The Glimmerdust Dance of the Tree Spirit in the Quellom Bay
Time and space were at a standstill for so long. I decided that I needed a little vacation from my travels. And so, upon hearing of the verdant islands of Fharb, I could not think of a better place in which to relax and enjoy some time in solitary contemplation. So there, I set out to live awhile in silence amongst the green grass, the moss-covered basalt rocks, and the soft haze over the gentle waters. The Island that I chose was fairly small. Located in Quellom Bay, it offered a beautiful view of the sea which, by any standards, would be a prime location to build a permanent house for anyone who enjoys the contemplation of beauty. These islands, inhabited by a few solitary monks of a reclusive lifestyle, had natural caves formed millions of years ago during volcanic activity. The monks inhabit these caves and make them into little homes of their own. They were gracious enough to provide me with my own place with which to aid me in my studies. So, here I moved on my own with a wonderful curious formation of natural structures around me. And, right outside of my front door, so to speak, was a little island upon which grew a beautiful tree. This tree was famous in these parts for it's unearthly beauty and natural splendor. And, at certain times of the evening, it would begin to be surrounded by the tree spirit that inhabited this life form deep within. The quiet spell would ensue and little dancing lights would appear and seem to hover, swirl, and shift around the tree in an endless brocade of colorful patterns, like multicolored fireflies in the midst of the night. These little displays would last a few hours at the most before all grew quiet once more.
The monks would regularly visit the tree with a little rowboat and give offerings to it in the semblance of golden leaves or fresh loaves of bread; all of which disappeared at various points, gobbled up by the lights, no doubt, to nourish the spirit within. There is a thought that this spirit is from the tree itself, nourished by the rich nutrients in the previously volcanic ground, of which would be found a gold mine were anyone to delve deeply enough within and explore the deepest natural caverns below. There are many myths about the tree, some which tell of stories about drowning sailors lost at sea in the darkest night, whereupon they are saved by the dancing lights which guide them safely to the shore and alert the monks of a needy presence in ways which cannot be wholly explained. It is an ancient tree in an ancient land and there are many lyres in the coldest nights which describe it's beauty to those other little inhabitants of which inhabit these islands.
Alas, my time had come to an end here, and my ship came to bear me away and enable me to resume my adventures. So here I give to you a beautiful photograph of what was once my front door, for a little while, amidst the Glimmerdust Dance of the Tree Spirit in the Quellom Bay.