Chapter 5, The Box, p457
I really should say that I decided to write down the story when I found the Big Box, not when I discovered the Little Box had disappeared. After all, had I not found the Big Box I wouldn’t have known about the Little Box at all. Its subsequent disappearance would not have made a difference to me. It would have come and gone, and in my little universe I would never have encountered it.
But I did. I realized there was a fragrance in the room. It was different from those outside, and couldn’t be coming from any plants. So, like I always do, I followed my nose. The dust was pretty thick, but dust there can get thick rather quickly. So that doesn’t tell me how long it had been in there.
I still can’t believe no one has ever made mention of it. I mean, as carefully as explorers have scoured the ages and any surrounding area, no one noticed it? I suppose it’s possible, since I wouldn’t have either had I not been sniffing for it.
Jeeze that’s embarrassing to say. Sniffing for it. I think it’s a good thing I haven’t said anything to anyone. Although now I’d like to tell Veralun. Since we’ve developed the Guild of Healers site a little, and there is some interest (positive, thank goodness) I am learning that there are other people who are interested in the properties of plantlife in and around the Cavern. That’s his area of expertise; maybe he will come back there with me and study the scene.
Ruby might, too, although she had something of a bad experience there last year. Still, she might actually be willing to tell me about the area where I found the Big Box.
I really should go and talk to the people at the Zoological Society. They might know something about it. I have plans to get more involved over there now that I have studied some of the resins and extracted a few of the essential oils. I just need to decide what how to introduce my project.
Part of my hesitation with the DZS stems from the fact that I haven’t collected many essences, so I don’t have a lot to contribute yet to their database. I try not to disturb any of the living plants, since I don’t know what effect digging into them would have. I’m grateful that some ooze oil or resin and others flower and drop petals or leaves. I don’t feel nearly as guilty picking up petals or holding a vial up to running sap. Well, I don’t feel too guilty cutting a stalk or two, or picking a few blades of grass. I’ve picked up whole clumps of grass that had been uprooted, especially in Tsogal. People can really tear up the landscape when they take off running to get through the door. Delin, too.