| |
As the other men who had attended the backroom meeting exited the general store, they shot silent, angry glances at myself and Hank. Neither of us responded, we just stood quietly by until the last man had left the building, leaving us alone with the old shopkeeper.
“Now,” I began. “What was it that you wanted to show us?”
The man didn't answer, but instead turned and walked into a room that functioned as a small office for him. Hank and I exchanged curious glances, and then followed him inside.
“Close the door behind you,” he said after we had come inside.
I did as I was bid and then stood quietly with my partner, looking intently at the elderly man. The man shuffled around behind his desk and pulled open one of the bottom drawers. He pulled out a small metal chest and placed it on top of the desk.
“This,” he said while opening the lid. “Is one of my most precious items.”
He flipped the lid open and we peered inside. Lying at the bottom was a single thick branch from a tree. This branch though was unlike any I had seen on the Woodland server. The bark was very dark, but despite being severed from its tree it still seemed as if it was alive. Indeed, it appeared as if the branch was pulsing with some sort of energy!
“What is it?” Hank asked.
“This is Healinwood,” The storekeeper said, pulling the branch from the box. “I found it while exploring many years ago.”
“Years ago? It still looks fresh!” I said, surprised.
“Exactly! That's the magic behind it! Here, let me show you.” the man said.
As he held the branch aloft in his left hand, the old man pulled a small knife from his belt with his other hand. With a flick of his wrist, he cut a small notch into the branch. The sliver fluttered to the desk, exposing a pure white wood beneath the dark exterior bark. But my eyes suddenly widened when I saw that the branch was beginning to heal itself almost immediately!
“I have never.....” Hank began, but his voice trailed off.
“Of course,” the old man said, knowingly. “This tree only grows in the darkest recesses of the Woodland caverns. As far as I know, there is only one. But, if you managed to collect some seeds, just think of what it would do for your business!”
“It would save us!” I cried, looking at Hank.
“You're saying the tree regenerates remarkably fast?” Hank asked.
“Yes! You can see what this branch is capable of, even without its mother. But if you could plant and grow your own, you would never have to worry about over-harvesting again because you would never actually destroy the tree! They would grow back immediately!”
Hank was silent for a moment, then he turned and looked at me.
“I think you're right, Randy. This is our only option. It will allow us to get around those ridiculous laws that the Environmental League has dreamed up. We just need to find this tree!”
I looked at the shopkeeper. “Can you help us with that?”
I think that I can,” he replied, with a twinkle in his eyes. “At the very least, I can tell you where to begin your search!”