The heavens were a thing of wonder for me when I was but a young seedling, and even though I have spent most of my life among the stars I have not lost that wonderment. Now I am older and have watched my family dwindle as our exodus takes its toll, I fear for those younger than myself most of all for they do not understand the ageing of our elders and the weakening of their youth. Our numbers have always been few since we took to the skies in fear of our lives but even that is now being taken from us as the bleaching slowly erodes our very flesh; and for that I have no cure.

Even Oleander, our great Tree-Host has succumbed to his age as his colour fades and should he wither then so shall we all. He hides it with soft words and mirth but the pain can still be felt and it fills me with sorrow for I fear what will become of us without his protection and guidance.

I’ve devoted my life to ensuring our survival, of our people and our heritage. I just hope that my choices will bring us salvation not destruction.

He hides it with soft words and mirth but the pain can still be felt and it fills me with sorrow for I fear what will become of us without his protection and guidance.

She gently brushed her fingers across the roughly grown walls of their ship and her mind hums with the wizened voice of Oleander, his tone filled with pride.

“My child, you should not be as hard on yourself. Long has it been since I felt the earth, Ari, for that I thank you.”

“You’re far too kind, I just do what I feel is right for us but you may be right.”

“Guide us with us at your heart and you will not lead us astray.”

“And now it is my turn to thank you.”

She could feel her bark brightening as she blushed before stepping through the parting foliage, her bare feet sinking into the wet earth.  She made her way through the throng that had gathered lightly touching them in turn as she passed, despite the turnout many had regrettably declined to attend.

“We fled the ancient forests as fire rained from the heavens, burning our homes and leaving nought but death turning our haven into shards of glass and boiled earth; now we are but a scattered few in the care of our most sapient elder and we would reclaim this soil and grow anew.”

As the morning mist parted she knelt in the earth, using her fingers to carefully plant one of their youngest seedlings securely in the earth of their new world.

“In the name of the Unfallen I swear that we shall know peace once more, even if for us to be free the rest shall know the peace of obedience. We shall not wither in the glare of the sun but rather turn to face it and thrive in the light.”

Smiling warmly at her people she silently prayed to the Endless that she could cure them of the withering.

Fabricator wrote:

The heavens were a thing of wonder for me when I was but a young seedling, and even though I have spent most of my life among the stars I have not lost that wonderment. Now I am older and have watched my family dwindle as our exodus takes its toll, I fear for those younger than myself most of all for they do not understand the ageing of our elders and the weakening of their youth. Our numbers have always been few since we took to the skies in fear of our lives but even that is now being taken from us as the bleaching slowly erodes our very flesh; and for that I have no cure.

Even Oleander, our great Tree-Host has succumbed to his age as his colour fades and should he wither then so shall we all. He hides it with soft words and mirth but the pain can still be felt and it fills me with sorrow for I fear what will become of us without his protection and guidance.

I’ve devoted my life to ensuring our survival, of our people and our heritage. I just hope that my choices will bring us salvation not destruction.

He hides it with soft words and mirth but the pain can still be felt and it fills me with sorrow for I fear what will become of us without his protection and guidance.

Much to my annoyance I've managed to post the same line twice which is infuriating since A. it ruins the text and B. puts the text itself over the word count, and therefore disqualifies me. And now can't remove the lines which is awkward. My own fault really for failing to notice this error.

So I wish the rest of the entries the best of luck.