The Druids - 1/3

The group padded gently through bushels of ferns and sedums, a veritable carpet of lush greenery. Mari and Grizz watched Otho practically floating through the foliage with glee, a joyful pep in his step as the flourishing vegetation cushioned his tattered paw pads. He turned to his companions, beaming in delight as he trotted backwards to meet them, gently tucking a blooming daisy behind each of their ears. In return he received a tender boop on the snout from each.

Cailu smiled softly as Otho approached him next, presenting the Haedian with a daisy of his own. “I think you will get along just fine with the Druids.” he smiled down towards the fluffy puller, who reciprocated the expression with a huge grin of his own, tail wagging happily.

“I hope so, plants are my calling.” he trotted back to the front of the group, once again taking the lead as Grizz leaned in to speak with Cailu,

“That's why we call him Pothos.” she commented fondly.

Otho moved through the plants almost like a dancer, pirouetting on his heels and effortlessly dodging stepping on any plants. He skimmed over top, dropping a hint of magic here and there, summoning blooms with the slightest nudge of his paws. His paws floated like a conductor’s, up and down, left to right, dancing along to an unsung song.

“The plants here,” he trilled, “They’re so lush and green. Verdant almost! The soil must be rich and fertile, despite the lack of sunlight.”

Mari approached one of the warm yellow crystals adorning the wall, gently caressing it with her paw as they passed. “The crystals are warm, like a cat laid in the morning sun. Suppose these substitute the sun?”

Beside her, Grizz nodded sagely. “Makes sense, we have seen the power of these gems.” The group continued to pad through the vegetation in the tunnels, Otho excitedly naming the different varieties of plants to his bemused companions.

“There’s so many beautiful plants here, flourishing! That one is a type of Sedum: Golden Stonecrop, named so for it’s gorgeous golden flowers. Eagle’s Fern! Lamb’s Ears,” he paused to gently caress a pale leafed plant, “So-called because of its texture and visual, come, touch it!” He encouraged his three allies to approach, each of them taking the opportunity to stroke the leaf. 

It was surprisingly soft and plush, Cailu in particular seemed quite mystified with the unexpected texture of this lucious plant, being not as well acquainted with the Druid’s caves as some of the others he frequented. Grizz and Mari however nodded happily, chattering softly with Otho.

Cailu looked over the heads of his wards, letting his gaze wander down the tunnel. “What plant is that then?” the three Vayrons followed his stare - up ahead was a large, sprawling plant. Rolling leaves snaked across the ground - larger the three pullers that approached it - rather than a vibrant green, these leaves were a dull ochre, their lustre fading down to the stems.

At the base of the plant, a Haedian in shades of aqua and veridian gently picked at the leaves, brushing dirt from their surface in a last ditch effort to restore the plant to some of its previous glory.

Otho’s lip trembled as he let out a sad moan, “Oh no,” he trotted over to the Haedian, delicately sitting beside him, “Hello friend,” the Haedian initially went to greet Otho as an old friend, but recoiled slightly upon seeing such a small, wingless creature. “Do not fear, I am a lover of plants as well.”

Grizz, Mari and Cailu softly approached the pair, taking notes on the care and attention that the Haedian was showing to the plant. “This one, it’s important?” Mari questioned.

The Haedian nodded, still apprehensive, however he seemed to relax a bit when he saw Cailu standing with them. “Yes… when she blooms she shares with us her gorgeous visage. Flowers of yellow and blue, little birds that entertain us with their vivid colours. A beautiful plant and one that will be sorely missed. Her siblings have sadly suffered the same fate.” 

He ended with a solemn silence, threading his fingers between each other. Otho leaned forward, one paw hovering over a crumpled leaf. “May I?”

The Haedian paused, still understandably apprehensive, but gave a stately nod. “You may, I worry it's already in its last throes; you can do no further harm.”

Despite this statement Otho still approached with care, delicately touching the furled leaves. His paw glowed green, the magic leaching from his paw pads and flowing down into the darkened stem of the plant. The group watched in awe as the magic rolled back up and along, shooting up the stem and into the dying blooms.

Slowly but surely, stems lifted from the ground, pulling the drooped leaves up as if on strings. Mari breathed out in awe, Otho’s magic was so delicate and precious, and it never once failed to take her breath away. Beside her, Grizz beamed in pride as the last of the flowers unfurled, revealing several blooms - each sporting the likeness of a small bird.

The Haedian’s solemn expression changed to one of tearful joy, “Thank you, you’ve saved her.” he whispered.