Druids 3

“What a stubborn affliction,” Noka huffed as she eyed the darkened roots of the tree. “We must root it all out for the tree to survive. It’ll be tough for how easily sickened the plans are, but I’m certain i can see it through.” The puller nodded with confidence and smiled reassuringly at the Haedians watching. “Do not worry, your sacred tree will heal and replenish it’s strength from this quickly. I can feel it.”
Damocles looked at the tree up and down, from it’s swirling bark, etched patterns and the sickness clinging to it like a plague. Noka was a stranger to him, but she seemed very knowledgeable of what was going on, and he assured himself they could help the Druids.
“What would you have me do?” He chimed up as Noka was planning her approach. The puller hummed, then looked around.
“I’l need some ingredients to make the remedy. Could you go with one of these Haedians to see if they have any of the ingredients I need?” Noka listed out the names of the ingredients, as well as any alternatives if needed to get the mixture similar to what she needed to make, and one of the Haedians left off to find them. Damocles followed closely in tow, trying to keep a mental note of the list, but it was likely the plant-familiar Haedian had a better time doing so.
“Some this, and this.. And I’ve not a clue as to what that one is but…- ah, this will do, I’m sure. And some this to replace.. Yes,” the haedian muttered to themselves while giving Damocles an array of herbs and roots and seeds into a pouch, as well as a mortar and pestle to make the paste. Some clear water from a pond, and a revitalizing crystal, and they were off again. Hastily making their way through the druids grove, the two finally returned to Noka, who seemed to be almost meditating in front of the tree. Flowers blossomed in a lush circle around her, and the tree looked like it was almost breathing.
“We brought all you needed, hopefully,” the Haedian ushered Damocles to hand the pouch and equipment to Noka. “I took the liberty of finding replacements to some plants we do not have here, but I hope they will suffice,” she shifted anxiously.
Noka smiled gently at the Haedian, doing her best to keep a calm front to calm any nerves the haedians were feeling. “They are perfect, I’m sure.” She dug around the pouch and pulled out the many ingredients. Setting down the mortar, she began sniffing and inspecting many plants and seeds, and putting them in the mortar. Damocles was almost dizzy from the amount of plants he might say looked the same, but he remained attentive to the mixing and grinding of pastes.
“Mix the paste here with the water, just enough for it to look runny, please.” Noka instructed one of the Haedians. “And Damocles, if you could grind up these seeds here while I mix the tincture.” She handed the mortar to Damocles, who did his best to mash up the seeds to a powder. Unnatural for him to be holding alchemy tools like this, but he did his best with it while the Haedian was whisking up a mix with proper digits.
“And there we are…” Noka lifted a small bowl to her nose and sniffed it with great focus. The color, the smell, the texture, it all seemed to matter, and the puller took great care to assure the mixture was correct. “A simple tincture, but with foreign materials, it’s best be sure the reaction is desirable. In this case, enough to begin to staunch the sickness from the roots.”
With careful placement, Noka had Damocles and some Haedians spread the tincture on the affected roots where they began, and pruned any ruined smaller roots so they wouldn’t house the affliction post healing. It took a while as Noka inspected the tree and kept her magic attuned to it to see how it fared, but after all was done, she smiled, pleased.
“That will do it. Now all we can do is keep close eye on the roots, and prune any that have completely died. The tree will begin to heal from the base of the trunk outward, so some parts may be rejected by the healing tree. Give ample clean water and make sure to keep an eye on any foreign weeds that try to grow near until the healing is done. I will leave the remedy recipe for you to reapply in intervals as needed.” Noka smiled and the Haedians gave relieved smiles to the two pullers. Damocle didn’t feel he was exactly helping through knowing how to, but he was glad to see the haedians a bit more at ease.