{We greet the owner of the Starfall Crater Lord Null,
our child got lost in your Domain and we would like to ask, if there is any way for you to have it in your Heart to find her and send her back to us. We really miss her presence and hope you can understand our plight.
Right now her mind is a bit confused and might think of it as the best way for her life, but to follow a dream and not accept the reality of the situation is neither healthy nor sustainable for the future.
Her Mother, Dancing Shimmer is struck with grief, knowing her daughter is walking a path, which is led by a sickness, that can be cured by being in the midst of her Family.
In our great understanding of former Falling Leafs plight, we are willing to find a distant relative to create a bond for her in hope of building herself a new tree. We know our child is worrying about her and for this we are willing to bring this sacrifice.
All our grudges would be forgotten with the simple reconnection of our own into the Forest and everyone will be happier in the end. Please consider the heavy burden on our hearts and the way to mend all our offenses in such a simple way.
If you are willing to give us our child back please let the guards we sent be her guides back to her true home and be assured we will be thankful forever.
With all the well being of the Forest be upon you,
Matriarch of the Dancing Tree
Dancing Mist
}
Well the only thing I can say to such a beautifully written Letter of asking to let her child be guided home by armed Guards is…
“Can I throw this Letter now in the fireplace? If it is too long in this Village, it might pollute the air.”
No answer. Petal is still reading the Letter over and over with moist eyes. Leafy caresses her and tries to hold her back from shaking too much.
Somehow I have an urge to uproot two Trees in the Forest now, but better hold it in. The Root see homosexuality between Women as illness. By the way homosexuality between men is fine, as long as they are there, when the woman needs them for their own time in bed. Otherwise some Women experiment with each other but never are allowed to just be together. Some dirty play, a bit experimenting sure, but being in love with each other? Bam, forbidden! Such bigots.
Petal was ready for the Letter but seems to have just thought of cutting her off. They want to bring her back and reeducate her. That must sting horribly, as they treat her like something diseased and needs their help. In their mind, they just want to help, but for an outsider who can see the whole picture, they are starting to twist the knife they pierced into her heart by telling her how her love is vile.
To be safe I might bring them to their maybe new place of living, so they are more secure, if the Matriarch sends more forceful approaches. I bet Snow or myself alone can snuff that out with ease, but better not keeping their goal in reach so easily.
…
“Who is this? WHAT is this?”
“Oh him? This is Bush Man. An experiment, which became a bit different than I anticipated.”
“Bush? He seems to be made of Vines, why Bush? Not a Root, not fully plant, was he human maybe?”
“Ah yeah, he was a bandit who tried to burgle Snow. Now he is the gardener of the Labyrinth.”
“I can hear his voice. He is like a child, but a bit confused. At least he is happy to tend to his plant sisters. And you made him?”
“Yeah, I overdid it. I tried to fuse a person with a Vine, and as it worked I put in another one… and another one… and another… he he…”
“Petal, I know you are interested in it, but for me I see just an abomination, dear…”
“Really? I think he is just like us. Misunderstood, but happy in his own way, don’t you think?”
“...If you put it that way… He is being rather happy to keep all the plants around healthy as can be. Maybe that is why I fell for you, as you show me beauty I alone never saw.”
“My Leaf…”
ahem “Well this way please. I am sorry for disturbing, but it would really be better to show you where you can be alone.”
Finally they realize I am still here. Blushing to their ears they follow me. Left here… right over there… this time right again…
“Here we are. I can draw you a map and show you the easiest way through it. There are some moving parts, which can make the Labyrinth totally different. Do not worry anyone who disturbs the Foliage around angers Bush Man, oh he gets angry alright. The safest place, as it is right in the middle and perfectly secure with levers to make it an unsolvable Labyrinth at need.”
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“It is beautiful in here.”
Petal likes it. Great!
“No need for a map. The plants can tell us the way by guiding us a bit. Maybe for you the plants look all the same, but we can remember their differences and find our way.”
No need to boast Leafy. I know I am not a Root, even if I have a supercharged body in store. Just right now I hate being inside that body, as the plants just WON’T STOP TALKING! Spring is a horrible time to be able to hear plants, I assure you.
“And we can live here? The place is rather big, for what did you create it?”
“Ah, that was the place for a nice tea Party originally. I imagined some nobles and aristocrats traveling the Labyrinth to find their way on their own to the hidden tea party for a nice relaxing evening of stargazing. By the way that way goes to a hidden shaft right into the hidden stairs inside the Pillars of the Stair towers. It is a direct way to the top of the Garden. Just please do not use the door down there, it leads to the sewers, which are right now in use because of the children.”
