"Yes, that should do" the stallion replied after assessing the grip on the chest. The compliment was mostly ignored, met with little more than a wry grin - the kind of smile you get from someone not quite accustomed to handling compliments, who don't quite agree but doesn't care to argue.

With a slightly deeper breath and a quick flick of a tail to chase away a few buzzing insects, the craftsman soon closed the eyes again and returned to his task. It was only the final stage left, but it might also prove to be the trickiest.

Very, very carefully, Lace began to separate the wood of the box from the wood of the trees. It was always trickier to make something retract than to make it grow, for reasons he couldn't quite grasp. The entire process had to be reversed, and it required concentration on a whole new level.
Most of the day had been spent on this piece, and with the slowly setting sun touching the horizon, there was a faint 'pop' as the chest finally came loose from the last fiber, suddenly turning heavy in the grasp of the tiger-horse's tail. It was a weight of life, for in a way the box they had made was still ver much living. Grown from trees that now slowly was restored to their former appearance, the container would retain its fresh hues, its dewy surface - and should it be returned to the earth, Lace wouldn't have been surprised to find it sprouting. But what kind of tree it might make, that he didn't know. Perhaps a tree entirely new to the world? Perhaps Father Earth would know.

Once the bark on the mother trees had returned and not a trace of the incision could be found, the Glazier backed away with a sigh and stepped over to Tingal to inspect his work. After making sure that the lid would open and close properly, that the motif was as it should and that nothing was askew, he finally nodded in approval and returned it to the other stallion.

"There you go. Take that to Father Earth along with my greeting and regards, and see if he approves of your participation in the crafting of this chest. I couldn't do much to teach you the process, but perhaps it was enough to fulfill your quest..."

He was almost tempted to follow the youngster back to the Veins to see the reaction of the God when beholding the artwork, but the Edge needed his presence. If Tingal didn't require anything more from him, he would await the return of his dragon and then begin the journey back home.


[Hope this helped you in your quest! The motif I described look something similar to this only with cherry trees, and in the center a rock with the tigers on it. It covers the lid and has the roots of the trees and flowers continuing down all four sides. The hinges are hidden so they don't show - when closed, the chest look like its a solid block of wood.]