Wisdom of the Trees [Destyn, Sivan]

[Sivan]

"Of course I will visit you," Sivan assured him. And Laurevere nodded curtly.

To Destyn and his guests, "Normally I would ask Lord Torin's permission, but I think in the interest of speed, I will rather ask his forgiveness. I have an accord with the gritaeri who guards the valley. It will likely welcome a foreign sapling to foster as it has welcomed the human settlers. We can replant it far from the human settlement, though, to give it time to grow."

Sivan, at least, would prefer Destyn in the safety of the valley than in the hustle and bustle of Kalzasi with its Avialae cluttering up the airspace or Silfanore where he was inevitably infantilized. He knew his friend had the means to travel, but a home, a nest, would be good for him.

"And you needn't trouble yourself over the space left behind," he said to the guests as well as to Destyn, who seemed troubled by the idea. "Life will fill in the space in due time."

A sapling didn't take up all that much space, in fact. Gebeb and the other earth elementals would continue to chew into the steep hill to create more fertile ground for his garden sanctuary, after all.

"I am not a Traveler," he admitted, "but I can show you the way if one of you is." Golden brows rose curiously, unsure whether this would be the way or if they had some other, alternative means of travel. The more he learned about magic, the more he realized he knew but the barest sliver of what mysteries lingered under the surface of things.

[Destyn]

“I do not know any wild kings. Kings are, I think, not natural and certainly do not fare well with wild subjects. Torin’s valley will be a good home.” Destyn had clearly never heard of the alternative destination— at least not by the name that had been uttered, although he might have known it by another moniker.

He nodded, seeming consoled by the other fae’s assurances.

“Seadh. Creidim go ndéanfaimid.” He replied, and then listened to Rath’s further consolation, nodding once more.

“As for my favour…” He looked briefly to Laurevere, then to Sivan, as he took a deep breath.

“The rest of my clan was slain in the woods outside of Zaichaer. I still know the place for it is burned in my mind. I would like to see if their… if their remains remain there. If so, I would like to take them North to be buried with the baby tree. It would, you know, be a comfort if there is piece of them that could nourish something special that is of nature and will make the world better for becoming big and strong.

“As I said, it will be no easy task, but I can guide you to this place and, if you have the means, I would like very much for this to happen. It is owed and overdue.” He stated solemnly, as he absently tugged at his tunic in an unwitting fidget. He didn’t know if the bodies would still be there after so long, but the area had been off the beaten path and it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility. For him, it was certainly worth a try, even if he as cripplingly frightened of Imdustry’s own country.

[Talisman]

"If you can show us where, I can take us there," Rath nodded at Sivan's offer. The green-eyed elf had such means, it seemed. There would be a few trips made - to go and inspect the site, prepare the earth for it, and back to Sivan's to prepare the Destyn-sized tree for transplanting, back to the valley where it would be safe. It seemed the other blond trusted his judgment in that regard. And once Destyn's tree was settled, there was something to put in the ground in Sivan's garden... though Sivan didn't seem to be put out by it, they did appreciate the efforts Sivan had gone to to help Destyn, and how much he had nurtured the spirit of the tree. "You'll have your hands occupied soon enough, I think, with your garden," Rath smiled, looking on. The tanuki was pawing at Sivan, clearly hoping for more snacks despite its impressive girth.

It looked like the horned spirit would offer explanations to Destyn when he commented about wild kings, and ultimately decided against it. Quite possibly, she knew how Fae were judging by her connection with Hin'tai'oth, and there was no need to pursue that branch now that they had a (hopefully) viable alternative. Hai'tin'oth decided to follow her lead and let it be. A protected valley would likely be better, especially if it had all kinds of space of its own, and there would be less people and less sorts of troublesome creatures that might chomp on the tree despite Destyn's and Hin'tai'oth's best efforts, and they couldn't have that.

Well, that was an important ask. Kimith's face softened a bit at Destyn's request, and she nodded solemnly. "It is important, yes. We can go there first and see if we can find them. If we can, then we can prepare them and intern them in the valley among the roots of your tree. Could you describe the area for Rath, and he can make us a waypoint to go?" Or something like that. But if they could be found, they could be prepared, and rather than moving the remains constantly, points could be opened in the Valley where the tree would be transplanted to the forest in Zaichaer where the remains were, if they could be found. Hopefully they could be, and if they could be found, they could travel.

