The cave-in was pretty severe. The worst part was, magic was risky in this region. Lilbit had managed to squeeze out through cracks. Surprisingly, tail in the air all smug, Cat returned, with the sound of anxious diggers to be heard outside the cave. -- Anon Guest
Wudzgaad are the oddities of Faekindred. They can walk between worlds with but a thought. They never ask for names because they don't see the need for them. They go about their business and remain largely undisturbed by life as it's lived by others.
Call this one... Branch.
She was communing with the bumblebees when the cat came scurrying up to her. A luxuriously fluffy and pampered pet, howling in anguish. Tail high. She could recognise a friendly soul, and knew that Wudzgaad could easily speak with animals.
Speaking with animals was a tremendously useful skill.
"Help us! Help! My feedme is trapped! Rocks fell! Big noise. Danger, danger, danger!"
It was a rarity for a Wudzgaad to run. They generally accept life and fate as it arrives, but life was in peril. If there was one thing a Wudzgaad valued above all, it was life in all its diversity.
There was so much stone and debris in the way that Branch had to use the leyflow to find... One Elf, one Kobold... one Hellkin and one D'varuh. All in varying stages of consciousness.
She could not heat the stone to move it out of the way. So she took advantage of the trees. Using their roots to shift and fortify the stone away from the abused bodies. All without straining the trees involved.
Only once it was clear to access, did Branch crawl in to see to the injured. The most hurt first, of course, each one hauled out into the sunshine and less dangerous air. All four were heavy and awkward to move. The cat snuggled down with the Elf, once ze was free of the excavation.
Branch devoted herself to ensuring the rescuing trees had good water and nutrition before she settled to watch over her patients.
That was the moment she realised that she'd just rescued Wraithvine and hir current adventuring crew.
That was one life preserved that would pay the privilege forward for a time immeasurable. She had plenty of time to absorb the magnanimity of her actions.
When Wraithvine woke, ze found Branch contemplating her own hands, agog. Ze added a little magic when ze said, "Calm yourself." Then said normally, "You've done good work today. Be proud of your efforts."
"It's really true," said Branch, still amazed with her own fingers. "You really can change the world, with two kind hands."
"One life at a time," agreed Wraithvine.
[Photo by Nsey Benajah on Unsplash]
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