15 Chapter 15: Some Growth & Clients

"Ah! another beautiful day!" I simply couldn't help the words from falling out of my mouth looking up at the sunrise cresting over the town as my Grove thrums with life and activity. A smile found its way upon my lips as I tended to my Lilacs growing carefully in the center. I made sure to take the seeds from the "Perfect" one I had, and while better, these lilacs were a pale imitation. It infuriated me, but drove me on to finding out how to grow these plants the Perfect way.

Stroking the healthy stems of my slowly germinating lilacs I can feel their strong life force pulse under my fingertips. I had been focusing quite heavily on my meditation so that my forest could thrive with the addition of Esmerelda. Thanks to her, and my dedicated efforts my internal forest was stronger than before, it now stretched unthinkable acres in all directions. Esmerelda had caused the sun to shine down more fiercely on my forest making my trees taller and denser than before. This qualitative change seemed to have a tremendous effect on my control of my power. Since I had contracted Esmerelda over a week ago I had even been able to master another spell!

My new spell was big brother of my stupid "Plant Growth" spell. "Thorny Vines" allowed my control of plants to truly manifest as the dark thorns I summon would wrap and bite at my chosen target. Testing it out, it proved to be quite effective against birds. What truly shocked me was how my forest changed after that spells mastery. My trees, once beautiful Oaks now appeared very different than any tree I had ever seen on Earth. The towering trees resembled oaks, but up close I can see my thorns growing up their trunks, and biting into them.

I was terrified at first, that perhaps this spell would harm my forest in the long term! I tried to will the thorns off of my trees, and even have Esmerelda burn them off, but they always just came back! It wasn't until I had examined them, and their root structure that I learned how drastically my trees had changed. It seems that whenever I have mastered a new spell it will shake my forest, to make it a purer reflection of my power. In this case, my thorns now act as a layer of bark on them. Instead of just protecting the beautiful wooden core, my trees could now stand proud as bird slayers! Truly kings among all other inferior trees!

I had also changed the former manor gardens into a place befitting a druid. There was already an existing pond, so with a little bit of digging and some careful rock work, I now even had a true reflecting pool. With this shallow pool my meditation had become much easier. Being cemented in nature, through both the earth and the water my forest was able to grow smoothly. I need to find a way to introduce air, but nothing seemed like it would work. Fire seems like it would help too but....I'm way to scared of what Esmerelda would do with an open flame in my beloved grove!

Speaking of the devil..."Meow!" Here she comes, her tiny little grey body moving like she owns the place. This little ingrate! Since bringing her home has been the worlds worst mood killer! Not once, not twice, EVERY TIME I tried to spend time with Maya she would but her annoying little cat face into it. To make matters worse it seems Maya fell in love with her! "Little jerk". I mutter walking towards her. "What now Esme?" She cocks her little head at me, ugh...no NOT THIS TIME. "You're cuteness holds no sway here vile demon! I know you understand me!"

"Meow?" GOD DAMN IT

So yeah, things with the cat are going well....

"Where did you get off to Esme?" Oh good, her comes Maya. Maybe she can get Esme out of my hair for a bit. "She's back her Maya!" I call out loudly as Esme decides that sitting on my foot is the best way to spend her time. "There you are Masamune."

I feel cold all over at those words. Oh yeah, I was hiding from her too wasn't I... "Yes, I'm here whats up...." Mayas disapproving grimace is all I can as she gets right next to me. "Come on! You promised that you'd accept some of Daddy's visitors today!" I hang my. "Yeah, but they never WANT anything! They all just seem kind of...you know..." I trail off slightly unable to articulate my thoughts. "Maya, I'm pretty sure most of the 'Lady's' that your father introduces to me want to....Extend their blood line..."

In my head I had dreamed of situations like this, but to actually see one... I mean I like casual sex as much as the next guy, but these women don't seem very keen on the idea.

Maya shakes her head and grabs me by the hand dragging me inside. I swear ever since she learned that she's stronger than me I have never gotten a moment to myself. She just pulls me smiling sweetly wherever SHE wants to go. Maybe I should start working out or..."You dragged me here while I was spacing out again didn't you?" Maya nods happily before knocking on the door she stopped behind. "Sure did honey, you should really work on your awareness. However, daddy promised me that this friend is male." Seeing my very unhappy face she tries again, "a STRAIGHT male." Phew, okay might be a real issue then! "Okay honey, I'll meet them." I sigh tiredly and walk into the room. I can see the middle aged man I'm supposed to meet. He's quite tall even sitting, I suspect he has to be approaching 9 feet tall. His long brown hair is bound casually to the back of his neck, and his dull grey eyes seem to be drown to the corner of the room. He's staring quite intently on a vase of flowers from my grove.

I breathe in slowly through my nose and walk over to the man and sit across from him. "Hello Sire I'm the Druid Masamune." While my greeting sounds a bit curt this seems to be the way that druids are supposed to greet people.

"Why hello Masamune, I am Lord Ravvin thank you for making the time to meet with me on your busy schedule!" I smile reassuringly, "Of course my lord, I would dearly love to help all those that I can who are within my reach. For the proper compensation of course." He blinks somewhat startled by my candid demeanor. With how rare druids are most people seem to think that they would speak solemnly or not care for worldly things. That's fine for those other druids, but not me! I need to get me some money! "So what do you need my lord?"

Lord Ravvin smiles widely at my last sentence. "I'm so glad that you are exactly how Reginald described you! You are going to be a perfect fit *ahem* we would like for you to create a grove in our garden!" He breathes out softly and seems to be even shaking a bit. This guy seems...really eager to have a grove. "Well that is certainly something I can help with but..." I point gesture towards his complexion. "Are you sure that's all you need? You seem...uncomfortable." Lord Ravvin jumps at my words and starts breaking out into a much more severe sweat, I'm even more dumbfounded when gets on the floor and begs me on his hands and knees. "Please Druid, do not kill me, I have lied!"

I knew spreading that rumor that druids killed those that lied to them would be a good thing. I lave evilly in my mind. All that time I spent reading about complex plots in books, I had learned something very key. Those that control information are nearly gods!

"It's okay Lord Ravvin, just be honest with me, what is that you need?" I try coaxing him further. "Its..It's just the Grove, but there's something you should know..." He sighs deeply stooping his shoulders and...Wow, is this guy seriously crying?! "The young Lady of the Manor has a deep interest in Magic, and given your disposition she has it in her head that I'm here to...Ask for her to be your Second Wife...."

Wait, what? I mean yeah magic is cool, but really? Oh screw it, the kind probably just has some stupid crush, and a grove is easy. "I will come help you build your grove, and I may be even to help with the matter regarding the young Lady." Lord Ravvin gets up quickly shaking my head and bowing with gratitude. "However my prices are tripled since you lied to me earlier." I demand that imperiously as I stride out of the room. I close the door behind me to see my wife. She's sitting on the ground, next to the door trying not to cry. Yes, she's so sad that her husband has work. HA No way, she just can't stop laughing from this and is almost rolling on the floor as she is wracked over and over with laughter.

I reach over and pull Maya up to her feet. "You, me, Bedroom." I demand pulling her towards the closest one. From the large smile on her face, and accompanying blush, I doubt she minds over much that her 'punishment' is coming to her.