They spent nearly two weeks just training and developing their Skills, while Sten sorted things out at home and planned out how to leave without causing trouble, or bringing it with him. Occasionally he was able to join the group for training, and it gave them all a slew of new workouts to do and games to play that made you good at everything from handfighting to judging distance and reading bodies in motion.

Livia was still low level, but the change in lifestyle these past months and the little magic her Skills had channelled still had her feeling stronger than ever. She didn't spar, just lightly, but the exercises were all pretty fun. It was just that the others kept going and going.

Roldy and Hyde were starting to work on fighting together, but Harold was already more than evenly matched with the others, and the mosswolf had impeccable timing, so it hardly made for a fair fight. Just how Kalle liked it, or so he claimed until he was dragged by his leg at just the wrong moment one time too many and finally snapped.

As the next [Rare Quest] approached they all decided that a visit to Brunner's farm was in order. The man had mentioned before how he was figuring out a Spell he had gotten late in his Class and that they should visit when they felt like they had grown enough to help figure it out. This was a conversation they had had without Livia or she would have insisted they do it straight away.

They went there at a leisurely walk, with Roldy and Hyde dipping into the deeper parts of the forest for some stretches, with provisions for the animals he had bonded with since returning home. It was a habit that Brunner had tipped him off to. Even just for a season, the gratitude could last for a lifetime.

Harold got back and shook the snow off his shoulders. "Roldy, did Brunner mention anything about the Spell, or did he leave you clueless for no good reason?" The [Druid] looked embarrassed, she was doing that easier and easier these days. "Sorry Livia, he mentioned it in passing but yes, I guess my mouth was going wherever my mind was taking me and asked a question about something else before he clarified, I just remembered since you talked about wanting to try the [Quest] for a Spell this time," She sighed theatrically, but they all knew they were there soon and it wasn't a big deal.

[His root-Class is Arborist so of course it won't be anything good, not so soon in his Class at any rate.]

They went stomping up to the farmhouse to rid their shoes of the snow, and Brunner came out to meet them with his jolly red beard and cheeks. "Hello, everybody, a new face, Sten I take it?" They were all welcomed and given a bite, but then they quickly got down to business.

It was mostly Livia and the two casters getting involved, but Oscar and Sten both decided to go along on the trip in case there was some good sparring to be had once they figured it out.

"So, Brunner, spill now, what is this Spell you got at level 40? [Pillar of Forestry]? [Hatchetman's Revenge]? [Arcadia's Doom]?" She remembered at the last second that maybe she should calm down a bit, that last one wasn't even from the right books. Brunner just laughed at her eager expression, but the rest of the group looked at each other uncertainly. Are those all real?

Even Mr Beard was suddenly unsure.

"It's actually called [Tribal Garden], and I haven't been able to use it at all, so I may as well tell everyone who might know something. It isn't at all like my other gardening Skills anyway, I get no feeling of guidance or inspiration no matter what type of gardening I do. Any ideas?" Livia had a couple, but this one didn't seem so complicated to her, despite not having heard of it before.

"Well, who do you consider your tribe?" The question made him consider for a few seconds. "The people of Salcret, of course, although back when I was traveling I did treat everyone I met like my tribe, even if I was quick to remove those who unapologetically broke the rules of decency," Livia just nodded. "There you go then, at least you know who is involved that way. Now, if it was a leadership Skill of maybe a [Chieftain] or something I would assume it is a replenishment Spell, that regrows the community garden. It is possible that every tree you have a bond with whose fruits are harvested by someone you consider your tribe will be regrown if you form the Spell properly in your mind and have access to enough magic."

Now, that really excited the man, and he was immediately contemplating the implications. When he realized it even applied to his kauri tree was when he went mental.