The Son of Light

Chapter 7 Hannah's Reflections

Hannah ventured into the Gardens one morning and began to tend to the Sunflowers, Daffodils, Marigolds, Daisies, Orchids, Carnations and all the other various flowers in the Gardens. Looking around to ensure no one was looking or nearby, Hannah waved her hand and conducted the Door Sealing Psalm, and Ordained the walls with a repellent Psalm so that no one would bother her nor dare to peek over the walls. Hannah was not well versed in the divine power of Asähr the offspring of the Caroq-Gáli better known as "The World Song" which was a direct product of the Allfather "Yohí-Altahr" or better known simply as "Omneus." He sung in continuous fashion that sustained the entire universe. 

Seeing that she now had complete privacy, Hannah disrobed and now stood naked, soaking up the warm rays of the sun. Dryads, being spirits of trees and vegetation, relied heavily upon photosynthesis for sustenance as well as basic ingestion. Because of this, Dryads held a cultural practice known in their language as "Kushigae" which when translated, literally meant "To Shed" in which they disrobe, and allow the sunlight to sustain and rejuvenate their bodies. Whilst other races looked on with disdain in the belief such a practice was "Lewd" or "Barbaric" for Dryads this was simply a default state of being. Also an extremely necessary practice as being deprived of sunlight would jeopardize a Dryad's vitality and health.

Now that she was in a more familiar state of being, Hannah allowed for her true potential to show. Her body began to emit a powerful emerald luminescence. No sooner had this "Dryadic auranimbus" been ignited, than all vegetation responded. Every flower, tree, shrub, and blade of grass stretched deliciously to feed off the bountiful sustenance that Hannah now provided. Hannah went about feeling more at ease then she had with her clothes on. This was her natural state of being, free to truly be a Dryad.

Feeling playful, Hannah allowed several flower types conveyed by vines of ivy to crawl up around her arms and around her head forming a sort of wreath crown. Giggling to herself Hannah went about her duties as all vegetation danced around her. Standing in the middle of the Gardens, Hannah allowed the soil to swallow her up, to be completely submerged underground like a root. There she allowed all roots to wrap and coil themselves around her body and draw from her the sweet nutrients only a dryad could provide. Hannah smiled contentedly. This was not Madame Blanchette's Gardens. This was Hannah Gretchen's Gardens. After all the roots had drawn their fill, the soil opened back up and Hannah sprang up and out. All the soil, and all the dirt falling off her body so that not a single blemish nor smudge of dirt could be found anywhere on her body. She was still as clean as if she had come from bathing.

Feeling like bathing nonetheless Hannah waded into the deep crystal clear pond in the middle of the gardens. Flinging her crown into the farther end, Hannah dove through the crystal clear pool basking amongst the water lotuses and lily pads. the Koi swam about her, curious about this strange creature that now swam amongst them The sun's warm rays shattered upon crystal water allowing a beautiful rainbow to form from the fountain to the water's edge. Using her Influence Hannah created a lily pad to grow in size and strength so as to support her weight. Pulling herself up, she laid out allowing the sun to dry her body whilst absorbing all the precious nourishment from the sunlight. Lying comfortably, Hannah dozed until the sun's heat finally irritated her and she skipped over the various lily pads and lighted upon the grass on the bank. Feeling sleepy, Hannah sauntered out of the Garden into the outer grove of moss covered oaks. Coming to the glade, she reached a fat, gnarled looking oak with many protruding roots and taller than the rest.

Walking up to it, Hannah pressed her palm against and commanded the tree nonverbally to open up and to produce a sap chrysalis, enabling the tree with the nutrients to do so. The oak opened allowing Hannah to step through and submerge herself into the sap chrysalis. As the tree bark closed around her, Hannah curled herself into the fetal position, allowing herself to be completely enveloped in the syrupy substance. Opening her mouth, she allowed the sap to fill her lungs so that it could convey carbon dioxide as Dryads like trees, breathe in carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. And there Hannah slept contentedly for a long time. and while she slept, Hannah dreamed.