Green Thumb [Sanctuary Staff]

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

80th of Summer, 512 AV

Serrif had a discussion with Kavala not to long ago about wanting and possibly needing very purpose driven gardens here at the Sanctuary. Much like the ones he had seen in Mura that was necessary for the many medicinal remedies that they concocted. It was useful to have the ingredients fresh so that the medicines could have the quickest and most potent impact on the patient. These medicinally purpose driven gardens would be very useful in providing many of the herbs and such that Serrif found himself needing and sometime lacking because of undersupply. He didn’t state such things to Kavala though, she always had more than her share of things on her plate…and he didn’t want to push her to hard…she already did that well enough herself.

He found himself above ground with some preliminary equipment, his daggers at his hips and his newly acquired loose fitting tunic top on his chest. It buttoned up the front completely; but right now he was letting it hang open. The cool morning air felt good against his relatively exposed chest. He was getting somewhat more comfortable with his body, but he kept a watchful eye about as well to see who would join him. He knew that Kavala was due here soon, and quite possibly some of the other staff as well. He didn’t know who to really expect but he wasn’t going to just stand around and waste time for no real reason. No, he had plans.

He stretched some and then looked at the tools he had brought with him. Primal tools really, shovels and a few hoes. This should be enough to get them started. He also managed a wheelbarrow as well. Kavala would likely bring a few of the working horses with her to cart things around. He still wasn’t very good at handling them. Even his own horse seemed to be partial to Serrif at times…and only at times. All the animals liked Kavala far more than they like him; although he did seem to have a very calming effect on them. Which was something he still didn’t understand; but sometimes things just simply were. And that was all there was to say about it.

He was a patient man and he knew that others were as well. This waiting time was taken to stretch his aching muscles some more. It was always in the mornings that he found himself needing a little something extra to shake him from the rest. Not that he didn’t sleep well, because he surely did. But his every muscle seemed to ache when woken from the deep recesses of rest. Work around The Sanctuary was a little different than he was used to; on Mura it was more gentle and not as chaotic. But here everything happened in a mad dash and all at once; you had to keep a gathered mind about you otherwise you would be lost in the shuffle.

[Gianne Basete]

Today was a good day. Her energy levels were very high, so she felt the need to be busy as much as possible. Of course here at the Sanctuary work was easy to come by. There was always something that needed done. Gianne had learned that all too quickly during her first season here. She'd taken care of her normal duties and helped move some construction materials, but that hadn't taken all too long. So she wandered about until she finally stumbled onto Serrif. A wave of shyness washed over her like it normally did when she found him alone. Anyone but her would be used to being around an attractive man by now, but this was one of her social weaknesses. Gianne sighed inwardly and, ignoring the heat on her face, approached him with a smile. He had some shovels and hoes, so there was presumably going to be digging. "Hey Serrif, do you need any help?" A glance toward his exposed chest and her eyes probably glazed over just a little, but she'd never admit it. He was looking better since the first day she'd met him. More filled out and less... She thought a moment but couldn't think of a word to describe it. Unhealthy? No. It didn't really matter though. What really mattered was that she could see some of his chest. She shook herself mentally. No! Her reaction to men needed worked on. She was so easily distracted. If her smile had faltered Gianne hoped he hadn't noticed as she corrected the slight lapse in expression. "How have you been?" she asked, stopping a few feet away and shifting her weight uncertainly. Grab a tool? Wait? She decided to wait. She was dressed for work; tough earth toned breeches and boots, her green shirt tucked in under a sturdy belt, and a pair thick leather gloves. Suddenly she was glad she'd put the gloves on this morning if there was going to be dirt and debris worked with. They'd certainly come in handy moving the construction materials earlier. Thank you, practicality. It's a good thing I take after my father.

[Elem Bree]

Elem had woken early, the relative lack of noise being the culprit. After living in a populated city like Zeltiva, being out where he was now was peaceful, yet unsettling for sleep. The thought of too much quiet made him chuckle to the empty room. He had spoken with Kavala about many topics the day before, the feeling of destiny still strong in his heart. Too many coincidences to be just that. She was twice marked by Rak'keli, an amazing doctor and herbalist, the perfect mentor. No offense to Claira, of course, but the older woman was human and lacked the years Kavala did.

Still in his tired brown clothes from Zeltiva, now ragged and looking as much like rags as anything, Elem hoped that perhaps only the livestock would see his disheveled state. He would make sure to get into town and buy proper attire sooner than later. No gloves meant blisters, but blisters were small potatoes for a child of Rak'keli. He made his way outside to the area Kavala had designated the day before, finding that there were other people there. A man and woman, both looking ready to work. The man seemed older and tougher, the girl equally able but younger.

