After a few days of resting and working on mundane tasks Ethelred turn to Gustav…
“Gustav, would you be willing to head into the woods and help me sources some materials? I have a keen need some some natural resources and you are the best at locating and hunting things of this nature.”
Ezrin perks up at the mention of materials.
He looks at Alexis to see if he noticed and the back to the Aegerians.
“I could use a few small things myself.”
The crow on Gustav’s shoulder caws at Ethelred and Ezrin when they talk to Gustav. Gus ignores the crow and seems to pretend the crow isn’t there. Continuing to straighten and cut small black feathers and without looking up Gus says to the Aegerian and the Sutheronian:
“Yes, I can help as long as you don’t need poisonous plants. I just need one of you to come with me. We can take two trips switching off you two. Don’t want to leave Alexis here alone.”
Alexis take a little sample of their previous meal and throws it to Sally. “For Telosh”.
“Poisonous plants… that is interesting. I can’t see a reason to need that type of material at the moment…. but…”
Red’s sees how uncomfortable Gustav looks and switches the subject.
“.. What I want is to find a very specific type of tree. I want one that has a trunk or branch that is very straight, hopefully with with a nice tight set of even rings. The branches also need to be straight, especially the ones on the end that are the smallest. Hopefully this tree will also have some nice moss growing on it.
I am also am in need of a getting a rabbit. I have an interest in procuring a heart, eyes, tongue, fur and foot from the same creature.
If we can make it to the river at some point I would like to replenish my supply of rocks for my sling.”
The crow catches Alexis’s offering in the air easily and swallows immediately.
Gustav says to Ethelred:
“Rabbit, no problem. Rocks from the river, no problem. For straight branches, poplar branches would do well since the branches grow vertically. However they can be difficult to find. Maybe certain young maple or oak trees could work as well if we get lucky. For even rings, maple would probably be good, but not every maple is straight and even ringed. We just have to find a good example. We should find what you need over a day or two.”
Ezrin looks at Ethelred with a mix of horror and intrigue. He swallows, and takes a deep breath.
“My needs are less, but perhaps some are more difficult? Several fireflies or glow worms, and a small pouch worth of glow-moss? I think that a small pouch of fine sand, nearly silt, but still sand since you are going by the river, shouldn’t be too difficult though… Oh, and an owl feather or two, long, like from the wing.”
Gustav finishes listening to Ezrin and thinks for a while…
“The river sand or nearly is possible, I just need something to hold it in if you can lend me a small glass container since I only have a waterskin and I keep my water in it strangely.”
“Can you explain what glow moss is? I don’t think I have heard of it. For the fireflies or glow worms, those aren’t super easy to come by, not certain I can promise this because it is the wrong season since they are usually dead by now, or hibernating till spring. I don’t think I have seen them in this area even with the right season. I can keep my eye out, but no promises.”
“I will try to get an owl feather or two. It is possible in this area I think, but could take more time thanj we have. How about we try a night or two since we can hear their calls at night and get close to a nest to try to find feathers? I can show you more tricks and tips out in the wild.”
“Thank you, no need to rush the owl feather, if you find one, great, if not, the perhaps when we are all out overnight again. Here is a small pouch for the sand.”
“Glow moss is moss… that glows. I think it is usually found in caves? I don’t think this will be helpful, but some in the Collegium call it “schisto-stegacea-mak-kasu,” “schisto-moss”, or “moss-kasu,” for short, and most believe it uses protoneme collimated weave collapse and evocative entaglement to transmit the faint arcanoluminescence it glows with.”
“Alright, I will look for an owl feather when possible.”
“The reason I asked for a glass vial for the sand/silt is that I assumed you wanted it wet for some reason. But if not I will look for dry sand/silt. Do you need it wet or dry?”
“I am unfamiliar with cave glow moss. But when we are in caves, we can certainly look for it. I don’t remember any glowing moss in our travels. But this shit-stasis-make-you sounds interesting. I probably shouldn’t eat it since I don’t want to get backed up.”
“Dry sand is best, thank you, but if you can only find it wet…”
Ezrin rummages through the papers and vials on his bedroll, inspects an empty glass vial, replaces it, grabs another and after inspecting it sniffs it, nods, recorks it and gives it to Gustav.
“You can use this and I can dry it out here.”
Ezrin listens as Gus discusses glow moss, and bursts out laughing.
“Shist-Oh, not shit, but you are right, it probably shouldn’t be eaten.”
Ezrin looks meaningfully at Ethelred, clearly thinking of candles, lanterns, and firewood.