The forest was quieter than usual today.
Most of the village rangers had been deployed to patrol the vast lands surrounding the settlement, ensuring every path was secure before the Lord's arrival tomorrow.
With the greatest threat lurking in the eastern woods now gone, no part of the forest was left neglected. Every trail was being watched, every corner inspected.
Luke wasn't stopped by any of the guards, though a few greeted him with friendly nods as he ventured deeper into the woods.
His sharp eyes swept across the forest floor, searching for a rare herb that was notoriously difficult to find. Fortunately, the weather had been on his side.
There was a flower called Tanwana. It bloomed for only a handful of days after heavy rainfall, flourishing beneath the warm sun before quickly withering away. His father had mentioned that it had rained for two straight days while they were away, making this the perfect time to look for it.