Elem saw the two speaking and decided to keep still a moment, surveying the plot area for the garden. He suspected he would spend plenty of time here, growing things he could use in his work. He meandered over to the tools, taking the time to be cordial before speaking. "Hello there. I am Elem Bree of Zeltiva. I recently arrived and was hired by Kavala. Do you two work here?" He didn't make an effort to show his mark off, considering that the man was another Rak'kelian. Just another coincidence that wasn't.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

“Help is always welcome.” Serrif said as he looked to Gianne. “Gods only know there is far too much work around this place to be done and not nearly enough time. I bet you could double the duration of the day and there would still be work to be done around here.”He laughed a little but then his mind did indeed settle on the truth of the matter…there was indeed always more than enough work to go around here.

“I’ve been busy Gianne, as I know you have been as well.” He stretched a little knowing well that it would be a full days work even if Kavala did not join them for it. He had seen her relative plans and well he didn’t know if she had specifics in mind for the gardens or if there were other things that she would want done. Nevertheless it would be important to mark out all the spots and get things organized around here.

A man approached, and Serrif greeted him with a nod. “We do, I am Serrif of Mura.” Although plainly stated it seemed like it took him some effort to bring those words forward. Odd…such a simple statement.

“We are going to try and mark out some of the gardens for the Sanctuary. Kavala hasn’t particularly asked us to do this, but she doesn’t have to now does she?”He was finding himself becoming more and more part of this machinery by the day. And he like it, even if at times it was a little foreign to him. The way things worked around here were different than everywhere else. None wore a single simple hat. No, one day he was a healer, then a surgeon, then a hunter, a groom, then maybe low paid labor. He was a lot of things but he was always part of this place.

[Gianne Basete]

Gianne smiled and nodded her agreement, knowing all too well that the work was never done here at the Sanctuary. But that was something she loved about the place. Being busy made her content, and sitting around idle had always driven her crazy. "I've been lending a hand all over the place today. Good thing I came across you, else it seems like you'd be working alone." Her eyes roved the work area, considering multiple ways of approach. Pickaxe, shovel, or hoe first? Quite the dilemma. She jumped a little as the new man spoke. Gianne hadn't heard him approach and as she was turning to look at him she stopped dead. Elem Bree? Zeltiva? Her jaw actually dropped and she swung around quickly to peer at him. "Elem?" she squawked in disbelief. He looked so different from the day they'd met all those seasons ago. But of course they'd been children, and people did tend to change after 12 years. The smile on her face was radiant, and she couldn't help but laugh. With no second thought needed she closed the space between them and threw her arms around him, dirty clothes and all. Her hug was so immense that his back popped in several places. "I haven't seen you in ages! I can't believe you're here, this must be the biggest coincidence in history!" Gianne pulled back quickly, holding him at arm's length so he could get a proper look at her. "Do I look familiar?" she inquired playfully, flashing a crooked smile. Her eyes raked his tall body like she couldn't believe what she was seeing. This was the strangest thing that had ever happened to her. Must be fate! "I'm sure I look a lot different, not being in a muddy little dress and all," she continued, eyes shining. "I just can't believe this." She sounded breathless, like she'd just ran a few laps around the Sanctuary.

[Elem Bree]

"Of Mura?, what an esteemed pleasure." Elem smiled at the man, sensing the divine mark he had,. This made Serrif a brother immediately, making Elem more pleased to be where he was. Two Rak'kelians in two days. Mother surely had plans for him here. "I grew up helping my mother garden in Zeltiva, I am sure I can be of service." It appeared that he had showed up at just the perfect time. "What will be marking off with?" There was so many materials present, strewn around the area, that he didn't want to steal from other projects. That would just be bad form.

The young lady, lovely and vibrant, seemed to resonate with Elem somehow. He couldn't quite put his finger on it and while he thought it over, she jumped on him.

"Ooof!" He felt his back crack as she squeezed him tight. Happy but confused, Elem wore a mixed face displaying these feelings, though he did return the hug. Biggest coincidence in history? She stepped back at arm's length and he looked at her again. Her hair was in her face a little and it started a spark in his mind, something in Zeltiva, long ago. Muddy dress? wait, a minute. The spark caught kindling as the resulting smoke came out of his mouth.

"Gianne? Wow, this is really strange. Of course, my whole pilgrimage here has been fraught with coincidences. Rak'keli has truly put me in the right place." He smiled again, brighter and more genuine, instantly feeling at home. "It looks like you found a home, too. When did you leave Zeltiva?" he realized he was probably leaving Serrif of Mura out, so he offered a brief explanation to his new found Brother.

