[h1]The World[/h1]

It is a cool summer morning- although not for long- for the sun has yet to rise and take its seat in the sky. The time is five and the sun won't make its climb for another hour. The village is still, save for a few drunks making their way home from the tavern and the farmers making their way to their fields. The first few rays of light blaze the tree tops and the cool blues that their shadows cast over the town give it a sleepy look.

The crows are beginning to bicker on the rooftops- they're nasty beasts with five eyes and saw toothed beaks- with a penchant for kidnapping the occasional goat. Below them people begin to stir in their beds and ready themselves for another thursday.

[h3] The Tavern[/h3]

It was five in the morning- the closing hour of her grand and beloved establishment. So beloved, in fact, that there were some straggling patrons that needed a good boot to the ass to convince them to get on their merry ways back home. It was while helping the last of these fellows that she overheard talk of the "Blooming". Was it really that time of year already? Tired as she was- Marion Dawnleaf was suddenly itching to tell a story.

Nanda, a sassy village girl who'd come to work for her simply to save up enough coin to get out of Vale, was in her line of sight when the temptation seized her. They met eyes and the barmaid knew what she was in for.

"Nanda, doll- I almost forgot that the Blooming season is almost upon us."

"Well yeah- it being spring end and all." came the dodgy reply, she averted her eyes and took a fascination in wiping down an ale soaked table.

"You know of the Ascythenia legend, right?" Her eyes took on that sparkle that signaled an opening to a rehearsed story.

"Pfft of course I do. Everyone in Vale knows that old wives tale." Said the girl, hoping this would save her. She was so godsdamned tired and really needed a bed.

"It all began-"

"Marion I should really-"

"[i]It all began-[/i]" she repeated as she kicked a stool sharply at her barmaids knees, which made the girl cry out and begrudgingly take a seat lest she get assaulted some more. Triumphant, the bard settled into her art- her voice now took on a dreamy tone- as if she were recalling a cherished memory.

"-long ago in this very forest, when it was nothing but a cluster of sapplings. A great white stag reigned as the forests guardian- at his footsteps sprung flowers and vines. His charges- two young men- followed him wherever he went. They were the sons of the grand king Tolemus- who coveted knowledge and would only crown the son who returned with the most complete knowledge of the land.

Now- what could these princes learn from following a forest guardian that would help them rule armies and conquer lands? Surely they would do more burning of forests than the building of them. The eldest brother, Natas, believed that the stag would speak to them and tell them secrets- nature magic that would vanquish their enemies. Parius, the younger, was sure that the stag would want something in return for its knowledge.

But the stag never spoke. On it walked and on they followed. They followed for years, in fact, and soon lost patience. "I have learned nothing of this creature!" cried Natas one day. "He  simply walks about and grows grass!" So keen was his rage that he tore at a nearby flower, ripping it from its roots and tearing it apart between his hands. At once the stag turned his great head- eyes as clear and bright as sunlight- and he spoke thus "The mortal dares murder my children. For this heinous act I curse your seed who claim this land their home. They will hide from the sunlight- for your act will shame them so."

At this the Stag turned his gaze upon Parius- "I will bestow only half of my gift upon you- for you have remained patient while creation has taken root. But you turned an eye upon its destruction. Your seed who claim this land their home will be bound to one another by the flower that your brother savaged. It will bloom between only two kin souls- however if it wilts or harm comes to the flower- they will die." Thus spoke the stag."

Nanda had never heard the story told in such a way,

"Wait-what- they [i]die[/i]? My apa always said that they never find happiness or whatever."

Marion smiled, brushing a lock of loose auburn hair from her eyes,

"Nanda darling- what he told you was the bedtime story version. What I tell is genuine." She sighed, pursing her lips as she gave her drinking hall one last glance. The bard rolled her shoulders before stretching out her arms to yawn,

"And now you know where the Ascythenia and ghouls come from."

"Joy. Can I go home now?"

[h3]The Mayors House[/h3]

Farrest had long been awake. He preferred to start his days before the sun did- it gave him a chance to gather his thoughts and run through plans for the rest of the day. Being the busy fellow that he was, it really didn't hurt to get an early start on things either. This morning he walked alone- a rare sight given that Dagny was usually in his company- but the wolfdog had given birth the night before and she was fiercely protecting her babies. As much of an asset that Dagny was to his patrols- he didnt dare dream of coming between a mother and her young. He'd learned this while watching Marianne raise their son- as a baby no one was allowed to touch Aldric. Everything was a threat. If he cried because he'd scraped his knee- she'd cry and then curse at the ground for hurting him. That always got the lad giggling.

He was jarred from his thoughts when he saw that someone was waiting for him at his destination. Like a great looming bear- a shadow filled the doorway of the mayors house. The giants face came into view when he stepped down and met the ranger halfway, at the entrance. Gareth Hart was a mountain of a man. Truly, he must have been a descendant of giants. His shoulders were twice as broad as any other grown man that Farrest knew. And, despite having a middle softened by retirement, the ranger could [i]clearly[/i] see how the man had instilled fear in his enemies during his glory years.

"Farrest!" He boomed, shaking his old friends hand while simultaneously clapping him on the back with the other. It was like being hit with stone. Farrest smiled through the pain- tried to convert it into love for his friend.

"Morning, Gareth- trouble with the garden?"

At the mention of the mans favorite past time the smile vanished off of his ruddy face. This had been the whole reason for the visit- the mayor had a problem that only a ranger like Farrest Eleros could fix.

"I'm afraid so- but before we address that- where's your pup?"

Farrest, out of habit, glanced down at his left knee where Dagny's wise eyes often peered up at him from. He smiled back up at his large and in charge friend,

"She isn't quite a pup anymore, she's Aldrics age."

The Mayor chuckled and jokingly said,

"Then I guess Aldric isn't much of a pup himself hm?"

"Ah, I guess not." Replied the ranger, smiling. His son had proved himself to be grown many times in the past- this was not his concern. But it suddenly struck him just how much like himself he was like. Aldric was the ideal ranger- who had the drive to learn and the fortitude to put in the work to make up for his faults. But Farrest had lived his whole life in Vale. Yes its forests were vast and beautiful and contained wonders that couldn't be seen anywhere else in the world. But there were worlds out there that couldn't possibly be found here in the Angar. He didn't want his son to be path blinded by the trees. He wanted him to know of the outside as well.

A rustle in the sunflowers brought their attention back to the garden. Was that fear he saw in Gareths eyes?

"Its been eating them." Informed the mayor, almost frantic.

"Whats been eating what?" Asked the Ranger with growing alarm. Maybe this morning job was much more serious than he expected.

"Have I ever told you that you smell like dog water?"

"What?" asked Farrest, but the Mayor was shaking his head.

"That wasn't me, goodman."

Another rustle and it poked its head out from between the stalks of sunflowers. It chewed as it spoke in the mayors voice,

"I can't stand that Farrest. Such a quiet fellow, [i]goodman[/i]." It mocked.

The deer was a vibrant yellow like the sunflowers it was gorging itself on. He should've known. And now he knew why the mayor was so adamant about having this nuisance dealt with- it could easily confuse the villagefolk and ruin his name- at worst of course. These creatures rarely if ever attacked anyone.

"Please Farrest- you must send it back into the forest. I could barely sleep with it [i]feeding[/i] on my garden all night."

The ranger unhitched the lassoe at his belt,

"No need to worry. I'll get this straightened out before sunrise."