Druids Clan: 3

Auris wasn’t far away from the group and was watching some of the stray ashes rise into the air. He wasn’t thrilled with the idea, he was hoping for something less destructive. With a sigh, he waited and watched as the group approached him. The haedian leading them looked quite pleased with themselves, but Auris wasn’t convinced. 

“Auris, Auris,” The haedian spoke with excitement.

Another sigh escaped Auris’ mouth, but none of the approaching reoseans heard it. 

“I have a possible solution to the problem,” The haedian explained and gestured to the three Empyrians behind them, “They came up with it.”

“Yes, I was watching,” Auris started. He looked away from the Haedian towards the three to address them, “I appreciate the attempt, but I’m hoping for a solution that won’t burn our forest down.”

Oeric didn’t take kindly to the phrase but knew it was a valid concern. Aule and Griffith agreed with the leader. 

“We, uh,” Griffith started to speak up, “We were thinking the same thing.”

Aule nodded, “Yeah we keep looking.”

Auris smiled and thanked them. He also added that he knew a couple of old Haedians who lived outside of the central area of the domain. Auris further explained that the couple had been talking to other topside reoseans. He thought they could help identify the problem.

“If you know where they are,” Oeric said, “why haven’t you asked them?”

“I hadn’t thought of them until I saw you three,” Auris confessed. 

Oeric wanted to take offense, feeling like he was suggesting they appeared old. However, he saw Griffith and Aule shrug their shoulders so he let it rest as best he could. Griffith felt the heat rise from Oeric as he became more irritated by the things said. Griffith hoped his hot-headed friend wouldn’t make things too difficult for them. 

“Point us in the direction and we’ll talk to them for you,” Aule said, ignoring the looks Griffith and Oeric were giving each other. 

Auris gave them some brief directions and the trio took to the space above the treetops. Auris watched them push through the thick foliage before they were out of sight. Griffith and Aule adjusted their flight slightly so they were on either side of Oeric. No one said anything as they looked down trying to find the landmarks Auris had told them. 

“Do you think it would have been better to walk?” Oeric asked as they circled a few areas trying to peer through the thick leaves. 

“Yeah,” Griffith sighed looking around the large cavern space. 

Aule had drifted away from the group but called for their attention when he thought he had found who they were looking for. Griffith and Oeric quickly came to his side and together, the trio landed in a small clearing. The ground shook a little with the impact of their landing, but the three weren’t trying to be subtle. They looked around for the Haedians but came up empty. 

“Hello?” Aule called, “We’re looking for some information.”

Griffith caught on to the idea and added, “Auris sent us.”

After another few moments of silence, a few bushes shook and twigs snapped. The noises got closer and closer to the group of friends until a small Haedian, about the size of a small chaser, jumped out into the clearing with a cheery ‘hello’. Startled, the group couldn’t tell if this Haedian was the one they were looking for. However, as the haedian sat there waiting for the empyrians to reply they could see the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and other characteristics that showed her age. 

“I’m Maze,” she tried again, “How can we help?”

“We?” Oeric asked. 

“Yes, Denver is sleeping, but he’ll come around soon enough.” She answered before giving them looks that said, ‘And you are?’

Griffith quickly introduced everyone and explained the situation. She thought for a moment looking between the three empyrians and as she was about to say something the sounds of a creature lumbering through the forest stopped her. Maze turned around and waited until a massive tired Haedian pushed through the trees. 

“Denver, you aren’t needed, go back to sleep,” Maze instructed. Denver looked down at her with bags under his eyes and didn’t even glance at the three before nodding and going back the way he came. 

“I can help,” Maze turned back to them, “A few days ago a group came through, they were showing us some of the plants they brought from the surface.”

“Safe to say that might be the cause of the illness here,” Aule spoke. 

Maze nodded, “thankfully, they also told us how to manage it. Apparently, it's a common disease in plants in your world. Kinda shocked you need my help if I’m being honest.”

Griffith shrugged his shoulders and chose not to get too personal about why none of them would know. Aule and Oeric followed his lead, everyone was hoping to get this done. Maze asked them to follow her as she led them through the forest a short distance. 

