I want to do some creative writing for a bit and see what happens – how I’m going to approach it is to start from a prompt and then build a bit of the story from that, then each time I pick up the story to start writing again I’ll take another prompt and then carry on from there.
The writing will be an iterative process – so if I want to go back and change things based on ideas I’ve had from future things I have written, then I’ll do it. The philosophy of it is around things developing and trying to find something alive out of it.
So – let’s start.
It started with a seed. It tumbled down the cobbled street and bounced in its casing as it rolled down the busy street. It missed the hooves of hippogriffs and the staves of merchants as they slammed down on the cobbles trying to win the battle for the crowd’s attention. It scooted around the wealthy and the poor alike as it jumped over an unruly bit of straw and passed through the crowd but got kicked aside by a dog who let out a startled yelp as the sharp spines on the exterior of the seed struck them.
While this was obviously a rude interaction for the seed, it appreciated the assistance as it soared through the air, skimmed across the surface of a barrel of water and then fell down into the hay stack – where it had felt it was going. Where she was.
“Hello there”, A voice called to the seed from within the hay stack laughing as they did. The seed sat quietly as a her friend emerged from the hay. She had dark black hair that was tied up on both sides into two buns that looked like clouds. Her dark brown eyes shone with compassion and light as she met the seed and saw only it while her smile beamed upon meeting it, “So you found me huh?”
The seed stood stoically in the hay as the girl pushed herself up so that she was sitting on top of the hay. She pulled out a wooden rucksack from the hay which seems like it would be far too heavy for her to manage to lift naturally. She started to flick the latches and loosen the fastenings and opened it.
Inside was a bank of various seeds and different conditions. Some were in bottles with water or other liquids. Some were in boxes with heating in them. Some had magical energies around them – plasma from the Dragon glens and Fey Swamp blessings. Each seed had a space that was ideal for their home. A space where they could thrive until the time when they would become what comes next.
“I know we have been talking for a while,” The girl started as she looked at the seed. This was true. She had been visiting the tree for a few weeks introducing herself. She introduced herself to the forefather and had asked if any of the next generation could join her on her adventures. Could help her to learn more about them, and let them learn more about her in turn.
The forefather had explained this to the seed. She is a verasti. Someone who can hear them, speak with them and interact with their being. She can control the forces of the natural world and help them to thrive in a world that is becoming more full of people and new ways.
Magic is common – everything has magical energy in them of some sort, the amount and the control of that is different for each thing. But the type of magic that each person can do naturally is often quite specific. Verasti, the word that the Southern Oaks refer to someone who can talk to, enhance and control plants, are rare. This is as it is difficult for a wizard to replicate (requiring nature, enhancement and creation/destruction magic in different proportions) and is not seen as interesting by most of them. So instead it is left for those who naturally develop the gift to use it as they see fit.
“But I was wondering if you are still sure you want to come with me?” She asked, as she looked at the seed. She then looked at an empty space in the case, “I have prepared you an area that I think should suit you well, and I can make sure that you can spread to new places and that your kind is preserved for the future.” Her smile changed as she said the last part, shrinking into the quietness that one has when they know the fate of things. She knew what was happening in the world just as much as the seeds did, as the forefather did, as the fae did. She could feel the unrest in the world.
She nodded as she felt the seeds resolve, “Thank you, I promise that I will take good care of you.” She picked it up in two hands and lifted it up towards her, “My name is Rehana, welcome to the family”. She then placed it into the new container and surrounded it with some of the hay for insulation. The seed felt the comfort of the heat around it. The conditions were perfect. They were ready for the next step of their journey.
Red Mage Darni 