The explanation for why bad things happen is rather simple, but that doesn’t make it any less sad or the people who perpetrate them any less evil.~Unknown
“So, why were you buying seeds in such quantities?”
It was an hour later and Bernin and Haspal had retired to the tea room. Bernin knew from experience that druids made the best tea, her previous work had stopped her from drinking it though. It was generally good practice when auditing. She would not be the first to die from poison tea.
“You have noticed the magic around here, the tilt. The reason I came here was this exact phenomena. Even years later, I truly have no idea what caused it. I assume it to be an artefact, but the earth is empty. I’ve checked.
Anyway, the effect is permeated through the entire landscape. Life is affected in general, but animals can walk out of the area. Plants cannot. The effects differ, I’ve found a wild berry plant that grows their fruit deep underground. What I had not anticipated was the effect on the plants we imported.
Some grew not at all, even with my magic refusing to leave their shells. Some became invasive, spreading roots so far and deep they strangled even themselves.”
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Haspal took another sip, his memories reaching back. Bernin took this as an opportunity to consider. She didn’t regret her decision, but the context did set her mind at ease. She had assumed Haspal had a good reason, but she wasn’t truly sure.
“The people here didn’t starve. I am a druid enough to feed this entire village from an isolated garden, but that would not have worked. As we both know, it is seldom good to chain the populace to the mage. They needed seeds and I needed time to study them. The fields you see here are the effort of three years of dedicated study.
See, the mutation had to be designed and stable. While both are possible in itself, together they present a whole new challenge. If it wasn’t food for the people, I would have enjoyed it quite a lot.”
A sigh escaped Haspal. The last few years have been stressful, but they are done. The mutation has been stable for months now, even in my accelerated growth chamber. The final tests still need to be done of course, but I am optimistic.
Bernin decided that her rapport would have to include a follow-up. She trusted Haspal, she was drinking tea after all, but it was good to be prudent. If this continued there would have to be measures taken.
“I’ll be on my way soon. I trust you Haspal the Druid, please don’t let that be a mistake. I would hate to return.”
“I understand perfectly, miss Bernin. After all, I would hate to greet The Burning Fairy under bad circumstances.”
“Quite.”