Since the flight to the gnolls would have taken a few days, Storm decided to postpone his journey to them, and to go recruit the Hags and Kitsune first.
He was currently flying through the air towards the location that Kalipso had indicated where the hags had made their home.
He saw a small column of smoke rising up from a chimney ahead.
He flew above a clearing where a small wooden cottage was located.
As he went in to land, he blew up a small dust storm from the strong winds his wings were generating.
This wind rattled the windows and door, so he was pretty sure the occupants were aware of his presence.
As his feet touched the ground and he began to fold his wings, the door flung open and 3 old human ladies stepped out of the cottage.
They seemed extremely frail with hunched backs, and a face full of wrinkles, but Storm knew this was nothing more than a disguise and that they were not as defenseless as they first appeared.
All 3 hags closely resembled each other with a hooked, beaklike nose, and heads full of grey hair.
They each wore a simple, patched dress with no additional adornments or jewelry.
One was green, another was black, while the last one had a red dress.
"Ohhh!! A guest!!! And such an illustrious one at that!!
Wish you had given us prior notice, young one!!
We would have slipped into something more presentable!!" Croaked one of the hags.
"We'd invite you inside for some tea, young man. But I'm afraid our humble cottage won't be able to accommodate your graceful form." Said another.
"Hush, sisters!! The winged one wishes to speak!! Speak freely, young dragon!
Tell us your reason for seeking us out!" Said the final hag.
"Why do you keep calling me 'young'!! I'm 100 years old!!" Exclaimed Storm.
All 3 sisters sisters burst out laughing at the same time.
"Is that all?! I was certain you were approaching your second century now! Maybe one and a half at the very least!"
"He looks much older than he should, doesn't he?! Some kind of magic, perhaps?! Or just the stress of the job he has taken upon himself?!"
"It is cute how he tries to flex his age before us! Not realizing the true scope of the beings in front of him!"
They burst out laughing again.
Storm suppressed his irritation.
"I know that you are 'hags'...." Storm started.
Before he could finish, one of the hags stepped forward and slapped his front leg.
"How rude!! That's an impolite term to use for strangers!!" Scolded the hag
"Young people these days!! No respect for their elders!!"
Storm was stunned.
"But!? What am I supposed to call you!? You never told me your names?!" He responded.
" 'Granny' will be sufficient." They all said simultaneously.
Storm waited for them to elaborate further.
"Just.... 'Granny' ?! "
"Yes" they said at the same time again.
Ignoring his confusion, he chose to press on with the reason for seeking them out.
"My name is Storm and I..." Storm started.
Recognition showed on the hag's faces when they heard his name.
"We already know who you are,dragon. "
"Your coming was foretold. "
"And we can guess as to why you have come!!"
"But why you would seek the aid of 3 old Grannies for your war effort, we cannot say."
"I... don't need you to fight!! But we could use your help in other ways!" Explained Storm.
He told them about the Greenhouse that he's building, as well his plans to use their healing services.
"Ohh!! That is something that is within our capabilities!!"
"Indeed, but why would we do this?"
"Hard work should be rewarded? Should it not?"
"I can offer you safety from the hunters.
Surely you realize the dangers of living alone like this?" Replied Storm.
The old ladies laughed again.
"We live in the middle of nowhere, dear!"
"No one bothers us here!"
"Besides! Our children looks after our safety!"
Storm looked around the clearing, but saw no one else around except for the occasional bird sitting on a branch.
"You haven't completely refused my offer or sent me away!
So that means you're still willing to consider it!
Tell me what you want then, instead of playing these guessing games!" Said Storm.
"So impatient!! Young people have no patience nowadays!!"
"He's just like 'her'."
"Yes!! I'm sure they'll get along very well!!"
"Who are you talking about?" Asked Storm.
"One of our daughters! A sweet girl, but far too brash!"
" Impatient, like you!"
"So quick to resort to her claws and fangs! A fiery lass! You two would get along very well!"
"She ran into some kind of trouble I assume?" Asked Storm.
"She went to go pick a fight with a group of poachers who have been making a nuisance of themselves not far from here."
"We warned her! Told her not to kick the hornet's nest! But she never listens!"
"She's been gone for 2 days now and we are beginning to worry. "
"Find her! And see to it that she returns to us safe and sound!
Do this and we shall reconsider your offer!" The hags said simultaneously.
Storm nodded his head.
"Fair enough! If I do this for you? You will help us?"
The hags nodded their heads.
"Ohh!! One more thing,dearie!
We don't want you to kill the poachers! Just drive them off and rescue our loved one!"
"You've got to be kidding me!! How am I supposed to do that?!" Shouted Storm .
"That's your problem, dearie!"
"Can you at least tell me 'why' I should restrain myself?" Asked Storm.
"The poachers are camping on a site of great harmony. "
"A Haven!!? They're camping on a Haven?!" Asked Storm.
"Now you see our predicament, dearie. "
Havens were sites located deep inside natural areas where the harmonious magics of nature was especially concentrated.
They always spread a sense of calm and ease to those staying on it's grounds.
Some magical creatures like unicorns or forest spirits were dependant upon the magic these sites attracted and were drawn to these sites.
All magical creatures respected such hallowed grounds and even animals respected it's rules.
The spilling of blood on the site was expressly forbidden as such an act would disrupt the harmonious magic.
The smell of blood would also enrage and corrupt the nature spirits staying there and produce treants.
Walking treemen that hungered for blood.
"Not many such sites left in the world." Said Storm.
"Indeed, dragon!"
"So few that even the loss of that one site would cause widespread damage to those of us that stay here"
"And the creatures dependant upon it."
Storm sighed.
"You have my word that I will not pollute this site with spilled blood. " Storm answered.
"We have faith in you, dearie. "
"You just need to use that brain in your skull!"
"Don't disappoint us!!" They all said.