"I think I have it!" exclaimed Pola.
The faun was sitting on the floor of his office, in a nest of books and scrolls piled open and haphazardly around him. Most had scraps of paper or other markers to track sections of interest. His desk was so crammed with papers and other materials that the floor was the only space he had room to work. Lark was precariously perched on his shoulder to help in the search.
Amelia leaned into the doorway from the hall where the group had been watching the frantic research occurring. Whisper had once again regained her favorite perch on her head, while Fern flitted around the office, having fun flapping the pages with the breeze of her flight past. Briar had wandered off after boredom set in, probably off in the school's garden.
"What'd you find?"
He carefully stood up and balanced a large journal on the back of the chair. "This is the account of a traveling chronicler. He made note of an expedition into Dunnwald, which ended up closing it. One survivor, who barely escaped. They disappeared with both the seed and the surviving heir, a young infant boy. A few of the inhabitants also escaped, but no further reference is made."
He stared at it for a bit, then sighed. "Well, it confirms the story you said the goblins told you, so that is something."
"Does it have anything about how to stop whatever is happening to Alder?"
"I'm afraid not, at least not specifically. If it is unbonded, removing any perceived threat should cause it to go dormant, but that doesn't sound possible in your case." he shook his head.
"However, I think I have an idea. You say you didn't know it was there and must have been there for how long?"
Lark thought hard, twitching her head from side to side as she tried to reckon the years.
"Assuming Alder is a first-generation Guardian, planted at the time the Seed was hidden, then close to 300 years."
"And all this time it didn't wake. Until on or about the time Miss Amelia here arrived, correct?" the teacher continued.
"I believe that to be correct. Although other things have changed as well since she arrived. Whisper, there, never used to hang about. That is very odd, for a wisp. And to befriend a human on first meeting is especially odd. " She gestured with her beak at Amelia's head, where the wisp was dozing in a nest of her hair.
"We bonded over candy. She loves toffee!" added Amelia helpfully.
"Yes, I'm sure. You said other things as well?"
Lark looked uncomfortable, then continued. "There is a cottage used by the caretakers of our wood. It is special. As Amelia has discovered, it reacts to the needs of the caretaker, able to change its shape, add rooms, modify its interior."
"It keeps the fire stoked and oven warm without me having to add wood! And provides hot water when I need a bath!" Amelia enthused.
"Really! Can you control it? Or does it just act helpfully?" the faun asked with real interest, setting aside the book and leaning close. "Does it speak with you? Or communicate in any way?"
"Um, no, not really. Just sometimes I say it'd be nice to have something, and then it happens. Like when I mentioned a garden, and it transported Briar's garden, and Briar, to the yard. But when I ask for a bag of money, it always ignores me."
"Amazing! So its control extends beyond its walls, that is important. Briar, where was your ... oh, she's gone. Where did she go?" he looked around, surprised the goblin wasn't present.
"She went for a walk about an hour or so ago. We kinda got bored watching you read, but I stayed since I know it's important."
"Ah, right. Got a little engrossed there. Sorry about that. Do either of you know where her garden was before it was moved?"
"I do not recall a goblin garden in the hollow since before I was called to my duties. I never asked. She seemed happy with the location, and I chose not to pry."
"Interesting. So not from your [Hearth Haven Hollow]. Very interesting."
"What was that phrase? I didn't quite catch that." asked Amelia.
"The hollow. [Hearth Haven Hollow] is the area where realms overlap, so not quite one or another. There are many, of course, but he meant our home." Lark explained. When the bird said the words, it sounded like the song language Amelia had been struggling to learn. Even though it sounded different from how Pola pronounced it, Amelia knew it referred to the same concept, although she couldn't explain why.
"[Hearth Haven Hollow]? Like that?" she whistled the words carefully. Both bird and faun nodded.
"Very good, Caretaker! I did not think you would be able to do that with your level of training. But that is not a name to say or share lightly. Think of it like the address of our home--not to be shared with just anyone."
"How did you know it, Pola? We didn't tell you?" she looked with suspicion at the faun.
"The book recorded where the survivor travelled, too. It was just a guess on my part from there, since it connects with the mortal realm. Which is where I'd go to hide a seed. But we've strayed from my subject. I think the key to your problem is this 'cottage'."
Both Amelia and Lark eyed him.
"No, really! The way you describe it, how it can change reality around it, how it doesn't obey the caretaker's orders but helps her. I have a few questions, if I may?" He looked back and forth between Lark and Amelia.
"Certainly. We might not be able to answer, but we will share what we may." responded the bird.
"How would you describe the atmosphere of your hollow and the cottage? How does it feel? Is it dark and gloomy? Oppressive? Bright and sunny? Frightening? Inspiring?"
