The light was failing… it was fall, after all, and the light was quickly fading after the Equinox. Amaris, Mist and her squire, Jia, had been hard at work for weeks on her contributions to Battlefield Park and its district.
This major undertaking all started with the idea of Gladioli. Amaris had been researching ideas for Battlefield and found that Gladioli symbolize heroism, victory, pride, strength, honor, integrity, and remembrance, which was great for the spirits and the barons of the district. Plus, the translation literally meant swords, so she started to build her idea starting with them.
Amaris had started by sketching many designs. Then, she came up with the idea of a floral maze. She wanted aesthetics that fit the area, with its spirits, the sword fighting, and the ambiance. So, she went with black, deep red and purple flowers.
The trio began their work by cleaning the area, raking and tilling the areas where things were going to be planted. Mist plotted out the area with chalk, and once it was all plotted and tilled, they started planting flowers: glads, black bleeding hearts, orchids, sunflowers, clovers, and other flowers. It was a gothic themed garden, so the colors would be deep reds and maroons, purples, blacks and a light smattering of whites.
Weeks later, everything was planted. They also added roses around tombs and mausoleums, in the maze, and around the manor to make it balanced. The trio decided they needed a few days' rest. Once they were refreshed, they returned to start the spell weaving. Amaris was getting better at her spell crafting, but having Mist and Jia there was helpful. The three worked hard and cast spells to keep the plants healthy, warm, and blooming all year round, even in the winter.
Several days later, Amaris thanked Mist and Jia for their help and decided to finish the last bits on her own. She was the Baron after all. Amaris roamed the maze, taking in the view, the scents, and the overall ambiance of the place. When she got to the center she stood there cocking her head in thought.
"It’s missing something. What am I missing?"
Wisps started to appear, though other people would probably only see mist rising from the ground. A red haze blended into the mist and a hand brought forth several seeds. Amaris gathered them quickly, as the hand was only materialized for several beats of her heart. Turning them over, she smiled and moved to the direct center of the maze and dug a deep hole, then re-covered it with soil. She stood in the center, a soft purple glow around her hands as she wove a spell, murmuring the words of different languages ancient and current. Before her, a tree started to grow.
First, a small, weak sapling appeared. As the magic flowed into the tree, it began to get taller, and branches started to leave it, jet black like cherry tree bark. Finally, leaves started to sprout, then black flowers. Soon the tree was fifteen feet tall, with a spattering of black flowers and purple… almost black… apples. Amaris came crashing to her knees, breathing hard like she’d run a race. She wiped her brow after a few deep breaths. A few wisps of mist seemed to wrap around her, and she smiled and gave them a nod.
“I’m glad you are so happy. I know a few of you spirits didn’t like to be disturbed, but I think it makes a nice touch to the district and manor.”
Finishing up, Amaris sighed,
“I need a shower.”
She gathered up her tools, dark circles under her eyes as she yawned and headed back to the cave and Mist.
<ooc: The maze is similiar to this but
the flowers are different.
The black diamond apples
The apples are free to anyone that comes to pick them. The magic made sure that they'd continue to regrow.