The Grove

Maker's Terrace

In the late afternoon hours at the Maker's Terrace of the Grove, business is around average today. Young inspiring crafters are learning various trades such as leatherwork, artificing and tailoring. Even some older master crafters are there to provide lessons and tips on how to improve their own crafting skills.

Bhia, a master chef, is with a male student named Trahearne, a former necromancer who inspires to become a chef himself.

"I am... in need of some supplies," he nervously said, holding a list in his hand.

"Now you don't have to be nervous around me. I'm more than happy to get you started on the fine art of cooking." she assured him. "What would you like?"

He handed the list to Bhia. She took it from him.

"You could have simply told me what you needed."

Trahearne was clearly a bit shy. She sighed with a smile and looked at the list.

"Let's see here... three bottles of soy sauce, one small bag of rice, packets of salt and two jugs of water. Well, you're in luck today. I received new shipments of these items just yesterday. I'll have them prepared for you in a moment."

He nodded in acknowledgment as she turned to get them. About a minute later, she returned to the counter with a large bag.

"There we go. That will be two silver, please."

He pulled out two silver from a belt pouch and gave it to her.

"Thank you for your business. Hope to see you again... oh, and I added some parsley leaves as well at no extra charge."

"Thank you," he said, then turned to leave as she put the money away in a safe container. Approaching Bhia's counter is a purple skinned female mesmer and one of the Grove's top ranking officials.

"Ah, Chancellor Violett. If I had known you were coming over, I would have cleaned up the station a little better."

"That's quite all right. I was a student of the cooking trade myself once. I know how messy it can be at times." She then noticed what looked like new ingredients in large bowls she did not recognize in a variety of different colors. They are powder-like yet slightly crunchy. "Curious, what is that over there?"

"I have been experimenting with trying to create a new form of candy and it is quite popular with those who tried it. Would you like a sample?"

Violett smiled. "Been a long time since I had candy of any kind... very well."

Using a small bowl, Bhia scooped some of the blue powder type in it and handed the bowl to Violett. "Now don't just chew it right away. Give it a moment to dissolve in your mouth."

Violett placed a tiny amount in her mouth and waited. It's a blueberry flavor. It felt like the candy was popping and fizzing on her tongue. She was slightly taken by surprise but did not spit it out. As she swallowed it, the sensation continued down her throat.

"Oh my. That was strange," said Violett.

"Had some trouble coming up with a name for it but I finally decided on Pop Rocks."

"That does sound appropiate. This might possibly become a top selling item one day."

"I hope so," Bhia said with relief.

A female messenger approached the cooking station.

"Chancellor Violett?"

The mesmer turned to face her. "Yes?"

"Your presence is requested at the Privot Gardens right away."

"Does this pertain to our... guest... by any chance?"

"Yes, Chancellor. She is not yet awake but has entered a dream state."

"Thank you, young one. I will be there shortly."

The messenger bowed her head and then left.

Violett looked back at Bhia. "I would like to sample more flavors you have made at another time."

"Sounds good. You know where to find me."

Smiling, Violett left the station and made her way to the northwest section of the city, where the Privot Gardens is located. Inside, a private medical facility was set up that is not available for public use. She went inside. The avatar of the Pale Tree was here too, along with other officials and healers.

On a bed of giant soft leaves, a female human in guardian armor lays on it. She is dreaming. Her head is slightly tossing and turning, with rapid eye movement under the eyelids.

"I came as soon as I could," Violett said, approaching the bed. "How is she?"

"Her condition is unlike anything we have seen before," one healer told her. "Given our limited knowledge of human biology, I cannot say for certain what is happening to her."

"I sense a dark and powerful energy within and it is slowly increasing in strength," the Avatar said.

"Where did she come from?" Violett asked.

Another healer answered. "She just appeared in the lower depths of the city. No one can explain how she got there undetected."

"I had patrol guards bring her here," Avatar said.

Violett then noticed a guild emblem on the chest piece of the guardian's armor. It features a white dragon on a red background.

"This emblem... is there a way to determine which guild or faction it belongs to?"

"We already have," the first healer said. "It is the guild emblem of the Unified Heroes of Tyria."

Violett thought out loud. "Unified Heroes of Tyria... if I recall, we sent an ambassador to Lion's Arch to meet with them a few months ago. Azelia Heartshaper, if I'm not mistaken."

"Correct," the Avatar confirmed. "She may be able to help us on this matter. I would like for you to contact her personally and acquire her services."

"Very well. I shall leave at once." Violett bowed her head to the Avatar and left the facility, heading to the northern end of the city, where the portal to Lion's Arch awaits.