You know you have reached the Garden, the scenery is unmistakeable. A massive tree almost a half-mile in diameter at the base towers above a clearing in the forests of the east. In the shadow of one of its twisting roots a half-dozen long houses sit, with a few figures milling between them as the sun slowly lowers from it's zenith. At the densest point of the roots a door is set into the wood of the tree, with two ogres standing on either side, chatting idly to one another.

         Walker of Shadow pauses at the edge of the clearing, admiring the view. Then, he presses forward, heading for the door. He figures that the lord of such an estate is unlikely to live in one of the houses when a /GIANT TREE/ is available.

         The tribesmen seem largely unworried by you, going about their business, building a seventh cabin, with the help of a third Ogre carrying the logs that form the basis of the buildings. When you reach the door, the two ogres to either side bar your passage with massive gossamer sledges. One speaks ponderously to you, "Who are you, and what is your bussiness in the Garden?"

         Walker of Shadow looks up at the one who spoke, not intimidated at all. "I'm Walker of Shadow, and I've come to speak with Saffron Horizon, or the being he has become, at least. He invited me."

        The Ogre nods, "You are permitted," he says, his voice like crunching gravel. He reaches back, holding the sledge in one hand and pushes open the door set into the bark of the tree. They both step aside and procede to ignore you as they set themselves to once again watching the clearing for newcomers.

     Walker of Shadow nods and steps through the door, peering around to get his bearings. He makes a note that the sledges might come in handy, if he can get ahold of one at some point.

        The inside of the door is a brightly lit dining hall, low stone tables are laid with food that is occasionally changed or rearranged by six inch tall humanlike figures in black-and-white attire. Two sylph-like creatures are eating at the table, and giggle and talk with each other as you enter. Rajendra Ishu is at the end of the room, sitting on a throne raised above the surrounding grass-covered floor, speaking with a beautiful vine-haired woman in quite tones. Seeing you enter, he looks up and smiles. calling at you from across the room, he greets you, "Welcome Walker, to my Garden, I hope you find it up to your expectations." He rises from his seat and comes to meet you.

         The man in black nods as he surveys the room, taking it in. He smiles at Ishu, bowing. "It does indeed. Quite a place you have here, Saffron. Wonders of fae magic, right?"

        "Truely it is, this place is as mutable as a dream for me. It is wonderfully calming, suprisingly, to live in a place like this." He smiles and offers a hand to Walker. You can fufill any dreams you desire while you stay here, friend."

         Walker raises his eyebrows at this, as he takes Ishu's hand. "Anything? Would I be able to acquire some items that would persist after I left here?"

        "It would be possible, yes, though creation of such things takes time. Preparing dreams to withstand the erosion of creation is a difficult process. What is it you desire?" The green lady behind Ishu smiles at the last comment, smiling at Walker.

         Walker raises his eyebrows again, surprised that it is possible. "Well, I was kind of joking, because I didn't think that you could do it. But, since you took it seriously, I would like something that I could trade for a crystal that increases my capacity for essence several times over. I could potentially also get you one, though I don't know how well it would work for you."

        Ishu scratches his chin, looking serious, "That might be useful, I've noticed my own stores of essence are found lacking occasionally. Such an item would be worth much. What do you have in mind for trade, Walker?"

         Walker thinks for a few moments. "Well, jade and soulsteel are worth the most in the Underworld, which is where the crystals can be found, but I don't know how well you can duplicate that. Also, really, the items don't have to be permanent. They just have to last long enough for me to get back up to Creation after selling them." He winks, conspiratorially.

        Ishu smiles, "That's harder than it looks. My items tend to do well enough in creation or to evaporate as soon as they leave my freehold. I have not yet mastered the ability of calling things made from my own essence into creation, those would fade after a time. For now though, it's all or nothing." Scratching his chin, he muses, "My artifacts are not the wonders those forged of the magical materiels are, though essence is not required to make use of them. Weapons and armor as light as air and as sharp as well-forged steal, tools that almost do the work for the craftsmen, those are my creations. What do you think would be needed to trade for these essence gems?

         Walker rubs his chin. "Hmm. Well, something of comparable value would surely do it. Those swords and armors you make. Are they about equal in power or protection to the artifacts of Creation of similar shape or function?"

        Ishu shakes his head, "Without further wyld enchantment, wich is beyond my abilities at this point, they are slightly inferior to artifacts of creation. Superior to most anything not constructed of the Magical Materiels, I would say though, and even the most delicate moonsilver plate armor weighs heavier. I also do not know how the underworld works with essence use, but attunement is not required of my materiels."

     Walker nods again. "I wouldn't expect you to know about the underworld. But, that sounds like it could be useful enough that, with several items instead of just one, the merchants of Praetor-Hollow would go for it. Especially if I trade them the smaller crystals that I already have."

        Ishu nods, "I could have a few weapons or sets of armor ready by they end of the season without strain. If you wish you could return then to gather the products, and return to the underworld to trade them."

         Walker nods once more. "That sounds awesome. The more of them that you make, the bigger crystal I can get. Possibly even multiple crystals. The smallest ones are only a drip of power, but the largest ones give you power on a level with the eldest of exalts."

        "Truely?" Ishu smiles, "I and my servants will begin construction of your materiels immediately. "Hopefully there will be enough to purchase two of the larger crystals. How long do you plan to stay here, by the way, we don't get a great amount of company out here, you could stay here in the Freehold or you could stay with the tribesmen, if you desire."

         Walker shrugs, palms up. "Truely, I have no where else that I need to be. I could probably stay here for at least a week." He glances at the green woman and quirks a smile. "The company seems quite interesting. Very well, you have convinced me. I'll stay for a while."

        Ishu looks back at Aamani, the vine-haired woman, and looks back to Walker, "Be careful you do not bite off more than you can chew, she's... quite a bit to handle. there will be a room waiting for you, whenever you are ready to retire."

         Walker shrugs, smirking. "I will keep that in mind. I don't sleep, however, and don't really feel fatigue, so I don't think I'll be 'retiring' any time soon. However, I might explore a bit. Thank you for inviting me."