Petals and thorns

The Sovereign had made her will known—Obscura would be expanding its domain into the neighboring Redbud Nook. But to do so, they would need to be sure the land was worth taking. Several teams had been sent out to scout out the territory and accomplish a specific goal. Satira was leading the healers' team, and their task was simple: find as many healing or poisonous plants to justify staking claim on the land. So, in the warm spring morning, the little wolf-dog led her team across Obscura's borders and into the brightly colored woods.

The cherry blossom trees were all in bloom, their distinct and vivid pink petals drifting from branches to sway in the breeze like rosy snow. The soil under her paws was soft and loamy; a testament to its fecundity thanks to the eruption years ago. What had once been destroyed by lava was now a thriving woodland of lush vegetation. Life sprung back from death. Poetic. As Tira led the group through the trees, she paused to look back at the three that had accompanied her. "Our job today is to see how many kinds of beneficial plants we can find here. Scylla wants to be sure this land is worth taking," she explained to the group. "Keep your eyes peeled for anything worthwhile. It doesn't have to be healing herbs either; poisonous plants are just as useful. When you find something, be sure to gather up some samples of it so we can bring it back home with us."

"Satira"