Isaac decided to take the flowered path; such blooms would surely have withered or turned hideous under the influence of the Corruption. On the other hand, the Seelie Fairies were known to cultivate such plants; as well, they were known as expert pranksters who would not hesitate to have their fun with travelers, even ones on urgent errands. Even at that, the Corrupted love to infect bramble patches and other thorned plants, so that way was as ill-advised as one could get; and the Seelie were quite resistant to the Corrupted, at least.
Ever cautious, Isaac continued down the flowery path, when he heard a rustle in the trees. Unsheathing his sword, he looked around for a shadow, a figure, anything. Finding none, he continued on, still clutching both hands to his sword, just in case. Another rustle sounded, and a mild breeze blew past Isaac's face. "I'll not suffer fairy trickery!" He boldly declared, knowing even average fairies can match an experienced human spellcaster in power.
With not so much as a tiny giggle to signal a fairy's presence, Isaac concluded that it was merely the wind playing off the trees. He lowered his sword and continued on, unaware of the tiny grains of pollen that had been falling upon him since the first rustle.
At last, Isaac reached the riverbank as the glow of twilight fell. He filled his water satchel, chanted a purification spell on it and went to work setting up camp. With his wards in place, and a hearty meal eaten, he laid his head upon a log and went to sleep; the full moon, beginning to peak through the trees.
Back at the forests edge, two tiny, winged figures; clad in flower petal and leaf dresses, and emitting a faint glow; one pink and one yellow; sat upon a tree branch, observing the paladin. "And now, we wait." said the pink one.