The tree did not think it could be prouder of the motley crew that instantly rose to the defense of their gathered supplies. Most of them did, at any rate, but he couldn’t blame Bathsheba for being wary of the birds and the fire that were suddenly surrounding her. Matheo’s fire trees were extremely effective - the small creatures shying away from the destructive force of fire, something they had become all too accustomed to during the harsh Tallsun. Arakh proved his bravery by standing between the flaming trees and brandishing his horn to encourage the critters to stay away.

They were thieves but they were still flesh and bone, after all.

Everyone else joined in - one of the colts shifting into a dragon, the scaled mare swatting at the birds that pestered her. Erebos’ magic was effective at freezing the birds and chipmunks and then flinging them away, after which they scampered off. Charging the large creatures was one thing, dealing with magic was entirely different. Even young Gemini and Macaria joined the fight, frightening off creatures with kicks and sparks respectively. Sabre called forth a wall of thorny vines and the tree had to admit he thoroughly approved of the use of vines over fire. Aisling wove her magic too, creating an illusion of electric mist to keep the critters back and the rabbits and squirrels scattered instead of testing the sparks they saw there.

Even the badger was unnerved! They had expected this to be an easy fight, a chance to win more food to fill their already-stuffed bellies, but it certainly was not. The not-so-fearless leader hissed but crouched low to the ground at Virga’s attack, wary of the colt, and was chased off a moment later when Astarot joined the black colt in the fight. The prickly branches of the spruce got a good whack in as the black creature retreated, just for good measure.

After seeing their leader flee, the rest of the animals followed suit. The ground was littered with berries and nuts and the things gathered but, fortunately, the majority of what the kind horses had gathered was still there.

The badger and his cronies were beaten!

The tree sighed with relief, calming down and returning to its former state. If it could, it might smile at those gathered before it now - whether they thought it right to fight off the thieves for the sake of other animals or not, they had all pitched in. First, though, the fires needed to be addressed. The tree didn't know how much control the grey colt had of them but they could not be allowed to continue to burn. “If you’ll kindly put those fires out, that’d be great.” It gestured its branches towards Matheo before taking on the group more generally. The almost-eyes of the bark seemed to shift between them all as its kind voice rang out. “It is a shame there is only one egg to reward you all with today, you all fought bravely. Thank you for defending the food that you gathered.” The tree said kindly, its branches sweeping upward again to reveal the egg once more. “I am in your debt. If you wish, you may eat one berry before you and it will keep your bellies full for the next week.” Ah yes! The tree knew a little bit about magic itself.

Now, it had to choose. How aggravating that it had rather come to like them all! It was like picking a favourite spruce cone, they were all too wonderful. But, just as it secretly favoured the little cone growing five feet down from the tip of its crown, on the eastern side, the tree could pull a choice from the group of horses.

Its branches swept towards the illusion-weaving fae. “I trust this egg to you, Aisling. Defend it with your life and care for it with your heart.” Boughs moved aside so the mare would be able to approach and retrieve the egg without encountering the prickly needles.


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note: the extra roll that DT won for being herd champs in September was taken into account

Congratulations to AISLING!!
Please post in character records once your companion has hatched!
randomized list

Everyone else may eat one berry and not feel hungry in posts for the next RL week!

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