The Jewelled ForestIndex | Time Under Chaos | Settings | Castle Amber | The Jewelled Forest As she went through the door, she seemed to be on the edge of a forest, with broad paths between the trees. But there was no undergrowth, and there was no sense of being outside - the air was as calm and tranquil as it was in the conservatory she had left. There were lights in the forest too - not the flickering lights of night wisps, but steadily torches and candles that burned, it seemed, careless of any sudden breezes that might blow. Then, as she brushed close to the nearest tree, she saw that it was made of burnished silver, and cunningly etched to resemble the bark of a tree. Once you realised - yes, it became obvious. The leaves were motionless, not just because there was no breeze to disturb them, but because they too were metal, silver perhaps, but gilded with green enamels in many shades. The one next to it was gold, and carved to resemble a great oak with wide spreading branches. So she went on with her companions through the forest of precious trees - aspen, lime, blanjan, cobbett and silver frist - each moulded, carved and gilded to resemble its different species. Some were hung with jewelled fruit, some with small globes of light that gave a dim radiance to the surrounding area, while others were simply enamelled. Here and there, in supposed clearings, she found seats arranged - precious metals again, but now made to resemble carved rustic benches. Great mirrors were set occasionally on the floor in these clearings to serve as representations of still pools, reflecting back the motionless trees. There was a logic to this forest, she soon realised. They had entered by a side entrance and were following a somewhat twisting path. But there was a broad central avenue, to which their path gradually led them. A couple of times they were presented with forks, the ability to make choices. At last they found themselves in one of the small clearings which offered only two choices of exit - to retreat the way they had come, or to take a short path that would bring them on to the avenue. Five horsemen could ride comfortably abreast here - although, of course, it was unlikely that horsemen would gallop through this inner forest. Behind them, the avenue stretched for some two hundred yards ... ahead perhaps another twenty. At the head was the greatest and most impressive tree of all - a great golden beech. Here even the leaves were plain gold, and the branches spread out to create what looked a little like a shaded tent. Within this was a magnificent golden throne, carved to resemble wood again, with silken cushions of rich green. |
