Chapter Eight, 'Sprites of Sickle Ear Lake, part two'

The nymphs led her to a lake. She found that the 'Endiel' the nymphs had been referring to as they led her was the lake's Naiad. She looked disheveled and weary; sane though.
"You are the Magic-wielder. Swim with me before it is to late to save her."

Alicea had learned not to question sprites. The more of a hurry they were in the more urgent the situation was. Especially Naiads, who took a great deal of time to do anything and rarely interjected themselves on matters beyond their own homes.

As she swam through the lake, a swim lasting well into the afternoon despite Endiel's blessing, Alicea considered what she'd seen. Endiel was ragged, worried, and the water of the lake was dark for this time of year. The Dryad, Svalia, was growing ethereal and had apparently fainted. Admittedly Dryads were naturally somewhat on the dozy side, but to lose consciousness altogether was a bad sign. The Ga-Vok in town had mentioned the hunt was growing bad as well. All these pointed to one thing; the Sickle Ear clan had failed to replace their shaman when he became a warlock. The shrines, which she could now see on the island Endiel was bringing her to, had been neglected and the sprites where fading, or more likely becoming corrupted.

"This is her shrine. Do you know the way to cleanse it?"
"My father insisted upon it. I don't know how much I can do for yours though."
"Mine can wait, I'll show you to tend it when Svalia is safe."

Alicea turned to the nymphs, who had skittered across the water and gathered along the shore. She listed a series of herbs and where to find them. Then she began clearing the overgrowth on the shrine, restoring it to its proper level of herbage.

A quick glance around the clearing showed that there were in fact three shrines. The local sprites were likely as close of friends as they were in hearth. This might explain why Endiel had taken such concern for Svalia. The question remained however where the Wisp was during all this.

"We've brought the herbs."
Alicea ordered the sprigs of the various plants upon the small altar in Svalia's shrine. A brief recitation made active the offering.

"Children, tend to your aunt. See to it that she returns in safety."
"Your shrine is in need of repair itself Naiad."
"You did not question our need; are you a shaman?"
"My father is Aurou of the Howling Axe. He taught me to tend to the world where it is needed."
"I know of him. My brethren told me that the shaman nearest Faolow's pond has been working to restore him. When next you speak with him, tell him that Fao's shrine is in the cave beneath the waterfall along the Jeneng river. Fao was Jeneng's favorite before he fell."

A pool at the base of Svalia's shrine began sprouting lilys. Alicea cupped one in her hand and carried it over to Endiel's algae ridden shrine. She placed it within the basin there, incanting a blessing as she did. The algae receded and the fountain began to run again. Endiel began to brighten and her clothes mended themselves as ALicea watched.

"You said you did not know how to care for a Naiad's shrine?"
"I just thought it would look nice. And some part of me insisted that it would be more beautiful if blessed."
"You of the bone-steel never cease to amaze me. A Ga-Vok shaman like Kron can study for his whole life and still fumble over the ceremony and an inexperienced young wanderer like you can perform it perfectly without even knowing you do it."

Alicea blushed. She hated that little voice for its refusal to let her simply do things, yet not once had it led her wrong. The fact that Endiel associated it with Nielda was worthy of attention; she'd have to ask when she met one.
"What of your brother, the wisp?"
"Cavel was my spouse, not my brother. He has been lead away to serve Kron at the dark tower upon the hill."
"Then he is...?"
"Kron was once the shaman here. He tended our shrines clumsily, but he was always seeking our knowledge and favors. He read often, and he sought continuously after greater power. A few months ago he came and bound Cavel to his service. Now he uses my poor husband to fuel the storm about the tower."

"I'll bring your husband back. But you must promise to never tell the people of the Sickle Ear clan that they received aid from me. I refused to vanquish the warlock before, and I am a woman of my word. You have need and cannot yourself fill it; so I shall fill it for you."