[PQ] A mile in my shoes

// the only heaven i'll be sent to —

They make pretty quick progress on getting the handfuls of mud put around them for creating that barrier that he hopes the flame can’t pass over. But he can tell it’s getting closer, now that bits and pieces of ash are starting to float around and the intense scent of smoke is suddenly everywhere. Thorn’s nose wrinkles as he follows Zavien’s advice, tearing a little piece of his own clothing to wet in the river and place over his mouth and nose.

He takes a second to survey everything they’d done before he looks back at Zavien, seafoam gaze a touch darkened with worry. “Better safe than sorry, right?” He asks, reaching for the Accepted’s hand to pull him into the river with him, hunching (or crouching) down a little to try and keep as low as possible. Hot air rises and all that, right? He remains prepped and ready in case any smoke starts to really come their way, focusing on trying to use his air manipulation again to get the worst of it away from them.

---

Thorn agrees with Zavien and once they’re in the river, he crouches a little and preps his air magic to try and keep the worst of the smoke away from them when it comes their way!

thorn

— is when i'm alone with you //

The smoke had been the first thing that the scouts noticed as the fireline moved towards them. They might have been able to outrun it for a short while, but the fire raced across the dry meadow and prairie as fast as a man could sprint, only without the need to rest. It would have overtaken them eventually as it was overtaking the second thing they noticed.

A hoard of small animals fled ahead of the blowing smoke, leaping over the little river and the men in it, or else swimming past them and occasionally bumping or brushing against them in their panic to escape. The scouts had chosen the river just in time; less than a minute after they sank down into it the blaze arrived at their firebreak, crackling and burning the dry Leafchange grasses outside of the mud line swiftly down to ash but keeping the heat far enough at bay to protect them. Hawthorn's air magic was able to push the worst of the smoke up and away, circulating enough clean air up from the water's surface that they could breathe, and Zavien's suggestion to wrap their faces with wet cloth protected them from the little that got through the courtesan's magic. Between them, they were able to prevent themselves from suffering any damage.

In the bog, the digging team noticed the smoke far out on the horizon and a worried Tal sent his dragon to check on the scouts. The pale dragon would find them emerging from the river when the ground was cool enough to walk on again. She landed, taking time to snorfle them both - and sneezing at the residual smoke on their clothes - to make sure they were unhurt before she headed back to report to her companion.

Meanwhile, Tal and the diggers continued to build, finally reaching the end of the bog and getting back to the unexpectedly easier job of building the road through the meadowlands again. Their pace increased significantly once they were back on dry land and morale improved!

An unexpected benefit from the prairie fire was that the scouts could now clearly see any difficulties with the terrain, allowing them to move much faster. As the second day drew to a close it quickly became apparent that the time lost in building through the bog would soon be regained when the digging crew reached the fire scar.

---

The next several days passed without incident as the road progressed along the trail marked by the scouts. They passed out of the fire scar and back into the meadows as they neared the Queen's Gambit and the time came to turn north, but a final obstacle lay in their path: a large field of Cursed Daisies stretched out before them, right where the terrain looked easiest for the road to Mourn. The flowers bobbed malevolently in the breeze, purple-black flowers dying as the season came to a close and releasing an unsettling stench of corruption and decay that sapped the will and left those who got close to them feeling fearful and anxious.

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Round 5:
Depending on how you deal with the Cursed Daisies, this is either the final round or the second to last one!

There is no 'right' answer; creative solutions are welcome! Alternatively, the 'safe' way to deal with it would be to go around it, though that will take the road team extra days.

There is no posting order!

Cursed Daisies (Common): Once the calming Sweetgrass, these void-corrupted daisies emit an unsettling aura. Instead of attracting pollinators, they draw in void insects that feed on the life force of anything nearby. Their sickly-sweet scent now conceals the stench of void decay.

Zavien

The smoke billowed over them as they crouched in the rushing water. It chilled his legs, but the heat of the flames nearby kept him warm and on edge. Luckily, Hawthorn's magic was holding up and their masks kept out the rest of the smoke. However, the smell was still overwhelming and the small particles irritated his eyes. After hours of huddling, they deemed it safe to exit, assessing the damage of the area. The scorched earth was barren and black, some parts still smoking with smoldering bits of charred grass. At least the digging crew wouldn't have to worry about clearing the way.

Zavien looked to Hawthorn and removed his mask to show a giant grin plastered to his face. "Nice work! I feel like we've bonded really well by cramming together." He patted the man on the back and went straight back to work as if the fire had never occurred.

As the next few days passed, Zavien reveled in the simplicity of their travel. No other obstacles appeared and the weather was perfect for travel, although it was starting to chill with the approaching Deepfrost. He bundled up and set out to find a path to their destination.

The last stretch of land ahead was unassuming and the terrain was optimal for their road. Yet he felt depressed. Strange. Am I not happy for the easier task? What could be causing these unnatural feelings? He took a moment to consider his emotions and motives, continuing to take in the sickly-sweet smell of the flora around him. Zavien had a deep fear and unease settling in his chest. Something isn't right.

He turned away from the path and retreated to a point behind to recalibrate. As he did so, the negative feelings dissipated and his usual optimism returned. His smile didn't though, as his confusion and worry increased. Was it something to do with the change in grass? Perhaps Hawthorn would know.

Zavien approached him and voiced his troubled thoughts, "The path ahead gives me a bad vibe. There's something unnatural going on there and it wouldn't do well to try pushing through. Have you heard of any flora that induces feelings of depression and anxiety? Can we do a control burn to clear the path?" His brow furrowed and he again looked to the diggers with protective concern.

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Zavien suggests a controlled burn of the area. (Since they have so much experience with fire now!)

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.