Selanil gave the group a rough idea of the area's layout (see rough map, previous post).
Once everyone was ready to move in, Horsom asked for a moment. "I've a gift I'd like to.. try to open," he said. He pulled one of Tattercoats's acorns from his satchel, dug a small hole in the soil, then covered it up. He quickly stood, breath held in anticipation. Everyone watched.
A minute passed. Nothing happened.
Horsom watered the ground with a bit of water sprinkled from his waterskin.
Another minute passed. Again, nothing happened.
Horsom could feel the group watching him, and his cheeks grew little red as he dug out the acorn to place it back in his satchel. He wanted to keep it handy; thinking he'd like to experiment with it in the upcoming battle.
But, Lo! The acorn had opened, and crawling out of it was a wee, wee green man, so small that he could curl back within the nut, were he of a mind to do so. He seemed to be clad in curling brown leaves. Perhaps it was part of his skin. As Horsom watched, the little man pulled itself fully from the ground, and spoke. His voice was high and reedy, and they could hear nothing that he said.
Horsom leaned in, and the little man yelled something like this:
Green Man of the Oaks
Thou art strong; I am stronger
So small I, to speak I must holler
Had thee waited longer,
I would have been taller.
What need hast thou, to ask me awaken?
What quest hast thou, need undertaken?
What question hast thou, needing reply?
What service needs thou, who planted I?