"Serrif, Gianne and I grew up in Zeltiva and we played together as children. I feel your mark of Rak'keli, so I feel very happy knowing I am surrounded by friends and family." He really did.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

“Yes well the help is much appreciated.” Then something interesting happened. It seemed Gianne and Elem knew each other.

He was happy to see the reunion of two old acquaintances. Just like he already knew the gods did have a funny way of reuniting people with each other. He and Kavala were a perfect example of this. He was happy to see such joy between them; they had known each other a long long time ago. But then again they were both from Zeltiva. He had passed through there once, staying only a night before heading onward toward Riverfall.

Not to long ago he had a reunion like this with A konti who was held with him in the camp. She was wonderful and likely the reason why he ended up in Mura. Something he could never thank her enough for. Mura had changed him for the better; washed away some of his rage and resurrected him. He would’ve been lost without those wonderful women who took him in.

“Well, it seems the Gods do miraculous things.” A smile crossed his face as he nodded.

He wasn’t going to spoil this for them. No, he would let them have their say. In his head he was indeed planning the gardens and such for the Sanctuary. It would be important to start all this now so that they could have use of the harvest later. Or was it already too late? He wasn’t sure but the gardens did need to be in the very least tilled up for the time. They could be tended to later by careful hands. He would have to learn more about gardening if he wanted to help tend to these areas, something he would do next time he went into town.

“The Sanctuary does tend to attract healers.” He said with a laugh knowing well that this was true.

[Gianne Basete]

I left around the middle of spring. It was a pretty uneventful trip, except someone tried to rob me. He didn't have a horse though, so I was able to escape. He got a boot in the mouth and I had some bruised ribs, but it wasn't bad so I was fine before I even got to Riverfall. Healed up pretty quick. She went forward to retriever a hoe from the pile of tools then moved back to Elem's side, tapping its head absently on the ground. Gianne smiled at the both of them, practically radiating her happiness. "So, do we need to dig up?" That question was pointed to Serrif. She hefted the hoe two-handed like a spear, excited to burn off some of her excess energy. Then she spoke back to Elem. "And how long have you been here? The first day I got here Kavala spoke your name when she was letting me pick my room, but I didn't even guess that it could have bee you. Without the last name or city I never would have guessed." In fact, Elem's room was across the hall from Serrif's, who's room was next to her's. Neighbors!

[Elem Bree]

Elem was surprised at Gianne's story. It was hard imagining the little girl in her muddy dress kicking someone in the mouth with a boot. He couldn't even imagine doing that himself.The damage to the teeth and whatnot. It wasn't his area of expertise and while he could heal the mouth, he wasn't sure that he could make the teeth straight. Something to look into one day, maybe. Of course, he had never been robbed, so he couldn't really understand the situation, either. Hopefully that wouldn't change, as he did tend to carry lots of mizas around.

"Well, I'm glad you turned out alright. I traveled with a caravan and they had a few guards with them.It was mostly a tourist jaunt, I suppose" He smiled and watched her pick up a hoe, ready to work. When she asked Serrif about it, Elem assumed the man was a competent gardener. It wasn't really University material here, though. A pretty easy job. Elem's attention turned to the marked off area. "A little late in the season to do too much, but we could surely clear the area out, pull any rocks up that might be hiding in there, make the space ready for Spring."

Looking back at Gianne, he responded." I got here pretty recently. Just been here a week or so. Definitely ready to buy some new clothes and get settled. I was pretty blown away by the accomodations. My one room is almost as big as my entire cottage in Zeltiva! Much nicer decorations and furniture too. It's just all really a blessing.".

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Gianne booting someone in the mouth? That was surely a funny image for him to conjure up in his head. Although he definitely knew she was capable of it; that and likely more. However for now he was going to try and focus on the gardening at hand.

“I agree Elem let’s clear out the beds and get rid of any rocks as well as debris. I’ve seen some interesting hanging type gardens. Like tunnels of latticework and the plants grow up over the lattice structure. What makes them really good is that the fruit and such usually hangs down into the walking area so they are easy to get. We also need to distinguish gardens used for different purposes. There are determined areas for the gardens though.” He tried to remember the pans in his head that Kavala and he had gone over before agreeing that the preliminary work on the gardens needed to be done.



“There are three gardens, one over where the pig and goat barns will go, another by the pool and paddocks taking up that area near the water pools. And another near the Mews and chicken house.” He thought he had that right in his head…yes that sounded correct.

“So it is just a matter of where to start. Any preferences? If not we can start over by the paddock on the largest area and dig up any rocks and clear any leftover debris.” Even after the storm passing through all that time ago they seemed to be finding debris still…little pieces of it that had merged with the earth itself. That showed him the true ferocity of the storm and well struck a cord that they needed to fortify any buildings that went aboveground now. So that they would stand resolute against whatever came against them.