Zuriel had earned her distrust and dislike of the bard, and he simply bore it as he did the disdain of others, though he granted her more right to it. With others he might argue and try to sway them back to a rosier opinion, but he knew better than to try and change her mind, as with her bonded, and he accepted them as they were.
The machinations of gods and the reasons for what they asked for were always a mystery, so Jigano simply nodded acceptance of the list of leaves, assuming they would have some deeper meaning once they were in a goddess's hands. He paused to examine the jar, interest perking as he reached back to rest a hand on his own satchel, a thoughtful hum coming from him for a moment. Actually... if we get the chance, I'd like to commission you, if you'd be willing. Something like that, but enchanted to keep what's inside it fresh. It would make it easier to bring back samples for study and drawing. As he was doing today, assuming that he'd need to dry and press the leaves and flowers he'd gathered, and use the berries or preserve them in some fashion. That... might be a good gift for Amalia as well, he added as he stood, scooping up Isuma into the crook of his arm and stroking her back soothingly. Something to keep berries fresh year-round for her autumn and winter baking.
Because if this worked, and Deimos's prayer to the goddess succeeded, she would be back on her feet sooner rather than later.
He nodded to the General and led the way back from whence he'd come, moving slowly as he picked his path and thought back to the plants he had passed. Soon enough they came across one that had begun to wilt from Longheat's drought - just as a rabbit bounded away with its last leaf. The bard grimaced, sending a pulse of apology back through the bond as he knelt to touch the plant. He then shifted his hand to a nearby patch of dry soil and used his earth magic to create another, this one with all its leaves attached...
And almost disgustingly healthy. He sat back on his haunches, then tilted a raised brow at the General. Can you graze it with your life drain magic? he asked hopefully.
The machinations of gods and the reasons for what they asked for were always a mystery, so Jigano simply nodded acceptance of the list of leaves, assuming they would have some deeper meaning once they were in a goddess's hands. He paused to examine the jar, interest perking as he reached back to rest a hand on his own satchel, a thoughtful hum coming from him for a moment. Actually... if we get the chance, I'd like to commission you, if you'd be willing. Something like that, but enchanted to keep what's inside it fresh. It would make it easier to bring back samples for study and drawing. As he was doing today, assuming that he'd need to dry and press the leaves and flowers he'd gathered, and use the berries or preserve them in some fashion. That... might be a good gift for Amalia as well, he added as he stood, scooping up Isuma into the crook of his arm and stroking her back soothingly. Something to keep berries fresh year-round for her autumn and winter baking.
Because if this worked, and Deimos's prayer to the goddess succeeded, she would be back on her feet sooner rather than later.
He nodded to the General and led the way back from whence he'd come, moving slowly as he picked his path and thought back to the plants he had passed. Soon enough they came across one that had begun to wilt from Longheat's drought - just as a rabbit bounded away with its last leaf. The bard grimaced, sending a pulse of apology back through the bond as he knelt to touch the plant. He then shifted his hand to a nearby patch of dry soil and used his earth magic to create another, this one with all its leaves attached...
And almost disgustingly healthy. He sat back on his haunches, then tilted a raised brow at the General. Can you graze it with your life drain magic? he asked hopefully.
