[Nydardomond]

Early-Morning, 40th Brightening of Kalendryas, Winter, Era XIII (pf)

Another good night of sleep left Nyd feeling quite refreshed. A couple of nights past he had discovered that by sitting a certain way, he could more easily relax his muscles and thus find sleeping much easier. In the short time since, he had assumed that posture whenever he wished to sleep. This morning he decided to once again venture into the city from his temporary camp setup in the Markus District. He had set a goal for himself each brightening to discover methods of attaining relaxation both in mind and body. The previous brightening he had wandered past the city gardens. Although he had not entered, he could see from passing by that the gardens may be a good location to try his hand once again at meditating.

The City Gardens were situated adjacent to both the Academia and the residential district. It was a large, public garden. Plants and greenery was everywhere, giving busy city people a place to relax from the vigours of the city.

It was divided loosely into two rings. The Outer ring was where most people spent their time. There were tiled walkways criss-crossing, small secluded ponds, benches where one could sit and talk in private and lawns where one could play if one so desired. Bushes and trees were strategically planted so as to keep areas separate. Flowers were also a common sight. They all had their purpose, some were there to spread their colours and give the place a bit of cheer in between all the green, others were there to add scents and others again to feed the bees that were kept on the outskirts of the garden. The scents of wild plants mingled with the salty sea air giving the place an odd, but pleasing aroma. The winter chill may have hit some of the plants however others seemed to flourish.

Statues appeared at regular intervals, showing everything from important city persons, historical personages, small fountains, and so on. Some were done in marble, others were done in granite, but they were all there.

Nyd strolled about for a time looking at every statue, fountain and flower. He had never before seen such a sight as he had spent nearly his entire life in the frigid heights of the mountains. After nearly an hour of exploring the outer ring of the gardens, he found one of the quiet, secluded ponds; a fountain shaped like a beautiful elven woman playing a flute. This early in the morning, there were few people about in the garden so Nyd was more or less, alone. He stepped a short distance from the path and sat near the edge of the pond.

Again sat with his legs crossed; his feet tucked close. His arms hung at his sides with hands resting on the ground palms down. He let his shoulders slump and his head hang forward. Everything was silent save for the trickling water from the fountain. As his body began to relax he let his eyes gently close. This was something he hadn’t done before as he usually had to force them shut. But now, more relaxed than usual, his eyes seemed to close naturally as if it were all part of process of sorts. Nyd tried this time to avoid falling asleep as he had each time prior. He focused on the sound of the trickling water. He listened as it bubbled from the top of the fountain and fell softly down the surface of the stone; collecting in small puddles, then trickling down further into the pond below. He sat like this for quite some time, allowing the peaceful sounds of the water fill his ears and cool scents of the garden enter his lungs.

He felt as though he were on the threshold of entering something more but some unseen barrier held him back. His forehead began to crease and his eyes tightened shut. His breathing became more labored as he fought to hold onto that which he still could not yet name. He finally opened his eyes, realizing that at least for now, what he sought would remain out of reach.

Frustrated but still somewhat pleased at his progress, he stood and walked over to a nearby bench where he took out Gri’Tai’s journal and continued reading; ever determined to overcome the anger of his blood and reach that next stage of his existence.