It has been rather rainy since Auntie Ember left, dear reader. I have been enjoying the gentle sounds of the raindrops pattering against my window panes… Rainy days are good for working indoors. I sit here ready with a warm cup of tea, at my table, for along with my regular remedies and such, I have a special plan in mind. You see, earlier this week, Lorenz and I made another expedition into the forest. We did not find the giant, but I do not think that the day was spent in vain, quite the contrary. While we were unable to accomplish our goal, it did give me the idea I’m working on now, and I took the opportunity that day to show Lorenz something I have been meaning to for quite some time.
Oh goodness, it was not raining hard that day, really it was just a heavy mist, but after a few hours of searching we were both nearly soaked through. Lorenz tried not to show it on his face, but I could tell he was very disappointed. “Well, Miss Sonya,” he said to me, “it seems our attempts may be forlorn.” I tried to comfort him, but he hung his head. “This forest… ”, he said “the Aumbra —or Greenwood, as you call it in the south— is so vast. It borders most of the kingdom’s eastern region. How are we to know where the next stone giant might be? It could be as far north as Alvena!” He sighed, then joked that perhaps he needed me to mix up a remedy for him, perhaps Determination or Perseverance, something to spark his hope again.
Well, a remedy was certainly something I could do. That would take some time, but his words had brought a different idea to mind. I told him to follow me. Of course he asked where we were going, and I said “wait and see” as I led him deeper into the forest. I was uncertain if they would still be there but… yes, they were there! The grove with the pale mushrooms was unchanged, and since the day was dark, their greenish glow was plainly seen.
Lorenz stepped forward silently, the damp green moss cushioning his steps. I would have expected him to ask me questions or try to understand how it could be, as he so often does with the magic of the forest, but he did not. He simply stood there quietly, gazing upon the strange and lovely sight. Then turned around and smiled at me. I reminded him of what he had asked me at the faire, how it was that I could be so certain we would find the giant. I told him of my time in the forest, how I had come to know its ways; it shared things in its own time, when it was ready… when one was ready. I had spent my whole life wondering about my past; a few months of searching seemed very small to me. These woods had so far done nothing but give me hope. And even if, for some reason, we did not find what we sought, I couldn’t see how any time spent amongst these trees was ever wasted, not with all the wonders they held.
While I do think my words and seeing the glowing mushrooms helped, I still want to make a special remedy for my friend. My plan is to take this Hope remedy Auntie Ember and I created, and alter some specifically for Lorenz. Already the two of us have helped each other unravel some of the forest’s mysteries, and I am so glad; we make a good team. But, dear reader, that’s the lovely thing about Impressional magic; with this remedy he’ll be able to keep all those sweet memories and encouragement for whenever he needs it.