"Where are the flowers, amma?" Zenith, a young Artianac, who looked that of an eagle for a head, talon-like hands, and folded wings, asked as she and her adopted mother looked outside at the random frost that still lingered.
"I wish I knew, my hin. The festival may be cancelled if this keeps up." The Forest Elf woman, named Cellica replied while trying to hide her fear.
"King Ornthalas and Queen Fylvief. I apologize on disturbing you at this hour, but---." A Forest Elf Guard stated when entering the grand throne room, but was interrupted by a gentle hand being raised in the air.
"We know of the frost. Oelia, the Goddess of the Sun and Anise, the Goddess of the Lands, are doing what they can to help us. They know there's more at stake than the Fertility and Love Festival to honor our Goddess Anurnel of Love and Ophine, the Goddess of Fertility." Queen Fylvief said in a soft, gentle tone.
The Guard gave an affirmative nod before continuing. "There are rumors the Alcea Hollyhocks and Roses are thriving south from here, but due to the increase of Forest Saber Tooth Tigers, there's no telling if we can get to them." He explained as King Ornthalas face became concerned. He knew how important the festival was to every one, especially his daughter, Princess Narilna since she would be passing down ancient scripts that only the royal family knew to her friends, who would pass along the information when the time came with their children.
"Hm, as much as I don't want to do this. Please gather your men and ask around Stoneguard if there's anyone willing to help with this matter. We need to do this before the Twin Suns set." The king finally said as felt a hand rest on his shoulder. "Are you sure this is wise, dear?" Queen Fylvief asked as she did not want to put anyone's life in danger for them. He glanced away from her while shaking his head. "It's not, but it is the only solution we have at this time." He said while dismissing the guard with his orders.
"So, then I said 'you need to get out of here before you regret it.'" Freydis, a tall woman, dressed in a simple black/red dress remarked while hanging out with a few fellow Guild members as they walked around Stoneguard. The guys he was with either laughed or rolled their eyes as they came across a panicked Forest Elf Guard. "I wonder what's going on with him? He seems distressed." A Odine, a humanoid feline, asked before heading over to see what the matter was.
"Hey, is everything alright?" Freydis asked as the man shook his head no.
"No, due to the frost that is still lingering here. The flowers we need for our festival cannot commence. I'm currently looking for some people who can possibly help with this matter." The guard replied.
The small group of thieves looked at one another then back at the guard. "We can help. Just tell us what you are looking for and we'll get it." Freydis offered as a small look of relief came to the man's wooden bronze face.
The guard let out a sigh as he explained they needed Alcea Hollyhocks and Roses to honor their Goddess and the Goddess of Fertility and where to find them. "We'll be back long before the suns set." Lapis said before she and the others headed towards the south entrance/exit of Stoneguard.
"I do question what has been going on as of recent. I mean with the weather. This isn't normal for us to still have frost or snow at this time of year." Sil, a Lirniidae, humanoid eagle, said as everyone else nodded in agreement. "It has been odd and hard on many people in this portion of the country. I've heard it's been a nightmare in the North, according to Amaruq, the Gauroku, a black-furred bipedal wolf man when he came back from visiting family with Aston." Freydis said.
"I thought he was disowned and banned from returning by everyone in his tribe for being gay and falling in love with a human man?" Sil remarked as Lapis rolled her emerald green eyes. "Not everyone was against it, you twit." She fired back. "Did I hit a nerve, again?" He said with a smirk as the two stared one another down.
"Knock it off you two. We don't have time for fur and feathers to fly today. Anyway, the point of the matter something is wrong with the weather and we should figure this out while getting the flowers." Freydis said as the two sighed and nodded in agreement.
As they traveled halfway through the dense forests of Corinine, they noticed how green and lush everything was compared to what was going on in their hometown. "Woah, I wonder why this area is unaffected." Lapis said as her eyes went wide. "I don't know, but we should be close to the area the guard explained the flowers should be." Freydis replied as Sil came back to where they were.
"There's a problem. A Forest Saber Tooth Tiger problem." The three of them stared at another with concern and fear. "Oh, great. It looks like someone forgot to tell us about that." Freydis exasperated while throwing up her hands in frustration. "Now, what are we supposed to do?" Sil asked as silence fell and a breeze blew past them with leaves and blossoms in the wind that caught Lapis' eye.
