Earth Sprout Entree

The two successfully managed to sneak through the neutral zone, a feat made easier by the lackluster guarding of the indifferent lands. The disregard for old traditions among the people contributed to the minimal surveillance. At the beginning, the road was overgrown and rough, but as they advanced, it led them to a rocky highland. The temperature dropped noticeably, and the vegetation became scarce. The area had long been abandoned, leaving only a few visible road patches among the short greenery. Cracked and displaced flat stones emerged from the soil, remnants of marching heavy war machinery, marking the path they followed. Amongst the weed to the sides, rusty and decayed fragments and beams poked through, intriguing the two observers.
For three days they are on the move, growing exhausted. Elena would surely be frantic upon realizing they had gone missing for so long, and their father would be furious. Their combined lie was strong enough to convince everyone of their reason for absence. Troublesome indeed, but the journey was worth the risk.
Despite the son's cursing of the idea now, Emric still wore a broad smile. "We are almost there. I am sure of it. Don't give up," he reassured the son. However, the son's impatience and bad mood got the better of him after all. He snapped at Emric, demanding to wipe the irritating smile off his face. Emric, intolerant about the son's behavior, questioned why the anger persists. “If you truly opposed the idea, you should have expressed it before we embarked on the journey.” As Emric scolded the son, the weariness of the journey became evident on him as well.
Son, rolling his eyes and muttering unpleasant words under his breath, he reluctantly acquiesced, saying "Fine...;" but abruptly, Emric halted. Son, observing the ground instead did not realize that, bumped his forehead against Emric's back, hissing in frustration. "
What now? I said fine!" the son exclaimed. Emric pointed ahead, directing the son's attention to a group of ancient willow trees that appeared burnt and stood out amidst the rocky, sparsely vegetated surroundings. The dense branches, resembling a giant bird's nest from a distance, left the son feeling disappointed and puzzled. "What's the significance? I don't understand," he mumbled. Emric shushed the son, requesting silence. An unfriendly grimace formed on the son's face, expressing his displeasure. Emric stood motionless, scanning the surroundings with his eyes darting in different directions. He was searching for something specific, something he remembered. "Follow the road until you reach the ash willows." A glimmer ignited in his eyes.