The Tree smiled lightly as It softly shook Its head, “I cannot change her mind. I cannot change your mind. I cannot change any one’s mind. The best I can do is inspire the Children of Astra to change their own minds for the better. Sometimes I am successful.” The Tree sighed again as they looked off into the distance, “Sometimes I am not. My power grows weaker Daughter of the Night Sky. It grows weaker by the day. Ravi is doing all he can to keep me alive just a little bit longer, but it won’t be long before there is nothing even my darling Overseer can do.” The Tree’s tired expression suddenly quirked into a mischievous smile, “Though, as my power grows smaller, hers goes larger. Darin, Daughter of the Fields, is growing so much faster than my expectations that it is astounding. The Seed she carries is learning so quickly because it has such a good teacher, or rather the right teacher. That’s the trick you know; to be the right teacher. Your teacher was not a bad one. They were right for you. They would not be right for Darin. You do not need to be a better teacher; just the right one for your student. It is surprising how well a person will do with the correct instructor when compared to having the wrong instructor.” The Tree stepped impossibly close to Ridahne, “Remember that Ridahne Torzinei Seed-Chained.” It placed a hand on top of the Elf’s, “For now though I must let you go. Darin will be exhausted when she gets back to you. Make sure she gets some rest. You get rest as well. You both have an early and long day tomorrow.” The Tree pressed Its forehead against Ridahne’s, “You are doing wonderfully. I am so proud of you. No matter what happens always remember that.” The Tree lift Ridhane’s hand from Its Trunk, “I am always proud of you.”

[i]Darin! It’s time for you to go.

I’m sleepy. I’ll just stay here to sleep.

Haha. If you sleep here, you’ll regret it in the morning. You need a bed.

Sleepy!

Come now. Back to your body.

Okay. If I must.

You must. Remember that I love you.[/i]

Darin returned to her body and promptly stumbled and groaned. It took her all of two seconds to realize that she was impossible close to Ridahne. With half a shout she leapt backwards only to land ungracefully on her rear. There was more groaning. Her limbs felt impossibly heavy; like she had been swimming all day and had just now gotten out of the water except way worse. She wasn’t sure how to describe the feeling. Darin just knew that she ached all over and felt like there was a terrible weight on her body. The Seed burned against her thigh. That wasn’t pleasant but it wasn’t unpleasant either. Darin fell to her back as she stared up at The Leaves. She wasn’t sure that she ever wanted to do that again. It had been nice to travel all of Astra but coming back to her body left much to be desired. Darin wasn’t even sure it was her body. She slowly lifted a shaky hand above her head to look at it. It looked like her hand. She was tired beyond anything she had ever felt before. She just wanted to collapse even though she was already flat on her back.

As she dropped her hand she spoke, “Isn’t The Tree amazing? Unsettling; but a amazing.” She rolled to her side to look at Ridahne, “Are you alright? I know it can be a bit much to handle.”