Hin'tai'oth's expression was decidedly solemn. "Tha mi duilich airson do theaghlach. Tha do dhòigh air urram a thoirt dhaibh iomchaidh. Lorgaidh sinn iad dhut, tha Rath math air rudan mar sin." Whether it occurred to him or not that Laurevere and Sivan were fluent enough to understand him was questionable, but it was entirely likely that he was just more comfortable in his native tongue.

[Sivan]

Sivan knew Destyn's story, and so remained quietly respectful throughout his brief retelling, then briefly put his hand upon his friend's shoulder. The elf wasn't close with his family, but he would mourn them if they died; from what he gathered, Destyn's youth had been altogether different, and the loss crippling. Sometimes he wished he had been able to help Flower rather than keep him in the Living Grave until something could be found to break his curse; then he might have been able to work with Torin to make their workshops mobile and they could have become like a Fae'ethalan tribe...

Laurevere's hand hadn't left Destyn, and he gave the nape of his neck a little squeeze. It wasn't much, but from Laurevere, it was quite a lot. And he certainly understood more of the exchange in Velasran than did Sivan, though he caught about half of it and could contextualize the rest.

"If I may," Sivan said, approaching Rath. With permission, he rested his hand upon the other Hytori's shoulder and pulled their foreheads together. For delicate work, the nearness, the touch made it easier. While his understanding of the aetheric patterns of the slipspace weren't quite so keen as Aurin's, he knew the valley's essence, and could translate it directly from his mind to Rath's via his Rune of Semblance, as well as some markers along the way that would allow him to navigate the slipspace safely to that valley, and with Sivan there present, the gritaeri would not be alarmed, nor the valley's arcane defenses triggered.

With a faint smile, he stepped back and released Rath. That part, at least, was done, and they could attempt to find the temporary resting place of Destyn's family. He went to put on his boots. He was, of course, going.

[Destyn]

In the moment that both Sivan and Laurevere were offering consoling touches to Destyn he looked softly to the former and the latter in turn. His wings twitched slightly as his gaze returned to the visitors.

In his solemnity, the expression that Destyn offered in answer to their acceptance was a softer smile than those who knew him were accustomed to. The sadness remained in his eyes, even as his lips curled slightly upward.

“I will need, I think, to take you there. I do not bear the traveler’s Rune, nor could I find the place on a map. I only know it to see it with my own eyes.” He answered. Even if he had Sivan’s skills, he’d have wanted to be present for this. It wasn’t something he would blithely put into the hands of others to be done in his behalf, but something he needed the help of others to do himself. He put himself in the mind of his clan in this. He would not wish to be found by strangers and relocated somewhere without understanding why. Destyn was a familiar face, and one he would have associated with this transition. He needed to show his regret and his resolution to this unresolved tale.

“It is far, but not so very. We need not do this today, if you wish for time to prepare and so forth.” He didn’t know how much time this party had allotted to their task today. If they’d just come to feel Destyn out and see the tree, that had been executed in a matter of minutes. The urgency of moving the tree was not so immediate as to assume they were prepared to get started straight away.

[Talisman]

Rath had no problem letting Sivan offer that information of the location in that regard, finding it a rather efficient way of bequeathing knowledge. At his urging, he bent his head forward until they were touching foreheads. He did not pull away until Sivan was ready to, and when he did, he offered a solemn 'thank you' in Mythrasi, but it was accompanied by a warm smile as he straightened back up to his full height. A handy talent, that one, and quite useful for communicating something that couldn't fully be described in words.

Kimith and Hin'tai'oth looked from Elf to Elf, and Rath nodded at their unspoken question. He understood now how to get them there, at least. They could visit and inspect the area, and hopefully, it would be spacious enough for Destyn's baby tree. It may only have been Destyn-sized at the moment, but it would grow, and when it did... it needed room. They had observed it grew rather quickly, so time was of the essence... but a few days here or there would not harm it unduly. They had time, but the sooner it was in its new home, the better. Rath had little doubt that Sivan could smooth it over with the spirits of the valley, and a talented Elementalist could encourage the ground to help welcome the transplant. They would make it work.

