Two dryads came in, they were Brian and Dunka.

Seeing the two dryads coming in, Freixenet's face turned pale: "No, don't! Don't try to stuff anything into my throat again, no way! Geralt, tell her..."

Even though he was seriously injured and unable to move, Freixenet tried his best to move away from the two dryads. It was obvious that what they had done had left an indelible psychological trauma on the poor baron.

“Calm down,” Geralt said. “That’s what allowed you to survive despite your injuries. It’s the dryad’s unique healing power.”

When Ciri saw the tree spirit coming in, she suddenly remembered something, and her excitement at seeing Lan disappeared in an instant.

She asked thoughtfully in a low voice, "Lan, did they cover your eyes when you came in?"

"I'm confused."

"I didn't," Ciri said. "They seem to want to keep me here. Can we still go home, Lan?"

"Of course, I promise." Lann lowered his head and said, "Whatever they ask you to do, you just do it. Their magic won't work on you. After everything is over, we can leave. Believe me."

Ciri looked up at Lann, and Lann's confident expression was reflected in her green eyes. She felt reassured. Ciri didn't understand the principles of magic, nor did she know why it wouldn't work on her, but she believed what Lann said.

Freixenet was still making a fuss over there, but the two dryads just glanced at him and ignored him.

They walked straight towards Ciri, who was curled up next to Lan.

"Come on, Ciri."

The princess had a tense face. Although Lan's words no longer frightened her, she still felt a little nervous when facing these tree spirits, which made her shrink behind Lan.

Ciri asked sullenly, "Where are we going?"

Before Brian could answer, a voice came from outside the house. This voice was full, deep, firm and decisive; this voice demanded that everyone listen and did not allow any rebuttal.

"Go where destiny leads you. No one can escape destiny."

Everyone turned their heads and looked in the direction where the voice came from. Then Braun bowed, Geralt knelt, and Lann thought for a moment and performed a court salute to show respect.

They all shouted one name:

"Ms. Esna."

Ethna, the Dryad Queen, is the supreme ruler of Brokilon. She is dressed in a thin and light green dress. She is petite and slender like most dryads, but holds her head high with pride. She has a serious expression and her lips are tightly pursed, giving people a majestic and powerful impression. Her hair and eyes are like molten silver.

They don't call her "Your Majesty", which is a title that is very rich in human culture, and the civilization of the dryads is different from most humans and even subhuman civilizations. The dryads call Esna "Queen", which is just a respectful title, which seems a bit contradictory.

They regarded Esna as the ruler of Brokilon, the spiritual leader of the tree spirits, and even their mother. They also acknowledged her as the queen, but they did not call her "Your Majesty."

Esna walked into the hut, and two younger dryads stood by her with bows. With a gesture, Brian lowered her head, walked over and took Ciri's hand.

Ciri reflexively shrank back, and Lann hugged her gently.

"It's okay, believe me. Just think of it as a visit to other places and experience the local customs and culture." Lan nodded to Ciri.

"Go," said Esna, "go, my child. Fear nothing, for nothing can change your fate. You are now in Brokilon."

Ciri hesitated for a moment and held Brian's hand. The dryad who had escorted Ciri all the way seemed particularly gentle at this time, and the two of them slowly disappeared from everyone's sight.

Esna turned to the witcher, who was still kneeling on the ground, with his head bowed respectfully.

"Wake up, Gwenblade, you are welcome."

Gwynblade is the dialect of the tree elves, which translates into the common language as "White Wolf".

"Greetings, Ethna, Supreme Ruler of Brokilon."

"You are welcome to my forest again. But you have come without my permission, or even my notice. It is dangerous to enter Brokilon in this state, White Wolf, even for you."

Facing the questioning of the Dryad Queen, Geralt explained: "I have a mission."

"Oh!" The dryad smiled. "That explains your recklessness. Geralt, not killing the messenger is just your human rule. I don't accept it. I don't recognize any human rules because this is Brokilon."

Hearing these almost threatening words, Geralt's expression remained unchanged, and he did not seem to be frightened by the other party's malicious intent. He seemed to be sure that the other party would not hurt him.

Sure enough, the Dryad Queen also changed her tone and continued, "However, I have ordered you to be spared. You can leave Brokilon alive. It is not because of your identity as a messenger, but for other reasons."

Geralt did not ask about the so-called "other reasons", but continued to ask:

"So, you don't want to know who I'm here for?"

"Honestly, no. I am in Brokilon, and you are from outside Brokilon, a world that has no interest for me. Why should I waste my time listening to the messenger? Why should I listen to the proposals or ultimatums of someone who thinks and feels so differently than I do? King Wenslav of Brug may have a lot of ideas, but what does that have to do with me?"

Geralt looked up in surprise.

"How do you know that Wenslav sent me?"

"Too obvious," the Dryad replied with a smile, "Soden is too stupid. The people of Weden hate me enough to offer a bounty on the Dryad's scalp. That's all the surrounding kingdoms have."

"As for Cintra..." Esna glanced in Lann's direction.

Geralt gave the Dryad Queen a compliment at the right moment:

"You know a lot about things outside of Brokilon, Ethna."

"I know a lot, White Wolf. It's an advantage that the long years have given me. Now, if you're willing, there's one thing I want to address."

The Dryad Queen turned towards Lann and looked at the knight in front of her with her silver eyes.

"Lann Lannister Rhaanron. The birds and trees told me about you. You are very smart and cunning. My sister does have some illusions about humans, and you used this to keep her outside the forest in exchange for your safety. So you can rest assured that you can leave Brokilon alive with Gwenblade."

"Ellie is a sensible lady. I am keeping her here for more than just a superficial reason as a hostage." Lann explained, "Since you know my story, you must understand that there are deeper reasons for my actions."