05-27-2017, 03:08 PM
Odin directed Sleipnir along the edge of the burned-out clearing. They moved slowly and deliberately to avoid spooking the distracted woman. At some point, she must have heard the clomp of hooves because she stood and turned to face them. She moved with the surety of someone that could handle herself, and her eyes studied them with discrimination. After a few minutes, she nodded to herself and visibly relaxed. With a brush of her hands on her overalls and started towards Odin.
"Hello there," she called out when they were about twenty feet away. Then she planted her feet, squared her shoulders, and waited. She was a tall woman; and based on her physique, her work here was as much physical as magical. Odin slid off Sleipnir and left him there untethered as he approached another ten feet.
"Good Afternoon," he greeted her with a bow. "My name is Odin, and I have come here seeking Melody the Enchantress." As she studied him, he noticed that her hands were stained brown and calloused like those of a farmer. Her graying hair was tied in a high ponytail and sweat marked her shirt around the neck and under her arms.
Finally, she nodded. "Alright, you found her. Let's go back to my camp, and after I wash up, we can talk."
She lead Odin about a hundred feet into the forest before he saw her tent. It was large, in the style of a military officer's, and surrounded by workstations covered in soil samples, potted plants, and tree cuttings. She collected a large wooden bowl, filled it with water from an open barrel, and retreated inside. Odin looked over the workstations as he waited. Most of the plants looked withered, and the tree cuttings showed little growth. Feeling the soil in the pots showed that it was rich, post-fire dirt and had enough moisture.
"For some reason, the water isn't moving up through the roots," explained Melody from behind him. He spun quickly, not having heard her exit her tent. She had washed her face and hands and put on a new shirt. “So, why are you bothering me?"
"I was seeking a favor from the elves, but they were wary of me. Wanting assurance that I was a friend of the forest, they asked me to help you on your quest," he explained.
She nodded and turned toward her plants. "A few years ago, a blight struck the Tangled Green and threatened to undo it. The curse was undone, but some places were left permanently damaged. I have been working to heal them. At first, help was not hard to come by, but as new threats and concerns popped up for the various rulers, their overt support dwindled. I'm glad to see that the elves, at least, have not completely forgotten about me."
"It is a noble quest, and I am glad to assist. It is not my quest, however, and I do not think you are near completion. I will provide what aid I can but dare not tarry too long," he explained.
"Of course not," she replied, but it wasn’t clear if she was being serious or sarcastic. "There is something you could do though. The Animus River is the main waterway through the realm. At certain points, its elemental energy gathers into what is called dark water. I believe that the power in dark water will go a long way toward keeping plants in ruined soil alive until they can start healing it. A few barrels would last me good and long time." As she finished, she watched him closely.
It was doable and shouldn't take too long. "Very well. I will return with a few barrels of dark water, and in return, you will provide me with proof that I have assisted in your quest."
She frowned and added, “And make sure you get the right stuff. Some kids came by about a year ago and had brought me completely the wrong stuff. I swear.” She finished with a shake of her head.
Odin chuckled. “I will return in a few days with what you seek.” He climbed atop Sleipnir, who had followed him from the clearing. “Until then Enchantress Melody.”
"Hello there," she called out when they were about twenty feet away. Then she planted her feet, squared her shoulders, and waited. She was a tall woman; and based on her physique, her work here was as much physical as magical. Odin slid off Sleipnir and left him there untethered as he approached another ten feet.
"Good Afternoon," he greeted her with a bow. "My name is Odin, and I have come here seeking Melody the Enchantress." As she studied him, he noticed that her hands were stained brown and calloused like those of a farmer. Her graying hair was tied in a high ponytail and sweat marked her shirt around the neck and under her arms.
Finally, she nodded. "Alright, you found her. Let's go back to my camp, and after I wash up, we can talk."
She lead Odin about a hundred feet into the forest before he saw her tent. It was large, in the style of a military officer's, and surrounded by workstations covered in soil samples, potted plants, and tree cuttings. She collected a large wooden bowl, filled it with water from an open barrel, and retreated inside. Odin looked over the workstations as he waited. Most of the plants looked withered, and the tree cuttings showed little growth. Feeling the soil in the pots showed that it was rich, post-fire dirt and had enough moisture.
"For some reason, the water isn't moving up through the roots," explained Melody from behind him. He spun quickly, not having heard her exit her tent. She had washed her face and hands and put on a new shirt. “So, why are you bothering me?"
"I was seeking a favor from the elves, but they were wary of me. Wanting assurance that I was a friend of the forest, they asked me to help you on your quest," he explained.
She nodded and turned toward her plants. "A few years ago, a blight struck the Tangled Green and threatened to undo it. The curse was undone, but some places were left permanently damaged. I have been working to heal them. At first, help was not hard to come by, but as new threats and concerns popped up for the various rulers, their overt support dwindled. I'm glad to see that the elves, at least, have not completely forgotten about me."
"It is a noble quest, and I am glad to assist. It is not my quest, however, and I do not think you are near completion. I will provide what aid I can but dare not tarry too long," he explained.
"Of course not," she replied, but it wasn’t clear if she was being serious or sarcastic. "There is something you could do though. The Animus River is the main waterway through the realm. At certain points, its elemental energy gathers into what is called dark water. I believe that the power in dark water will go a long way toward keeping plants in ruined soil alive until they can start healing it. A few barrels would last me good and long time." As she finished, she watched him closely.
It was doable and shouldn't take too long. "Very well. I will return with a few barrels of dark water, and in return, you will provide me with proof that I have assisted in your quest."
She frowned and added, “And make sure you get the right stuff. Some kids came by about a year ago and had brought me completely the wrong stuff. I swear.” She finished with a shake of her head.
Odin chuckled. “I will return in a few days with what you seek.” He climbed atop Sleipnir, who had followed him from the clearing. “Until then Enchantress Melody.”