"It wasn't very nice when I got there. All overgrown and creepy. The cottage was trashed. I'd say dark and gloomy."
"I agree, Caretaker. Every season the hollow grew more wild and forbidding. Until you arrived."
"Oh ho! So it has changed under Amelia's rule?" asked the faun.
"Rule? I'm no ruler! I just cleaned it up, raked the leaves, cleared bushes, and stuff. Peon-type stuff." answered Amelia, indignantly.
"No, Caretaker, you do not rule with your actions. However, like the best leaders, you act as a servant to your subjects. The hollow has brightened with your ministrations. It has become open and cared for. Before, it was wild, untamed, and uncivilized."
"Interesting. So it responds to its ruler. Is there someone else, that does command it? Or has great power over the area?"
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"Yes. The Great Guardian. The one Amelia refers to as her 'Gran'. She no longer lives in the hollow, but assigns a caretaker to look after it."
"Okay, last question. Just to be sure. Have you noticed any strange behaviours or effects on people who visit? Say, unwanted aggression, or problems with memories, urge to stay or leave, anything like that?"
Amelia thought for a moment but shook her head. "I felt afraid to leave the last time I tried, like something horrible would happen. Chills and everything. But I don't remember forgetting anything if that helps."
"The Caretaker is from the mortal realm, but she accepted the spirits of the forest, the wisp, and the peculiarities of the cottage without amazement or fear. I suspect that is an odd effect."
"Right! It all adds up!" he danced a little jig, grinning from ear to ear. "The cottage is a realm, and this 'Gran' is its bonded one! Of course! It all makes sense now!" he chortled.
"Since Amelia is its caretaker, it helps her as it can, but she doesn't have true control. And I'll bet my left hoof that most if not all of [Hearth Haven Hollow] is part of its realm! Which is why the problem seed was left where it was. Not only was it guarded by the oaks, but also by the realm! My head spins!"
Lark hopped from foot to foot, waving her wings. The faun's glee was contagious. "Of course! How could I not see it!"
Amelia frowned, confused.
"The cottage is a realm? I thought the hollow was like a, whatcha call it, vestibule? Between home and faerie? I don't get it."
"Caretaker, it is simplicity itself. You are correct, the hollow is the overlap of two realms, but in addition, it has a third realm on top of it--the domain of the Great Guardian! And under all of those is hidden this new realm, which has finally burst from its bonds."
"Okay, great. I know I'm dense, but how does that help us?"
"The Guardian's realm was likely placed to hide and restrain the seed in the first place. Over time, the seed has overcome its bonds, driving the area towards its own image. Your presence and actions as caretaker invigorated the hollow, and the seed reacted to that. A forceful attempt to break free. But you can request the cottage resume suppressing the seed and it's defenses. You just have to ask!"
"But what if it goes all tendrilly again after a while? Alder might be fine, but it withered everything else in the glade. I don't want that to happen to the whole hollow!"
"Once it's controlled and dormant again, you can dig it up and relocate it somewhere else. I caution, though, that whoever buried it probably buried it deep."
Amelia snapped her fingers. "And I just happen to know where some miners are hanging out, looking for work!"
Lark nodded. "Excellent! Yes, caretaker, good thinking. We shall seek them out and return."
The bird hopped from the faun's shoulder to a pile of books on the desk, then executed a graceful curtsy with its wings.
"I thank you, scholar! You have given us hope, and on behalf of the wood, I thank you!"
Pola bowed in return. "My pleasure! What a delightful little puzzle! And to think, I had resigned myself to just grading this afternoon. You have saved me from true boredom!"
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After gathering Briar from where she was puttering around the village garden, they headed back towards the camping area outside the Night Market. Domas and Reginald had left earlier, as the boar had business to attend to. They had thanked him profusely for his help and promised each other they would meet again in the future.
The way back was easy enough, and they had no problems finding their way without a guide. Up the lane from the village to the road, then right and follow the way until the campgrounds.
Amelia enjoyed the scenery on the way back so much more, now that they had a plan to save Alder. It looked like the area around the hollow would look if it hadn't been plowed under for farms and roads. There were a few planted fields they could see as they walked, but it was much less densely populated and felt wilder and more natural.
She was also happy to see Fern and Whisper back to their old selves. The pair were back to chasing each other back and forth across the road, diving into bushes or crashing through the tree trunks. It was too much to hope that they had learned their lesson, but it was nice to see them mobile again.
She was a little afraid the trio had found work or moved on, despite their earlier plans, but as they got closer she could smell wood smoke and bacon, and soon saw the waft of smoke from their campfire.
"Bacon! Bacon! Ale! Ale" shrieked Fern as the sprite arrowed ahead, followed closely by her friend the glowing ball of gluttony.
