goin on adventure

Spriggan felt excitement stir in her belly, though it mixed with nerves as she woke that morning. Today was the day she was going out on her own to find herbs. All by herself. Though, that wasn’t entirely true because Prose would be there with her the whole time. She awoke early, the sun was barely over the horizon, she had a quick breakfast, kissed her mommy goodbye, and the little girl with the white raven were out the castle doors.

Unless Spriggan wanted an escort they weren’t meant to go very far, but the Hallows were a big place and would surely prove fruitful if they looked hard enough in pack lands. Her tiny paws scurried along the yellowed grass, and the cold chill hit her hard, but the girl was determined. She carried along a sack with her, perhaps bigger than necessary but she was quite overconfident in her ability to find her first herbs.

Right outside the castle walls Spriggan would find her first treasure, though incredibly common and not likely even needed, Sprig correctly identified Dandelion. They seemed to bloom and grow in pretty much any Austerian season. Every part of the plant was usable so Spriggan carefully used her tiny paws to dig into the ground and bring up the whole plant, roots and all. Hopefully that would keep the leaves and the flowers fresh so she could process the plant more easily upon their return to the castle. Prose gave a proud, and slightly sad, little crack at Spriggan’s accomplishment. She had no idea her father’s first harvested plants had been dandelion as well.

She continued on, and despite the cold the girl found more flowers. This time Marigold. Like her Aunt Gwynevere had shown her in the greenhouse! She wondered if these were from the seeds of the plants from Gwyn’s gardens. She knew that if she just harvested the flowers they would continue to regrow and she could come back here and harvest if they ever got low on the marigolds. Prose flew down and landed next to the tiny girl to help in the harvest. Her sharp beak helped to snap the long stems, Spriggan carefully placed the flowers in her bag with the large dandelion plant.

Spriggan’s blue and lavender eyes lifted to Prose, and though the raven couldn’t offer much of a facial expression she looked particularly proud at the tiny pup. Sprig grinned as she packed away the plants, trying to remember to mark this spot for the next time she wanted to hunt down more marigold. With a delicate paw she patted her knapsack and returned it to her shoulder so that she and Prose could continue on their journey. Mostly the pair of them stayed close to the outer castle walls, Sprig knew she wouldn’t be able to get lost if she stayed alone the edge here. Plus there was plenty of plant life to explore along the edge. However difficult it was to navigate at times. There were plenty of young trees that had grown up and disturbed the base of the walls. Leading to a few holes that she could see the courtyards within.

Eventually Prose nudged her to stray away from the walls, there was much more to be seen especially if they wandered closer to the water's edge. There was one more plant that Spriggan knew well and that was the bark of the white willow. With her blue and lavender eyes peeled Spriggan continued, though it would not be long before she began to tire and would need a break. She was young but more than that she was quite tiny. She did not have the endurance of a larger or more mature wolf. Still, determination was quite the drug, and she would continue.

The grasses began to grow taller and Prose had listed into the sky to help guide the tiny girl from the air. She could not see anything in front of her but she could see Prose gently gliding above her. Leading her to a very special tree. There were not many in this part of the world, and the one that Prose had found for her was still quite young. Finally Spriggan beheld the young willow.

A grin spread over her tiny maw as she parted the grass and carefully surveyed the little tree. This would be her most delicate harvest yet, and she wouldn’t be able to take much. Very careful she collected a small branch. With any luck she could bring it home for her aunt Gwyn to plant and grow back in the castle. She worked carefully with Prose’s help, and eventually was able to pry it from the trunk.

Success! She carefully put the still living branch in her bag, they had to get back soon if it was going to root. At least they could use the bark if it did not!


"Spriggan Carpathius"