Aethelgard: Rootbound
Book 1 · The Dying Roots
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Page 43 · Deeper into the Reach
Caelan follows Elara deeper into Sylva's Reach. Beside the onward trail, she collects a small black-edged fern frond, wraps it in cloth and puts it in her belt pouch. They continue through the bright woodland.
CHAPTER 3. THE VERDANT WHISPERER. Caelan: We're bringing that? Elara: I want Sylphina to see it.
Page 44 · The Ancient Glade
Gigantic trees rise over flowers, clear natural pools and peaceful wildlife. A deer crosses close to the travelers without fear. Caelan pauses to let it pass while Elara guides him around the flowers.
Caelan: So this is the Ancient Glade. Elara: Mind the flowers.
Page 45 · A quiet keeper
Sylphina sits on a mossy stone beside a pool. A fox rests near her, and birds perch on the wooden fork of the Ironwood Scepter. The silver-haired elf calmly greets the travelers, having heard their approach.
Sylphina: I heard you two from the lower path. Caelan: I thought you were quiet. Elara: So did I.
Page 46 · No ceremony
Caelan is surprised by the Arch-Druid's peaceful, unguarded surroundings. Sylphina jokes gently about the contented fox. Elara grows serious, and Sylphina invites them to sit beside her.
Caelan: I thought there'd be guards. Sylphina: Would you like him to look stern? Elara: Sylphina. We found something. Sylphina: Sit with me.
Page 47 · The sample
Elara unwraps the damaged fern on the flat stone beside the pool. Caelan describes the stag, and Elara recounts the three distressed wolves. Sylphina listens closely as Caelan struggles with the memory.
Elara: From the valley, near a root vent. Caelan: There was a deer. Its antlers had grown into its head. Elara: Then three wolves. They could barely see us. Caelan: They kept coming.
Page 48 · Recognition
Sylphina examines the residue and crumbly stem with a small wooden probe over the cloth. Her relaxed expression changes to concern. Elara notices the recognition in her face.
Elara: You've seen this before.
Page 49 · Other groves
Sylphina admits she has seen similar damage elsewhere. Caelan looks around the apparently healthy glade. She folds the sample back into its cloth and returns it to Elara, then turns toward a nearby planting bed.
Sylphina: In other groves. Smaller patches. Caelan: But this place is still healthy. Sylphina: Most of it.
Page 50 · Among the flowers
Among the glade's healthy foliage, Sylphina reveals a small cluster of curled, dying leaves. Caelan and Elara crouch to inspect them. Sylphina invites the pair to see what lies below.
Sylphina: Come, I'll show you what worries me.
Page 51 · The protected door
A carved-stone doorway lies beneath the great tree's buttress near the pool. Sylphina lifts an ordinary wooden bar and opens it. She leads Elara and Caelan down the steps, keeping them on the stone path.
Sylphina: Stay on the stone.
Page 52 · Under the living wood
The stairs enter an airy ancient chamber lit by high shafts of daylight. A stone walkway passes beside an enormous healthy root. Near the stairs, a small protected cabinet and reading desk stand in a wall alcove. The travelers approach the observation edge.
Silent page.
Page 53 · Rot within
A full-page view reveals the enormous exposed root crossing the chamber. Most of its wood is healthy, but one section is blackened and split, exposing soft internal rot. The small figures on the stone walkway show its immense scale.
Silent full-page reveal.
Page 54 · The dying roots
Sylphina tells Caelan and Elara that the World Center Tree is dying. Their shock gives way to attention as she examines the softened wood and explains how the vents carry the effects of decay toward the surface.
Sylphina: The World Center Tree is dying. Sylphina: Its roots are decaying from within. Sylphina: The vents carry the effects to the surface.
Page 55 · What the roots sustain
Elara asks what caused the decay. Sylphina admits she does not know. She explains that failing roots could bring down the forests and rivers they sustain. Caelan silently absorbs the greater danger, his cheek still scratched.
Elara: What caused this? Sylphina: I don't know. Sylphina: If the roots fail, the forests and rivers they sustain will fail with them.
Page 56 · A possibility
Caelan asks whether the damage can be stopped. Sylphina pauses, looking between healthy wood and decay, then meets his eyes with cautious hope.
Caelan: Can it be stopped? Sylphina: There may be a way.
Page 57 · An old story
Sylphina moves to the reading alcove near the stairs and asks about the Fountain of Youth. Elara recognizes an immortality myth. Sylphina sets down her staff, opens the cabinet and takes out an old leather-bound botanical folio.
Sylphina: Have you heard of the Fountain of Youth? Elara: An immortality myth?
Page 58 · History's name
Over the open folio, Sylphina explains how legends can preserve forgotten history. Botanical drawings show damaged and restored plants. The writings describe regenerative water, and Caelan looks toward the huge root with a question.
Sylphina: Most legends are simply history that survived long enough to forget its name. Sylphina: These writings describe water that restores damaged living things. Caelan: Even something this big?
Page 59 · The Firstspring
Sylphina believes the water could help the tree, though they still need to find it. She names the Firstspring, closes the folio and carries it up the same stairs with her scepter. Elara and Caelan follow her back to the glade.
Sylphina: I believe it could help the tree. Caelan: Then where is it? Sylphina: That is what we need to discover. Sylphina: Its oldest name is the Firstspring.
Page 60 · Three travelers
Back beside the glade's pool, Caelan assumes Sylphina is sending them on the search. She packs the folio into a travel satchel and takes her scepter. Her reply surprises him, earning a dry look from Elara. The three stand together as an adventuring party.
Caelan: Where do you want us to go? Caelan: You're coming? Sylphina: Did you expect me to let you two save the world unsupervised?