Master Of None

The party's speedy travel had taken a hit since they needed to avoid the gaze of the vultures in the distance. Walker had not expected to see them in such a short period of time after walking the rocky areas. 

They were about to make a dash from one large boulder to another when Remey froze up, "What's wrong? Is there another vulture?" Walker didn't see any reason for them to stop moving. 

"I want that little dried weed there. It looks worthless, but inside the stems there are seeds. They will grow in to a bell bush. It is very valuable to alchemists who need to maintain mana control while they use skills." Remey was looking like a small round bush in the open area that was dried up and withered away. 

"Is it really that important? The vultures might see us." Gil couldn't find value in something that was dried up and nearly falling to pieces. 

"It is a dried bell bush. The flowers that bloom, are shaped like bells and have a pollen that when eaten assists in mana control. It calms the nerves and will make it much easier to create high quality potions. Actually, Walker could use it to train magic more easily too." 

Remey knew that Walker might jump at this but she saw that he was considering the pros and cons carefully. It was a risky move to rush out and grab it while the vultures were still in the air. But it was also tempting since they would grow an herb that could make them all stronger and safer over time. Walker and his magic along with Remey and her potions could both do this. 

"Brother, I should be able to get it safely. Just trust me." Onyx spoke up which surprised them. He rarely committed himself like this and they were all inclined to let him attempt this. 

"If you are sure then give it a try. We will run to the other hiding spot so follow us when you can." Walker counted out the run and everyone dashed unseen to the next boulder. Onyx did not. He instead melted in to the shadows around the boulders and the party watched as he slightly rose from them to drag the bush from the shadows with his mouth. 

The bush easily snapped and disappeared in to the shadows and soon reappeared next to Walker. "That was perfect. Onyx you are the best!" Remey was praising Onyx heavily for getting the bell bush for her. She was already snapping the base branches open to pull out tiny oval seeds that would grow in to bell bushes. 

"How did you even know that was a bell bush?"

  Walker was curious how Remey had identified it when she hadn't even mentioned it to the party before hand. 

"They usually aren't found this time of year. They actually grow in the winter because they like the water elemental mana and the cold. They should all be broken down and the seeds in hibernation, but this one is still there." Remey pulled a branch of the small bush and showed Walker. "The pattern of growth is made so the bell flowers don't touch other parts of the plant, so I can see how they fit there and there." 

"You were able to see what plant it was just from that?" Gil was equally impressed that Remey had such sharp eyes. He was beginning to wonder if he was only good at spotting monsters while Remey had a huge knack for plants even without the alchemical side of her system. This was mostly her upbringing around the old master alchemist though. 

"I think those vultures landed." Su had been the one watching them at the moment and saw all three of the vultures swoop down at once. 

"Then we can move faster as long as we watch what is going on. We will remember the area their nest might be." Walker wasn't going to blindly head toward a nest f vultures if he could avoid it. 

The party resumed its travel speed and found that the first had given way to mostly pebbles on the ground. Besides the boulders that jutted from the ground, there was no dirt anywhere but the high earth elemental mana would still allow Walker to use the high earth sculpting. 

He could feel the rigidity of the stone compared to the softer earth but also that this was one reason why the earth elemental mana was higher. The stone was more dense and had more of it stored within due to this. His realizations were coming very easily in this area too and he had a feeling that if he spent time meditating on it later he would be able to reach a better understanding. 

"Walker, you know that steel skinned worm skin we once got from the auction? Do they happen to live in rocky areas?" Remey asked this simple question confusing Walker but he answered nonetheless. 

"I think they live deep underground. Usually in mines and the mountains. Why?" Walker had just asked why but when he focused himself he could see the disturbances in the ground and a few holes in the stones around them. 

"Well, because Remey and I can't figure out what made holes in the stone like that. And it looks kind of like a worms digging hole but way bigger…" Gil and Remey had noticed this and were put off so they consulted each other first with their ideas.

"They wouldn't be this close to the surface though. They are steel skinned worms because they eat large portions of rocks and ores to develop their defenses." Walker couldn't understand why the worms would have moved to the surface. 

"I have a theory one what they may be up here." Su had rounded a boulder and discovered a very good reason fr them to leave the depths. 

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