[DRUIDS] Prompt 1

“We have to find a way for these haedians to trust us,” Alowyn said as they wandered through an expanse of trees. 

“Or we could just go past them,” Garmr murmured angrily to himself. 

“Let’s tend to some of the plants,” Herja suggested. 

Garmr continued to mumble suggestions of varying degrees of violence. The two female reoseans were clearly ignoring their angry companion as they continued to talk about other ways to earn the trust of this reclusive clan. Herja and Alowyn bounced ideas off one another, but ultimately they went with Herja’s first suggestion. 

“Plants it is,” Herja confirmed. 

Herja’s thought behind this suggestion was simple, Alowyn had plant magic so it would make this task quick and easy. Garmr wasn’t sure this was the best idea given that both he and Herja were fire-based vayrons. Alowyn had the same train of thought which was why she suggested anything else. However, she wouldn’t deny she was happy with the outcome. 

The group wandered through the thick forest looking for any plants that needed some tending. They found a lot of plants they’d never seen before, but the plants looked healthy so they carried on. They had been moving through the new territory for what seemed like hours before they came to a plot of land that looked neglected. 

“Here,” Alowyn said, “We can revive this garden.”

Herja and Garmr agreed quickly, tired from all the walking they had been doing. 

Alowyn took the lead with this task. She asked them all to walk the plot of land to figure out everything they’d need to do. Herja and Garmr walked the perimeter of the small garden, while Alowyn sat at one end of the forgotten garden to focus on her magic. She reached out to see if any plant life was still alive, and she managed to find a few plants that were on the brink of dying. 

Herja and Garmr returned to Alowyn with a few things in mind that they could do. They waited while Alowyn pulled away from her magical trance. 

“What did you find?” Herja asked once the glow around Alowyn faded. 

“There are three plants barely alive,” Alowyn replied, feeling tired. 

Herja noticed the unusual fatigue Alowyn’s magic brought her but decided to keep an eye on her rather than mention anything. Garmr remained ignorant of anything that had to do with Alowyn. 

“We can weed,” Garmr said. 

Alowyn nodded, “That will help free up the soil for the plants to expand.”

Garmr nodded and went to task. He was blinding, ripping out any plant that wasn’t the green he was used to seeing above ground. He started at the edges and slowly worked his way inward. To Herja and Alowyn’s surprise, he was quite methodical with his task. However, their surprise quickly turned to fear when they realized he was pulling out anything. 

“Wait!” Alowyn cried, “Not that one.”

Garmr paused with his mouth open around a pale purple plant. 

“That’s one of the ones that we’re trying to save,” Alowyn sighed. 

Garmr pulled away from the plant and then looked around the garden, but he couldn’t tell what was dead or alive. 

“Maybe you should mark the ones to save,” Herja suggested. 

Alowyn nodded and carefully sent out a glowing bead of magic that rested on the leaves of the plants to avoid. Garmr took note of where they were and continued his weeding. At some point, Herja went over to join Garmr and together they made quick work of the dead plants in the garden. 

“What now?” Garmr asked. 

“The soil is pretty dry,” Alowyn said, “We need to find some water.”

“I’ll go,” Herja volunteered after mentioning she would be able to carry it. 

Garmr and Alowyn watched Herja wander off. Though from where they stood they could hear water running so they figured she wouldn’t need to go far. Herja was listening to the same sound, but she worried that the cave and forest were confusing her, causing the noise to bounce around. However, she picked a direction and stuck to it. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before she found a small waterfall. She captured some water with her magic and then made her way back. 

Alowyn and Garmr had sat in silence the whole time Herja was gone. Alowyn was too tired to make conversation and Garmr was pleasantly surprised Alowyn knew how to be quiet. When Herja returned, she carefully poured the water around the garden per Alowyn’s instructions. 

“How are the plants now?” Herja asked. 

Alowyn took a deep breath, “I’ll check.”

Garmr and Herja watched as Alowyn slipped into her trance. Alowyn found the plants again and they told her they felt stronger but something was still killing them. She was ripped out of her magic with a coughing fit. 

“What’s wrong?” Herja asked. 

“The plants feel stronger,” Alowyn wheezed, “We’re on the right track.”

“But what happened to you?” Herja repeated. 

Alowyn shook her head and didn’t answer. She wasn’t really sure herself, but she hoped the Druids would have an idea once they earned their trust. 

[852]