The Trials

Morwen sat cross-legged on a rock, watching Lian pack his bag. She gave a little smirk and jingled the bells in her hair.

“Listen up,” she said, voice clear and no-nonsense. “This antidote needs three special ingredients. And only you can get them. No help. No shortcuts.”

Kael rolled her eyes. “So what, we’re just here for moral support? Great. I was hoping to show off my stealth skills.”

Mira smiled softly, folding her arms. “We’re here to cheer him on. That counts, right?”

Morwen pointed a finger at Lian. “Cheering is fine. But you have to do the hard work. Understand?”

Lian swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the task.

Morwen then stretched out a small, wrinkled parchment. It showed three spots marked on a mountain—no paths, just crude symbols that looked like a moon, a toad, and a fern.

“Moonleaf dew, laughing toad scale, and the ember heart of the silence fern,” she recited slowly. “Get the first two today. The last one will wait. Your legs won’t last longer anyway.”

Lian blinked at the map. “You mean I have to climb a mountain, catch a toad, and… whatever the last one is?”

Morwen nodded, her bells chiming softly. “That’s right. And if you fail, well, you fail. That’s how you learn.”

Kael crossed her arms and grinned. “Sounds fun! I’ll be watching from the front row. Got popcorn?”

Mira just shook her head but smiled anyway.

Lian tried to steady his nerves. “Alright. Where do I start?”

Morwen tapped the moon symbol on the map. “North slope. Moonleaf dew is there, shining in the moonlight. But don’t get distracted by the pretty plants. They’re tricky.”

Lian took a deep breath and started walking.

Kael followed close behind, cracking jokes. “Hey, Lian, if you run into a giant squirrel, just ask it politely for directions.”

Mira laughed softly. “And maybe don’t fall into any holes, okay?”

Lian ignored them and focused on the climb.

The moonleaf plants were exactly as Morwen said: tall, silvery, glowing faintly under the pale sky. Their leaves shimmered and held little drops of dew that sparkled like stars.

Lian knelt beside a plant, feeling awkward.

“Now what?” he muttered.

Morwen’s voice came from behind. “Speak your truth to the plant. No lies, no jokes. Just honesty.”

Lian blinked. “My truth?”

“Yes. Plants can sense it. They respond to it.”

He thought hard. “Alright…”

He spoke softly, saying how he’d always felt like an outsider, how he wanted to find his place, how he wanted to protect his friends even if he didn’t feel powerful yet.

Nothing happened at first. Then, a single drop of dew wobbled, slid gently off the leaf, and into a small vial Morwen had handed him.

Kael burst out laughing. “You’re basically a plant whisperer now! Next up: talking to squirrels!”

Mira shook her head, smiling warmly. “Good job, Lian. That was honest.”

Lian smiled shyly, tucking the vial safely into his bag.

Next, they headed to the third hollow, a dark place full of shadows and strange noises.

Kael whispered dramatically, “Beware the laughing toad! It will judge your soul.”

Mira gave her a look. “Stop trying to steal the spotlight.”

Lian crept through the mud and leaves until he spotted a plump toad sitting on a rock, eyes half-closed, almost like it was smirking.

Morwen warned, “Don’t try to trick it with silly jokes or fake laughs. It only responds to real laughter.”

Kael snorted. “Well, good luck then.”

Lian sighed. He thought about the last time he really laughed — the time Kael tried to dance and slipped, then laughed so hard she almost cried.

He let out a quiet, honest chuckle.

The toad blinked, then let out a croak that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle back. It hopped forward and dropped a shiny scale into Lian’s hand.

“Got it!” Lian whispered, amazed.

Kael leaned over and whispered, “I think you made a new friend.”

Mira added quietly, “Only you were allowed to touch it, remember.”

Kael pouted but stayed quiet.

Morwen clapped slowly. “Two down, one to go.”

Lian looked exhausted but proud. He sat down while Morwen pulled out a steaming kettle and a plate of biscuits.

“Rest now,” Morwen said. “Tomorrow you’ll meet the silence fern. It’s different. It doesn’t want your laughter or your stories. It wants silence and stillness. Be ready for that.”

Kael munched on a biscuit and grinned. “I’ll practice being silent. Right after I finish my dramatic monologue.”

Mira giggled softly. Lian just nodded, feeling the weight of what was ahead.

As the sun set, Morwen told them her name properly for the first time.

“By the way, I’m Morwen Bramble. If you ever want more help — or more snacks — say my name out loud. It helps.”

Kael immediately repeated it. “Morwen Bramble. Got it!”

Mira said it quietly, almost like a prayer.

Lian smiled. “Thank you, Morwen. I’ll do my best.”

She winked. “I know you will. Now get some sleep. The hardest part is coming.”

The three walked back down the mountain, joking and teasing each other.

Kael joked, “Tomorrow, silence fern or bust! I’m bringing earplugs.”

Mira rolled her eyes. “You can’t bring earplugs to silence.”

Lian laughed softly, feeling a small spark inside him — a spark he hoped would grow.