New Release: PLANTWISE

 

They talked long into the stormy winter nights. That spring, Ardentraveled everywhere across Westerland, and when it was safe, crossed theborders to the farming and woodland communities of neighboring kingdoms,seeking the old stories and half-forgotten and only rumored bits of the mostancient magic. She visited huts and cottages where the hedgelores were kept byword of mouth and herb mistresses stored their memories in tiny living trees. Shespent days digging through ancient libraries full of dusty scrolls and newlyprinted books, looking for stories and theories. Glynna had never encounteredanother green magic-wielder during her decades traveling the continent, andArden didn’t dare cross the sea to another continent to seek out anotherplantwise with more knowledge and experience than Glynna. Until Yeshen heardtheir prayers and sent the Steward to talk with them, they could only workbased on speculations.

Spring turned to summer and Arden was busy with her usual dutiesduring the growing season. She sometimes wept in gratitude that she wasn’t sodistracted with her new quest that she shorted Westerland. The harvest wasdoubly bountiful that year, and all her travels served to spread the blessingof her magic, even into neighboring kingdoms. Glynna just chuckled when theyreceived news of that and reminded Arden that magic and Giftings needed to beshared, and grew more powerful with the sharing.

Still, despite the bounty she had brought to Westerland, Ardenwas relieved to settle down after the harvest. She talked to herb wives andlore masters and ancient grannies and gaffers sitting at the fires as winterhowled around them and tried to reach down the chimneys.

When spring came again, sodid the Steward.