“Huh. You really build anything you want out of your own Design do you not?”
“Yup. And if that is already impressing you Petal, the Garden on top of the Castle roof was made as a place of respite for Leaf, as she was down and I did not know what I can do for her while she was broken.”
“So you build something for me? Why though?”
“Firstly because I wanted to do something for you, as I care for you Leafy. And as distant second it distracted me from razing the Forest to the ground out of anger.”
giggle “Leaf dear, I think we are in good hands with Lord Null here. Maybe we can really be carefree and live like we always wanted. I would love to be with you forever here in this mystic Labyrinth.”
“I realized it sadly a bit too late. If I knew about how big my Lords heart is, I might have stopped the Soldiers who became trees from doing what they did.”
“It is not your fault. It was their decision. Come here, let me hug you.”
Aaand that is my signal to leave. They have all the room they need. Luckily the Gazebo has a fully sealed roof and the children do not see something they have to learn on their own, way later.
…
“Welcome back Mordred, how was the travel? Welcome Elane…”
Of course they send someone. Blue Ice should have sent someone who I would have not known, as she is not on my List of faces I want to see really.
“The Leader of the Blue Ice sends his greetings. We were interested in making amends for our slight against you.”
If that was a slight I do not want to know what they think is a serious offense.
“So, it is about that. Well I might not be without a fault myself, as I did fry one of your Students right in front of you.”
And there is the flinch. Yeah I can sting back Elane, remember that.
“As we are really sorry, would it be possible for me to be accommodated for the few days the Peddlers are selling their Wares. Last time some really wondrous things were brought back and Master Harvey was thoroughly impressed.”
The Egg. What else could have made him send someone to go all buddy buddy after we nearly gone to war. Well I should not make her take the full blame. She was the teacher of that piece of charcoal, but might not known what he really did before coming into my cell.
“Well I can give you a place in the Village if you want. Otherwise you can come to the Castle, but I must warn you, it is neither finished nor ready for Guests to be surely accommodated.”
“You are too courteous, as I would like to come to your Castle. I would have even lived in a shack for a few days, but if I were to be housed in the Castle we could negotiate easier and you would not need to come to me. Do not worry, I brought my own provisions, if it can not be arranged for me to have a meal.”
“Albeit I am rather miffed about Blue Ice, I will not let you feel the brunt of it just because they sent you for whatever reason. We will have food and drinks ready. Do not worry.”
My saying telling her I know she is the punching bag to vent my anger, I am still pissed, but I will not just be randomly hostile to someone who might not be even fully at fault.
At her slight exhale she has thought of having it worse here. For now I lead her to the castle.
…
“Impressive architecture. This place is rather large for you, is it not?”
Trying to feel out my numbers? No way I tell you anything.
“It is still in building. Albeit right now it is not really cramped, it might be in the future.”
Have fun deciphering that. This will be worse the more you are thinking about my sentence. Good luck!
Bringing her to the first Guest room she sees the long hallways and many Rooms I built. While I overdid it, now they make a nice impression to keep her at bay.
The Room itself is the most ready Room for guests. Still there are things missing like paintings, a rug and other decorations, but for now there is a magic lamp and even a fully workable Bathroom with an oven to heat the water inside. A nice Idea I came up with, but still a work in progress.
“This Lamp… It is no simple glow lamp out of the workshop of our Kingdom. How does it work?”
“A secret. It is my own creation, but I am still working on the fine aspects.”
Well they have a tendency to just stop working after a while, so I have to still be humble. Those Runes are a damn menace. Where do I get a dictionary for them?
“You made this? Not one of your Rune Scribes? And which old text did you copy to create it?”
Well I gave her too much information right now, but she gave me some in return. They copy only runes. So they are as in the dark of them as I am. Maybe I have a leg up on them, as they seem to not be able to modify the whole ring. Good stuff to know!
“Still a secret. For now you might be need some rest, as the travel here might have you fatigued. In about an hour should be the dinner ready. Do you want something with low or high Mana?”
“If I would be able to choose, then high Mana please. I have held the way here a field up to detect dangers.”
“I understand. I will ask the cooks to make something with fresh ingredients.”
As I leave, her mumbling comes to my ear.
“Cooks… more than imagined…”
No need to tell her those are children, just believe what you want to believe.