The journey is taxing as you are hobbled so closely together. You creep and limp and continue to make your way around the arid island, the Voek tower always in your sights. Around you now are the ruins of what appeared to be an ancient Guardian civilization, long abandoned to corruption and the ravages of time.

Before you have a chance to ask about them, Haden stumbles, her shield flickering. You catch her just in time to keep her from falling.

"Have you been maintaining this shield too long," Alster asks, worry lining his face. "Plus you used the spider gauntlet's abilities earlier. You're wearing yourself out."

"I just need to rest a little," Haden says, but she looks like she's going to fall unconscious at any moment unless she receives first aid. Alster says, " I can treat you but we have to stop so that I can prepare something to help you."

"Well if your treatment tastes anything like your cooking I think I will give it a miss," Haden manages to get out. "Nice, even when dying you find a way to trash my mother's stews." Alster replies hoping the evocation of his mother will temper Haden's comments. "I happen to like food with flavour." He went on, more so to keep the conversation on the topic of food rather than Haden's situation. "Yes, flavour is good," said Haden, "but not  all of them in the same dish." You all laughed which helped with the tense moment and alleviated some of the concern about Haden. Then Talik who had been looking around spoke up. "We're too exposed like this, we can't stop in the middle of all this corruption," she says. "We have to get to the tower or go back to the oasis, quickly!" 

With Talik helping and your balance aligned, you do your best to support Haden's weight and continue on. Nothing good will happen if you're caught out here in the corruption too long. You need to move fast.

Suddenly you have an awkward fall forward, tripping on a root. A vine is wrapped around your leg, and another is snaking around your back, squeezing you in its grip! You are awed by its strength and shocked by its movement. "Is this plant attacking us?" You ask everyone but mostly hoping Alster will respond with a 'no, why would a plant attack'. 

How many words started with an "a" and ended with a "d"? Submit your answer as a number in Thy Quests.

Next: E6Q1 Plant Food