The trailhead to the forest is a dirt trail, dusty as it has not rained in a while. The overhang of the trees is luscious and green with only patches of sunlight beaming through the dense canopy. There are many large trees, some with arrows still stuck in their trunks. The trail is treacherous as it leads through the densest part of the forest, through a stream and to a well-hidden castle. Once inside the forest, the shade and canopy has provided plenty of opportunities for foliage to grow making it harder to follow.
The opening to the drawbridge of the castle, Trail
horse
mage
I am a mage from with a long white beard. I concoct magic spells of my own. I am a practitioner of the dark arts of magic.
Haha I am glad you are in good spirits horse. We have a treacherous trail ahead of us. Then let us be off, where are we headed master? I'll lead the way. Help me find some arrows i need for some spells I want to cast. Arrows?  How will I pick them up with my hooves? Haha aww that is cute. Actually just keep an eye out for them and point to them when you can. I'll do the heavy lifting. Like this? Yes exactly! Thank you! Now i can cast a spell to help us on our journey. Can you turn them into magic arrows? Yes! I can make them burn for a very long time and that is what will point us in the right direction. What about these skeletons?  Can you animate the dead with a necromancy spell? I guess so, this can go wrong some times. Well, you know what's best.  Here, I think I got all the pieces.  Hard to move entire skeletons with just your mouth though.  Also kind of icky.