulling Livonna by pointy ear "Had you forgot a lesson I taught you, wolf maiden! Just turn your back and walk away! You should be a nature keeper, just like me!"

"Bullshit! Just don't step my path, talking wood! I came here for this chalice, and I will take it with me, do you like this or not! Just step aside, or I'll crush you!" Livonna growled. Dryad slapped her in face.

"Do you really want me to repeat your lesson?" she asked in calm voice. She turned her head to the chalice just in time to saw Dame Athanasia crawling to it. "Sadly, you don't leave me any other choice!" dryad said and waved to an old tree. She-werewolf whinged.

Story inspired by Kalidwen's game Elven Kingdom (which you may found here - https://kalidwen.itch.io/elven-kingdom)