"Maybe we should head this way?" She said pointing to the trail of leaves and blossoms as the guys looked at one another with a raised eyebrow as Lapis ignored her comrades and went on ahead. "Hey! Wait for us!" The two shouted as before running after her.
After running for half a mile, they came across a field filled with Alcea Hollyhocks and Roses and various other flowers in large meadow clearing. The three gasped in awe as the beautiful smells of the plants danced around them. "Come on, we should gather as many as we can." Freydis said as she took a step forward.
"Stop!" A voice ordered as a Ninneaquit announced when the three attempted to gather the flowers. "What do you want with these blossoms? I can tell none of you are not a bug species nor a local from the area." Selene stated while folding her strange deer-like, bug arms as Freydis spoke. "We need some Alcea Hollyhocks and Roses for an important festival the Forest Elves hold each year, but due to the present lingering frost and snow the flowers haven't come up." She quickly explained as the others nodded in agreement.
Selene fell silent while processing the information. "I can give you some flowers, but will be for naught due to the frost and snow that still plagues your lands. You need to speak with Aethelwyne, the fairy queen, who lives a mile from here. She may be able to help and if she can then I can help you." She said as they gave her a nod and headed on their way.
"I knew it was too easy to find those blossoms." Lapis growled her breath as her silvery fur stood up in annoyance and frustration as a scowl came to her face. Freydis shook her head while letting out a sigh and running a reddish colored hand through her dark brown hair. "Seconded. But we should have realized this was not going to be easy." She replied as they came to find an old, semi ruined temple covered in vines.
"Is this the place? It can't be." Sil said as he got into a defensive position. He didn't trust the place and while he knew his companions could handled themselves; he still worried about their safety. "Stay on guard. I don't like this and I'd rather not see blood spill today." Sil cautioned as the two gave him a short nod in agreement before slowly making their way towards the ruins with their weapons drawn.
"Do not fret. For I am no threat." A female voice rang out as green glowing light appeared before them as a sound of a pop was hear soon after. A woman dressed in green and with translucent wings appeared before them with a warm smile. "I am Aethelwyne. My friend, Selene told me you'd be coming to see me. What can I do for you three?" Aethelwyne asked as Freydis took a step forward as Sil rested a talon-like hand on her shoulder with a look of 'proceed with caution.' She silently nodded to him before walking over to the fae.
"We need your assistance, Aethelwyne. Our town and the surrounding areas are plagued with frost and snow. Your friend Selene said you can help on driving away the cold. Besides the obvious of needing to grow food and take care of ourselves; we need to transport some flowers back for an important festival that's sacred to the Forest Elves." Freydis explained as a hidden smile crept across the fae's face.
"Sure. I can help with that, sweetie, but there's a price involved, as you must know by now." Aethelwyne said as Sil and Lapis got into a fighting stance. The two could tell something was amiss as the winds howled around them. "What is your price?" Freydis asked with hesitation as she could sense the same thing her friends were. Aethelwyne smile broadened as she floated over to the human woman and gently wrapped her into a hug. "Your soul." She whispered in Freydis' ear before kissing her passionately as a strange, eerie green light enveloped them.
"Freydis!" Sil and Lapis shouted in unison as they attempted to get to their friend, but before they could act it was too late. The woman, the thief, and warrior they once knew crumbled to the ground in a heap as the trickster laughed. "The snow and frost is gone, but so is your friend. Thank you for the meal!" Aethelwyne shouted as the two fled back to where the flowers were.
"Oh, gods. What happened?" Lapis sobbed as Sil's shook his head as he had a petrified gaze on his face. "I don't know. The only thing I know is we're never doing anything like this again. Come on, let's get the flowers and forget this whole nightmare." He said as they headed into the clearing with the flower meadow.
Sil and Lapis ignored Selene as they gathered as much as they could and headed back to Stoneguard where the guard was waiting.
"Hey, wasn't there three of you? What happened to her?" He questioned as the two remaining thieves shook their heads while handing them the flowers. "Sorry, mate. But we're not going to talk about that. We did what was tasked. I hope your festival goes without a hitch now." Sil replied as tears flowed down his cheeks as the two walked on by as the area warmed, but their hearts grew cold.
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