After Destyn spoke, the tall Hytori nodded to his words. "Our schedule is open, and we are prepared to take as much time as needed to see this through, however long it takes. It is getting late, though, and I imagine that you all have other things to do tonight. Perhaps, depending on your plans for the rest of the day, we can visit the valley that you have recommended and inspect it, though I trust your judgment as to its suitability," he included Sivan and Destyn with a nod, looking from one to the other. "We will return the three of you back here, and tomorrow, we can visit the Zaichaeri wilds, and Destynrael will hopefully be able to show us where his clan is resting."

"If your schedules permit, we can go earlier in the day, provided you wish to come into the forests. Otherwise, we can visit later in the evening when you are done with your day," Kimith didn't want to put any of them out more than they had to, lest they lose the extended goodwill for this endeavour. Hin'tai'oth looked from one to the other, and gently touched the bark of the sapling with the backs of his fingers, admiring its health and texture. Fae of the Spring Court were notorious for their dedication, though some might call it an obsession, with nature, and he certainly seemed to be. Whatever was decided was fine by him.

[Sivan]

One boot on, the other in hand, Sivan paused.

"I have to be back to Silfanore eventually, but I can take care of what needs doing in Kalzasi quickly and work around the travel schedule, whatever it may be."

Accompanying Destyn on this ritual of bereavement would be worth whatever ill will he might accrue from the masters at the workshop in the elven capital. Even Laurevere, who normally disdained anything as less important if it wasn't Hytori, seemed decided in the matter.

"You are all welcome to stay here in the interim," Sivan said to his guests. "In the garden or I have spare beds or the caverns below if you prefer hot springs and mushrooms." Hilana had been a fan of the hot springs. Even Sviras had seemed content to bask in the heat down where the roots of his tower lay.

The unprepossessing green-roofed house he had moved into when he arrived in Kalzasi was now a rather impressive tower, having shouldered aside even Laurevere's home next door, at least for height. And nobody but his friends and guests knew it went down as deep into the bedrock as it climbed into the sky.

"I'll just have to see about food..." he mused to himself.

"You make use of my table," Laurevere said, more to Sivan than to his guests. "As long as everyone finds Hytori fare acceptable." The Siltori heritage in his friend was clear to any with eyes and context, but Laurevere comported himself as Hytori as elvenly possible to compensate.

Sivan smiled his thanks and then put on his second boot, waiting to see what decisions were made in the meantime.

[Destyn]

Destyn looked on with wide-eyed curiosity as Sivan touched his brow to Rath's. The gesture seemed curious and, lacking any context, the Fae found it oddly intimate for two relative strangers. He stepped closer and pushed his own head closer until his brow was touching their temples as they stood forehead to forehead. Deciding it felt too weird, the gesture was shortlived and he promptly returned to Laurevere's side with a shrug to the stoic elf.

As plans were proposed, Destyn glanced up and tilted his head.

"What is a sked jewel? Can I see it? Are they pretty when they open?" Surely it beggared belief that Destyn had never come across the word 'schedule' before, and yet it seemed to be one of those words that he struggled to retain the concept of and so its definition rarely lingered in his brain. Much like 'fiduciary' or 'existential'.

"Oh, plans?" Again Summer's Child shrugged,

"I do not have plans. Plans are not something I, you know, often do. I go with the wind and follow where the ley lines guide me. We can do these things in the order you say. That is fine to me, if my friends who are less, um... wind-tossed? Are too busy for my stuff."

At Laurevere's offer of Hytori cuisine, Destyn offered a patronising smile to the elder elf, before turning to Hin'tai'oth and whispering emphatically albeit conspiratorially:

"Ná bí buartha! Ní chuirfidh mé iallach ort bia leadránach an Hytori a ithe. Tá an gairdín lán le bia an-bhlasta, rud is féidir liom a thaispeáint duit. Beidh muid ag ithe níos fearr ná elf!" He beamed. Sivan nor Laurevere had often seen Destyn consorting with others of his ilk, even those of other courts.

