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It was day one and we experienced a lot in a short amount of time. I took a peek at the fallen tree where Pavo was standing and found a set of tiny hoof prints. No doubt they belonged to a fawn. But what was the significance, I wondered. When I arrived at our makeshift camp, I was expecting to find everyone sleeping or recouping at the very least. 

Lets just say what I actually saw, was mildly amusing.

Morpho: “Oh do watch the wings! ~ I would like to keep them attached to my body, thank you very much!”

Pavo: “Maybe I wouldn’t, if you weren’t so careless with your movements, then perhaps I wouldn’t pose a risk to your wellbeing.”

Darcie: “Could you guys catch the little shit already?! I won’t let a half an hour’s work go to waste!”

Morpho: “Gentle, Darcie! Such fragile things should be handled delicately! Although I am not a fan of insects. Except for butterflies, I feel as though we connect on a level I could not possibly comprehend ~”.

Darcie: “Soliloquies are jack shit if you’re not helping!”

Okay I take it back. It was very amusing.
I was doomed.

Or at least, that was what I thought at first. However, there was a single ray of sunshine in the dense smog of Decade Forest; and she was sitting on the sidelines patiently waiting for the chaos to adjourn. It was Cara. When she noticed me, she clapped a couple of times and smiled brightly. She must have been waiting for me. 

Hope: “I take it you are not enjoying this?”

She enthusiastically shook her head.

Hope: “Yeah me neither”.

I lied. I could watch this all day honestly.

Pavo: “Blast! Its on the ceiling! Morpho, quit preening yourself. I doubt it will make a difference.

Morpho: “Rest in peace, my glorious ego…~”

Darcie: “No one. Move! We almost have it cornered!”

I turned to Cara.

Hope: “Well, what are you waiting for? Show them how its done!”

Thoroughly done with their nonsense, Cara jumped into action. She climbed up the shaky scaffolding and onto the ceiling, and using her webbing she created a makeshift net to capture it. The others didn’t seem to notice in the midst of their bickering. Before returning to the ground, she made her opinion on the matter crystal clear. She bared her formidable fangs and let out a loud hiss, scaring the life out of the bunch so much so that they jumped back and subsequently fell backwards in a pile.

Hope: “Nice work Cara! Now, would like to do the honour of lighting the fire? I’ll talk you through it”.

Cara and I knelt down where a small stack of wood was placed, surrounded by a circle of stones.

Hope: “Okay, cup the firefly in your hooves like so”.

She nodded whimsically as she held the little critter. I then told her to clasp her hooves and twist three times. When she opened her hooves, they were covered in a golden powder in place of the firefly. The rest of the crew gathered around.

Hope: “And the last step: take a deep breath and blow”.

As she did so, the golden powder burst into flames as her breath carried them to the firewood. I playfully tapped her on the nose but she must have believed there was something on her face because she went cross eyed for a brief moment and I had to hold in my laughter.

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Scorched Earth Blurb:
Under the guise of discovering new herbs, Hope and four others escape from their overworked life of Home Village, excited by the prospect of adventure. But when one of her crew goes missing, Hope refuses to return home without them. On their mystical journey they discover new locations, characters, cultures and make a very powerful enemy. Can they uncover Hibernia’s darkest secrets and save their friend in time? See their story here!

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Art (c) me

[From left to right]
Morpho, Hope, Cara, Pavo and Darcie (c) me