Healing Arden
8/15/2010
Some would say Eastgate was destroyed by the Warden's fire; others would lay the root cause of destruction on the Black Road for making that fire necessary. None would argue that the once-prosperous forest town is now nothing more than so much char and corruption. The trees have been burnt back, making it easier to keep watch, and it's from the edge of the treeline that Eric can be seen. He uniform is black, his horse is white and huge, and he is not without a small escort of rangers who appear to be making a camp. A camp that includes the creation of earthworks and wooden spikes set at a certain angle. Both the camp and the Warden-pro tem can be found easily enough if one were seeking them out specifically.
Quina's made her way to this part of Arden, though not on horseback. She's outfitted for this sort of travel, in pants rather than a skirt. Arriving near Eastgate, she has no trouble at all finding either camp or the man she's looking for. Catching the attention of one of the rangers, she asks him to forward to Eric a request for some of his time.
When the man in mottled shades of the forest delivers the request, Quina is not kept waiting long. Eric turns his horse back to the camp and dismounts, having Quina lead to the area in front of his own tent. There's a pit dug for a fire, ringed in stone, but no flame yet.
Despite that she's obviously been traveling on foot, Quina looks pretty tidy. She doesn't even seem to have been perspiring much. When she's led over and when he's nearer, she bows respectfully to him and waits patiently.
Eric finishes reading some scrap of paper one of the rangers handed him. "Lady Quina," he says, turning his dazzling smile and blue eyes on to her, "you are a long way from Mandrake lands."
Quina rises, then nods to him. "I am, your Majesty." she replies in her usual calm, even tone. "But I travel throughout Arden quite a bit." She glances towards the destroyed lands and frowns, then looks back to him. "I had a conversation recently I felt should be shared with you."
Eric remains standing. There are no chairs, but there's wood that could be used for such a purpose. "Then let us hear it," he says, resting his large, strong hands on his hips, right at the top of his broad belt.
Quina looks perfectly comfortable remaining standing, one hand over the other in front of her. "I spoke with the woman Asa, who calls herself a goddess. I believe she intends to return when she feels powerful enough, to try to 'rebalance' Arden towards Chaos."
Eric's smile doesn't fade in the least. "That upstart doesn't remember the power had by those with the right to be called a goddess. Halfbreed, and half as strong." There's clearly derision to be heard in his tone, and the laughter. "How long before she feels she is ready to begin her efforts?"
Quina nods to him. "Had she been a true goddess, King Oberon would have destroyed her along with the rest when he was cementing his and Amber's place and power." she replies, sounding pretty certain of it. "She did not indicate when this would be, unfortunately."
Eric makes a "follow me" gesture and turns to walk towards the edge of the encampment. He strides up the small hill created by the earthworks so he can look at the ruins of Eastgate some more as they speak. "Is she one of my brother's now, or merely one twisted by the Road's influence?"
Quina follows quietly, then looks over the ruins again and frowns. She actually looks a little ill. "She has taken Chaos into herself, and is affiliated with Banyan. I must think then she belongs to either your brother or Dara." She looks away from Eastgate, and back to him.
"For this purpose, it ammounts to the same thing. His or Hers, I care not at the moment." Eric turns his regard away from the devestation and back towards Quina. "How many do you know that are like yourself? Strong willed, skilled in the erudition of nature?"
Quina considers the question. "Very few as skilled, your Majesty." she replies. "Obviously, there are some very talented men among the Rangers. And some among the Weir, of course."
Eric mms. "Let's say more skilled than most, even if they haven't your skill. Do you know more than a few?"
Quina says "I know several, I'd say."
A single nod comes. "Then I have a patient for your, Mandrake," Eric says to Quina. "Gather those as you find proper for the task, but make a study of this sickness that infests Arden." He gestures to the burnt waste, as if Quina needed reminding of it. "See if you cannot find some cure for it; if you and yours cannot nature life back to the way it should be."
Quina arches an eyebrow slightly as she listens to him. "Do you believe there is a way to truly remove the taint from Arden? I would certainly invest my time in that. I've... recently become more aware of the web of life. How it inter-connects, and how to tell when it is out of balance in a place. It might be useful, in parts of Arden where it's harder to see anything wrong."
"I think there is," Eric says. "From all that I can see, the Road corrupts. What more is a corruption than an infection, and those can be fought. You made a tree grow for me once where it shouldn't have. Do it again. Eastgate needs to be restored, and while I might move it, to use the lines of power that already flow here would be better if we can. Start here. I'll provide what resources you need."
Quina's thoughts are obviously deeply on the hows of this now, and she nods slightly. "I will set to work immediately, of course." There's certainly little doubt of her devotion to helping Arden. "It will take time, but if it's possible, I will see it done." she promises him.
Eric nods. "Keep me informed of your progress. The rangers will see to your safety." He starts to turn and stops himself, a hand lifted to grasp her shoulder. He doesn't say thank you, but he does try to convey that with the touch.
Quina nods to him twice. Once to keeping him informed, and then to the gesture, which she obviously understands.