Druid Prompt 3

The three friends had found themselves deep within the idyllic territory of the druids where it seemed like nature and haedians were coexisting perfectly. 

They had met the oracle a beautiful tall grown tree that had runic carvings upon its bark and had cared for it all in their own way. Whilst Katholes the local Pessimist hadn‘t been the keenest on visiting the Druids clan, they were happy to be travelling together with their friends, where to didn‘t matter much to the crimson coated puller, though they‘d be thankful for a change of scenery, hoping that in the future they‘d come across a clan that aligned more with their interests.

Unbeknownst to the fluffy puller themself, they were merely too caught up in paranoia to allow themselves to relax causing them to detest the mere idea of indulging in peaceful or relaxing measures.

It made Katholes quite happy to hear then that their efforts hadn‘t gone unnoticed. As the three friends collected some hungry bugs from the trees bark and relocated them to the forest a bit further away from the tree, the tree started to glow with an otherworldly pulse of purple light, causing the runes on its bark to light up. Maple was delighted to see this, as well as Varos who both jumped excitedly, happily twirling around one another to celebrate their achievement with a little dance, because truth be told none of the friends really had a green thumb or knew how to care for plants all that well.

Soon cloaked Haedians approached from the forest, wearing clothes that looked like they belonged to nature itself, as if they were alive. There were capes made from vines, wide brimmed hats that had toadstools and all other sorts of mushrooms growing on it.

Katholes looked quite unimpressed but smiled at his friends enthusiasm who were still celebrating that the Oracle had responded to them.

„Auris wants an audience with you three, you have proven yourself worthy.“ spoke one of the Haedians, this one wearing a white brimmed hat that was pulled far into their face, their pelt reminding of freshly fallen snow that had sprigs of vegetation break through it, for there was moss growing on her pelt.

„This is so cool!“ said Maple barely able to control her excitement. Varos nodded enthusiastically back, his long feline tail wagging behind him in excitement.

„Im so excited to meet Auris! The Druids all seem like such nice Haedians, I‘m sure their leader is no exception!!“ responded the brown coated Chaser, bumping lightly into Katholes to get them to give their input too.

„I‘m excited to meet Auris too.“ is what Katholes added, though their excitement didnt stem from the same place as that of his two friends.

Leaving the Oracle behind them Maple Varos and Katholes followed the Haedians deeper into the forest before they came upon a forest clearing here under another beautifully tall grown tree whichs roots had almost certainly been cultivated to grow in such a manner where they formed a throne, one ontop of which a soft beige colored Haedian sat, the blue on their long furred tail their back and on the inside of their wings offering a nice conplementary contrast to their base coat color. This was no doubt Auris.

„Hello I‘m Maple!“ started the Tyrian, her voice bright and chipper, a winged arm was extended to point one by one to her friends. „This is Varos.“ the chaser gave a beaming smile and excited wave. „And this is Katholes!“ the puller nodded in response.

Auris waved their hand. „I already know who you are and what you have done.“ in other context this sentence could have felt quite threatening, yet now and with the trio having a clear conscience they knew they were refering to good things.

„You looked after the Oracle and followed our beliefs and principles.“ said the beige Haedian nodding to themself content that the three had done as they had expected.

„Of course we want to always try our best!“ responded Maple, her chaser and Puller friends standing close to her to show that they shared her opinion. Auris nodded in response before retrieving something from a pouch secured at their hip.

They approached the Reoseans, the way they carried themself commanding respect and giving them an air of regality that showed that they knew how to not only act but also be perceived as a leader.

A clawed hand was extended forward to each of the friends, each being presented with a hardshelled seed that had small runes carved all over it.

„The seeds of the Oracle Tree.“ explained Auris after they handed the last of the friends the seed. Katholes glanced at it in his paw, feeling its rough wooden shell against their smooth pawpads, and scanned the runic patterns on it intently. Maple was overjoyed and immediately put the seed into her backpack not wanting to lose it, which inspired Varos to follow suit and also safely stash the seed away for now.

Auris had in the meantime returned to their throne, taking seat on it once again before they continued to speak.

„Your goodwill, care and selflessness have shown that you can be trusted, as such we want to bestow upon you the title of Guardian of the Woods. This is no mere title, it is only given to those travellers we hold in the highest regards and who have won our trust fully.“ explained Auris locking eyes with each friend to let the weight of their words sink in.

There was an audible gulp from the small chaser who felt a lot of expectations being put onto his back with this title, yet if he thought about it for a second he did indeed conclude that this only meant positive things for them.

Auris cleared their throat before addressing the trio once again. „As a Guardian of the Woods you are permitted to approach the Oracle without a guide. We don‘t have a need to supervise you anymore, after all you are trustworthy.“ 

Varos and Maple turned to immediately look at each other sequeling with glee, yet Katholes simply nodded electing to adress Auris directly to ask a question that had been on their mind.

„First off thank you for the token and the title, my friends and I will cherish these gifts.“ said the red- coated puller, taking a step forward.

„But I would like to know what it means for us to be a Guardian of the Woods. What responsibilities will be placed on our shoulders?“ asked Katholes, missing the fact completely that this was intended as a show of goodwill and trust by the druids than anything else.

Auris went on to reaffirm just that. „You or your friends wont walk away with more resonsibilities than you had when you arrived in our territory. We just hope that you will remember our way of life, teachings and principles. We hope that you will carry them with you and spread these beliefs with those you come across to pay the kindness we druids are known for forward.“ 

Katholes nodded, having udnerstood that this was merely a decorative title that didnt come with any of the other responsibilities they had initially suspected.

The trio of friends would thank Auris once again before parting ways, Maple and Varos both still so excited about the run-in with the druids and their new title. Katholes glanced back at Auris for a moment, the words the Haedian had shared with them once again ringing in their skull. Whilst they couldnt promise to Auris that they were truly the kind person they were trying to see in them, they at least wanted to attempt to be what the Druid clan leader was seeing in each of them.