Haden clenches her fists, opening her mouth to retort, but then someone shouts behind you. A Guardian strides into the room, an eagle flying ahead of him, an eagle staff in hand. The Guardian glances at Haden, looking surprised to see her, but then addresses the Chief and nods at Haden. "O Chief, our scouts have returned. It's as we feared." He lowers his voice. "The corruption is spreading toward the bridge."

Haden interrupts. "We need to reach the tower. Maybe the sibling there can—"

"It's dangerous, and I have said enough on the subject already." The Chief points at Haden. "Stay away from that tower." Then he steers the Eagle Scout away from you and your companions to receive a full report on the corruption in the badlands.

As they exit the hall, Alster puts a hand on Haden's back. She clenches her jaw, fuming. "What's the corruption the Chief is talking about?" he inquires. "Do you think it is connected to the imbalance?" She looks at you all, feeling embarrassed by her father's directions and his attitude toward your youth. You wonder what the Ruined Lands he spoke of are. You walk outside with your companions, hoping that Haden can explain. The fresh air does you all some good. But as you walk, you notice everyone in town looks on edge, and you don't think it has anything to do with the four strangers that had just arrived. In fact, most people seem quite impervious to your presence, except for the occasional nod of respect toward Haden.

Haden says to you all, "Come with me for a moment for some reconnaissance." You have no idea what she has in mind but follow her to what she says is her favorite place for downtime after training.

You enter a Guardian's teahouse, a cozy space nestled among the giant trees. The interior is filled with the warm glow of lanterns hanging from branches, casting soft light on the wooden tables and woven mats. Younger inhabitants sit around, engrossed in their conversations and activities, some look tired from their days activities. Two young warriors, no older than fifteen, are quietly playing a game with carved wooden pieces, their faces serious with concentration. Nearby, a young girl strums a stringed instrument resembling a lute, her fingers dancing across the strings to produce a lively tune. Another teen taps a rhythm on a drum made from a tortoise shell, the beats resonating through the room.

Haden sits you at a table and fetches drinks, returning with two different kinds. One is a green tea called “Sylvan Nectar,” and the other an orange drink known as “Sunset Brew.” Unsure of your preferences, Haden offers you both. You and Talik take the green one, while Alster opts for the orange. The drinks are strange-tasting but not unpleasant, sweetened with tree sap and filled with balls of chewy resin.

While you, Alster, and Talik drink and avoid the awkward looks of the locals in the teahouse, Haden chats with the drink master and asks him and a few others nearby some questions. When Haden returns, your drinks are half gone.

"So you like the tea then?" she asks with a small smile.

Talik responds, "The jury is still out," and takes another sip, though you can tell she likes it. Alster, however, is more interested in the recipe and which plants had been used. "Does it have any medicinal properties?" he asks.

Haden explains what she has learned. "The corruption is slow-moving and has existed for centuries, some say since the towers shut down. But now it has been moving rapidly in the last few months, destroying the land. If it crosses the river, the whole island could be in danger."

The rumours seem to be spreading about what's happening as it is not just in the tea house you hear the Morians talking about the news. 

You pepper Haden with more questions. The chief is her dad, for how long? What's the corruption do to the land? Where are the Ruined Lands?

"On Morian island no one knows what causes it, but it warps everything it touches, even animals and insects are changed by it and if it is spreading I think I know why." Haden says with determination. 

Next: E5Q1 Trouble on the Island