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There was always a peaceful tranquility to tending the garden of the Sunite Temple. It was a simple, structured place that allowed Dalian to indulge in her pleasures and talents without interruption. And although it was a job she took solely upon herself, she was never lonely while doing it. The flowers and trees eagerly awaited her touch, and spoke to her in their own way, just as she spoke to them, in her own way. Despite the cold breath of Aquor’s winter air, the garden flourished under her guidance. She could make it even more brilliant, but she was ever careful not to push the soil beyond what it could handle.
Yet as she poured her energies into the earth, urging on the growth of seedlings, Dalian’s mind wandered elsewhere. Things had been quiet lately, and that unsettled her. The Valley was not a quiet place by its nature, and as such, either things were happening without her knowledge, or this was the calm before the storm. She suspected both, and reflected on her visit to Sestra. Certainly, the rumors and increased security did not bode well. It warranted further investigation, although she freely admitted to herself that it was as much to help the Valley as satisfy her own innate curiosity. Dalian smiled at that thought. Her curiosity had always been something she had been proud of. It may have killed the cat, but fortunately she was only occasionally a cat, and they had the benefit of nine lives.
Finishing up with the garden, she reached out to a limping lily and coaxed it back to life, whispering words of encouragement. The gentle flower would stay beautiful for a while longer yet. It could not bloom eternally, but that was true of all life. She whispered to the lily. “Make the most of it.”
Yet as she poured her energies into the earth, urging on the growth of seedlings, Dalian’s mind wandered elsewhere. Things had been quiet lately, and that unsettled her. The Valley was not a quiet place by its nature, and as such, either things were happening without her knowledge, or this was the calm before the storm. She suspected both, and reflected on her visit to Sestra. Certainly, the rumors and increased security did not bode well. It warranted further investigation, although she freely admitted to herself that it was as much to help the Valley as satisfy her own innate curiosity. Dalian smiled at that thought. Her curiosity had always been something she had been proud of. It may have killed the cat, but fortunately she was only occasionally a cat, and they had the benefit of nine lives.
Finishing up with the garden, she reached out to a limping lily and coaxed it back to life, whispering words of encouragement. The gentle flower would stay beautiful for a while longer yet. It could not bloom eternally, but that was true of all life. She whispered to the lily. “Make the most of it.”