[Talisman]

When Destyn asked about a sked jewel, Rath and Kimith shared but the briefest of looks, and the elf's eyes showed mild amusement. "Here is a sked jewel," he retrieved something from his pocket, extending his open hand to Destyn. A bright red flower opened as his fingers did, revealing an oval green and red gemstone. Sivan might recognize it as a bloodstone gemstone, a combination of chalcedony and jasper. It was predominantly shades of green, with large flecks of red in it. The petals seemed to be almost glassy, but they had a smoothness to them that was reminiscent of the real thing. If Destyn wanted to grab it, he was happy to let him inspect it. Under the light, it had a faint shimmer as the multiple crystals contained wherein glittered in the late afternoon sun.

"We thank you for your hospitality," Kimith inclined her horned head to Sivan and to Laurevere. "We accept, and we are thankful. I'm sure Hin'tai'oth will likely stay outside, though Rath and I would be happy to accept a bed if it isn't too much trouble," she smiled up at their hosts. It seemed like a trip to the valley was doable tonight, then, too.

"It has been quite some time since I have gotten to enjoy Hytori cuisine. That will be a rare treat." It sometimes was a bit tricky to find authentic Hytori fare abroad of Sol'Valen, but there was no knowing where this odd trio had come from, and where they had been. Sivan also had dozens of canned and jarred goodies crammed into his larder, courtesy of his Vastiana student and guest who had gone home a little over a week ago. Mixes for soups, and stews with dried vegetables, meats, and seasonings were there, combined and ready for some water and the soup pot, along with other vegetables and staples that came in at the end of the season from the farmers.

"Is e ùr agus amh as fheàrr. Tha mi toilichte a bhith ag iasgach còmhla riut, a Destynrael. Chan eil dad nas fheàrr na na tha nàdur a’ tabhann dhuinn," Hin'tai'oth whispered back, a rather delighted look on his face.

'Don't mind them,' Kimith mouthed where Destyn's friends could see it. They clearly understood Destyn; Hin'tai'oth was more of the same. Hopefully, no offense was taken.

But it seemed possible that they could visit Torin's valley, and with the information that Sivan had provided Rath, the other Elf focused, and prepared a portal, opening out into wide-open space. Rath stepped on through, making sure that there were no blockages, before stepping aside to allow the rest of them to follow.

[Sivan]

Laurevere was more fluent in Valasren than was Sivan, but he showed great restraint in not giving the Fae'ethalan a withering look. Knowing Torin's valley was relatively safe, its remoteness more a deterrent to danger than its wards, he did not go back to his house for weapons. It was, in a word, quaint.

Sivan was not normally one to take precedence, especially before his Val'Hytori friend, but he was the Spiritwalker who had brokered the understanding between Torin and the gritaeri who inhabited the valley.

"Pardon, but I must announce you," he said to Rath, and was the first to step through the portal. Laurevere would be polite and take up the rear with the elven druid in case he needed help shepherding the others.

Those that followed Sivan would find him kneeling in the loamy soil hard with winter chill. For all that they were in the Astralar Mountains, it wasn't nearly so cold as it ought to have been. Their winter was much more akin to Silfanore's, which Laurevere much preferred. It was a cold season and annual plants died, certain animals hibernated, but they no longer had to worry about the worst of storms, the coldest of cold snaps. The cycle of seasons continued, but the winters were gentler.

Seeing his neighbor making himself vulnerable, Laurevere walked around so that he was facing the trance-bound young elf and could see everyone else over his bent head. He didn't anticipate any sort of attack, but then, Sivan's safety was his highest priority. And as Sivan was indisposed, he spoke for him. Taking his bearings, he nodded.

"We are far from the small settlement in this valley," he informed them. "No doubt he is communing with the gritaeri. One doesn't want to offend the local tutelary."

As the others gathered in the snowy meadow, those who were attuned to such things might feel how Sivan had slipped into the hibernating spirit's dream, half waking it. It wasn't long before Sivan's eyes opened, but the blue was gone. Instead, his eyes seemed all white sclera. The voice with which he spoke was not his own.

"Bring this seedling to me that I may decide where it will thrive best."