B01DCAV4W2 (S) by Aleron Kong

air.  Richter was well familiar with the sprites’ wood craft and concealment abilities, but it still took him by surprise.  “I thought you all left with Hisako to hunt the eater queen,” he said.
    One of the sprites bowed his head respectfully, “The Hearth Mother did not feel comfortable leaving Queen Elora without protection.  She has bonded with the Quickening and is vulnerable until she finishes the current life cycle.” 
    Richter nodded.  He had been wondering why he hadn’t seen the pixie queen since coming back to the village.  “Do we know how long until the… life cycle, is complete?” he asked.
    “Queen Elora seemed to think that it would take two months, but she admitted that she had never heard of a pixie bonding to a celestial tree before,” the same sprite answered.
    “So really we have no idea then,” Richter said.  “Where is she physically?”
    The other sprite gestured with one hand, “This way, Lord Richter.”
    Richter was led right up to the helical trunk of the Quickening.  The sprite pointed up within the core of the tree.   He could see a delicate cocoon of spun silver, matching the trunk.  His gaze continued upward, past the trunk, and into the canopy above.  He could see smaller silver cocoons hanging from all of the branches.  There were also small hanging fruit.  They were round like pomegranates, but were green in color.  When Richter focused on one he received a prompt.
    You have found: Immature fruit of the Quickening.
    Richter cast Far Light to better see the canopy above.  The sight was as beautiful as it was before.  He smiled, just enjoying the peaceful aura of the Quickening.  He turned back to thank the sprites for their diligence, but they had already activated their concealment ability again.  He didn’t know where they could have hidden, but it didn’t change the fact that they were nowhere to be found.  He said out loud, “Keep up the good work,” then walked out from beneath the canopy. 
    Against the northern cliff face was an oiled tarp draped over a wooden frame.  Richter peeked underneath before dropping the cover back down.  He nodded in appreciation to Randolphus, and said, “Good work.  Now let’s check the pastures and farmland.”
    Richter and Randolphus walked back down the hill to the village. They moved to the gate in the wall and then walked across the log drawbridge.  The land allocated for farming was outside of the village walls.  It was obviously less secure, but the amount of land needed made farming inside of the village less than feasible.  Armed villagers patrolled the boundaries of the farmland and the grassy areas allocated for pastures. 
    Everything looked like it was going well.  To be sure, he spoke with all of the farmers.  Outside of a request for more Mist Workers, they seemed satisfied that everything was as it should be.  That task completed, he started walking back into the village proper.  He sent a mental call to Futen and before long, the remnant floated up to him.  He told Futen to have the mist workers dig a trench around the farmland and pastures.  He also decided to have the trees cleared back for several hundred yards around both.  His villagers simply didn’t have enough protection at present.  He wouldn’t forgive himself if a quick monster attack cost the life of one of his villagers.  The remnant agreed with his customary deadpan tone of voice. 
    Richter had spoken to everyone that he needed to.  His responsibilities as leader of the village were completed for the moment, and now it was time for him to attend to something he had been putting off for a while.  This seemed like as good a time as any.  Richter turned to walk through the village and back to the catacombs.  It was time to find out what was down that stairway.
    Before he had gone more than a step or two however, Randolphus cleared his throat loudly.  When Richter looked at him, the chamberlain tapped his nose then