Imina's Investigation and Plans

Midwater Month.

Before anyone knew it, February had arrived. Above the Great Forest of Evasha, a chilly wind howled.

Whoosh~

The Flower-Crowned Monarch Butterfly beat its wings through the cold wind, its petal-patterned abdomen tucked in tight.

In weather this cold, a monster like it would rather have been asleep in a cave. But that was clearly not its decision to make.

For reasons it could not fathom, its master had spent the past few days rushing back and forth across the forest.

"This should be enough."

Imina sat on the butterfly's back, her purple ponytail streaming behind her. She carried a basket holding more than ten bottles of bluish-purple potion.

The lush forest below swept rapidly past.

Imina could already make out quite a few Forest Elves.

Treehouses dotted the area, fashioned from living trees by Forest Elves with the abilities of a Forest Shaman.

Since taking control of the entire Great Forest of Evasha,

Imina had worked to bring most of the Forest Elves together in this region deep in the woods, near New Moon Lake.

Of course, some Forest Elf tribes were too set in their ways to leave their ancestral homes.

Others, like the Dark Elves, were likewise unwilling to live in an area crowded with Forest Elves.

Imina had not forced the matter.

The Great Forest of Evasha was vast, a world that seemed made of nothing but trees. Yet the Elves were not especially numerous; their total population was under a hundred thousand.

"Lady Imina!"

"Lady Imina!"

Faint cheers rose from below.

The Forest Elf guards hidden among the branches and trees had evidently spotted Imina returning through the air.

"Thanks for all your hard work!"

Imina leaned over with a radiant smile and waved to the figures below. "I wonder if they can