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“Of course…Sorn…” The elder trees replied, in a tone almost as contemplative as it was comforting, and low. At their words the youngest amongst them seemed to calm as well, relief sweeping over him as a chill wind rushed through the trees; Sorn was content now and, after having paid his greetings and respects to Brine’s sap-parents, settled down, re-establishing his roots before falling silent, once again.
“We are glad that you came, Air Tuo…We hope, though, that your uncertainties do not hold sway your mind…” The timbre of voice remained comforting, perhaps in effort to appease the young one’s mind. But then, however, there was a certain air of solemnity. It was as though a forest breeze had cleared a new path below fallen leaves, uncovering something different, something which did not belong.
“Terrible things might happen, the beauty the forest might be destroyed, but it will always return. It always has…” His sap parents told him, but there was something to the way in which they said it which suggested that they knew something more, something grave. “It is all that we can do to carry on the task that Carmelya has given us, to spread and share her beauty and her gift as much as we can…”
It was not the most reassuring of things to hear, but then perhaps Brine was right. Perhaps something unpleasant would happen to the forest, but then what? And more importantly than that, what could possibly be done to stop it?
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