"Ingrid, this Snow Tide has devastated the forest. Look at these trees. They've grown for decades, even centuries. They're far older than we are, and now they lie here because of the Snow Tide..."
Annan swept his gaze across the Wilderness outside Star-Moon Bay, including the area they had felled. The blizzard had conveniently buried the evidence for them.
Ingrid's face remained blank, partly because of her nature and partly because she was used to Annan's sudden ideas. Like putting a Water Elemental in a latrine, making cement from Lime through alchemy, or using Magic Lamps as streetlights.
"A forest without trees can't be called a forest, can it? We should prepare some seeds and plant a new forest in these places covered by the Snow Tide when spring comes..."
At the edge of his vision, the Owl that had been circling above Star-Moon Bay finally descended. Just before it landed, it transformed into a humanoid figure draped in feathers and covered in painted markings.
The captain of the Personal Guards stationed at the Big House drew his sword, and the guards rushed over.
"Who are you?"
"I am a Druid. Forgive my unannounced visit, human Lord." The weathered Druid, whose skin was wrinkled like bark, opened a hand and dropped a seed. It sprouted and grew into a sturdy vine staff.
Ingrid's confusion vanished in an instant.
"The forest's cries brought us here. Human Lord, can you tell us what happened?"
The Treefolk, whose display marked the Druid as at least an Elite Druid, posed the question.
Annan nodded slightly. "The disaster a few days ago sent a Snow Tide down from the Snow Mountains. The Frost Giants used it to invade the Forest Sea. I saw a Frost Giant Wizard drive the Snow Tide with my own eyes.