The sun steadily rose in the lightening sky, casting World’s Edge in a watery brightness.
The flaxen-haired elf stood motionless as the constable began to read out their instructions.
“So. You three are to work out why the wheat fields aren’t growing as well as they usually do. Then, remedy the problem. That’s all.”
Faerynne blinked. That’s all!?
“Isn’t this more of a job for a farmer? Or botanist?” She ventured.
The constable smirked, shrugged, and walked away. Prick, she thought to herself, grumpily.
The ocean-eyed girl tossed her curls over one shoulder, and bobbed a polite curtsey to the others.
“Morning all. I am Selinewyn, and I suggest we just get on with the task at hand.”
“I agree” piped up another voice. Faerynne looked over and saw a tall elf with straw-coloured hair and eyes green as forest moss.
“I’m Bronlas” he continued, “and I’ve got better places to be than this, so let’s get it over with.”
Faerynne nodded, bowed, and spoke her name aloud. Then, the trio turned to trudge east towards the wheat fields.
I have no idea what I’m doing.
Faerynne stared at the deep, brown soil, and felt as if it stared back at her, equally as dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Selinewyn had pulled out a few stalks of grain and was examining the indentation in the ground they left behind. Bronlas stood with her, watching with interest.
“Roots look boggy” he commented.
The azure-eyed elf smiled. “Then, I think we have found our problem. Now for the solution. You, Faerynne - get over here.”
Faerynne felt her mouth going dry once again and, felt rather foolish as she pottered up to where the duo were standing.
“You’re storm, yes? We are both earth. I have an idea, but we’ll need to work together for this.” At that, Selinewyn began to describe her master plan.
The sun was high in the sky at noon, and birds circled the crops from above, only deterred by the rather cross looking scarecrows dotted about the fields.
The three sorcerers were hard at work. First, Faerynne pulled excess water from the soil using her hydrokinesis. Next, the earthen duo used their skills to quickly redistribute and settle the ground, tucking roots under a protective cover of good, brown soil. The labour took hours thanks to the group only being able to treat one small area of crops at a time. However, finally, as the sun set over the imposing verdant trees of the dense forest beyond, they had finished.
The trio trudged back towards town, mightily exhausted. The earthen duo retreated back to their respective towers, whilst Faerynne dragged her feet towards the residential district.
Arriving home, she immediately kicked off her shoes, and threw herself onto the simple oaken bed. Pristine white sheets instantly became mud-and-grass stained, and she sighed. I‘ll need to change these now. But first, a bath.
Sinking into the warm mass of bubbles and water was absolute bliss after the hard day’s labour. Faerynne had soon scrubbed herself clean, and was cleansing her long flaxen hair with a sweet shampoo with a floral scent. She felt quite well in herself, really, until she heard a loud knocking on the front door.
Can’t I even use the bathroom in peace!?
Drying herself off hastily, and grabbing a fluffy white dressing gown from its hook behind the door, she put it on and raced to the front door to see… Selinewyn. Of course.
Immediately, Faerynne blushed deeply, and folded her hands in front of her chest.
“… I was having a bath” she stammered.
Selinewyn looked at her cooly, blue eyes betrayed no hint of what was going on behind them. “Yes, I can see that. The townsfolk are pleased with what we’ve done for the fields. The village head gave us some coin for our efforts. Here’s your part.”
With that, she outstretched a hand fulled with a few gleaming silver-and-gold coins. Faerynne took them in her own hand, self-consciously trying not to brush Selinewyn’s skin too much with her own. And, also, to not let her dressing gown come undone by holding the cord tightly with her other hand…
With a bow, Selinewyn left her alone in the doorway. Shutting the creaking door tightly closed, Faerynne let out a groan and slumped to the floor.
Why am I so weird?
The rest of the evening passed uneventfully enough, and soon Faerynne was fast asleep in fresh, crisp new white sheets. She dreamed long, complex dreams about towers, and stormy seas. And bright blue ocean-eyes gleaming in the gathering gloom.
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