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The cool fall air was warmed by the golden rays of the sun, the wind gently rustled hair and garments. Today was a special day for the students. While they had recently been brought to their new homes in the temple school, they were now on a trip into the forest to see their first Hallow Tree. The morning frost had left the leaves slick with dew, giving their hues of reds and oranges an extra shine and depth along the veins. Sensei Toma leads the group of small children, the next generation of guardians, along the ages worn footpath. A white, folded flag periodically marked the path to the tree. It took a fair amount of time, and while the path was well worn, it was not in any way an easy path. Not for the young children, and not for the obviously elderly Toma. Before the group made the clearing that housed The Old Hallowed Tree, the instructor stopped the group to allow not only himself but the children also, a chance to rest. He stroked his long white beard a moment as he let out a long sigh, the effort was obvious on his breath, especially as spoke. 

"Haah, Gather around now, children. Haah, haaah. Hmmmm, we are nearly there now. And judging by the sunlight, we should be getting there just in time to see the changing of the bindings. Haaah, Haaah... uhem... It is imperative that you not get in the way of the older Guardians. But you should watch closely, as someday you too will take over the responsibility of maintaining the Hallow Trees," He coughs into his sleeve, the heavy phlem on his voice cleared momentarily, Toma breaths more easily. "Come along, then."

Not much further along the forest path the group of students and their instructor find themselves in the clearing along with a very large, and very old tree. The ground surrounding it is kept barren, meticulously groomed and the area around the tree stomped into a hard earthen floor. The tree itself was an old birch tree, the white bark peeling back in white scrolls of paper, but in stark contrast to the pure white of the birch, the leaves with red and edged in black. At the base of the tree, five figures moved almost as if dancing with a thick braided cotton rope crossing around the trunk forming a star between the figures. Suddenly lines of colored light raced along the length of ropes. These ropes are then tacked to the ground, the old ropes are then removed. The dancing continues a moment longer, each mage with a length of rope in their hands. Suddenly the ropes dissolve into a scatter of light.

"Well then," Sensei Toma started with a wheeze, "What did you think about that?"