Her leave from Hyaline was swift.  She promised to be back one day and she would.  She had one more task.  One more seed...

Taiga.  She remembered the name only because it bordered her birth place.  The bright canopies of Sylva stood out against the dark redwood forests on it's eastern border.  She often thought about venturing into the lands but opted for a more common place.  

She hadn't been home in years.  Hadn't seen her mother or brother in her many travels.  She wonders briefly - in stride - what has become of them.  It was a long journey from Hyaline to Taiga.  A good day and a half.  Many thoughts tumble about her mind.  She had never been bothered by being alone.  

Coming to the northern edge of the orange and yellow trees, she decided to travel the outer edge of the boundaries.  She had no intentions of running into anyone she may know from Sylva.  There was much to do.  So happily she hurried along until the darkened edges came into view...

It was different than she remembered.  There was a tangle of thorns surrounding the border.  Her crown tilted in curiousity.  Auburn eyes scanned the territory as she walked for any signs of life.  An eerie stillness hung heavy in the air.  Ebony ears twisted atop her poll to catch any hint of sound.  As she grew nearer, her pace slowed in caution.  She wonders what had happened to everyone...everything.

Stopping at the edge her eyes peered thru the makeshift wall.  Widened in sorrow at the sight before her.  The mighty pines that had stood tall - side by side - now leaned upon one another.  Many had fallen and now littered the floor.  Some were scorched.  Immediately she suspects Levi.  Could he have done this?  Possibly.  He had said he needed to change.  Another "lost boys raid" perhaps...?  The thoughts are fleeting when - as she steps closer - the thorns unravel to allow a space large enough for her to pass thru.  She questions her safety here but duty drives her onward.

Stepping thru the passage, it closes behind her.  Nape twists to allow herself to view where she had entered.  There was no turning back now.  Her positions shifts again as she returns her view to the heart of the kingdom.  Eyes shifting about to take it all in before moving on.  

Ivory limbs reach forwards.  Moving her across the kingdom.  Noting the water and fire damage.  A flickering movement in the shadows cause an abrupt halt.  Dished crown twists sharply.  Eyes behold a creature of curious make watching her.  It looks semi canine but with a hint of orange glow.  It does not come closer. 

Deciding it's best to move on she begins to walk.  If it meant her harm it would have done so already.  Her destination was just ahead.  The center of the land had been - for the most part - cleared out.  If trees had been here they had been washed away.  Her muzzle tucked to her breast finding the satchel to still be there.  This seemed like a good spot to start...

Lowering her head she shimmied the necklace from around her neck.  The sack that was tied to it rest on the ground as she gently pulled her head back up.  She would not be needing it anymore.  Lipping the final seed from the pouch.  Striking the ground with her hoof she made an indent to place the seed into.  As she had done the last two times.  Recovering it and patting it firmly into place.  Taking a stride or two back as she waited for the sapling to emerge.  Effortlessly it rose up from the deadened earth.  Twisting and turning as it grew.  This one though did not stop like the others had at 2 feet in height.  It grew and grew and just when she thought it was slowly it grew some more.  She watched in awe as the redwood towered above her.  Smiling she decided it was a good start...

Kolera

Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust.