Tranquil Clan: 1

Griffith, Oeric, and Aule stood in the middle of the Tranquil clan. They took in the unusual flora and let the calming atmosphere sooth them. As haedians passed them with gentle greetings, Griffith and Aule were glad for the change of pace, but Oeric sneered at their peaceful manners. 

“Something tells me you’ll have a tough time getting along with these folks.” Aule chuckled to himself as he knocked shoulders with Oeric. 

Oeric scoffed, “if anything they will be too agreeable.” 

Oeric was misguided in his assumptions that gentleness, or calmness, meant these haedians were pushovers. Griffith was just quietly watching the environment around him without paying too much attention to his friends. 

Pyrri approached the three empyrians. She greeted them and introduced herself as the leader of the clan. The three friends replied in kind, before Pyrri explained that she could use their help. As usual, Griffith and Aule were more than happy to offer aid, but it took a bit more convincing to get Oeric on board. 

“We played by your rules in the last clan.” Aule reminded him. 

“Something tells me that you guys are going to get your way more than I will on this little adventure.” Oeric replied with a little growl at the end. 

“Then there’s no helping it.” Griffith chimed in, “We’ll help and then if it's not your cup of tea, you can head back to the surface.”

Oeric growled and glared at his two friends because they all knew that he would stay for the whole journey. 

Pyrri clapped her hands together, “perfect! Follow me.”

The group followed Pyrri past many makeshift buildings that they wanted to explore, but Pyrri made it clear that before they could explore on their own they had to help. The three of them figured it was the clan’s way of proving them worthy. They stayed quiet until Pyrri led them to a grove with many piles of supplies. 

“We provide aid to many clans that ask for it.” Pyrri explained, “I’ll need your help preparing those aid packages.”

The three eagerly nodded and investigated the area as Pyrri left them to their own devices. They were told that each request would have a different set of supplies needed so they needed to carefully follow the lists. When the aid packages were done they were to set them aside with a label. 

“Should be easy enough.” Oeric said once they had all gathered their bearings. 

Aule and Griffith nodded along, and said, “who wants to do what?”

“I’ll pack one of the bags.” Oeric offered as he lifted a crate off the ground. 

“I’ll read out the lists, and who they are for.” Aule continued. 

“What does that leave for me?” Griffith wondered out loud. The pair looked at Griffith as they all pondered his question, but it wasn’t long before Griffith found his own answer. “I’ll close up the boxes and get them ready for delivery.”

With everyone with their jobs, they began to work. At the start Griffith sat and watched as his friends filled the boxes. 

“First one… is…” Aule started as he fumbled with the list, “the Forgotten clan.”

Oeric nodded and moved around as Aule read off various foods and building supplies. It went on for so long that Griffith needed to prepare extra crates while he waited because the first request, alone, took three crates. 

“Done.” Oeric and Aule said as they passed the crates to Griffith to finish off. 

Griffith used his magic to wrap vines around the crates, sealing them and then using his claw he marked each box with the symbol of the forgotten clan. After he shuffled the boxes to the edge of their work space, he turned to find his friends watching him. 

“What’s wrong?” Griffith sighed, expecting to hear critiques on his methods. 

“No, no. Nothing’s wrong.” Oeric said, turning back to his work. 

“I wasn’t sure how we were going to label the crates,” Aule answered, explaining he was just curious how Griffith was going to do it.

Griffith went back to help assemble more crates with Oeric as Aule went on to start the next list. 

“This one is for the Brutes.” He stated, “they’re looking for medical aid.” 

Oeric listened intently as he carefully placed various healing potions and bandages into boxes. Griffith had made three boxes for the Brutes’ supplies, and Aule didn’t seem to be nearing the end of the list. 

“It just keeps going.” Aule murmured as he let the scroll unfurl onto the floor, “Surely, this is too much.”

Oeric nodded, “I don’t think there are enough potions here to even fulfill the list.”

As if sensing their confusion, Pyrri appeared next to the crates from earlier. Aule explained their predicament and Pyrri assured them that it was a long list, but that they would fulfill it. Pyrri then showed the trio a place where they could help mix the potions. 

“If you do run out, you can come over to this area and make some more.” Pyrri gestured to the workshop space. 

The three nodded and then Pyrri meandered off again. 

“Well, I guess I’ll start making some potions.” Aule said as he settled into the cramped space clearly meant for a smaller reosean. 

Griffith took over reading the list as they waited for the Aule to finish making the potions. The three found that the jobs they’ve been given weren’t hard, but they were boring. After a while Oeric grew tired of walking back and forth. Griffith felt a tightness in his voice from speaking so much, and Aule felt his task was repetitive. 

“Let’s take a break.” Oeric sighed. His two friends nodded in agreement and they all laid down. 

[956]