They stopped in front of a large stump. It was twice the height of Griffith and so wide that if the three empyrians tried they wouldn’t be able to circle the stump completely while holding hands. It looked like an old witch’s hut and when Maze knocked on the wood making a door appear it only made the idea more solid in their minds. Maze walked in and gestured for them to follow her. 

“I’m going to need a second,” Maze said, “Make yourselves comfortable.”

The three friends sat near each other and with their long limbs fiddled with some of the knick-knacks Maze had on shelves. They waited for a while just exploring with their eyes and touching whatever they could reach. Maze watched them out of the corner of her eye while she got set up. Thankfully, no one broke anything. 

Aule watched as the small Haedian quickly took vials of various coloured liquids and small collections of herbs. There were a few moments where Aule envisioned the Haedian as a mad scientist. Maze chuckled as the thought passed Aule’s mind and it made him uncomfortable, however coincidently it might have been.

Griffith and Oeric eventually got bored of their snooping. They took turns sighing, letting everyone know they were restless. 

“I’m almost ready,” Maze said over her shoulder. 

“Can you tell us what you’re making while you get ready?” Griffith asked. 

“I suppose I could,” She replied with a nod. 

The three Empyrians sat up and waited to hear what she had to say. 

“I’m making what is called a fungicide,” Maze told them like she expected them to know what that was.  

Griffith knew what it meant, but he could tell his friends were confused. Especially after Oeric made an audible ‘huh’ noise. When Maze didn’t explain further, Griffith took it upon himself to tell them what it meant. He kept it brief and when he finished he could tell they understood. 

“So the black stuff on the plants is related to a fungi parasite?” Oeric asked, putting all the information together. 

“I haven’t seen the infected plants myself, but that’s what the travelers were talking about,” Maze said as she finished getting ready. “We’ll need a little magic, so whoever administers the potion will need to have a plant affinity.” 

“Easy enough, I can manage that,” Griffith volunteered. 

Maze pointed at the vials and explained what was in each one. She didn’t use any fancy names for the stuff, in fact, the more she explained the concoction the less Aule saw the mad scientist he first envisioned. Oeric was paying close attention to the amount of each substance she was combining into a larger bottle. Maze didn’t use any specific measurements, which only added a layer of doubt to everyone’s mind as they watched. 

“There,” Maze said as she added a drop of blue liquid into the brown mixture into the bottle. The single drop turned the whole mixture clear and Maze smiled, “See, it’s done.”

“What do we do with it now?” Aule asked. 

“It’s simple, put a few drops on the infected area and then say this spell,” She pointed to a few words scribbled on a piece of paper, “And it should be good to go.”

The three empyrians thanked her as she passed them the bottle. Griffith turned to her, “Do you want to come with us? Auris should know you made this.”

“I’ll stay here, my old bones don’t walk well,” She said with a smile and wished them well. 

Oeric was the first to take off into the high cavern, and Griffith shortly followed. Aule looked at the small elderly Haedian; he wanted to say something, but he wasn’t sure what. So instead he opted for a ‘Thank you’ and took off after his friends. Grass and leaves whipped around with the big gust of air their wings caused. 

A short flight later, the three were in front of Auris again. They briefly explained how it worked to the Druids’ leader. He seemed happy to have a solution. Though, the empyrians quickly realized they never actually tested it to see if it worked. However, nobody said anything as Auris took the bottle and called on one of the clansmen with a plant affinity. 

The Haedians of the clan made quick work of the liquid in the bottle, but thankfully it seemed to work. One thing was clear, they were going to need a lot more. Oeric managed to dictate some of the ingredients and measurements, but because Maze didn’t use proper names it was a shot in the dark. She had called some of the ingredients just what they looked like ‘green goop,’ or ‘orange stuff’.

Auris laughed, “I’ll go and get a proper list from her, but thank you for this.”

The three friends acknowledged the thanks, and they were happy to help. They watched the Haedian work with purpose as they tried to cure the illness. It was clear that this clan would be busy with the treatment of their forest, so the group ended up leaving with a short goodbye. They headed in a direction given to them by Auris. 

[1708]