the druids' clan pt1

In the heart of the caves' grassy planes, where the sunlight fell in scattered rays through the holes in the upper mossy rocks that form the ceiling of the caves, four reos made their way along a narrow path. Cailu, Jeon-e, Mer, and Valentine walked the path the Tranquil's clan recommended with peace. Their journey had led them here, deep into the caves’ most sacred grounds, home to the  Druids' clan. The Druids were apparently known for their incredible connection with the plants of the caves, and they were a clan that tended to the ancient plants that made their home here in the underground, keeping them healthy as if they were living beings.

 

As the four reos padded ahead through soft terrain, Jeon-e raised his head and inhaled deeply, taking in the scents of trees and moss. "This place feels special," she murmured, her voice traveling through the calm forest air. "The plants here are... i don't know how to explain what I'm feeling."

 

Cailu gave a small nod. "The Druids Clan lives with nature, not just in it. This ground is sacred to them."

 

Mer, the one with the best hearing of the group, stepped forward towards Valentine, his ears flicking as he heard a faint rustling nearby, and whispered. "We’re not alone."

 

From behind a large rock, a haedian stepped out, his fur earthy brown with blue streaks in it, a mix of earth and sky in Mer's opinion. His eyes were sharp yet kind, filled with the quiet wisdom that was felt on the skin when his eyes landed on you. "Greetings," he said, his voice gentle. "I'm Auris of the Druids Clan."

 

The four reos reciprocated the greeting and introduced themselves, their tone matching the tranquil feeling that Auris emanated.

 

"Auris," Jeon-e started. "We’re honored to meet you. We’ve heard of the Druids clan from the Tranquil's clan and came to learn about your ways, if you’d have us."

 

Auris gave a small, approving nod. "Then perhaps you’ll care to join me for the day? There is a lot to learn just by walking in these caves." With that, he led them deeper into the caves.

 

The path wound through trees that seemed to grow denser and older with each step, plants that should be from the surface but managed to thrive even below it, in these large cave systems. They arrived at a small, sun-dappled glade where various plants sat in large, clay pots. Herbs, flowering shrubs, and even tiny saplings were arranged in neat rows, each pot filled with dark, fertile soil, fully saturated with water as if they were cared just hours, if not moments ago. Auris walked with them, hi fluffys tail swishing gently as he checked on each plant, making sure they were properly tended to.

 

"Plants are special to our clan," Auris explained. "They’re sacred, we all care for them daily. They don't have to have a purpose, they have a right to be cared for just as each one of us does."

 

Jeon-e leaned forward, looking at one plant that seemed to glow in the sunlight. "They all seem to be cared for dearly, i can see it."

 

Auris smiled, nodding. "They’re full of life, just like the forest. You could help me today, there's plenty of other we should tend to."

 

Without hesitation, the four reos agreed. Auris inspired them, with his unyielding certainty that every organism should be cared for. Auris moved them to a new area further in the cave and showed them how to loosen the soil to ensure the roots had room to grow. Cailu was careful with his paws, gently turning over the soil with great attention. Jeon-e helped Auris in watering the plants, mindful not to overdo it. Mer and Valentine took turns removing any dried leaves or twigs that might drain energy from the young plants.

 

"Thank you," Auris said, gratitude evident in his voice. "It may seem small, but caring for these plants is like tending to the forest itself. Once they're ready, they will become part of the forest too."

 

As they worked, Auris shared stories of his clan’s deep bond with plants, how each one of them had to care not only for each other but about the environment around themselves, and how they should always keep a calm approach in life, to not disturb the plants with our negative emotions. Listening to him, the four felt their own connection to the forest strengthen, as if the words itself planted seeds in their hearth and the seeds grew at a rapid pace the more they cared for the vegetation.

 

By the time they finished, the plants looked healthy and refreshed, their leaves and petals vibrant with life. The sunlight filtering through seemed to shine a little brighter, as if the forest itself approved.

 

After spending time tending the plants, Auris came with them to let them explore the forest on their own, following behind them and not pointing them in any direction, letting their instincts guide them. They all walked quietly, absorbing the calm atmosphere around them, when Mer’s ears suddenly perked up, catching a faint, high-pitched sound.

 

“Did you hear that?” he asked, his voice urgent.

 

Jeon-e tilted her head, listening carefully. "It’s coming from over there." she pointed her head toward a small patch without trees, and the sound became clearer to them when they approached: it was panicked squeaks, soft and desperate.

 

The five reos run over to the clearing, where they found a group of tiny rabbits huddled together, their eyes wide with fear. Above them, casting a shadow everytime it passed under the sunrays that filtered through the rocks, was a massive bird, with sharp, deadly talons.

 

The reos looked at each other. "We need to protect them," Valentine said, his voice firm with determination. Even if they were hunters in their daily life, they were not here to hunt, and even if it meant stealing the lunch of someone, the rabbits were too small to leave to die, they had their whole life ahead. 

 

Without hesitation, Jeon-e stood over the rabbits, her large frame casting a protective shadow. She bared her teeth, a warning growl rumbling from her chest as she kept her eyes locked on the predator above. Valentine darted into the clearing, positioning himself to the side to give the rabbits an escape route should they need it.

 

Mer remembered the dense foliage nearby. "If we lead them into the bushes, they’ll have more cover!" he said.

 

"Sounds good!" Valentine nodded, gently nudging the rabbits towards the thicker part of vegetation there. The little rabbits followed Valentine's pushes, relying on Cailu in front of them and Valentine on the back to protect them, while Jeon-e and Mer kept an eye on the bird.

 

The bird was not giving up though, and it started it's descent towards the little space between Cailu and Valentine, trying to pluck the rabbits right from between them. Jeon-e moved quickly, leaping up to snap her jaws in warning, almost touching the bird from how close it was to them. Jeon-e didn't want to hurt it, but she also didn't want to give up.

 

The four reos gathered closer to one another, standing almost shoulder to shoulder, in a diamond formation, blocking in the little rabbits and taking one step at the time so they could move easily. Cailu swapped places with Mer from front to side, and extended one of his wings to hide the rabbits from the bird's view. Once the group arrived to a hole in the ground, covered in moss and small enough to just fit the rabbits in it, they hid in there and the four reos spread out, ready to scare off the bird. Fortunately, it saw the rabbits disappear and knew to give up. It retreated up into a hole in the ceiling, and just disappeared.

 

With a collective sigh they all relaxed, their protective mode turning off and them shaking off the stress of the encounter, looking at each other, proud of themselves. They looked back to the hole where the rabbits went, but it seemed it connected to somewhere, because nothing came out and when they looked in it, they could only see pitch black.

 

Auris looked at them deep in thought. He hadn't intervened, he purposely stepped behind to leave the land dwellers deal with this part of the day, to see what they would choose and judge if what he was told by the messenger from the Tranquil's clan was true, and he felt like he had his answer.