Pan had a sneaking suspicion he wasn’t welcome in the harsh desert.  Long ago when he’d come to Novus, he’d been accepted into Solterra... but it had only been when he’d paid homage to Solis. That was before he knew the lore, and that the sun god wasn’t his to follow. All of that had changed now though.  Maxence was gone, Inkheart was gone, and Pan had forgotten all that came before.  He looks on the land with fresh eyes, ignoring the tingling sensation along his spine which suggested he’d seen this place before. It must have just been a dream, like all the other strange and fantastic dreams he'd had.  All his memories were that now, just dreams.

He hesitates on the borderlands only for a moment before stepping toward the canyon.  After all, Pan was on a mission.  When he’d found his treasure cave along Rapax River, he’d found the stash of things that were once his.  Long hidden, they’d collected dust in the back of the rocky structure, and as he rummaged through them, he discovered his treasures all over again.  Of particular note was an old book.  Pan could not tell you where it came from, only that he’d poured over it long into the night, when the moon rose high to light the pages with silver stardust.  It was a book about herbs – specifically, about the herbs of Novus.  Through its words, he learned that he was, in fact, in a land called Novus.  It didn’t get into the specifics of each land, but instead focused on the plants which lay within it.  And now, Pan began his scavenger hunt to find and collect each one.

Thus, the boy was here now, looking for the illustrious and fabled Nightdew Agave.

A crudely drawn picture of the plant showed that it was large and spiky, with flowers growing from it.  He quickly looks around, not finding it, but finding instead a creature in the distance.  Blinking against the sunlight, Pan shook his head to ward away the feeling that perhaps he was just imagining the other horse… but as he grew closer, he saw that indeed, it was a dark mare with silver loops and chains adorning her proud stature.  Smiling as he grew nearer, Pan didn’t even bother with caution.  Instead, he marched right up to the mare with a confident Excuse me?  Do you have a minute to help me find this plant?  And he thrust the photo toward her, waiting impatiently to see if she would help.

The boy isn’t phased by her standoffish demeanor.  No, Pan had dealt with all types before, and his response is always the same – to disarm them with his charm.  He is a gentle beast, and finds no need to be threatening or provocative.  Instead, the scaled child tends to be a calming presence, disarming even the most guarded of beasts.  Surely, she would see he meant no harm to her, the land, or even the plant.  Ignoring his bristling tone, he thrusts the book toward her once more.  It says this plant has healing powers… that it can be used to heal, or to provide energy if you’re feeling weak.  He walks around the desert mare, looking her over and noting the scars of battle which cross her dusky pelt.  Perhaps a warring nation would appreciate such things… If we find some, I should like to take a bit to make a healing salve… and you could collect some too, for use in your next battle.

He grins to the mare, bowing his head in a sign of respect, sending tendrils of creamy white down across his wide and bright eyes.  I’m Pan, by the way… and I’m a healer.  I’m happy to help this place too, if you need to have a healer you can call for.  I don’t like to see anyone hurting.  It seemed to the boy that in war-states, there were always more fighters than healers.  Perhaps his services could be useful to Solterra.  And speaking of… Who is Solis?  Is he in charge around here?  There is a genuine curiosity in his voice, for the boy is always one for stories, and for learning.  The name was mildly familiar, of course – for once, he had worshiped the sun god on the mountain.  Once, he had known the lore of this place.  But that, like many of his memories, was now lost to time.  Still, the boy knows to be reverent to the gods, and he would most certainly like to pay his respect to the sun god once more, if only he knew the decorum.  

As for the desert… Why wouldn’t the desert forgive me?  I’ve done nothing wrong. and he hadn’t.  The boy was simply a vagrant passing through, and as all the places he’d been, the child has a great appreciation for the beauty of Solterra.  Deep within his satchel are memories he’s collected – sand from the Mors Desert, a vial of crystal water from the lagoon, and now – a cactus thorn from this land.  He sighs, perhaps a bit whimsically, and stares out over the desolate landscape.  It’s beautiful, isn’t it…  For the desert held its own appeal, and even the water colt could appreciate it.

As Efphion asks if he was an equine with plant knowledge, he nods solemly and carefully tucks his thick book back away in his satchel.  Relaxing some when the mare lets her guard down (though ever so slightly), he offers her a half smile.  I am happy to help, and to heal for you. he repeats.  You just call for Pan, and I’ll come.  Promise.  The boys eyes are earnest as they meet hers, filled with an optimistic sort of promise that only a child can muster.  There is trust within them too, for Pan has no reason to question the mare, drawing her every word in as gospel truth.

When she speaks of Solis, something clicks in his mind.  Solis.  He’d heard the name before.  Long ago, he’d worshiped on the mountain, calling to the sun god with Inkheart and offering him gifts.  I shall say a word of thanks to Solis then, next time I’m on the mountain.  For he knew not to mess with the gods.  Whispering a silent prayer in his mind, he thanked Solis for safe passage in this land, and for helping them to find the plants.  Only then does he turn back toward Effy’s voice and warning.

I’ll be careful, in the desert, I mean… and don’t worry, I brought plenty of snacks in case there isn’t a lot to eat around here.  As if illustrating the point, he draws forth a half of an apple, offering it to the mare as he falls into an easy pace beside her.  Onward they march, into the desert kingdom as she leads him toward the mythical Nightdew Agave.

They continued for what seemed like hours (though truly, their journey was far shorter… Pan was simply eager to get there and the time seemed to crawl past), before stumbling upon the plant deep in the canyon.  It was magnificent.  As the sun began to set on the canyon, large vibrant blooms opened to the night.  They seemed to almost glow with hues of lively orange and pink, and for a moment, Pan can only stand in awe of such a specimen.  The stalk of the Agave reached toward the heavens, taller even than he, and at its base was a wide swath of barbed leaves.  Stepping closer, he walked around the plant a few times to survey it, not wanting to take more than he needed from its bounty.  Only once he’d fully inspected the agave does he turn back to his companion with an excited rush to his words.

Isn’t it a beauty?  Wow…  For a moment, Pan is lost for words.  The flowers are the true value for a healer, but the spiky leaves can be helpful too.  Do you have a knife or something?  I don’t want to take much, but perhaps we can cut a few pieces loose and save them for healing.