"Sit, Khea" one of the oldest of the Silvers, Qia, instructed as she used a worn and wrinkled hand to gesture to the open spot before them. Khea knew better than to protest so she took a cross-legged seat obediently. The same Silver continued, "You must have heard by now from our creature sisters and brothers of a strange rot seeping through the swamps killing all the plants it touches." Khea nodded. The animals had been bringing her stories of crimson colored blotches on plants which then died within days. She should have taken their words more seriously but some creatures had a tendency to elaborate tales especially in a bid for her attention.
"The plants within our grounds have started to grow nervous which means this rot must be migrating towards us. We know almost nothing of this plague except the destruction it leaves behind. Since you are not a birther, we have decided that it will be your duty to go out beyond our grounds and find out what you cab about this rot and if it can be stopped. You will begin your trek at first light tomorrow and will have the light hours this day to prepare."
There was no discussion. No chance to raise her voice and protest the decision. When the Silvers delivered a command it had to be obeyed or you ran the risk of exile. The swamps were not a place where one should be alone so the vision of this trek stirred a panic within Khea. Besides a few occasions where she joined her tribe sisters to attend to a sick or injured animal she had never set foot beyond a half day's journey through the swamp and certainly never without a guide. Now she faced the reality of a strange and very possibly dangerous mission with her ability as her one comfort.
Several adabe, rodent creatures about the size of small felines with turquoise bristled fur and four amber eyes perched atop mobile antenna, gathered on the ground below the dwelling sensing Khea's troubled emotional state. "Please brothers, I need some time" she whispered. They indignantly ignored her request and trailed behind her feet chattering to each other in high pitched tones. Khea, too preoccupied with her own thoughts, decided it was not worth the effort to try and send them away again. Sometimes she thought they belonged in the cat family with how blatant they disregarded instructions that did not serve their own purposes. They did make great look outs though as their eyes could capture every angle and were sensitive to movement. Now, more than ever, Khea needed to remember and try to rely on the abilities of the different creatures. She could think about during the dark hours as she already knew that no sleep would befall her this evening.
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