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Message: <blockquote data-quote="doghead" data-source="post: 6322675" data-attributes="member: 8243">Time - Somewhere in the Monster KingdomSlice stands in a clearing. The sun wheels across the sky. It is warm on his skin. He draws strength from it, the nourishing energy flowing through his mighty limbs. The wind rustles as it moves through and around him. It pushes gently against him, but the ground is firm and reassuring in its hold. It keeps him secure, allowing him to reach up to the light and the sun. He draws deeply on the cool water and essential minerals deep below ground through his roots. The stars and moon wheel across the sky. The Witching Troll sits in the clearing before a pot atop a small fire. "If you cannot work with your companions, then you are of no use to me in the group," she says.The sun wheels across the sky, chased by dashing clouds. Slice drinks it in through his canopy of leaves. Slice is aware of the sounds of the other trees around him, the soft rustling of leaves, the creaking of limb and bough. The Witching Troll sits in the clearing, sorting various roots and herbs and plants into separate baskets."However, there is still the matter of the year's service you owe me. I could compel you to cooperate. But a geas is a tricky thing. And if I had wanted a thrall, I could have saved myself the effort of saving you."The stars and moon wheel across the sky. Around him the other tress of the forest whispers among themselves. Slice knows that they are talking, but it is too slow for him to follow. Occasionally he grasps a part of the conversation, but by the time it finishes he has forgotten the beginning. The Witching Troll in the clearing running a whetstone along the blade of a large sword. "As it happens, I could do with a tree. A big elm for example. There are not enough elms around here I think. Perhaps about there. Where you are standing now as a matter of fact."The sun wheels across the sky. Slice cannot see it behind the dark grey storm clouds. But he feels its trajectory in his limbs and leaves. Around him the trees discuss the changing of the season and preparations for the coming of winter with its ice and snow. The other trees do not respond to any attempt by Slice to talk with them. But Slice gets the feeling that their discussions are for his benefit, preparing him for what is coming. The Witching Troll sits with a small group of fauns and a bear. They are talking but their words are too fleeting and ephemeral for Slice to understand. But some of the Witching Troll's words are understandable."Do not fret about the passing of time. Time here works a little differently from the mundane world. I have sped it up a little, to give you  time to understand the dimensions of your choice."Speaking of time. While the shade is nice, your service as a tree is somewhat less valuable to me than as a member of the group. It may take you a little longer to repay what you owe."The Witching Troll looks at Slice directly. She is alone in the clearing again."So, do you have any thoughts on the matter?"</blockquote>

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