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Page #7: "Trial by Water"
Dear diary, one of the most important lessons I have learnt from Stillglade Fane is the vastness of the elements and the comparative insignificance of it's conjurer. Heeding to the crushing capabilities of earth or the gradual tormenting grasp of wind, where one's bones might be crumbled by stone or left breathless by the suffocation of patient destruction, one ought never forget to respect the powers of nature. With this understanding comes the many blessings of Nophica as reward, the nutritious embrace of the earth and the embalming clarity of fresh air. Balance is as it is in all things; we release after consuming, exhale after inhaling, for conjury is a power borrowed from nature, never taken.
This is just as true with the element of water. Rain from the heavens falls in abundance over blessed Gridania to feed the flowers and crops, give life to fish and fluid to quench our thirst. Under the sun's heat is vapour returned to the heavens, giving cloud to the afternoon skies, waiting to shower the world once more. A precious lifeblood of the earth, without water, naught would grow from our soils. In heavy rain and storms over seas does water's destructive power show. Should it rise in too great a volume or too swiftly and the nourishing flow becomes a crashing wave washing away all before it.
As a carer of gardens, water should be my favourite of the elements, but I simply do not enjoy getting wet. Water is of course essential for carrying the nutrients of the earth up through the roots of plants, which I can influence. Feeding my plants is a must, and I do delight in seeing them grow, however, I am quite the anemophiliac at heart. I do enjoy waving the air through the forest, singing with the bees and the birds, helping to pollinate the more lonelier trees and patches of neglected grass. Oftentimes I find corruption draining life force from the trees, and with the purity of sanctified water, I cure their ails. Why, oh why dear Nophica could they not have tasked me with a simple watering can and a pot of flowers? Or bring to me wounded men in need of hematological mending, or with unguent and other restorative fluids?
Hearer Joacin mocks me more oft than I would say fair. He knows just how well I keep my hair and did set task for me to commune with brook and stream, while soaked in the rain. There were befouled water sprites everywhere and Twelve as my witness, I nearly drowned standing upright. Needless to say, I failed horribly. Ahk, Nophica give me strength. I will make plan for when next I am suffered through this, to bring strong boots and a hooded raincoat large as a tent!
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Sunflower's Blossom (Tumblr link)