"Ahoy-oy! Sure, help yourselves!" she heard Tyni say and saw Fern flying up into the trees above, a strip of meat larger than herself dangling from her hands. A second rasher looked like it was flying on its own since Whisper was wearing it like a coat as she flew off with her booty.
"Sorry about those two! They weren't awake for lunch, and are trying to make up for it." Amelia said as they came in view of the campsite. It was just the two dwarves and the goblin, this time. Picker was sitting with Tuuka, recovered from his own excesses.
"No problem, missy! Welcome! Good to see you! Did that old boar steer you true?" Tyni asked. He turned back to his cooking after having waved in.
"He did! We think we know what to do, and it was so simple! And you guys can help!"
All three of the miners perked up a bit at that.
"We can, now, can we? How so?" asked Tuuka, the dwarf skeptical. "We don't want any truck with shadowy tentacles, not really our forte, if you get me."
"The Caretaker is right, if a bit abrupt. We believe we have a plan to deal with the danger, but we need to do a considerable amount of digging to finish the job. That is where we hope you could help us." explained Lark.
"I see." The three miners exchanged glances, and Tyni looked uncomfortable.
"We're flattered you'd think to ask us, really, but ..." he started.
"We can pay." stated the bird.
"Oh! Well, in that case, we're in! Sorry to have to ask, but a dwarf's gotta eat. And drink!" that last added as he polished off the last of the ale in his cup.
"And you can hang out with us for a while! We have lots of room, and we can feed you! I'll buy all the bacon and beer the store has, and tell Sandy to order more. You can stay as long as you want!"
"Yes, Caretaker, but we should deal with the problem first before inviting guests to stay long term. But they would be welcome, of course."
"Yay!"
Tuuka looked at Tyni, then to Picker. They all nodded, then smiled.
"Deal! Should we head out now? Get a jump on things?"
"It is a few hours walk back to the crossing point, and I will need to meditate and gather my strength to power the transfer. It is best we sleep here tonight and go in the morning."
Tuuka lifted the small keg and started filling everyone's mugs. "Let's drink then! To Work!"
"Huzzah!" cried Picker and Tyni, who clashed their wooden mugs together before taking huge gulps of the brew.
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After they woke in the morning and breakfasted, it was a brief walk back to the glade that they had left from. The way was easier since Amelia had hacked many of the big bushes and vines out of the way on the previous journey.
She wasn't sure exactly how Lark did it, but once they were all in the clearing, the bird broke into her song, really straining at each note and putting her all into it. Once the song was done, the bird had collapsed, and Amelia had scooped her up in worry. She was fine, but exhausted from the effort of moving the group between realms, even at this spot where they were still close together.
"It is so much easier when they overlap, as they are during the festivals. It takes no effort at all, then." the bird panted as she recovered in Amelia's arms. "I am not a fledgling anymore, to be doing multi-realm hops very often."
Fern landed on Amelia's arm next to the exhausted bird, peering at her worriedly. "Okay? Okay?"
Lark patted the sprite with her wing.
They headed to the cottage, passing Alder's glade as they went. They could see no change--the stately old oak was still bound in shadow, and they all could feel the dread as they came close.
"Well, isn't that a thing? Maybe we should have discussed hazard pay ..." muttered Tuuka. Tyni punched him in the arm, shaking his head. Picker seemed to agree with Tuuka, looking a bit worried.
"We would not ask you to endanger yourselves. We believe we can deal with them so they are not a danger, but we will find out soon." Lark said.
The cottage was just the way they had left it, days before. A pleasant stream of smoke pooted out of the chimney welcomingly.
Everyone except Briar dropped their bags and gear outside the cottage. The goblin couldn't help herself and nipped into her garden to see that everything was fine. She left her baggage at her workbench before returning, having assured herself her lovelies were free from harm.
It was crowded in the cottage with all of them. Whisper immediately took her place on the oven top, squishing down happily.
Fern alit next to Whisper. "Ooh! Ooh! Warm! Warm!" She said in delight, flopping down on her back and kicking her legs in the air in delight.
Amelia pushed the armchair over by the hassock so there was a bit more room to move around in.
"I'm sorry it's so tight in here! Barely room, but we'll fit everybody in. Let me get the kettle on and make some tea. I think I left some scones here somewhere ..." Amelia said as she bustled about in the kitchen.
"Snug little place, this! And that oven! Why, the feasts I could cook with that thing!" gushed Tyni as he followed her.
"It's great! I like baking bread and pastries in it. And pies! Check out the pantry, too!" Amelia opened the door to show it off.
The dwarf whistled admiringly. "This living room seems larger than when we came in. I don't remember there being a loveseat and sofa!"
"Nice bedrooms, too!" came Tuuka's voice, echoing from a short distance.
"What? Sofa? Bedrooms?" Amelia turned around in surprise.